Welcome Mrs Biringer English IV and English III

Welcome Mrs. Biringer English IV and English III Honors

A little about me… • This is my 20 th year of teaching (my 17 th year here at QACHS). • I have taught all levels of English, though I now teach primarily juniors and seniors in both honors and on-level classes. I also teach AP English Language and Composition in the spring. • I grew up here on the Eastern Shore (St. Michaels High School class of 1997 ). • I graduated summa cum laude with a double major (BS in Secondary English Education and a BA in English) from Duquesne University in 2001. Since then, I’ve earned my a MA in English Literature from Washington College and achieved National Board Certification. • My husband is an English teacher and wrestling coach at Easton High School, and we have three children: Maddie (10), Jack (7), and Evan (5). We also have a one year old dog named Sam. • Over the summer my family loves to camp, swim, kayak, and explore! The beach is

Course Description – English IV (1 st period) English IV is a required course for graduation and provides the student with a thematic survey of British and World literature, language, and history from Anglo-Saxon times to the present. The course is designed to continue developing the student’s ability to evaluate the content, organization, and language of texts and to communicate effectively. To this end, the course will provide students with opportunities to examine the features of language while responding to a variety of literary genres, by utilizing the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for speaking & listening, reading, writing, and language.

Course Description – English III Honors (2 nd and 3 rd Periods) English III will provide students with opportunities to examine the features of language while responding to a variety of literary genres in American literature by utilizing the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for speaking & listening, reading, writing, and language. The Honors English program is designed for students who are self-initiating and highly motivated. It builds upon the successes of earlier experiences with language and stimulates bright and creative minds to explore their potential. The program aims to meet the needs of students whose goals are to go beyond the foundational surveys of the discipline by delving into the complexities of communication through supplemental readings, writings, and activities that develop deep understanding. The program strengthens honors students’ cognizance of the richness of the language and the literature.

Materials & Supplies In addition to a laptop and reading materials (novel, textbook, etc. ), each student should have materials to take notes during classroom presentations, conferences, reading, etc. Students should find a quiet area where they can concentrate on their lessons and their work. Some materials that may help students to stay organized include: • A 3 -ring binder or folder with loose-leaf paper to keep track of notes or printed materials • sticky notes for novel annotations • pencils, pens, & highlighters Helpful Note: Students with smartphones may find that downloading the Google Drive app to their phones will allow them to easily access pictures or other content they may want to share for selected assignments without having to download these items to the laptops first.

Expectations • Structure – This semester, our school is using Schoology as the platform for our distance learning courses. This is a new platform for all of us: teachers, students, and parents/guardians. While it may be a little confusing at first, students should quickly become comfortable with finding their courses and assignments. It is my expectation that students are following the Board of Education’s Distance Learning Schedule each day and accessing the necessary course materials in Schoology. • Consistency – I will be abiding by the expectations that Mrs. Hudock and the Board of Education have set forth for this semester, and I expect my students to do the same. Stick to the daily schedule. Show up for class. Engage in learning. Communicate with me. • Respect – Every student has a right to learn. I expect each of my students to respect not only my time, but also their classmate’s time and show up for synchronous instruction promptly. Just as if we were in the classroom, students are expected to respect one another and follow proper online etiquette – not just in Google Meets, but also in emails, chats, office hours, etc.

Attendance & Participation • Students are expected to “attend school” from 8 am-3: 30 pm each day. Not all of that time is spent in direct instruction, of course, but students need to be responsible for their time (during both asynchronous and synchronous class periods) and follow the distance learning schedule sent out by the Board of Education. • In order to be marked present, students must log into my Schoology course each day and engage with the course material assigned for that day. Students should contact me (and parents/guardians should contact the front office), if a student must miss a class or a full day of classes. This will ensure that the missed instruction is marked as an excused absence.

Grading Policy • Students will have three days following an assigned due date to submit work late; each day after the three-day window, the assignment will be docked 10% off the final score. I will establish a due date and a deadline for each assignment. After the deadline, late work will not be accepted. If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact me directly. • This semester, the students’ course grade will consist of Progress (formative) and Mastery (summative) grades – each comprising 50% of the total grade. • It is important to note that this semester is not organized or structured the same way as the past spring semester. Students will be held much more accountable for their daily attendance and completion of daily course work. Being proactive about time management and staying on top of the daily course expectations is the best way to ensure a successful semester.

Office Hours Daily from 8: 00 -10: 15 am & 2: 00 -3: 30 pm (no hours on Wednesdays and Weekends) • Four days a week there are office hours set aside for re-teaching, one -to-one or group tutoring, small group instruction, and student/parent meetings. Students may schedule a time with me during these office hours for tutoring. Students may also be invited to attend a tutoring or instructional video conference during office hours. • Office hours are considered part of the school day, so tutoring sessions or conferences scheduled during this time are mandatory. If there is an instructional conflict during the requested time, the student will contact me to find a time that works.

Contact Information: gretchen. biringer@qacps. org