Possible book choices for independent reading: A Guideline

My freshmen should choose a book written about coming of age experiences. The seniors can choose a book written from multiple perspectives. Listed below are some possible choices. I have a FEW of the books available in my classroom library. Other options are the school's media center, the Levy County Public Library, online or in-store purchases. This independent reading is part of the student's grade. There must be a minimum of three to four entries per week. I will grade them at random.

9th Grade

The Catcher in the Rye - Salinger
Monster - Walter Dean Myers
The Secret Life of Bees - Monk Kidd
A Separate Peace - John Knowles
She's so Money - Cherry Cheva
Slam - Walter Dean Myers
Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie- David Lubar
Speak, Twisted - Laurie Halse Anderson
Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli
A Yellow Raft in Blue Water - Michael Dorris
Ellen Foster - Kaye Gibbons
The House on Mango Street - Sandra Cisneros
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Twain

12th grade

The Joy Luck Club - Amy Tan
The Stranger - Camus
Stranger in a Strange Land- Robert A. Heinlein
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Brashears
Shooter - Walter Dean Myers
Frankenstein - Shelley
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
works by Barbara Kingsolver, Jamaica Kincaid, John Steinbeck

PLEASE BE AWARE THE SEVERAL OF THE TITLES MAY CONTAIN GRAPHIC LANGUAGE OR DEPICT GRAPHIC EVENTS.

Classroom Goals and Expectations

• Attend class regularly--- if you are not here, I cannot teach you.
• be on time
• be prepared for class
• meet deadlines (all assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date) DEADLINES ARE WRITTEN IN STONE.
• All assignments must have your complete name, date, and period number on the top right hand corner of each page.
• actively participate as a member of a group
• RESPECT: Raise your hand if you wish to speak. NO STUDENT WILL TALK WHILE I AM TALKING. I will remind you of this ONE time. I consider mumbling under your breath, chatting with a buddy, or speaking without being called on by me a violation of that rule. Respect for me, your peers, yourself, and our school is very important to me.
• Common Sense rules: No sleeping, no heads down, no throwing things, no trashing our room, no grooming, no doing work for other classes, no note writing, no texting.
• You have 3 passes/nine weeks. These include trips to the nurse, the office, or any other trip you need to take to other places on campus.  You should use the restroom before or after class. Please send a doctor’s note if there is a medical issue that requires me to handle bathroom breaks differently. Pass in YOUR hand equals your cell phone in mine.
• Cursing: Not necessary, don’t do it.

• Tardy Policy: When the bell has rung and I am inside the room with the door is closed, anyone not in their seat will be tardy.
• Dismissal: I will dismiss you from class. There will be no standing by the doors or around the desks. If you’re standing, you’re staying. I’m sure there will be times when you doubt the clock’s accuracy, but you’ll just have to trust me!   

• NO FOOD, DRINK, CANDY, or GUM ALLOWED. The only exception is if I give you any of the above. You may have bottled water. PLEASE don’t ask if you can just set your Hardee’s, Ralph’s, McDonald’s cup in the back.
• YOU are responsible for cleaning up your area, NOT me.
• No one will leave the classroom until all materials are put away.
• No HATS, HOODS, ’do rags’ or SUNGLASSES will be worn in my room. Please make yourself aware of the district policy regarding dress code. Keep your pants pulled up, your skirts/shorts to a respectable length, your upper body covered, your cell phones OFF, and your music put away. If I see your MP3 player/cords/earphones or your cell phone it will be confiscated. Dress appropriately for school. You aren’t at a club. Refer to CHS Discipline Plan for specifics.
• If you are late to class bring your pass with you.  Missing class to stay with another teacher, unless prearranged, is an unexcused tardy/absence. You must have an admit slip when returning after an absence. Please get it first thing in the morning when you return.
• Passes will only be given if essential. DO NOT ask for a pass while I am lecturing. All students must have a pass to leave the classroom. Pass in your hand equals your cell phone in mine.
• Make up work/notes are your responsibility – ask or you will not receive. See me after class to make arrangements. There’s no such thing as a stupid question but there IS bad timing.

Supply List

Mrs. Irizarry’s supply list

*1 “Post-it”-type note pads

*1 pack 3x5 note cards (lined or unlined)

*pencils (NOTE: most mechanical pencils cannot be used on standardized tests)

*pens: ONLY black or blue ink; please do not ask me if you can write in other colors

*highlighter: ONLY yellow, orange, or pink

*Notebook paper (preferably college ruled)

*Portfolio style folder with prongs and pockets

SUPPLIES SHOWN TO ME BY 8/26/11 EARN FIVE BONUS POINTS!

I would really appreciate having students bring in a box of tissues. I know this seems like an elementary request, but high school students sneeze too! As we’re all concerned about keeping our students healthy, some type of hand sanitizer is also useful.

I am always on the lookout for books that are appropriate for the high school student. If you have something you would like to donate, please call the school. Thank you for your help!