ELA 11-B (Tri 3)

Ms. Kassi Lazzuri

klazzuri@g.rentonschools.us

English Language Arts B

Course Description: In this course we will study and engage with American literature and nonfiction texts through diverse American authors and voices. This class aligns with 11th grade language arts common core standards, and will focus on building college-level reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills. We will study texts and works that span American history in a variety of genres, and show our learning through journals, essays, discussions, and presentations. We will read and analyze challenging, provocative, and sometimes controversial material that is intended to make you consider multiple perspectives and develop your personal beliefs and identity. You will be expected to come to class prepared and ready to challenge yourself and others with interesting discussion points. We will consider the historical context of the texts we study, and will make comparisons among a variety of American literary voices to gain a detailed and multi-faceted understanding of American society and its culture, values and norms.

Grading Policy:

Community Skills (10%): in order to be as successful as possible, it is important that students not only complete assigned work, but engage in being citizens of the classroom. Students will earn a citizenship grade by doing the following:
- Putting their phone in the phone pocket to limit their distractions
- Being in class on time
- Appropriately interacting with their peers
Weekly Assignments (40%): in order for students to do well and meet or exceed standard on the summative assessments (essays, presentations, etc.) students will need to participate in the daily activities and assignments. These assignments and activities are meant to teach students skills and give them time to learn and practice before receiving a summative grade. If students are in class but do not complete the daily assignments, they cannot be made up later. If students are absent with an excused absence, they will have the amount of days they were absent to complete daily assignments.
Assessments (50%): students will complete various summative assessments, which will make up the largest portion of their grade. This is their chance to show their understanding of the academic skills we will be learning throughout the trimester. By engaging in citizenship and participation students are setting themselves up to be more successful with the summative assessments.

Grading Scale

A: 100-94%

A-: 93.99-90%

B+: 89.99-87%

B: 86.99-84%

B-: 83.99-80%

C+: 79.99-77%

C: 76.99-74%

C-: 73.99-70%

D+: 69.99-64%

D: 63.99-60%

F: 59.99-0%

Materials: Being prepared for class is important. Please always bring the following with you to class daily:

A spiral notebook that you can leave in class
A pencil
A CHARGED Chromebook (and charger)
A mindset that is ready to learn, be kind to others, and respect the space you are in.
- this one can be tough to do daily-- if you are struggling, please let me know so that we can work together to create the learning environment you need for the day.

Cell Phone Policy: No Cell Bell to Bell

Hazen’s cell phone policy is that students should not have their phone out during class. In this classroom students are expected to place their phone in a pocket at the front of the classroom to be good citizens of the learning community. This is small portion of the weekly community skills grade. If a student’s phone becomes a problem disciplinary action will be taken in the form of a referral.

Academic Honesty: I know that there is a plethora of online resources for the books and texts we will read, and the essential questions we will grapple with. Sometimes these resources can help supplement your learning and understanding, but they can also stunt your learning and growth. Tools like SparkNotes, and ChatGPT, tend to force you into one interpretation that may or may not fit your own natural responses to the literature. If you use these tools, you are accepting another person’s ideas as yours without even knowing if they are correct, and you run the risk of feeling “lost” when it is time to apply the text to unique tasks such as discussions and essays.

Similarly, I know that there are many resources available online for essays. Plagiarism and cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. If plagiarism is found to have occurred, the offending student will receive a zero for the assignment, and be asked to resubmit the assignment with a total possible score of 80%. Additionally, the same goes for any detected AI generated assignments and essays--the student will receive a zero and be asked to resubmit original work. If this occurs more than one time, the student will fail the course.

*If a student is struggling, they should reach out for extra help!

Late Work Policy:

Daily assignments: If students are in class but do not complete the daily assignments, they cannot be made up later. If students are absent with an excused absence, they will have the amount of days they were absent to complete daily assignments.

Summative assessments: All summative assessments will be turned in on Canvas. Canvas assignments will close one week after the due date. Students can turn in work during that week at no penalty. If students do not turn in summative assessments on time or during this grace period, they will need to come to me in person or via email with a plan in place to get the assessment turned in by an agreed upon due date. If they do not create a new plan with me, then they will not be able to submit the assessment.

School Information

Weekly Announcements | Student Handbook | Bell Schedule | Family Access Skyward | Family Access Canvas

If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm call Teen Link at 866-TEENLINK (866-833-6546) and ask to talk to a peer. The phone line is open 6 p.m.– 10 p.m. and chat is available 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. daily. https://www.teenlink.org/

Weekly Schedule