A Message for Parents and Students

Open House: A Celebration of Learning is scheduled for Thursday, February 13th from 6:15 to 7:45. It will be a busy night, so I will not be able to stay in my classroom the entire evening. Here is my schedule:


5:15 - 6:15: Appointments
6:15 - 6:40: Spaghetti Dinner (Cafeteria)
6:40 - 6:55: Yearbook table (outside the Student Bank/Moor Market)
7:00 - 7:20: Open Classroom (C224)
7:25 - 7:45: AP/Honors Night (Career Center)


If I don't get a chance to speak to you personally that night, here is a description of what to expect from this class for the rest of the year and some advice about how to succeed in English!

World Literature 7/8 (12th grade English):

Ms. Naylor's Period 2.

Semester Two FAQ:

Q: What are you studying now?

A: We are currently reading Shakespeare's Hamlet and In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez at home. For a copy of the reading schedule, handouts, links, and more information about our current reads, please see my PREVIOUS POST.

Q: What works will you be studying for the rest of the semester?

A: After Spring Break we will read Things Fall Apart, The Metamorphosis, Blood Wedding, and The Joy Luck Club. We will also focus on preparation for real world and college writing!

Q: Is there any extra credit available?

I don't really offer extra credit. From time to time you may get a few extra points on a quiz or from attending a free school-sponsored event. Please do not plan on relying on extra work at the end of the semester to pass. Do your work now and keep track of your grades so you do not fall behind.

Q: Do you accept late work?

I do not accept late work unless it is because of an excused absence. When in doubt, it doesn't hurt to ask me.

Q: What can I do to improve my grade in English?

A: Keep the following things in mind if you want to do well in English:

• Come to class on time. If you are often tardy or absent, you will miss important instruction time.
• Be prepared every day (bring your book, packets, pen, etc.).
• If you are absent, bring a note and speak to me about what you missed.
• Ask questions whenever there is something you do not understand. You can ask during, before, or after class.
• Check your grades regularly at family.ausd.us
• Tutoring and help with essays is available (usually at lunch) by request. See me.
• Take notes/annotation when you read. You need to "read with your mind" not just with your eyes.
• Study! Sparknotes.com is a good website to use when reviewing for a test or essay on a novel or play. Our class website (this one) has links to grammar and vocabulary websites, etc.

Q: What do I do if I have a question about grades?

A: You should check your grades regularly at family.ausd.us - as soon as something is graded it shows up there. If you click on your grade for English, a detailed list of assignments and scores will pop up. Any score that looks like this: --/10 is for an assignment that has not been entered yet. A score of zero (for example: 0/10) means you did not turn in the assignment (it could also mean you turned it in late and the new grade has not been entered yet). I do not give zeros if you turn in the work - zeros are only for work that is missing.

If you cannot check your grades online, you are welcome to see me before or after class and I can look up your grades for all of your classes. Please ask nicely!

This is your senior year! You should not get below a C in English. Check your grades regularly and if you notice your grade starting to dip, bring it back up. See me if you need help or tutoring, or if you have any questions. I will not give an extra credit assignments at the end of the year. I also will not "bump" a grade up (for example, change an 89 to a 90) so do not ask.

Q: What if I have another question that has not been answered here?

A: For other questions about our class, please refer to the COURSE SYLLABUS or contact me (email is the fastest way to reach me) my email address is listed on the syllabus.

Thank you!

Ms. Naylor