Ms. T.

Atwell 
Dr. Ralph H. Poteet High School  
Room 219 
tatwell@mesquiteisd.org  
Pre-AP English II Syllabus  
 
Course Objectives  
This course develops and strengthens a student’s competency in English usage and mechanics, oral 
and written communication, and appreciation of classical and contemporary literature. Students 
use analytical and critical thinking skills while examining various literary forms and composing 
written works. The purpose of this course is to challenge students to embrace metacognition and 
utilize it to deepen awareness of the social and real world applications of the subject and how the 
English language works.   
  
Student Involvement  
Instructional strategies have been chosen with student success in mind. Therefore, I expect each of 
my students to be an active participant in their own educational success. Our classroom should be 
viewed as a “community of learners” where students’ opinions are valued. The majority of activities 
and assignments are student-centered rather than teacher-centered, so active participation in class 
is the foundation on which a student’s academic success is built. The rigor of the Pre-AP English 
classroom is elevated, which means homework and outside reading will not only be given regularly, 
but will also be evaluated as a large portion of the student grade. 
 
Guardian Involvement  
I strongly encourage my students to share what we are doing in class with their parents/guardians 
because it enhances a student’s understanding when they have someone with whom they can 
discuss challenging material at home.  
 
Expectations for Work Ethic 
In order for each of my students to consistently exceed expectations and never settle for 
mediocrity, I expect each of my students to... 
● be prepared with materials and completed homework, 
● be respectful and on time, 
● be an active participant in the quest for academic excellence and in contributing to a 
positive classroom and school environment, and  
● be willing to seek clarity/ask for help as needed. 
● maintain their own record of class work, homework, and graded papers. 
 
Preparedness​ is CRUCIAL for success in this class! For that reason, each student will need to bring 
their materials to every class. Pre-AP English students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to purchase 
reading materials for close reading analysis (individual annotations, marking passages, reading 
ahead) and ease of access for homework purposes. The list of titles we will include but is not limited 
to: * 
 ● The Oedipus Cycle​ by Sophocles 
● Julius Caesar​ by William Shakespeare  
● To Kill a Mockingbird​ by Harper Lee 
● Others TBD (advanced notice will be given)* 
 
Many versions of these titles exist, but most versions are fine for class as long as they are not 
abridged.​ PDFs and online versions may be available.​However, print is prefered. Please email Ms. 
Atwell with any questions about texts for purchase. ​Please note: We will be reading other pieces as 
well, such as poetry, that will be provided to students as needed.)  
 
Attendance​ is VITAL for success in this class! Each student’s presence, preparedness, and 
punctuality is both imperative and non-negotiable. Some absences, even when excused, count 
against exam exemptions.  
 
Tardies 
Once the bell rings, my classroom door closes. If tardy to class, you are responsible for logging your 
tardy in the tardy log which can be found at the front of the classroom. Tardies do not excuse a 
student from the Bell Ringer; quickly and quietly get settled and begin working to get caught up. 
Missing the first 20 minutes of 1A/5B or the first 10 minutes of all other class periods will result in a 
partial day absence and will count against exam exemptions. ​Tardies from lunch also count! ​You 
must be inside of the classroom no later than 1:12pm or you will be marked tardy.  
 
Absences 
Upon returning to class after an absence, please log your absence(s) on the sheet at the front of the 
classroom. This will require making a tutorial appointment to gather missed assignments and 
lesson material. 
 
MakeUp Work  
For every day of an excused absence, a student is given​ one day​ to make up work. Makeup work ​is 
the student’s responsibility​. Upon returning from an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to 
schedule a date to attend a makeup tutorial during which missed assignments/ materials as well as 
instruction will be provided. This cannot happen during class! ​C​hecking, retrieving, and submitting 
makeup work by the designated deadline is the student’s responsibility. 
 
★ If a student has an excused absence on the day a major assignment is due, every effort should 
be made to get that assignment to the teacher ​on the due date​.  
★ If a student is in attendance at school ​any part​ of the day a major assignment is due, the 
student will be expected to turn in the assignment that day.  
★ If a student is absent because of an approved field trip or other pre-planned event, that 
major assignment is expected to be submitted ​before​ the absence.  
★ If a student is absent on a day when a quiz or test is scheduled, the student will be expected 
to take the quiz or test the class period ​they return​. 
★ When aware of an absence in advance, the student should see the teacher ​beforehand​ to 
make arrangements.  
 ★ If a student ​does not​ make arrangements for makeup work and/or ​fails to complete​ the work 
in the allotted time, a ​zero​ will be recorded for the work involved. 
★ LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED​. Extenuating circumstances will be handled on an 
individual basis. 
 
Heading Your Papers 
Every paper should have​ your name, Ms. Atwell’s name, class and period, and date​ in the upper 
left ​corner. 
 
Scout Finch 
Ms. Atwell  
Pre-AP English II - 1A 
19 August 2022 
 
DBtC – Device​s ​Brought to Class 
Upon entering our learning environment, students will place their cell phones and/or electronic 
devices in the designated, secure location. Cell phones and/or electronic devices will remain in 
specified location until the end of the class period. Failure to comply will result in the cell phone 
and/or electronic device being confiscated and turned into the Front Office. 
 
Grading Policy  
Grades are weighted. A weighted grade is merely the average of a set of grades. This set of grades is 
broken into categories that are then calculated in order to determine a student’s final grade.  
 
All grades are equal, but some assignments will count two or three times. That is why my gradebook 
only has the category of “Classwork”. Everything we do falls into that 80%. However, the six-week 
exam is worth 20% because it is an extremely important part of the total average. Process essays will 
receive multiple grades and are therefore vital to success in class.Ultimately, consistent and quality 
hard work will be key in securing academic success in this course. 
 
Grades will be calculated as follows:
All assignments(10-12 each grading period) , including Daily Work/Classwork, Homework, Journals, and
Quizzes account for 80% of your grade.
This means that every assignment is equally important to your grade, so don’t slack off on any one assignment!
Six Weeks Assessment (tests or projects) is worth 20% of your grade.
Assessments will occur at the completion of each six weeks and will assess reading comprehension, writing
fluency, mastery of skills and knowledge, and grammar progress.  
 
 
 
 
 
Academic Integrity  
It is the responsibility of each student to adhere to a high code of honor and integrity. Our class 
should have an atmosphere of trust, comfort, and openness where learning takes place. This 
relationship of mutual respect amongst students and between students and teachers requires 
honesty in all situations. Should cheating and/or plagiarism occur, Poteet High School’s Academic 
Dishonesty policy** will be enforced. 
**Refer to Poteet High School’s Plagiarism Contract. 
 
Tutoring  
Be courageous when it comes to academics. In order to ensure understanding, I strongly encourage 
each student to seek clarity from me and/or another classmate when confused or unsure.  
 
Tutorials are offered both before school (M, W, F 8:00-8:30am) and after school (W 4:00 - 4:30pm)*. 
It is an expectation that all tutorial appointments scheduled are kept. Due to meetings and the 
potential for personal conflicts, I prefer that appointments be made, especially for after school 
tutoring. In the event that an appointment cannot be kept, be sure to let Ms. Atwell know in 
advance; an opportunity to reschedule will be granted.  
*Please note: Afternoon tutoring is flexible as long as students are communicative. 
 
Food and Drink 
Students, please enjoy your food and snacks​ outside of class. ​Bottled water is permitted. Let’s keep 
our learning environment a clean, SAFE, and bug-free zone! Exceptions will be made for special 
occasions and will be discussed in advance.  
 
Restroom Breaks 
Students will be permitted to leave class for restroom breaks as needed with the use of the 
Classroom Restroom Pass. However, abusing the use of this hall pass (this includes wandering or 
loitering in the hall) will result in disciplinary action and loss of privileges . The first 45 minutes of 
class is reserved for instruction (also known as Prime Time), so students may not leave class during 
that time in any class. ​It is always best for students to use the restroom between classes or during 
the lunch period to avoid missing valuable class time. 
 
Online Classroom 
In order to lower the use of copier and paper, selected assignments will be placed on Google 
Classroom or Seesaw. In an event where a student is unable to access these online components, 
students may come to tutorials for a Chromebook or check one out from the library before or after 
school. 
 
 
Academic success is possible for those who are willing to work hard to achieve it. 
 
 
Let’s start the year off #POTEETSTRONG.