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2008-2009 SEMESTER SCHEDULE

 Amy Kasenga      phone: (509) 493-1970 est. 222
                                          email:  amy.kasenga@esd112.wednet.edu

Language and Lit 1  Enrichment Language and Lit 1 Enrichment
Spanish II A Spanish II B
US History A US History B
Language and Lit 2 Enrichment Language and Lit 2 Enrichment
Spanish II A Spanish II B
Spanish II A Spanish II B
PREP PREP



The 2008-2009 school year marks my 10th year at CHS and 13th year teaching. My educational background includes Bachelor's degrees in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education, a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and endorsements in ESL K-12 and Spanish. I strive to integrate the culture of my students into Columbia as well as encourage them to become active participants in the culture of our school.  I believe that we are all diverse learners and through interaction, communication, and hands on projects, my second language students will be contributers in White Salmon.  I also teach Spanish II and III classes that contain native and non native speakers which creates a bond between our students that is otherwise missing.  In addition to teaching at CHS, I also coach the Girls Soccer team and serve on the Language Arts, Social Studies, and Bilingual committees.

Class rules and Policies
Class Rules / Consequences / Required materials / Written work
retakes and rewrites/ Notes / Appearance / Homework / Grading / Late Work/ Attendance



US HISTORY

This is a full year course that traces the major historical events in the United States from approximately 1789 to the present.  The structure of the course is chronological and relies on the text as well as suplemented by outside materials.  This class will integrate technology as they learn about our countries development and relate to their own lives and their family history.  The major areas of history studied are political, economic, military, social, and cultural.

Major class projects:  Student Websites that include podcasts and Google earth tours of their life's history.

UNIT ASSIGNMENTS CAN BE FOUND IN THE DOCUMENT FOLDER.

UNIT 1: SETTLING THE AMERICAS

UNIT 2:  GROWTH OF A NEW NATION

UNIT 3:  A NATION DIVIDED

UNIT 4:  A GROWING NATION

UNIT 5:  BECOMING A WORLD LEADER

UNIT 6:  YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY

UNIT 8: A CHANGING SOCIETY

UNIT 9:  YEARS OF CHANGE

UNIT 10:  FORWARD TO THE FUTURE


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Language and Literature 1

In this class, students will read a variety of types of literature, including fiction, drama and poetry, and they will develop the skills necessary to interpret what they read.  They will also develop their writing skills, oral presentations and participate in class discussions.  This class adds an extra emphasis on skills needed for the WASL.

Homework assignments can be found through the homework link.

Novels:
     1.  Deathwatch
     2.  Killing Mr. Griffin
     3.  The Wave
     4.  The Pearl 
     5.  The Outsiders
     6.  Twelve Angry Men
     7.  Of Mice and Men

Language and Literature has also focused on reading comprehension and vocabulary development.  The curriculum is taught in a sheltered approach so that the students will learn improve their English language skills through the content.

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Writer's Workshop  (will be prominent in Language and Literature courses)

Expository and Persuasive Writing
 The students in Writer's Workshop learn how to:
             Choose a topic
             Narrow their topics
             Organize their ideas
             Check for conventions
             Maintain a clear focus for their audience and purpose
             Use transitions to connect their ideas
             Write effective introductions and conclusions
             Elaborate within sentences and paragraphs
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 World History

World history focuses on events in recorded history from the earliest civilizations (3000 BC) through the age of exploration and revolutions (1800 AD).  In addition to the historical content of the course, students in this class will learn important skills relating to success in the Social Studies, in research and writing, and in general academic activities, which they can apply throughout their course work at CHS.

UNIT 1:  LOOKING AT THE WORLD'S HISTORY
           visit document folder for unit layout

UNIT 2:  ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
          visit document folder for unit layout

UNIT 3:  THE RISE OF ROME
          visit document folder for unit layout

Webquests for Alexander the Great and Greece
http://www.rdsc.vic.edu.au/ag/ag2.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Subway/6560/index.html

UNIT 4:  THE MIDDLE AGES
           visit document folder for unit layout
http://schools.gorge.net/whitesalmon/chs/staff/knowles/whist/u3/medieval.htm

UNIT 5:  THE RENAISSANCE
          visit document folder for unit layout

Renaissance Web byte
http://schools.gorge.net/whitesalmon/chs/staff/knowles/whist/u4/renwebbyte.htm
Renaissance Time Machine Game
http://www.activehistory.co.uk/Miscellaneous/free_stuff/renaissance/frameset.htm
Renaissance Review Activity
http://schools.gorge.net/whitesalmon/chs/staff/knowles/whist/u4/renreview.doc

Reformation Web byte
http://schools.gorge.net/whitesalmon/chs/staff/knowles/whist/u4/reformationwb.htm


UNIT 6:  THE AGE OF EXPLORATION AND CONQUEST
          visit document folder for unit layout

Plagiarism and the Plague
http://schools.gorge.net/whitesalmon/chs/rsch/plagiarismquiz.htm

Columbus Web Byte
http://schools.gorge.net/whitesalmon/chs/staff/knowles/whist/u5/explorationwb.htm
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Language and Literature 2

Students in this class will read, discuss, and respond to pieces of  literature from a variety of genres-- short stories, novels, poetry, nonfiction, and drama.  We will cover literature combating intolerance and try to broaden ideas about American culture.  Reading and writing assignments will focus on skills needed to pass the tenth grade benchmarks.  

Homework Assignments can be found throught the homework link. A course syllabus can be found under documents.

Novels:
      1.  The Freedom Writers
      2. Night
      3.  Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry
      4.  A Separate Peace
      5.  Zlata's Diary/Diary of Anne Frank

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Spanish II

This class is unique in that it is a blend of native and non-native Spanish speakers.  Spanish is equal with English as the most frequent languages spoken worldwide. We focus on Spanish conversation as we explore the 400 million people around the globe who speak Spanish.  The curriculum "Avancemos 2" presents manageable chunks of material as well as recycling and reviewing material frequently.  The program is outstanding in that it provides clear goals, built-in self checks, and online leveled practice.  We explore eight different Spanish speaking countries while we learn new vocabulary and the grammatical structure of the language.

For enrichment activities and chapter review activities go to:
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/avancemos_2/book_home.htm?state=WA


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Class Rules


While in this class you are expected to follow these basic rules:

          1.  Be in your seat, ready to work, when the clas bell rings.
 
          2.  Bring all required materials to class each day.
 
          3.  Follow instructions the first time they are given.

          4.  Participate responsibly in classroom activities and discussions.

          5.  NO:  cell phones, junk food, and grooming activities.  Please put all these things awy for the entire class.  NOTE:  Mp3 players and CD players are allowed some times but ask first.


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Consequences

Students who choose to violate these rules will receive one of the following consequences.  The nature of the violation will determine which consequence is applied:

          1.  Warning/reminder  (may include confiscation of itum for rule 5)
          2.  Detention after class
          3.  After school/lunch detention with a parent/guardian conference
          4.  Behavior contract
          5.  Office referral;  possible removal from class


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Required Materials

Plan to bring the followig materials to class daily:
          1.  A blue or black pen, a pencil, AND a highlighter
          2.  3-Ring binder with at least 5 sheets of lined paper
          3.  Assigned covered textbook
          4.  Lined notecards
          5.  Any assignments due that period

From time to time you'll also need a thumb drive or floppy disk for backing up work

If you keep these items in a zippered pouch in your binder, you'll have them whenever you need them.
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Written Work

Class assignments often involve answsering quesitons from texts, videos, group discussions, or from other study materials.  When completing written work, you should show that you understand your answers by completely rephrasing ideas in your own words.  Even if the answers area result of group discussion, you need to put your own spin on the material to make it your own.  Answers copied from the text, another student, or another source are not acceptable.  A first offense may result in loss of credit for the assignment.  A second offense may result in loss of credit for the course.  (See the CHS Plagiarism Policy in your handbook).

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Retakes and Rewrites

With the exception of pop quizzes and the course final, you are always welcome to retake tests or to rewrite other assignments to improve your grade.  When resubmitting work, always attach the new work to the old copy, along with a grading sheet (if any).  Retakes, rewrites and other resubmitted work can earn up to 90% of the original assignment grade.

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Notes

Classroom instruction and discussion will provide a great deal of the information you will be expected to apply and on which you will be tested.  Daily notes can be kept in a running format, but should show the date and top as a heading for each new entry.  Instructions in effective note-taking strategies will be provided
.

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Appearance

Assignments should be neat and legible.  All papers turned in should have a complete heading, following class guidelines.  Papers without complete headings will be marked down 10%.  Don't tear paper from your binder as you'll be expected to keep any assignments, quizzes, and notes in your 3-Ring binder.

Headings include:  Name
                             Date of theAssignment
                             Title of assignment
                             Class period

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Homework Policy

Homework in this class is intended to practice skills already introduced in class, to prepare students for the next day's class, to elaborate on ideas introduced in class, or to review material so students have information at hand for tests quizzes or other activities.  

1.  Homework assigned is designed for about 20 minutes time to complete.
2.  In order to use your work, students are expected to keep all assignments until the end of the course.  Those who do so will be rewarded.
3.  Students should make every effort to complete homework on time.  However, late assignments are accepted at up to 70% of their original value during the unit in which they are assigned.
4.  No late assignments are accepted after the finish of the unit or during the last week of the semester.

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Grading

Work in this course is graded according to criteria that students have access to before the actual completion of their assignments (See Homework Rubric in document folder for example).  Class time and discussion is devoted to determining elements of successful as well as unsuccessful assignments, so all students have the opportunity to understand what constitutes exellent work, good work, passing work, and work that is not yet acceptable.  Assignment scores are added as raw numbers, and grades are determined using the following percentages.

                  

Grades

Percentages

A

94-100%

A-

90-93%

B+

87-89%

B

83-86%

B-

80-82%

C+

77-79%

C

73-76%

C-

70-72%

D+

67-69%

D

60-66%

F

0-59%

Extra Credit:  Students have numerous oportunities to earn extra points as a regular part of daily and unit assignments.  In special circumstances, students will have an opportunity to complete extra projects, but only if they have completed all regulary projects for the current grading period.

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Late Work

Students should make every effort to complete work on time.  Timely completion of work allows all students to be prepared for the day's activities, and it instills a valuable work habit.  However, unforeseen circumstances can get in the way of even the best intentions.  For this reason, late work will be accepted according to the following guidelines;

1.  All late work is marked down 30%.
2.  Late work is only accepted during the unit of study.
3.  No late work is accepted during the final week of the semester.

Exceptions to these late work guidelines are made only for students with excused or prearranged absences, and who follow the procedures below.

1.  Turn in all assignments due during your absence on the day you return to class.
2.  Make up any tests missed outside of class time within one school day of your return.
3.  Make up any in-class assignment within 3 days of your return.

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Attendance

Timeliness and consistent attendance are important elements of success in any class, job, or other endeavor.  Students who miss class, arrive late, or leave early may not earn all the possible points available for class activities on those days.  In addition to the natural consequences of missed class time and opportunities to learn, students who accumulate more than 4 unexcused tardies or absences will receive additional disciplinary consequences in the form of referals.

Although students are not graded strictly on participation in class, many graded activities are based on group activities which cannot be recreated for students who are absent at the time they take place in class.  Students with excused absences may need to complete alternate assignments to make up for missed classroom activities.

Please make every effort to attend class on time each day.

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