Skip to main content
DistrictCampus
CAMPUS
  2. Syllabus

Syllabus

Student Success Syllabus for Ms. Cavazos’ 8th English Language Arts and Reading Class 2019-2020 - Room: P-2

Email: jessica.cavazos@uisd.net  Work Phone #: (956) 473-7700 Ext. 7790

 

 Tutoring Schedule:

I am available every day after school excluding days when I have department/faculty meetings, after school training sessions, tutorials, UIL, or parent conferences.

  • Please come to tutorials for help or make an appointment with me. I want you to be successful in my class and you will if you work hard! I am here to help at all times and will give you a 100%; please do the same for me!

 

Supplies/Materials: You are responsible for coming to class with the necessary materials to be successful.

  • Two Composition Books (REQUIRED) – will be kept in class
  • Highlighters (four different colors for annotations)
  • Google Drive Access
  • One pocket folder – will be kept in class
  • Four Pencils, four black/Blue pens, and  two red pens
  • One Tissue Box
  • Correction Tape or Liquid Paper
  • 1 Large Glue Bottle
  • One packet of stick-on Tabs to tab your SIN’s Book (Student Interactive Notebook)
  • Plenty of Wide or College Ruled Lined Paper
  • Student Planner or Calendar (Can be used for all your classes to stay organized and plan ahead)

 

Expectations for Academic Success:

  1. Come to class on time! Once class begins any interruptions are impolite and distracting. Be sure to read the UISD handbook policy on tardies.
  2. Come to class prepared.  Always bring pens, pencils, paper, novel(s), assignments, projects, and or homework. You will need them EVERY DAY. Stay organized throughout the course.
  3. Avoid being absent.  Please see handbook for attendance policy. Missing a day will put you behind. Always find out what you have missed and make up your work immediately! This is YOUR responsibility!
  4. Turn in assignments on time. Refer to District handbook for policy.
  5. Expand your knowledge. Come to class with an open mind and willingness to learn new things.
  6. Love to learn. Use your prior knowledge, ask questions, be an active reader, and participate in class discussions in a knowledgeable and productive manner.
  7. Group Work. When working with a peer or group make sure to stay focused and do your assigned part. Remember that the group is being graded as a whole as well.

 

Grades

  1. Six Weeks Average

Each Six Weeks Average will be calculated as follows:

                    Tests, Projects, Timed Writings, CBA’s, Benchmark                                  =  _50____ %

                    Quizzes, Daily Work, Homework                                                                     =  _50____ %

                               

  1. Progress Reports

All students will receive a progress report three weeks into the six weeks grading period. Any student with an average of 75 or below must return his/her progress report signed by a parent.

 

  1. Incomplete Daily Assignments will be Taken home and due the next day
  2. Three CBA’s (Campus Based Assessments) and one Benchmark (Test Grade)

 

Late Work Policy:

 

Hand in all late work directly to me.  DO NOT put on my desk, turn in with current assignments, or give late work to a substitute This also applies to the Google Drive Drop Box. Please refer to District Student Code of Conduct for criteria on late work.  

 

Assigned Seating/School, Student, and Teacher Property:

  1. Students will be assigned desks whether working independently, with a partner, or in small groups
  2. Students are to sit in assigned desks even when there is a substitute.
  3. Desks are NOT to be scribbled or written on. Refer to District Policy on FINES and Consequences
  4. Respect all School, Student, and Teacher property. Refer to District Policy on FINES and Consequences.

 

Campus Class Pages:

  • Refer to class page for assignments and important resources: http://usms.unitedisd.org (Click on Campus Information, Directory, Look for my Name Leticia Lozano. A pop-up will appear, click “Full Profile,” go to calendar on the left side to view assignments.

 

It is VERY IMPORTANT to become familiar with Google and Google Chrome. Not only is it a tool for you to obtain important campus information but it contains a daily assignment calendar for your classes. Please familiarize yourself with it because these resources are vital to your daily learning.

 

There are no excuses for not completing your assignment(s). If you do not have access to a computer at home, then you can access one in the library before/after school or during lunch. NO EXCUSES! You may also make arrangements before/after school to use an I-Pad in my classroom.

 

Technology Policy: Refer to Student Code of Conduct for further information on the use and misuse of equipment.

  • I-Pads are assigned by Number; use only the assigned tablet
  • Keep your username and password to yourself
  • Leave the tricky stuff to the experts. Do not  download any APP unless asked to do so
  • Watch where you CLICK; Do Not visit any unauthorized sites. Loss of privileges will apply
  • Respect the I-Pad; Treat it with tender loving care
  • Save your work on Google Drive
  • THINK before you Print (Think Green)
  • Eyes on your own screen
  • Keep Food and Drinks away from technology

 

Academic Honesty

The English Department at United South Middle School expects that all work turned in is the student’s own work. Plagiarism incidents will be handled according to the school policy set in place.  Plagiarism is defined as “the false assumption of authorship: the wrongful act of taking the product of another person’s mind, and presenting it as one’s own” (Alexander Lindey, Plagiarism and Originality [New York: Harper, 1952] 2). This includes all forms of copying, cutting/pasting, and cheating whether the material is taken in whole or in part from a book, the internet, student, or other source. In an instance where material has been obtained from another student, both parties will be penalized.  After any infraction, a student-teacher-parent conference may be scheduled. In the event of subsequent offenses, the incident will be referred to the school principal for review and action. Your written work will be scanned by an online engine that will identify and plagiarism incidents.  

 

Absences

Obtaining Make-up Work (will go over procedure in class)

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain work when absent; otherwise, assignments made during absence are handled as late work. Please see me for any copies you may need. School policy for work missed while absent will be enforced.

 

Do your best – be in class – bring materials every day – have a good attitude – let’s have a great year of LEARNING!!!

 

This syllabus is intended as a set of guidelines for the 8th grade English Language Arts course. Students and parents should note that Mrs. Lozano reserves the right to make modifications in content and requirements as necessary to promote the best education possible within prevailing conditions affecting this class.

 

 

** This Syllabus is to be kept in your Student Interactive Notebook (SINs) at all times and may be subject to change**

 

 

August 15, 2018

Dear Parent(s) or Guardian,

 

I will be your son/daughter’s 8th Grade English Language Arts teacher this year.  In order to guarantee your son/daughter and all the students in my classroom the excellent education they deserve, I have provided them with my Syllabus, rules, and expectations.

 

Please take the time to read over this information with your child. I plan to be in contact with you throughout the school year. I will be available for tutoring and plan to give your child a 100% of myself during class. I expect each student to give me a 100% in my class in return. With your support and by working as a team, we can have a successful year!

 

I will go over this information the first day of school in detail with your child. Even though I will go over this information with your son/daughter, please take time to read and discuss this letter and packet of information with them.  Once you have done that, please sign and date the form below. Please return it to me by FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the school or by email.

 

Email: jessica.cavazos@uisd.net

Work phone:  (956) 473-7700 Ext. 7790

 

Thank you for your cooperation.  I’m looking forward to having your son/daughter in my class this year!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Jessica Cavazos

8th Grade English Language Arts Teacher

United South Middle School

Tel# (956) 473-7790

 

 

_________________________        _______________________    ____________________    __________________

Father’s Signature                            Home Telephone Number        Cellular Number                   E-Mail Address

 

 

 

_________________________        _______________________    ____________________    __________________

Mother’s Signature                           Home Telephone Number        Cellular Number                   E-Mail Address

 

 

 

_________________________        _______________________    ____________________    __________________

Guardian’s Signature                        Home Telephone Number        Cellular Number                   E-Mail Address