TeacherWeb

Miss Bocanegra



Top Divider


 FAQ

 FAQ-Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
  1. How can I contact you?
  2. What if I forgot my homework or I turn it in late?
  3. What if I'm absent?
  4. What is AR?
  5. Where can I find a copy of your syllabus?
  6. Where can I find a copy of your discipline plan?
  7. What is a Book Chat?
  8. How do I know my grade?
  9. What can I do to get extra credit?
  10. When do I have a book chat?
--------------------------------------

How can I contact you?

Call the school at 530-666-2191 ext. 140 or email me at lbocanegra@wjusd.org
Back to Top
--------------------------------------

What if I forgot my homework or I turn it in late?

Late work is given half-credit (50%) of the grade you would have earned.  
Turn it in as soon as possible.  No late work is accepted at the end of the
grading period.
Notify me immediately of any major assignment problems.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------

What if I'm absent?

Check the homework folder for any missing assignments or class worksheets.  
Ask a fellow classmate (your learning partner or the greeter) what we did the
day(s) you 
were absent or come before
or after school 
to get more information.  See contact information.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------

What is AR?

AR is a independent reading program called "Accelerated Reader." Each student
must complete 6-10 points each grading period by reading one or more books and 
passing a computer-generated, multiple choice test.  Students in my Strategic
class must read 6 points or higher (unless we read a class novel), students in
my Benchmark must read 8 points or higher, and the  Advanced class must read a
total of
10 points or higher (students may combine two 6 point books or higher to
achieve this goal).  
To give you an idea of point levels, HOLES is 7 points.
Harry Potter books are usually around 20-40 points.  

Students will write down their AR book(s) at the beginning of the grading
period.  They may change their book(s) before they take the AR test(s).  They
must pass each test they take for AR credit.  This pass represents 10% of
their total six week grade.  It is a pass/fail grade, which means they will
either receive 100% or 0%.  One retake is allowed for benchmark and strategic 
students only.

A list of AR books is on the right-hand side of the Douglass web page.  DO NOT
attempt to print it as it is 50 + pages.  You can find AR books in the school
library (they will have a book sticker), you can use your local public library
(they have an AR list), you can borrow from my library, or you can purchase
your own.  Please make sure you are aware of the point level.  If the book you
want to read is not on the AR list, ask the librarian to purchase it. 
Ordering tests can take up to several months.  

Some students may want to read additional books and take AR tests to earn AR
prizes, which are given by the Student Store staff (if they fail these tests
they will not receive academic consequences). Although students may NOT take
tests on books that they read during the summer for their AR grade, they make
take tests on them for AR prizes. 

If you have any questions, please ask me.  Every student should be reading at
least 30 minutes per school day.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------

Where can I find a copy of your syllabus?

In your student's folder (Handout section) Or print the following:

 2007-2008

Instructor: Miss Bocanegra		     Room number: B7
Course Length: One year       		     Contact Information: (530) 666-
2191 ext 140
Texts: Holt Literature and Language Arts    Email Address: 
lbocanegra@wjusd.org
and Holt Handbook (Grammar)    	                Conferences scheduled by
request.                                                                     
          


Course Description and Goals:
This course will provide students with standards-based instruction in Language
Arts and reading.  Students will master grade level writing, reading, speaking
and listening skills. At the end of this course, students will be well
prepared for a successful experience in eighth grade and will be
confident, critical thinkers.  

Student Objectives:
‡” Improve as readers, writers, speakers, and listeners of English.
‡” Write a minimum of five essays.
‡” Participate in class discussions of literature.
‡” Develop organizational, time management, and study skills.

Class Expectations and Requirements:
Students are expected to:
‡” Come to class daily, on time, and prepared.  This means that you are in 
your
seat when the bell rings, ready to begin bell work!
‡” Bring your journal, lined paper, a pen or pencil and your English folder to
class every day. 
‡” Turn in assignments completed and on time. 
‡” Participate in class.  
‡” Treat other people with respect.  
‡” Follow the posted classroom rules and accept the consequences. 
Student Responsibilities: You are responsible for your own work.  You must
collect all homework and handouts missed during absences either before or
after class.
Ask for help if needed!

Required Materials:
‡” 8 x 11h Journal (college or wide ruled) 
‡” Pens and pencils (anything but red) 
‡” A folder with two inside pockets 
‡” College-ruled or wide-ruled binder paper
‡” Student planner



Grading Policy:
Grades are given every six weeks.  The grade is not cumulative.  Students will
receive graded papers once a week and record their grades on a grade sheet. 
Check this sheet for progress between progress reports.   
Essential Assessments: This grade reflects to what extent the student has
mastered writing (40%) and reading (35%) standards. Please see the Douglass
Website for more details and the English department course outline at
www.dms.wjusd.org. 

Homework Grade: This grade reflects the effort of the student, including
homework, journal entries, class participation, and quizzes.  This grade will
be calculated using a point system and is worth 25% of the overall grade.

Parent Involvement:
‡” Set aside a regular time and quiet place for homework.
‡” Provide necessary materials and supplies.
‡” Ask your child if he/she has homework and ask to see the completed product.
‡” Make sure your child is reading AT LEAST 30 minutes a day from his/her
independent reading book.
‡” Check your childfs planner for notes and assignments.  Use it to 
communicate
with teachers.
‡” Contact me with any questions or concerns immediately!

Students may watch relevant G or PG rated videos.  If you do not wish your
child to watch videos, please note gNo Videosh below.  Permission forms will
be sent home if needed.

Please complete the information on this page and turn it in, signed by a
parent or guardian, by Friday, August 24, 2007.  

We have read the information and we understand and agree with the policies for
this class.  If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to
call me at my school number (530) 666-2191 ext. 140 or email me at
lbocanegra@wjusd.org.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------

Where can I find a copy of your discipline plan?

In your student's folder (Handout section)   As 
of right now, detentions are held before or after school.  
Special accomodations can be made at least 24 hours in advance.   No-show for
detention automatically doubles the time and Sat. Detention will be given on
the second failure to serve.

Or print the following:

 
Discipline Plan for B-7
Miss Bocanegra's Classroom Rules

1. Be Respectful				      3. Be Focused
2. Be Ready                                      4. Be Accountable 

If You Choose to Break a Rule

First Time:  			Warning. Yellow Card
Second time: 	Name on Board.  15 minutes detention or inappropriate
language/behavior form.
Third time:  30 minutes detention  and parent 
contacted. 
Fourth Time: 	60 minutes detention or more, notification to team leader,
and student sent to the office or A.L.C.
Severe disruptions:  	Student sent immediately to office or A.L.C.  Sat.
Detentions can also be given.  Substitute disruptions are an automatic 4 hours
of Sat. School.  

 For more information about school-wide
consequences, please refer to the Douglass student planner. 

If You Earn Rewards

Praise (daily)
Positive Referrals (random)
Tickets
Accelerated Reader prizes (each grading period) 
The joy of learning (each day of the school year) 



The best reward is the satisfaction of a job well done!

Remember, there are four rules in the classroom.  The rules were discussed,
agreed on, and signed.  So when you CHOOSE to break one of the rules, you must
accept the consequence!
Back to Top
--------------------------------------

What is a Book Chat?

AR Book Chats

Directions:  All Advanced students will give a 1-2 minute book chat on an
assigned day.  A book chat includes the title and author of the book you are 
currently reading and a short plot synopsis of what has happened in the story 
so far.  You may not present a book that you have already read and you may 
never give away an ending!  
**You may only present one book at a time, 
**You must bring the book and the book chat form (on your own paper)  
    with you.   



Name _____________________
Date______________________
Per. ______________________

Sample Book Chat Form:

1.	Title & Author
2.	Plot Synopsis (what happened so far and where are you now?)
3.	What you like about the book
4.	Suggestions or what you think could be better
5.	Who would you recommend this book to?
Back to Top
--------------------------------------

How do I know my grade?

Every student has a bright orange grade sheet where they record their 
homework, essay, chapter test and AR grade.  By simply adding up the points 
you have for homework and dividing them by the total homework points, you can 
find out your homework grade.  Remember that homework is worth 25% of your 
grade, the essay worth 25% of your grade, the chapter test worth 25% of your 
grade, the grammar test worth 15% of your grade, and one AR test (the one you 
signed up for) is worth 10% of your grade. 
Grades will be posted outside of my classroom and on the web every three 
weeks. You can also stop by after school or email me to find out more 
specific information.

Note: Any Advanced student not passing the class will be on a probationary 6
week period.  If he/she fails to pass again, he/she will be removed from the
class.

For the grading scale, please see the syllabus.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------

What can I do to get extra credit?

Extra credit opportunities are offered throughout the year.  Every student can
write an 11 sentence paragraph using all 10 (or 14 for Advanced students)
vocabulary words.  Students must turn in any extra credit on Friday with their
vocabulary packets.  Worth 10 points.

In addition, students can make book covers for their AR books.  Please see me
for directions. Students can only do one of these each grading period. Worth
10 points.

Each grading period, students can earn up to 50 points extra credit.  All
extra credit is applied to the process (or "homework") grade.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------

When do I have a book chat?

N/A
Back to Top

Bottom Divider

TeacherWeb

Last Modified: Tuesday September 04 2007

© 2000-2007 TeacherWeb, Inc.