English 10
Syllabus
James Clemens High School / Teacher: / Candace Baum11306 County Line Road
Madison, AL 35756 / Email: /
Phone: / 256-261-5313
I. / Course Description: / This accelerated pace course covers Early American literature (pre-1900) through reading, writing, and vocabulary activities. This course provides skills for rhetorical analysis of readings, as well as advanced composition that will prepare students for Advanced Placement English Language. Summer reading is required and students will be assessed on the novel during the first two weeks of the semester.
II. / Course Objectives: / Through reading selected works in American Literature (until 1900) and World Literature, students will learn how to think critically, structure their writings, sharpen vocabulary skills, work collaboratively, and relate literature to their lives.
III. / Course Requirements and Required Reading: / 1. Bell Work
2. Periodic reading quizzes
3. Essay and research writing
4. Novel and literary unit projects/tests
5. Weekly vocabulary tests
6. Reading workshop journals
7. Research paper
Required Reading:
EMC Literature Textbook: Mirrors and Windows
The Crucibleby Arthur Miller
The Scarlet Letterby Nathaniel Hawthorne
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
*All works will be furnished by teacher.
IV. / Materials and Supplies Needed: / 1.Three-ring binder with loose leaf paper divided into the following sections: Bell Ringer, Literature, Writing, Vocabulary, and Grammar
2. Writing utensils (pencil, black or blue ink)
3. 3x5 lined index cards (You will use 10-15 cards weekly for vocabulary flash cards.)
WISH LIST
- Copy paper
- Tissue
- Hand Sanitizer
- Lysol
V. / Grading Policy: / Homework
Assignments are due at the beginning of class. If a student cannot produce the assignment at the time for which it is called, then it will be considered a zero.
Late Work
Assignments turned in one day late will be deducted 20 points. Major projects and papers will not be accepted late.
Papers
1. Allfinal drafts are to be typed and must be double-spaced. See me in advance if you
have problems accessing a computer or if you are having printer problems.
2. Only use 12 Font, Times New Roman.
Grading Period
This class is divided into nine-week categories. Report cards will be distributed at the end of each nine-week period. Progress reports will be distributed at three-week intervals throughout the nine weeks.
Student grades will be determined based on the following percentages:
Major Tests & Papers/ Projects70%
Quizzes/ In-class assignments & homework 30%
GradingScale: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (65-69), F (64 and below)
*Cheating and plagiarism of any kind are never tolerated. The academic misconduct
policy of the school will be followed in this course.
*Please note that all requests for accommodations for this course or any school event are
welcomed from students and parents. Any student who receives failing grades during this
course is urged to discuss this with me so we can devise a plan for improvement.
VI. / Absences: / 1. If absent, see me upon your return to school to discuss make-up work or email me.
2. Homework is due the day you return from an absence. It is YOUR responsibility to
show it to me.
3. If you are absent the day a major project or assignment is due, you must turn it in the
day you return or it will be considered late. If your absence is unexcused, your project
will be considered late.
4. If you are going on a field trip, previously assigned work should be completed prior to
the trip. Work missed the day of the trip is due the day you return.
5. If you are absent the day before a long-term assignment or test, it is still due on the
assigned day since you were already aware of the deadline.
6. Always talk to me IN ADVANCE if you foresee a problem with an assignment.
*The attendance policy of the school will be followed in this course.
VII.
VIII. / Make-up Test Policy:
Classroom Expectations: / Make-up tests will be given for excused absences only. The make-up test will be administered Mondays or Tuesdaysduring Refuel. You must make an appointment to take a make-up test. If the make-up day is missed without prior approval, then the missing grade will remain a zero.
1. Be respectful, polite, and courteous.
2. Be prepared (bring all required materials to class).
3. Be on time and in your seat when the tardy bell rings and immediately begin working on your Bell Ringer for the day. (Do not wait for me to tell you to begin.)
4. Stay in your appropriate seat throughout the period unless given permission to move about the room.
5. Keep all handouts, notes, graded papers, etc. in the appropriate section in your binder.
6. If given permission to leave the room, you must sign out and take a hall pass.
7. Follow all procedures and policies as outlined by James Clemens High School and Madison City Schools.
8. Do not do anything that would interfere with all of us having a successful and enjoyable semester.
IX. Discipline:
Unacceptable behavior can be categorized as disruption, disrespect, and defiance.
Unacceptable behavior will NOT be tolerated. The following are consequences for
unacceptable behavior:
1st offenseVerbal warning
2nd offenseParent contact
3rd offenseAdministrator contact
Any major offense can be sent directly to an administrator.
*Students who are not in my classroom and seated when the tardy bell rings will be
considered tardy. No exceptions.*
Choosing to follow policies and procedures will result in one or more of the following:
*Verbal acknowledgement
*A stress free learning environment
*A pleasant and secure atmosphere
X.Appropriate Use 1. Under no circumstances are student laptops to be wired to the network or have print Technology: capabilities.
2. No discs, flash drives, jump drives, or other USB devices will be allowed.
3. Neither the teacher, nor the school is responsible for broken, stolen, or lost laptops/iPads.
4. Laptops/iPads will be used at the individual discretion of the teacher.
5. There will be occasions where cell phone use will be allowed (research, defining words,
etc.). However, unless the teacher specifies that cell phone use be allowed, all cell phones should be put away. Failure to do this warrants disciplinary action.
18 – WEEK PLANUnit 1 / Summer Reading Text
A Raisin in the Sun, Flowers for Algernon, grammar, writing, and vocabulary.
Unit 2 / Native American Traditions, Shaping the New World, and the American Revolution
“How the Leopard Got his Claws,” Bradstreet, Edwards, Henry, Franklin and other short pieces/authors incorporated, grammar, writing, and vocabulary.
Unit 3 / The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Background on The Salem Witchcraft Trials, modern historical connections, character analysis, The Crucible project, grammar, writing, and vocabulary.
Unit4 / Research paper
Argument//Synthesis
Unit 5 / The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Puritanism, symbolism, diction, themes, character analysis, Letter project, grammar, writing, and vocabulary.
Unit 6 / Romanticism
Transcendentalism (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau & other fiction pieces/authors incorporated)
Dark Romanticism (Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne and other short pieces/authors incorporated)
Grammar, writing, and vocabulary
Unit 7 / Slavery and the Civil War; Expanding Frontiers
Douglass, Bierce, Dickinson, Whitman, Twain, Truth, London, Chopin, Randall and othershort pieces/authors incorporated, poetry analysis, grammar, writing, and vocabulary
Unit 8 / Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Background information on Shakespeare and the Elizabethan time period, tragedy, dramatic elements, modern cultural connections, JC project, grammar, writing, and vocabulary.
* The syllabus serves as a guide for both the teacher and student; however, during the term it may become necessary to make additions, deletions, or substitutions.*
Parent and Student Contract
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I want to help make this a successful and enjoyable semester. I feel fortunate to have your son/daughter in my class this semester and hope that you will contact me should you have any concerns about the progress of your child. Please read the attached policies and sign and date this signature page. Make sure your child has signed it as well. Parents, please be sure to include your email address, as I often use email to communicate with parents.
I have read and I understand the rules, procedures, and expectations for my pre-AP English 10 course and pledge to uphold thepolicies as given. I agree to do my best in all class assignments and to ask for help when needed.
Student Signature: ______Date: ______
Student email address: ______
I have read all of my child’s class rules and am aware of what will be expected of my child. I also agree to support my child’s education by placing value on that education and remaining interested in my child’s progress. I understand that it takes the student, the teacher, and parents working together to help ensure success.
Parent or Guardian Printed Name: ______
Parent or Guardian Signature: ______Date:______
Home telephone # or cell phone #: ______
Parent or Guardian Email address: ______
Does your child have access to a computer and printer at home? ______
Can your child access the Internet from this computer? ______
Additional comments you would like to make: ______
I am looking forward to a fantastic semester!
Mrs. Baum
Page 1