1. Mission Control: Kia Y. Allen
e-mail: kiaallen@dadeschools.net
(Be sure to put your class period in the
subject line of the e-mail, so I read it right away)
class blog: allensstellarstars.blogspot.com
OVERVIEW:
In both reading and English, students will integrate all the language arts skills gained thus far in their
educational career. The curriculum both affirms these skills and equips the students to be life-long
learners, readers and writers. Students will continue to explore expressive, expository, argumentative,
and literary contexts. The study of these content areas will include their various structures and the
literary devices the authors use. It will give students a sense of the capacity of literature and
language’s power to express ideas and move people. It will further enable the student to appreciate
the living and ever-changing nature of our language and literature. There will also be a strong focus on
grammar, usage and mechanics, as well as the skills needed to conquer both the Florida Writes and
FCAT Reading.
OUR TASKS:
 Creative Composition – Students will write several types of papers: expository, descriptive,
persuasive, comparison/contrast, narrative and creative.
 Riveting Research – Students will learn research, note taking, and organizational skills. These
activities will involve the use of the media center and technology to obtain
research.
 Luscious Literature – Students will read works from various genres, time periods and authors.
Selections will include short stories, poetry, novels, dramas, speeches and
essays.
 Sensational Speeches – Students will give informal and formal presentations throughout the year.
 Glorious Grammar – Students will study and develop a mastery of grammar, punctuation, and
spelling (GPS).
 Valuable Vocabulary – Students will increase their “word power” by learning Greek and Latin
roots/prefixes, as well as other descriptive words that will make their
writing and speeches come “alive.
PERFECTING THE ABOVE TASKS WILL HELP SOAR THROUGH THE INTERGALACTIC WAVE OF FCAT!!!
2012-2013 Syllabus Page 1

2. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
I will not allow any student to behave in any way which interferes with the learning of others. I will
enforce the following rules:
 Be in your seat when the bell rings at the beginning of the period.
 Be quiet and listen whenever the teacher is talking.
 Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
 Bring all books and materials to class.
 Turn off all electronic devices and have them out of sight during class.
 Remain in your seat at the end of the hour until the teacher dismisses you.
PENALTIES
If you choose to break a rule, these steps will be followed:
 First Time Warning
 Second Time Last Warning
 Third Time Teacher Consequence
 Fourth Time Parent Contact
 Fifth Time Referral to Principal
ATTENDANCE
Tardiness is disrespectful to your class and to me, and I will treat it as a serious behavior problem. Be
on time. Poor attendance is a warning sign. If you are not here, you will not pass this course. Even if
you make up assignments, you can never make up discussion we had when you weren't here. As you fall
out of step with your classmates, you may fall so far behind that you give up.
MAKE-UP WORK
Please see me as soon as you return to obtain any missed work. You and I will then discuss the
assignments and you will be granted 48 hours from the date of the last absence to complete all missed
assignments. Make up work will not be given during the last week in the quarter. NO MAKE UP WORK
WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS PRESENT DURING CLASS INSTRUCTION.
One Exception: Since you know about major long-term projects in advance, you are expected to send
your work to school even if you are absent. It is your responsibility to inform the teacher in advance if
you are aware you will be absent. Additionally, if you are required to present as a group and you are
absent on the day of the presentation, you will not obtain credit due to insufficient evidence of
participation.
TESTS & QUIZZES
Tests are given at the end of each unit (or cluster), and will be announced in advance. Notebooks,
notes, texts or any other study guides will not be permitted during tests. (Except Cluster Tests)
Quizzes are given daily. Students are allowed to use their notebooks only on the quiz. Quizzes are given
at the beginning of each period. If a student is tardy to class unexcused, that student will receive a
zero on the quiz given.
THERE IS NO TALKING , NO COPYING OR ANY DISRUPTIONS OF ANY KIND DURING THE TEST. THE
TEACHER WILL AUTOMATICALLY ASSUME THE STUDENT IS CHEATING AND THE STUDENT WILL
RECEIVE A ZERO ON THE TEST OR QUIZ.
2012-2013 Syllabus Page 2

3. EXTRA CREDIT
If you complete the work assigned, you won't need extra credit. To provide a safety net -- just in case --
I will post a list of approved extra credit works. Extension activities, such as attending and reviewing an
approved play or movie, presenting a topic relevant to a class discussion, or attending enrichment
classes provided by the school.
GRADING
All grading is done on a point scale. Some exercises are worth more than others. For example, tests
and projects will be assigned a higher value than classwork, homework, informal presentations, etc.
You will receive credit for everything you do in my class. I will compute grades every week, so you will
always know what your grade is. You will also receive extra credit if you do NOT use your emergency
pass for the quarter and/or if you have perfect attendance! Other extra credit opportunities will arise
periodically.
100-90%/4.0-3.5gpa=A 79-70%/2.49-1.5=C 59-0% /below a 1.0=sadly, an F
89-80%/3.49-2.5gpa=B 69-60%/1.49-1.0=D
NOTEBOOK
You must maintain a notebook. For Reading and English class, you will only need ONE binder. You will
have a total of 4 dividers titled: English, Reading, Writing/Grammar, Vocabulary. The first page of your
binder will be OUR TEAM GOALS AND YOUR PERSONAL GOALS, second will be THIS SYLLABUS, and
third will be CLASS RULES. You must bring your binder and materials EACH AND EVERY DAY!
 Notebook Checks will be made periodically throughout the year, and will be based on notes taken
and organization.
SUPPLIES
 Jump or flash drive (may be used for other classes)
 Yellow highlighter (other colors optional)
 Two blue or black ink pens
 1 Red pen
 1 pack of College Ruled Loose Leaf Paper
 Three-ring notebook for handouts and returned papers
 4 labeled tabs (English, Reading, Writing/Grammar, Vocabulary)
 I also strongly encourage you to purchase your own copy of the major works we study so that
you may learn to make your own notes in your own books.
ASSIGNEMENT REQUIREMENTS
 Head your papers correctly (first and last names, period, date, and assignment title on the top
center of the page).
 All writing must be done using blue or black ink.
2012-2013 Syllabus Page 3

4.  Final drafts of major writing assignments must conform to conventional manuscript standards
and be typed double-spaced in 12 point Times New Roman font.
 Correction fluid (white out) is strictly forbidden.
 All writing MUST be within the margins of the paper.
 If you’re writing multiple essays, do not begin the latter
 If you make a mistake, do not obliterate the text; simply place a single line over the error.
o (Example: Ms. Allen went to the Aventura Mall on the weekend.)
 Avoid receiving a zero because you violated a Taboo. If in doubt, ask.
Sample Assignment Format:
Complete Name
Page 1 of ___ Date
Period
Assignment Title Underlined
Prompt:
Planning:
Essay:
PLAGIARISM
 Deliberate plagiarism is claiming, indicating, or implying that the ideas, sentences, or words of
another are one's own. It includes copying the work of another, or following the work of another
as a guide to ideas and expression that are then presented as one's own.
 Accidental plagiarism is the improper handling of quotations and paraphrases without a
deliberate attempt to deceive. If the plagiarism is accidental, the student may correct and
rewrite the paper, but will be penalized a letter grade.
“Knowledge is its own reward and ignorance is its own punishment.”
2012-2013 Syllabus Page 4

5. I, ______________________________________, agree and accept all of the terms and conditions of this syllabus.
Additionally, I have discussed them with my parent(s) or guardian(s) and they, too, agree to and accept
all the terms and conditions aforementioned.
Parent Name: _______________________________________________
Parent Phone Number: ________________________________________
Parent E-mail: _______________________________________________
Parent Signature: ____________________________________________
Student Name: ______________________________________________
Student Signature: ___________________________________________
“Knowledge is its own reward and ignorance is its own punishment.”
From the Desk of
Kia Y. Allen
2012-2013 Syllabus Page 5