English Notebook

Please put your notebook in the following order. As handouts are given to you, put them in the appropriate section as directed by the teacher.

Tab One: Class policies; notebook order page (this piece!); grade record sheet; general handouts; etc.

Tab Two:  writing – all handouts concerning composition, including the research assignments; all returned writing assignments, graded or ungraded; etc.

Tab Three: grammar – Daily Grammar Practice sheets; any handouts on language or usage; etc.

Tab Four: Literature – Record keeping of literary terms; handouts on literature; movie terms; supplemental material for novels and plays; etc.

Tab Five: Returned Tests/Quizzes – All graded test or quizzes that are returned should be kept in this section unless otherwise directed.

When you are given a handout or have an assignment returned to you, you should immediately put the date in the upper right-hand corner. If need be, a three-ring hole punch will be provided. Each piece, then, will be in the appropriate section in chronological order, the first pieces being the earliest in the semester, the last pieces being the most recently received items. Participation grades will be based in part on this notebook.

This requirement may seem busy work or unnecessarily legalistic, but I think it serves at least two purposes. First, it keeps you organized. Ninety-nine percent of success at Uni comes from staying on top of things. In addition, keeping the notebook in order with all requirements met allows you to keep up with your grade at all times. If, then, a parent calls me asking about your grade, I will direct that parent to ask you to see your notebook. If the notebook is up-to-date, determining the grade will be a matter of simple math. Also, if a question arises over the grade, you will have all the material you need to make your case in your notebook. The notebook, then, protects you from any mistakes I might make. (And, yes, wonderful as I may be, I sometimes make errors!)