English Language Arts with Ms. Vollmar
This class serves to help those who love reading and writing do what they love and to help those who don't become better, more confident, and more comfortable doing what they don't love quite so much. Additionally, this class encourages weirdness, eccentricity, and originality. It supports writers, and artists. Finally, a key philosophy of this class is that curiosity makes school more meaningful (and much more importantly), curiosity makes life more interesting. Be curious!
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION:
Quarter Grades: The grade weights will be as follows:
- Classwork/Practice/Activities -- 20%
- Quizzes/Presentations – 30%
- Essays/Projects/Tests– 50%
Semester Grades - Scholar’s semester grades will be calculated as follows:
Quarter 1 – 40% Quarter 2 – 40% Semester Final – 20%
Quarter 3 - 40% Quarter 4- 40% Semester Final - 20%
GRADING SCALE: The grading scale will follow the ASK Academy standards:
A+ = 96-100 % A = 90-95 % B = 80-89 % C = 70-79 % N/C = Below 70 %
CLASS POLICIES:
Daily Reading: Scholars are expected to read 30 minutes a night of an independent reading book (fiction or nonfiction). Scholars have choices in their books (including fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, comics, anime, etc). Ms.Vollmar has a class library that contains books that range in reading difficulty and maturity. Families, please check in with your scholar about their book choices. If you are uncomfortable with their choice, please let me know and I will work with them to find another book.
Absences: If you are absent, please check to see what we covered in class, what was assigned, and what was due that day–the responsibility is yours! Make sure to utilize Google classroom, Ms. Vollmar’s email, as well as information from your peers to do so. Communication is KEY.
Homework: Scholars are expected to complete 30 minutes of independent reading each night.
There will be projects and assignments related to this independent reading each quarter. Scholars
will be assigned weekly vocabulary to learn from the books we read together. Some other projects will require homework, but the daily assignment will be the nightly reading.
Late Work: Late work will be accepted up to one week (ex. if an assignment is due on Monday, scholars have until the following Monday to return assignment) after the initial deadline. When late work is turned in, 20% will be taken off the original score. The max score a late assignment can receive is 80%. After 1 calendar week, scholars will receive a zero for the assignment. To keep grades current, a zero will be temporarily recorded in PowerSchool for any missed assignment. This will be replaced with the earned score once the scholar completes the assessment.
Project Expectations:
We will be conducting both short and long-term projects in this class. Some of these projects include the Point A/B Project, Book Review Creative Projects, Debates, etc. Some projects are individual while others will require you to work with a team. You will always be graded individually for the contributions and skills that you demonstrate.
Feedback and Grading: As this is an English class, scholars will be producing short and extended pieces of writing in addition to projects. When I receive the work, I will provide feedback and the grade as soon as I can. Much feedback happens during the learning process. For shorter pieces of writing, my turnaround time will be within 3-7 days. For longer pieces of writing, my turnaround time will be 1-3 weeks depending on the length of the assignment. Please understand that I am grading over 120 pieces of writing and quality feedback takes time. I will respond to emails within two contract days.
Revisions: Students are encouraged to revise their work BEFORE the final due date and are often given class time to do so. If the assignment is turned in on time, you have the option to revise it after you receive your grade and final feedback within a week (please inform Vollmar that you are revising). I will re-grade according to the rubric.
Technology: Technology: To foster a productive and focused learning environment We will be using Google Classroom often. However, very often, we are lucky enough in English courses to be able to take a rare break from tech, and I encourage myself and scholars to take it! Computers (and occasionally cell phones/earbuds) are ONLY allowed in class with teacher permission. At all other times, the technology needs to be kept away. If scholars have technology that is not being used with permission, Vollmar will take the device until the end of the class.
Plagiarism: Copying work from another scholar, a website, a book, a family member etc. and passing it off as your own is a serious offense. Use of more than three consecutive words without citation and quotation marks is considered possible plagiarism. The assignment will be entered as a zero in the grade book, a referral will be written, and a phone call or email home will be made.
Use of AI: Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work without giving them credit. This includes using AI tools to generate text that you then claim as your own. In this class, the use of AI tools to generate work is prohibited. If you are caught using AI tools without permission, you will receive a zero on the assignment. You may also be subject to further disciplinary action. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that students produce original work. AI tools can be very helpful for brainstorming ideas, translating, summarizing, and getting feedback, but they should not be used to replace the hard work of thinking and writing your own thoughts and ideas. If you are unsure whether or not you are allowed to use an AI tool, please ask your me for clarification.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS:
Scholars will be expected to:
- take care of yourself, take care of others, take care of this place.
- be curious and take risks - that’s how we learn and grow!
- take responsibility for your choices
- work both independently and collaboratively during class time.
Scholars can expect Ms. Vollmar to:
- create a challenging, safe, and fun classroom.
- try new things and learn from the resulting success or failure.
- be PASSIONATE about what she teaches!
SCHOLAR-CHOICE - An important part of this class is choice:
- Scholars, as a group, determine many of our seminar topics
- Scholars choose topics for Independent Study/Position Paper assignments
- Scholars choose the book for Independent Reading and Book Reviews
SCHOLAR VOICE:
- Scholars are encouraged to advocate for themselves. Please email Ms.Vollmar.
- Scholars should talk to Ms. Vollmar about grades or any other question/concern that arises.
- Communication is KEY.
Attendance Policy
ASK Academy scholars are expected to arrive on time (8:00AM) and be adequately prepared for their day. All scholars who arrive past 8:03 AM to their first period class must have a pass from the front office. Tardy scholars must be signed in by parents at the front office. Please contact The ASK Academy on the website at: https://www.theaskacademy.org and click the Attendance link on the home page or call 505-891-0757 to notify us of your scholar’s absence.
Uniform Policy
The Academy requires that all scholars wear a prescribed uniform.
Tops (Shirts) – All scholars must wear an ASK polo shirt, with the ASK logo, purchased from an approved ASK vendor. The color of the ASK polo shirt identifies the scholar with their selected career pathway. Polo shirts will not be overly baggy, nor exceedingly tight. Shoulder seams must be at the shoulders, and shirts cannot hang down below mid-thigh level. Middle School – Red or Light Blue High School – Biomedical Sciences – Dark Green or Purple Engineering and Design – Royal Blue or Burgundy Bottoms (Pants) – Allowable pants/slacks of solid color (khaki or black) and should meet our uniform expectations. They should be of a non-stretch, khaki or similar material. No shorts, skorts, skirts, cargo pants (pants with many pockets) are allowed. No excessive “sagging” is allowed. Inseam of pants must be where legs and torso join. Excessively tight pants such as spandex, yoga pants, leggings, sweat pants or other non-uniform fabrics are not allowed.
Footwear
Scholars must wear closed-toe shoes at all times at the Academy (no sandals, flip-flops, crocs, open back shoes, slippers, or shoes made out of foam are allowed). Please remember that our learning spaces have sharps, blades, power tools, solvents, and acids so adherence to this policy is a priority. No head wear Hats, bandanas, beanies, headbands with extraneous distractors, etc. including sweatshirt hoods, are not allowed inside the Academy. Exemptions for headwear that may be required for religious reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Outerwear
Jackets will not qualify as a replacement to an ASK polo. Jackets may be worn as long as they have a zipper front and are not excessively baggy (shoulder seams are at the shoulders and cannot hang below mid-thigh level). When worn inside, jackets must allow full view of the ASK polo (be worn unzipped indoors). Scholars can wear sweatshirts and hoodies under, but not over the ASK polo. Please remember that the ASK polo is one of our layers of security. Clothing or jewelry that are determined to pose a risk to potential injury while in the learning environment will not be permitted. Attire or accessories which advertise, display or promote any drug, alcohol, tobacco, gang, sexual activity, violence, disrespect or bigotry towards any group, or items that are associated with a gang are not permitted. All attire should be suitable for a professional environment.