English II with Mrs.

Buhrmann
2015-2016

Whether you think you can or think you cant you are right.
-Henry Ford
I am looking forward to an exciting year with you! The purpose of this course is for you to
become better readers, writers, listeners and speakers. This year you will be completing the
Common Core State Standards, which define the knowledge and skills students should have
within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in
entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs.
Students can expect to engage in a highly rigorous curriculum, collaborate in academic
discussions, and become proficient in the use of technology. This course is designed to help
students connect to their community and the world. The following are a list of classroom
expectations and procedures that will help to ensure a positive learning environment.
Classroom Expectations:
1. Be Punctual. Tardiness is unacceptable in this class. You MUST be sitting in your assigned

seat prepared to work when the bell rings.

2. Be Respectful. You must respect your teacher, your peers and yourself in order to be
successful. The following behaviors will not be tolerated: bullying, using profanity,
disruptiveness, and disrespect of others property
3. Be Prepared. Bring class materials every day. You must earn your grade, and you can do so
by coming to class prepared and ready to participate. Part of being prepared includes
knowing your username and password for Google at all times!
Class Materials:
1) Writing utensil
2) English Binder with paper

3) Chromebook

F.Y.I. : ALL school rules apply in this class as well as outside of it.
No food, drinks, or hats/beanies will be permitted in the classroom.
Cell phones and i-pods must be turned off and kept inside purses and/or
backpacks.
Cell phones and/or i-pods will be taken away with no warning if seen during class time.
Classroom Procedures:

1. Using the bathroom: You will be given 2 passes to the bathroom per quarter. It is your

responsibility to use them wisely. You must have your agenda (not your friends or neighbors)
with you if you wish to leave for any reason, including bathroom use. You cannot leave during
class instruction.
2. Turning in homework: Assignments must be submitted complete and on time. Homework
will be collected at the beginning of the period on the day it is due.
3. Absences: Excessive absences will hinder your success in this class. However, if you are
absent, it is your responsibility to check the absent binder for missed work and retrieve the work
from the absent folder. For an excused absence, you will have 3 days to turn in the work, and
for an unexcused absence you will have 1 day. Late work that is not due to an absence will
only receive half credit.
4. Chromebook Expectations: Rules, procedures, and expectations will be covered
during the second week of school. Failure to comply will result in the following:
First Occurrence.Warning
Second Occurrence.. Phone call home
Third Occurrence.. Sent to IC and loss of Chromebook privileges
Grading Policy:
Your grades for each quarter will be weighted according to the following scale:
Daily Work
Homework
Writing & Presentations
Performance Tasks

25%
20%
30%
25%

*Each of these components will be discussed and explained to you in class.

A.
B.
C.
D.

Letter grades will be calculated according to the following percentages:

90%-100%
80%-89%
70%-79%
60%-69%
F- 59% and below
Writing
Writing is 30% of your grade because it is a large component of the Common Core Standards.
You will be given an on-demand writing task every other week demonstrating your acquired
skills learned throughout the previous week.
Homework:
Monthly Blogs
As part of your homework grade, you will be expected to complete a Monthly Blog. Your Blog
will be created through a Weebly Website that you will update on a monthly basis. The
requirements for each blog posting will be outlined on my website at the beginning of every
month. In order to receive full credit on your blog posting, you must submit your website link to
my Dropbox ON TIME each month. The monthly blog is implemented so that students can

employ technology thoughtfully to enhance their reading, writing, speaking, listening, and
language use.
Homework is an essential component of this class. It is not designed to be busywork and should not be considered so. Rather, it is assigned to strengthen the
skills we are building in class. Students who choose to complete their homework
assignments can expect to be more successful in this class.
Contact Information:
I am here before and after school if you need any assistance or have any questions. If you are
having a problem with this class and/or your grade, please come and speak with me sooner
rather than later so that I may attempt to help you. If you or your family needs to contact me,
please do so anytime!
Mrs. Buhrmann
Room 318
kbuhrmann@muhsd.org
(209) 356-4812
buhrmann.weebly.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please sign the following line and get your parents/guardians signature as well so that I know
you are familiar with the rules and procedures of this class. Place it in the front of your binder
and bring it back by Friday, August 21, 2014. It will be worth 20 points!
__________________________________________________________________
Students Name (Printed)

Students Signature

___________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardians Name (Printed)
Parent/Guardians Signature

Parent Comments/Questions:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________