Course Syllabus English I 2025-26
Teacher Information
Mr. Jacob Gregory
jgregory@[Link]
Primary communication of work will be given through Google classroom (links to follow).
I am available for assistance during the day during 2nd, 4th, and 6th periods. You can
always send me an email with questions, but I would ask that you allow a 24-hour
response time. I will only respond to emails between 7am and 4pm on weekdays, but if
your matter is urgent, I would request that you see me in person when possible.
Materials
● Notebook (or equivalent)
● Pens/pencils
● Multi-colored (ideally 5 different colors) post-it notes
● iPad (fully functional)
● Novels/ plays (hardcopies only):
o The Odyssey (graphic novel edition) (ISBN: 978-0-7636-4268-6)
o A Separate Peace (ISBN: 978-0-7432-5397-0)
o Romeo and Juliet (ISBN: 978-1-0-107-61540-3)
o Animal Farm
● Grammar for Writing, Grade 9
● Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop, Level E
Expectations
● Drinks other than water are not allowed in the room (we have a carpet, spills of
sugary drinks stick around)
● Airpods are not to be seen (If I haven’t asked you to bring them, you shouldn’t
have them)
● Bring what you need (coming into the room does not mean you will be marked
present or on-time if you leave)
Homework
You can expect to have homework on most evenings which will be graded for
either completion or accuracy. Homework will come in a variety of forms and will be
communicated through myBenet.
Late Work/Absence
If an assignment is submitted after the date and time it is due, it is late. Late work
will not be accepted without penalty, which may include receiving reduced credit, half
credit, or no credit depending on the significance and expectations of the assignment.
Late work submitted outside of a unit of study (i.e. Something from our study of parts of
speech being submitted during our study of parts of a sentence) will not be accepted.
Exceptions can be made for unplanned absences. My general rule is however long you
are absent, you have that many days to submit all missing work from that time,
including tests and quizzes. YOU are responsible for contacting me for missed work
during your absence. You can expect to see a zero in the gradebook until the grade
has been resolved.
iPad
These are rules regarding iPad use in the classroom. Where necessary, the Student
Handbook’s policies regarding the proper use of devices will be consulted and used to distribute
consequences. If you are asked to put the iPad away, even if that means you cannot
participate in class, you must comply.
1. EVERY class will begin with the iPad away.
2. You are expected to bring your iPad fully charged and functional for each class
3. All apps and tabs must be closed before class starts
4. No unsanctioned multi-tasking; only have open the apps or sites we need for
class.
5. The TEACHER decides when you are to use the iPad. If I request your attention,
you must give it.
6. TURN OFF NOTIFICATIONS
7. Cheating with the iPad will be treated in the same manner as cheating without
the iPad: a zero on the assignment and further disciplinary action.
Academic Honesty
Please adhere to the moral expectations of a Benet student. Refer to the student
handbook for more detail. Students and parents will sign a plagiarism contract. This
document proves your understanding of the definition and consequences of plagiarism
on ANY assignment. [Link] will also be utilized to prevent plagiarism. If you do not
adhere to these guidelines, you will receive a zero on the assignment with no
opportunity for make-up. The contract includes policy updates regarding the use of AI
for idea generation, drafting, and finishing your work. Use of AI for these purposes is
prohibited.
Grading
Benet Scale ● Homework/classwork: 5-15 points
● A = 100%-90% ● Reading Quizzes: 5-15 points
● B = 89%-80% (between 3-6 per unit, 4 units)
● Reading Tests: 50-75 points (1 per
● C = 79%-70%
unit, 4 units)
● D = 69%-60%
● Grammar Quizzes: 10-20 points
● F = 59% or below (at least 7-8 per unit, 4-5 units)
● Grammar Tests: 25-75 points (1
per unit, 4-5 units)
● Vocab work: 20-30 points (11-15
units)
● Writing: 25-100 points (2 major
essays, plus paragraph
construction)
Points per assignment*
● Participation: No points, but it
does help
*All values are subject to change as needed. I will attempt to have grades inputted every week.
To ensure meaningful feedback, I prefer not to rush this process. I thank you in advance for your
patience.
Supports
● Supports I offer: ▪ Must see me
▪ Must be completed
o Graphic organizers
before unit ends
o Clear procedural steps
● Supports outside of my class:
o Daily routines
o Study Guides o The RAC
o Sample Test Questions o The library
o Quiz corrections o Your fellow students
o Other teachers
▪ 1 per unit
Success
I have a few recommendations for success in my class:
● Do the homework: This seems obvious, but I am not assigning you work simply to
assign it. We have a lot of information to cover and the best way to accelerate
that process is if you PRACTICE. Homework is that practice.
● Be kind: I always dislike the phrase “be respectful” because everyone has a
different definition of what that looks like. However, I do find that being kind is far
easier to interpret. We will have a lot of discussion in class. If you let people
speak, do not judge them for their words, and speak in a polite and thoughtful
manner, to all in the classroom, we will be fine. I also say this to remind you to be
kind to yourself. Whatever struggles you may have in the classroom, I assure you
that we can find a way to overcome them.
● Participate: Speaking is the best way for me to see if you understand the
material, or if I need to go over it again. This class will fall apart and be very
boring if no one talks. I will do my best to make sure that every voice that wants
to be heard will be heard. Just make sure that you indicate that you want to be
heard.
● Ask for help: If you need help, please tell me. It is okay. I wouldn’t be here if I
didn’t want to help. Just don’t come to me if you just want the answers; my job is
to show you HOW to arrive at an answer, so there will be work involved.
● Challenge yourself: No, this does not mean to stay up late the night before a test
because that would be a “greater challenge.” It means do not take shortcuts. It
means that if you get a B on a test, figure out what needs to be improved and
how you can improve it. Do not just do this for the grade or the GPA or the
college admissions teams. Find how my class helps you improve who you are. If I
see you pushing yourself, I will recognize it.
Philosophy
My aim with this course is to teach you two things: how to read and analyze
information in multiple forms, and how to effectively communicate with others. Your
grade will reflect how well I believe you can do these two things compared with your
peers. That’s it. If you focus on getting better at those two things, you will do just fine in
my class. I also want to warn you: when it comes to English, 100% means that there is
nothing to improve in your work. I firmly believe that there is always something to
improve upon. Therefore, on quizzes and tests, objective measures with right and wrong
answers, you can get 100%, but on written reflections or papers or speeches, 100% is
next to impossible. You can get an A, but not 100%, and you should not see this as a
bad thing. Always strive to improve. Always.