I'm a state-certified English and Drama teacher who joined Lemon Bay High School in the fall of 2022 after serving several years as a substitute teacher in the district.  I moved to Charlotte County in 2015 following a 25-year career as a New York-based financial reporter and editor for Barron's magazine, Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. Before that, I worked as a radio journalist at WCTC-1450AM/WMGQ-98.3FM in New Brunswick,  NJ. I have a BA in Communication with a minor in English from Rutgers University.  I have found my second vocation as a teacher and member of the LBHS family to be as exciting, fulfilling and rewarding as my first.  

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

Students will be applying critical thinking skills in both reading and writing. They will be expected to read and analyze a variety of texts from different genres, as well as to write extended responses and essays in a formal, objective tone to clearly convey ideas and concepts. Students will also complete a highly structured, career-based project intended to assist with goal-setting and decision-making related to individual future educational and/or career goals. Students will also work on honing the skills needed for success in college and/or the work force in the 21st century. 

COURSE OUTCOMES 

This course is intended to help prepare students to successfully enter a college and/or career and complete the requirements for graduation from high school. The benchmarks reflect Florida's and national standards and tests for entry-level college courses.  The content will include, but may not be limited to, the following:

• Critically reading and analyzing argumentative, informative, and literary texts to recognize bias, distinguish between facts and opinion, summarize central ideas, and draw conclusions

• Recognizing and evaluating structural and organizational patterns within a text to effectively analyze purpose, style and tone

• Demonstrating understanding and control of language by properly applying the conventions of Standard English in writing and speaking

• Completing research on assigned topic(s) and formally presenting information to an audience in a structured setting 

ASSESSMENT

Students will complete a wide variety of assigned reading and writing activities. Classwork, homework, quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and projects may all be assessed as described below. Additionally, consistent class participation in the form of small and large group projects and discussions, is expected. 

• Tests/large projects 50 - 100 points

• Quizzes/Classwork/Homework 5 - 25  

• Major writing assignments 25 - 50 

• Discussion participation 10 - 20  

GRADE REVIEW REQUEST 

A grade review request is appropriate when a student is confident that his or her assignment meets the criteria and follows the directions laid out in the assignment, quiz, project, etc. but did not receive the appropriate points/grade.  The following steps must be followed by the student wishing to submit a review request:

• Review all comments on your assignment and compare them to the instructions and grading criteria for the assignment.

• If you still feel you have grounds for a grade review request, formally explain your argument in writing and submit to me via email.  Be specific and compare your work to the instructions and the criteria for grading. The more specific you are, the better.

• If the grade earned is appropriate based on the criteria, the grade will stand. If the grade review request appears to be appropriate, the student may recover all or some the points requested.

EXTRA CREDIT

Students may receive extra points for going above and beyond on a particular assignment, at the teacher's 

discretion. Other than that, no additional assignments will be offered solely for the purpose of extra credit.

TEXTBOOK(S), subject to change

My Perspectives by Savvas

The Book Thief

REQUIRED SUPPLIES

Students must bring the appropriate textbook, paper, and a writing utensil to class each day.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

All district and school expectations and policies are followed and enforced. This applies to punctuality and absences, make-up work, academic dishonesty/plagiarism, technology usage, behavior, etc. 

CELL PHONES OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE USED IN THE CLASSROOM. THEY MUST BE KEPT OFF AND OUT OF SIGHT. IF A PHONE IS BEING USED OR IS VISIBLE, THE STUDENT WILL IMMEDIATELY BE DIRECTED TO PUT IT AWAY.  STUDENTS WHO REFUSE TO PUT THEIR PHONE AWAY OR CHOOSE TO TAKE IT OUT AGAIN, WILL BE ISSUED A REFERRAL. Parents will be contacted as needed.

Students are also expected to refrain from eating and/or drinking anything other than water in the classroom.   

It is also expected that students use appropriate language at all times in the classroom; they must speak respectfully without cursing or using offensive language.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The easiest way to contact me is via email at Tom.Sullivan@yourcharlotteschools.net

Extra Help

Students are expected to make an appointment for either before or after school to get extra help from the teacher. Extra help should be sought in advance of due dates, quizzes, tests, and the close of a marking period. Please do not wait until the last minute.  

All students are held to the highest expectations for effort and achievement.  They must take initiative and be personally responsible for their behavior and their learning, which includes getting help when needed.  By doing this, they will grow as individuals and as learners, and leave this class better prepared to begin their college or  career experience.