Medford High SchoolMr. David Ambrose

English 10: British LiteratureThursday, September 19, 2013

Welcome, parents!Thank you for coming this evening.Goals for tonight:

To help you understand the work we will be doing throughout the school year.

To explain my expectations for my students.To share information about how you can

support learning at home.To answer any questions about the course

syllabus.

A Little About Me32 years old10th year teaching at Medford High SchoolEnglish 11 HonorsEnglish 10 Honors and English 10 StandardYearbookProud father to Ben and Charlotte (also

students!)UMass Amherst ’03, B.A. English and JournalismUMass Amherst ’04, M.Ed.

About Our Student Teacher, Ms. Stevens24 years old; lives in Somerville; from

Everett.Graduate student at Lesley University B.A. from Emerson College in Writing,

Literature, and Publishing Was a permanent sub and taught a few of Mr.

Ambrose’s classes last year.Mock Trial Coach and Co-Advisor for the Gay

Straight last year.

Curriculum GoalsTo create a safe and comfortable learning

environment for each student.To provide each student the opportunity to

express himself/herself in a variety of appropriate and creative ways.

To analyze and evaluate literature from various genres and time periods.

To foster a love and appreciation for reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

To prepare for standardized tests such as the MCAS and PSAT.

Common Core CurriculumWhat is it? How does it affect what we do?A Greater Focus on NonfictionReading of LiteratureReading of Informational TextsSpeaking and ListeningWritingLanguage

School-wide InitiativesCore Values

CollaborationEngagementPersonalization

21st Century Learning ExpectationsEach is assessed by a school-wide rubric.English – responsible for Communication Skills

Development of Common SMART GoalsMeasurable for teachers, measurable for

students

Grading PoliciesEvery student has the opportunity to succeed.Quarterly grades will be determined by dividing

total points earned over total possible points.5-30 point assignments: daily homework and

classwork, participation50 point assignments: quizzes, essay rough drafts100 point assignments: projects, formal essays,

testsPrinted grade reports are available upon request.Digital grade reports are available via iParent.

Class InformationLiterature

An overview of British literatureStandardized Test Preparation

PSAT (October 2013)MCAS (Spring 2014)

Reading and Writing WorkshopSelf-selected reading, nonfictional informational

textsGrammarVocabulary

MCASAn important focus for sophomore year

Graduation requirementJohn and Abigail Adams Scholarship

Weekly preparation on FridaysWeekly vocabulary and grammarFocus on nonfiction informational textswww.doe.mass.edu

“MCAS”“Test Items”MCAS Question of the Day

A tip for MCAS success: read, read, read!

How to get InvolvedPlease bookmark the course website.

www.misterambrose.comOn the website, you will find the following:

Current and archived homework assignmentsAn e-mail linkExamples of student workLinks to help your child with homework

Follow me on Twitter - @misterambroseEmail me any time you like

Index CardsYour name and your child’s nameHave you been receiving e-mails?Is there anything you want me to know so

that I may be a better teacher for your child?Is there anything you would like to share

about your child’s personality, interests, or previous academic experiences?

Wrap UpWriting ContestsParent-Teacher Conferences

Following first quarter report cards781.264.0881misterambrose@yahoo.comwww.misterambrose.com

Does anyone have any questions?