MR.

COX LANGUAGE ARTS

2015-16 Syllabus
Jonesboro High School Room #201
7728 Mount Zion Boulevard - Jonesboro, GA 30236
(770) 473-2855
On time, on task, on a mission!

SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of Jonesboro High School is to provide a diverse and challenging education in a safe and
supportive environment that demands respectful behavior to produce holistic learners and productive
citizens.
MR. COXS E-MAIL ADDRESS:
jcox@clayton.k12.ga.us

(PLEASE NOTE: Please include your phone number and a few

options of when I can best contact you.)

MR. COXS OFFICE/TUTORIAL HOURS:

Tuesdays from 3:15p.m. 3:45 p.m.
COURSE:
11th Grad Gifted Literature and Composition
COURSE DESCRIPTION 11TH GRADE AMERICAN LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION:
The CCPS Core Curriculum incorporates activities and strategies recommended by the State of Georgia
and found in the Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Needs Improvement Schools. Use of
these and other effective strategies ensures that teaching in CCPS results in high caliber evidence of
student learning that is aligned to the Georgia Performance Standards. As students study different works,
they will closely examine, through reading, research, and writing, each works context, themes, and
literary elements..
The essential questions throughout the course will be: Who am I, and what does it mean to be part of
society? What does it mean to be an American? Additional domain-specific questions will help students
sharpen their reading and analysis skills: How do we read literature, how do we respond to literature,
and how do reading and writing help us to make sense of our world? Students will complete twenty-five
books across the curriculum, or read one million words, by years end. Students will examine nonfiction
selections that model the primary rhetorical modes and will practice writing in these modes.
To further core curriculum goals, the same set of selected novels and texts will be used in all high-school
courses at the same grade level. Use of differentiated instruction will ensure that the needs of all learners
are met. In grade nine, an emphasis is placed on technical writing. However, over the course of the year,
students will also be asked to write in each of the following genres and rhetorical modes:
Summary and paraphrase
Autobiographical narrative
Expository (e.g., process, compare and contrast)
Persuasive/argumentative
Creative
In addition, fundamental vocabulary words/skills, grammar/usage, and research concepts will be woven in
throughout the course. Key research concepts will include media literacy, conducting searches, and
finding and using sources.
TEXTBOOKS:
THE LANGUAGE OF LITERATURE ($65.00, McDougal Littell)
LANGUAGE NETWORK GRAMMAR, WRITING, COMMUNICATION ($55.00, McDougal Littell)

 Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Book Student Workbook (Free, McDougal Littell)
Novels To be assigned throughout the term ($5.99 $25.99, various publishers)

SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS:

Pens blue or black ink
Pencils - #2 with erasers
Highlighters
Notebook paper approximately 2 packages
1 3-ring binder with pockets
1 spiral notebook for Daily Grammar Warm-Up Notebook
USB Jump Drive
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Refer to the JHS Student Handbook and Rules of the JHS Freshmen Academy.
HOMEWORK/CLASS WORK
Turn in your homework and class work every day. I grade everything. Each period has a labeled In-Box
at the front of the room. Failure to turn in five homework assignments will result in a call home and
detention. Failure to turn in class work when you are present results in an automatic 0 that cannot be
made up.
MAKE-UP WORK:
It is the responsibility of the student to request make-up work IMMEDIATELY after returning to school
from an absence. Students have three (3) school days to complete and submit make-up work to
teachers. Make-up work will not be given after three (3) or more days have passed without the student
requesting make-up work.
EXAMS:
If a student missed an exam while absent, that exam must be made-up after school in the presence of the
teacher.
GRADING/ASSESSMENT PERCENTAGES:
25%
In-Class Assignments and Homework (include notebooks)
20%
Exams/tests
10%
Quizzes
10%
Homework
15%
Project
20%
Final exam
BEHAVIORAL/CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
My goal for all of my students is simple. I want you to succeed in my class and will do everything I can as
your teacher to help you do so. Whatever path your life takes in the future, the skills of reading,
interpreting the writing of others, speaking formal English, and writing effectively are all proficiencies that
are essential for you to succeed throughout your life. Your success can begin today, because I firmly
believe that each and every student can master all of these skills in my classroom as long as they
BEHAVE and TRY. In fact, every one of my classroom expectations falls under one of these two
categories BEHAVE and TRY.

B E H A V E

 Be on time to class. If you are tardy for any reason, have a pass from either another teacher
(excused) or from the attendance office (unexcused). Three unexcused tardies result in after school
detention. Further or chronic tardies will result in more severe consequences.
Do not cut or skip class. Believe me, I always find out. Look around this room and know that one of
your friends will let it slip what you are doing. I will call your home and turn your name in to the
administration.
Do the work when I am out.
Be respectful to me, your fellow students, and all visitors. Opinions will differ, but we will discuss
them like adults. Also, I do not tolerate any name calling or bullying.
If you arrive late to class, quietly begin your lesson that is always on the board. Do not interrupt
the class with questions like What are we doing? I will catch you up as soon as I can, so be patient.
Go to the restroom before class. If you absolutely have to go during class, you have to copy down
completely the restroom contract before I will sign it. It is amazing how fast one can write when they
really have to go to the restroom. If you have a medical condition that requires you to leave my class
often, a note from your Doctor is required.
No electronic devices are allowed AT ALL . This includes (but is not limited to) i-pods, cameras, cel
phones, game boys, or PSPs. They will be confiscated and taken to the office.
Bottled water onlyno food or syrupy drinks including sports drinks.

T R Y
Do not ever ask me, Are we doing anything today? The answer will always be, Yes.
You will write in my class every day. You will need a separate Grammar Warm-Up Notebook that
must be bound (not loose pages). It can be a spiral notebook or a composition book. As soon as you
get to class, write the date and the Warm-Up question in your journal. Then, write your answer down.
You may not always be sure of your answer, but WRITE SOMETHING until I call time. You must bring
this journal with you every day.
Come to class prepared. Bring pens, pencils, paper, highlighters, your textbook and/or novel with
you.
Use formal English when speaking and writing in class. All of us (including me) speak differently
depending on the situation and whom we are with. In the classroom, the situation is formal English.
Do not ask me to change your days group for the day. There will be both individual class work
and group work. The groups will change often and I will assign the groups. We all must learn to work
with a variety of people. Some days you may like your group, some days you may not. Do your best
without complaining regardless.
Participate in class discussions and readings.
Do not tell me that something is boring. That is boring to me. Instead, tell me why you do not
like or agree with it. Your intelligence is never boring to me. We will be reading a wide variety of
styles throughout the year. Look for things that you like or find interesting in everything.

Keep these classroom expectations in your notebook. Feel free to refer back to them throughout the
year. We will add additional expectations if and when the need arises. At the end of the school year,
there will be a notebook check and this is the first item on the list that I will be looking for.

PARENTS - Please detach the signature portion below and return to your childs teacher.

I have read and understand Mr. Coxs Fall Term Syllabus.

Signature of student:

________________________________________

Period:

________________________________________

Date:

________________________________________

Name of parent/guardian:

________________________________________

Signature of parent/guardian: ________________________________________

Date:

________________________________________

CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone Number(s)

Home ___________________________________________
Best time/times to call - _____________________________
Business ________________________________________
Best time/times to call - _____________________________
Mobile __ ________________________________________
Best time/times to call - _____________________________
Other ___________________________________________
Best time/times to call - _____________________________

E-mail(s)
____________________________@___________________________
____________________________@___________________________
____________________________@___________________________

Add to Syllabus: The 10 big issues

1. Respect everyone
2. There is no sleeping in class
3. Have your supply everyday
4. BE ON TIME
5. Do the workI will not take late work
6. No electronic devicesladies, please place your bags under the
your desk
7. No food or drinks except for plain water
8. No cursing or slangthis is an English class and proper English is
required
9. Plagiarism=0%
10. Take note of the uniform dress policy