Welcome to Senior Literature!

Instructors: Mrs. C. Billie

Room 238
Phone: (630) 570-8375
E-mail: cbillie@hinsdale86.org
Mr. V. Varsbergs Room 258
E-mail: vvarsber@hinsdale86.org
(630)570-8306
Course Description: In Senior Lit you will develop your ability to
understand and appreciate many kinds of writing: popular novels,
plays, graphic novels, and best sellers. It is important to write and talk
about works of literature in order to understand them better. So, we
will be doing a lot of reading, writing both reflectively and creatively,
discussing, in addition to working on activities designed to improve
your reading speed, comprehension and vocabulary. Overall, we hope
that you will enjoy this class while you pick up skills to assist you in
your post-high school life.
Required Texts:
On Golden Pond
Maus

Kite Runner
Orphan Train

Required Materials:
1. A folder with pockets
2. Single-subject spiral notebook
3. Black or blue pen, pencil and eraser
4. Assignment Notebook
Course Goals and Policies:
Reading
There will be a good deal of reading in this course. We will be learning
several reading strategies to help you understand all types of writing
more easily and more completely.
Writing
Writing well is always the same as thinking well. Charles Johnson.
We will write a good deal in this class, too. We write both to help think
about the reading that weve done as well as to improve our ability to
put thought into words. Writing instruction includes specific attention
to developing and organizing ideas.
Assignment Guidelines:
1. All major assignments must be typed/word processed. Our
classroom policy states that no late assignments of papers,
speeches, and major projects will be accepted. (Note: Computer

2.

3.

4.

5.

problems do not constitute legitimate excuses for late or

incomplete work. Email documents to your school account (or in
an emergency to either one of us). Please put your full name
(first and last) in the upper left hand corner or each assignment,
along with the class period, date, and name of assignment. You
will be getting two late homework passes that you may use any
time during the semester for those days when homework
completion just cannot happen.
Daily handwritten assignments on loose-leaf paper or on class
handouts should be completed in blue or black pen. Please put
your full name (first and last) in the upper left hand corner or
each assignment, along with the class period, date, and name of
assignment.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to submit work and find
out about missed work on the day you return from an absence or
a series of absences. Please consult the calendar. Extended
absences may require a consultation with either of us to
determine the best plan to follow.
Tests/quizzes may not be made up during class time, so you will
need to make arrangements to make up tests/quizzes within a
few days of your return. Tests/quizzes not made up in time will
become a zero. Overall, you have the responsibility to find out
what you may have missed to ensure that work is made up
promptly.
Academic integrity and Centrals plagiarism policy are found in
the Student Handbook. Make sure you read these items as you
will be held responsible for any breach of these policies.

Behavior and Class Participation Expectations:

Making this class successful requires participation, hard work, effort,
and mutual respect. Students will be evaluated on their ability to
willingly and meaningfully participate in the following ways:
Our rules are simple We insist that we are all prepared,
polite, punctual and productive.
We are a community of learners. Please demonstrate respect
towards all members of our classroom community in order to
maintain an environment where teaching and learning take
place.
Please come to class on time, and be prepared for class with all
required homework and materials. When the bell rings, you
should be in direct motion to your seat. Likewise, remain seated
until the bell rings. Please do not begin to pack up before the
bell rings; this shows disrespect for your classmates and us.

We expect a great deal from you at this level. We expect

maturity and integrity to shine through in your attitude and your
work ethic.
Please participate actively, pay attention, and ask questions if
confused. Contribute in a meaningful and purposeful way to
class discussions. Avoid disruptive side-conversations, and keep
up with what is going on in class. Please sit up and do not put
your head on the desk.
Please do not bring in food or any beverage beside water. Soft
drinks are not allowed in the classroom at any time and must be
disposed of before entering the classroom.
Headsets may not be worn after entering the classroom. Do not
bring personal items such as Ipods, cell phones, etc.
You get two passes (bathroom or locker) per semester. Once you
use them, you will not be issued additional passes. Unused
passes may be turned in for extra credit at the end of the
semester.
Please communicate with us if there is a problem. Do not wait
until it is too late to work out a solution. Feel free to see either
one of us before or after class, or set up a time to meet with us
We like to reward those who do extraordinary things and those
who consistently do the right thing. So, let us catch you in the
act of doing a good job. Rewards are distributed at random
times at my discretion.

Grading:
Students will receive semester grades on transcripts based on the following:
Quarter 1/3 Grade
Quarter 2/4 Grade
Semester Final Exam

40%
40%
20%
= Semester Grade

Our grading scale is as follows:

90-100
80- 89
70- 79
60- 69
0- 59

A
B
C
D
F

After reading the above Senior Literature class syllabus, policies and
procedures, please sign below. Your signature indicates that you
understand the guidelines and will do your best to follow them. If you
have any questions regarding the expectations for Senior Lit, please
feel free to contact either of us.

_________________________________
Students name (please print)
_________________________________
Students signature

__________________
Date

_________________________________
Parents/Guardians signature

___________________
Date