Dr. John D.

Horn High School

3300 East Cartwright Road
Mesquite, Texas 75181
972.882.5200

Mrs. Lisa Francis

lfrancis@mesquiteisd.org
972-882-5200 Ext. 6938
Tutoring: Tue.Fri. (88:30 am)
Conference: 1A & 2B

English I Syllabus (2015-16)

Course Description
This course will build on the previous grade and subject area to increase the students
skill in reading, writing, research, listening, speaking, and oral/written conventions with
a focus on World Literature. In this course, we will explore poetry, drama, nonfiction,
fiction, the short story, and the novel. The overall goal for the student is to understand
how literature reflects the culture of our nation historically as well as how it relates to
his/her life today. This is also a STAAR tested subject. We will focus on critical
thinking, writing, and test-taking skills to prepare for success.
Textbooks
Holt McDougal Literature Grade 9
Curriculum
1st Six Weeks - House on Mango Street Vignette
2nd Six Weeks Research Essay
3rd Six Weeks Romeo and Juliet Interpretive Response Essay
4th Six Weeks Expository Essay
5th Six Weeks STAAR Exam
6th Six Weeks The Odyssey Expository Essay
Supplies Required
1 1-inch three ring binder
5 binder dividers
1 spiral notebook (120 pages minimum)
2 packages of loose-leaf notebook paper
Optional Supplies (for extra credit)
1 package of index cards (any color)
1 box of tissues
Highlighters (pack of 4; various colors)
Pens
Colored Pencils
Hand Sanitizer
Sharpies
***You must bring at least 4 items in order to receive extra credit***
Classroom Expectations

 Respect yourself, your peers, teachers, staff and property at all times, by
showing the same care that you would want yourself.
Come to class prepared both mentally and physically. (Have necessary supplies
and be ready to learn, to be engaged, and contribute to the learning process.)
The policies of Mesquite Independent School District and JHHS will be followed.
Class Procedures
Come into the classroom BEFORE the bell rings.
Get your binder and sit in YOUR seat.
Place all belongings completely underneath your seat.
Keep food/drinks put away at all times. No eating or drinking in class, except for
water.
Begin working immediately.
During announcements, students should listen to be informed.
Listen to my instructions as well as comments of peers.
Always participate by listening, taking notes, and engaging in discussion during
appropriate times.
Stay seated until I dismiss you. The bell does not dismiss you. I do.
Grading
20% Major Compositions
20% Tests/Projects
20% Six Weeks Tests
20% Quizzes
20% Daily Grades/Homework/Bell Ringers/Discussion
Attendance
Students who plan to be absent should get their absences excused ahead of time,
preventing confusion from teachers who think it is unexcused. Unexcused absences
lead to lost attendance credit and zeros on missed assignments.
Tardiness
Being late to class is disruptive. It also affects your success in class. A student is
considered tardy when they come in at or after the bell rings. Rushing in and the last
moment is especially disruptive and frowned upon as it creates chaos and shows
disrespect to the teacher and to your fellow students. Please make it a practice to
enter the room and prepare yourself to learn before the bell rings.
If you are tardy, it will be documented and the following steps will be taken:
1st Time Warning/Teacher Conference with Student
2nd Time Parent Contact Will Be Made
3rd Time - Parent/Teacher/Student Conference
4th Time Detention/Parent Contact
5th Time Office Referral

Tutoring
I am available for tutoring Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 to 8:30
am. However, if other arrangements need to be made, contact me so that we can
work out a time that works well for all parties involved.
During this time, you may receive one-on-one assistance and answers to your
questions. This will not be a time and place to hang out with your friends and talk. We
will work on academic content.
Assignment Policy
All assignments must be turned in the day they are due. Any assignments turned in
after will be considered late. Any work that is turned in late can receive up to a
maximum of a 70%. Late assignments will not be accepted during the last week of the
six weeks.
All assignments should be kept in your binder until the end of each grading period.
There may be times when I incorrectly record a grade. In order for it to be changed, a
student must be able to produce the original assignment with the original grade.
Missing Work
When students are absent, work will be saved for them to complete when they come
back to class. It is the students responsibility to ask for the missing work and to
complete it by the next class period. Failure to do so will result in a zero on
assignments.
Academic Dishonesty
Cheating or plagiarism (claiming ones ideas as your own by failing to give credit to
the author) will result in a zero for the assignment.
My Gift to You
Everyone has a bad day from time to time. At the end of the six week grading period, I
will drop your lowest daily grade.
Teacher Phone and Computer Use
You will not be allowed to use the teacher phone or computer. The computer lab and
library are open every morning at 7:45 am for your use. You may be allowed to use
the phone in the front office if permission is granted.
Cell Phone and Other Electronic Devices
Cell phones and other electronic devices are NEVER allowed in class without my
permission. They must be turned off or silenced at all times and kept out of the view
of me and all other students. If you are found using any device in class, without my
express permission, the following will occur:
1st Time Warning
2nd Time Phone/Device Jail The device is returned at the end of class.
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3rd Time Referral The student and the device will go to the office.
Administration will take the phone and return it at the end of the day.
4th Time Referral The student and the device will go to the office.
Administration will follow Code of Conduct procedures.
Dress Code
The MISD policy for dress code in the student handbook will be enforced in my
classroom. If you are found to be out of dress code in my classroom, the following
steps will be taken:
1st Time Warning/Teacher Conference with Student
2nd Time Parent Contact Will Be Made
3rd Time - Parent/Teacher/Student Conference
4th Time Detention/Parent Contact
5th Time Office Referral
Leaving Class
It is JHHS policy that hall passes will not be issued to any student during the first
twenty minutes of class or the last ten minutes of class, except in cases of dire
emergency.
Communication
The best way to communicate with me is via email (lfrancis@mesquiteisd.org).
However, parents may also leave a voice mail to schedule conferences. It is my goal
to return all calls by the end of business the same day, but please understand that I
may not be able to return the phone call until the next morning.

Student & Parent/Guardian Contract

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As a student, I have read, understood, and agree to abide by the expectations and
guidelines laid out in Mrs. Franciss English I Syllabus. If I knowingly disregard the
policies, I will accept the consequences of my actions. If I unknowingly disobey the
guidelines, I will meet with the teacher to discuss the issue in private.
Date__________________________
Students Printed Name
___________________________________________________________________
Students
Signature__________________________________________________________________________
As a parent/guardian, I have read, understood, and agree to the expectations and
guidelines set for my student. I will work with Mrs. Francis, JHHS, and MISD to support
the enforcement of the policies and the consequences therein. I also agree to contact
the teacher if any questions arise regarding the stated policies.
Date____________________________
Parent/Guardian Printed
Name________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian
Signature_______________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Printed
Name________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian
Signature_______________________________________________________________________
Please tell me the best way to contact you.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________