• Mrs. Sarah Crabtree

    Instructor Information

    Term and year: 2024-2025

    Office location: 103A

    Phone Number: (623) 376-4353  or (623) 376-4300

    Email Address: Sarah.Crabtree@DVUSD.org

    Course Objectives

    This course provides an accelerated curriculum for advanced students with the aim of enhancing a student’s ability to read from a wide range of literary genres, periods, and authors and learn to analyze complex texts, interpret literary elements, and critically evaluate literary and informational texts. Students will learn to craft well-structured essays, conduct effective research, and express ideas efficiently and effectively.

    Student Resources

    Jacob’s Ladder 7-8

    William and Mary The Center for Gifted Instruction: Threads of Change and the 1940’s A Decade of Change

    Foundations of Language and Literature

    How to Read Literature Like a Professor For Middle School Students by Thomas C. Forester

    CommonLit.org  (Grades 7-12)

    McGraw Hill Textbook

    NoRedInk

    School Approved AI 

    Novel Study

    Note: Additional Novels included in the McGraw Hill Units and William and Mary Units not listed below.

    Excerpts from How to Read Literature Like a Professor for Kids

    Animal Farm by George Orwell

    Independent WWII Novel Choice

    The Iliad by 好色导航r (Kingfisher edition)

    Summer reading for 2025-2026 school year: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

    *For a complete list of reading assignments please email Mrs. Crabtree at sarah.crabtree@dvusd.org. Alternative reading assignments can be requested by parents prior to the beginning of a unit. 

    Evaluation Procedures and Grading Criteria

    Students will be evaluated according to district policy. Assessments will count for 80% of the overall grade, and classwork/assignments will be counted as 20% of the grade. 好色导航work will be assigned on an “as needed” basis according to a student’s individual needs. Students will be permitted to revise submitted essay Classwork/Assignments ONE time after initial submission and grading, as long as they are submitted on or before the due date. Essays and Writing Assessments are not open to revision.  Quizzes (Assessments 15 points and under) may be retaken if students score below 80%, as long as all assignments are current and students complete the Reassessment Reflection and Request Form (available to students in class). 

     

    Missing work will be treated as such:

    • The assignment will be marked with the “Missing” special code in the gradebook

    • No Evidence (NE) will be entered for the standards attached to the assignment

    • If the work is submitted as Late Work (see terms below), the assignment score will be changed to reflect the student’s actual score with no deductions or penalties

    • If the work is not submitted as Late Work or does not meet conditions for Late Work, the score for the assignment can be changed to a 49% by the end of the term.

    In order for Late Work to be accepted, students must meet the following parameters:

    • Assignment is not due within the class period

    • Assignment is not a timed activity (such as a Quick-Write Essay)

    • Assignment is not a Long-Term assignment (over multiple weeks)

    • Assignment is turned in within the following time frame:  3-8 Grades: Within 5 school days after the end of the unit

    If a student meets the above criteria, he/she will be issued full credit for the work submitted (no added penalties or caps on the grade that can be earned).  The teacher will mark the student’s assignment with the “Late” special code. If the assignment is an assessment, the proficiency level of the standards attached will be entered.

    Long Term Project Assignment: A project/assignment due more than 1 week after the date assigned is considered a long-term project assignment. Long term project assignments cannot be submitted late, unless an arrangement has been approved by the teacher.

     

      Academic Honesty Statement:

    In Accordance with Deer Valley Renaissance Highly Gifted Academies (2024-2025 Parent/Student Contract) Section V:

    “Work Ethic-Classroom assignments within  a Renaissance environment are designed to promote higher levels of critical thinking and academic discourse. Renaissance students complete a multitude of projects each year they participate in the program. All assignments are expected to be completed in a timely manner. Submitted assignments should reflect evidence of student effort in producing quality work. Students are expected to demonstrate academic integrity in all classes. All assignments should reflect the student's personal level of knowledge and academic ability.”

    AI Guidance [2024] 

    In the Deer Valley Unified School District, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible education while ensuring their safety, privacy, and well-being. As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance learning experiences, teachers may incorporate generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom for students. 

    Students must adhere to the specific guidelines provided in the assignment details. If no guidance around the use of generative AI is provided, students should follow the “restrictive” level (see chart). Teachers should direct students to contact their teacher before submitting classwork if the student is unsure if the tool or website they are using is permitted on a specific assignment. 

     

     

    Additional Notes: The classroom can get very cold so we recommend that you bring a jacket or sweatshirt. Water bottles and light snacks (no nuts, candy, messy foods please) are allowed. We always appreciate donations of tissues and Clorox wipes throughout the year.