Composition and Literature II
Mrs. Allbee
381-2646 ext. 149
Course Description
Composition and Literature II is a full year English course. Through the study of literature students will apply literary concepts to published materials and practice usage through their own writing. There will also be papers to develop and a concentration on grammar and the writing process.
Course Objectives/Outcomes
Students will be provided with a study of grammar, the writing process, presentation skills and literature. Students will apply and analyze published written materials as well as their own writings. The objective of this course is to give students the opportunity to improve their knowledge of literature through the study and application of literary concepts.
Required Materials
The Book Thief - summer reading
Glencoe Literature
Of Mice and Men
Supplies
-Spiral Notebook - labeled Composition and Literature II
-Highlighters
-Loose-leaf paper
- 1” binder with five dividers
- Vocabulary
- Homework
- Handouts
- Notes
- Tests/quiz
- At least two writing utensils – at the ready!
Classroom Expectations:
As a member of a caring community, each student is expected to:
-Be on time for class.
-Be prepared for class. (In seat with writing utensil before the bell – please.)
-Keep phones, iPods, etc. in your locker or backpack (silent)
-Remain seated unless given permission.
-Share the speaking space; adhere to proper communication rules
“Yes and…”
-Show respect for teachers, peers, guests, and the building
-Hand assignments in on time – please.
-Take responsibility for making up assignments/tests when absent
-Dispose of beverages before entering class
*Snacks may be consumed before the hour, but are not to become distraction. This is a privilege that can be revoked.
- Practice learning skills
Consequences:
An infraction of any of the school or classroom rules may result in
the following disciplinary steps:
First Offense:Warning
Second Offense:Phone call home and 20 minute detention
Third Offense:Phone call home, 30-minute detention anda referral
to the dean of students
*A serious infraction may warrant immediate attention and could result in demerits, detention, and/or parent contact without the customary warning.
Tardiness:
Students who do not make it into their seats prior to the bell will be marked tardy. A detention will be given on the third tardy and every tardy thereafter. As per school policy excessive tardiness will result in loss of credit. You are considered tardy if you are late because you are printing a document.
Make-Up work:
It is your responsibility to make up work when you are absent.
*School business absence is not an excuse for late work.
Assignments are to be turned in within two days of an excused absence unless you were aware of the assignment prior to being absent. Make-up tests may be taken within two days of the test and only after school. Arrangements may be made for early morning or lunch make-up. Always check the website for information regarding any missed assignments.
*School business absence is not an excuse for late work.
Late work policy:
Daily assignments will be accepted after the due date for up to 50% credit. Assignments will not be accepted after the chapter/unit assessment of the material, as determined by the teacher.
Large-scale projects, reports, and papers will see a 10% reduction in the maximum grade for each day late, up to 5 days (maximum credit of 50%). These assignments will not be accepted 2 weeks after the due date (or end of marking period – whichever comes first).
*School business absence is not an excuse for late work.
Academic Expectations
Students are expected to complete all assigned work prior to coming to class.
Class time for homework will be productive time.
*School business absence is not an excuse for late work.
Writing assignments
Writing assignments are to be the final assignment, no drafts. Your peers will be editing your work. The assignment should be edited and rewritten prior to being handed in.You will have two to three papers to complete during each marking period. You will be provided with a rubric for each paper on the day the paper is assigned.
Tests
Unit tests will be given at the end of each section with the exception
of Romeo and Juliet which will be assessed at the end of each act. Reading check quizzes are included as a summative grade.
Vocabulary
Eight to twelve vocabulary words will be assigned approximately three times per month. Students are responsible for defining, identifying the part of the speech and using the terms correctly in a written sentence. The use of note cards or Quizlet isrequired, as it will make it easier to study the words. The vocabulary tests are summative. Students will be tested each Friday on the words that were covered.
Journal
Students will be required to keep a separate one-subject notebook for a journal to be kept in class. To receive credit, each journal entry must contain:
-Full name Fred Flintstone (Only once per page)
-DateAugust 9, 2014 (every entry)
-TopicBoiled Stone Soup (May be centered on the page.)
-Response
All entries must be kept in chronological order and, unless otherwise instructed, written in complete sentences.
If you are absent on the day we write in the journal, you must get the topic and date from a friend and complete them in a timely manner. Journals will not be written every day. Only two journals per page will be accepted. You may also use the back page.
Notes
Notes must be taken on each section that is covered, stored in your binder,
and these notes will be checked.
Grading System:
Please note that the grades are weighted so calculating the grade out of
points will not give you an accurate grade.
Tests/quizzes (summative) – 35%
Papers, major projects (summative) – 35%
Journal, notes, minor assignments (formative) – 20%
Vocabulary (formative) - 10%
The final semester grade will be an average of the two marking period grades (80%) and the semester exam (20%).
Both semesters will include a combination of creative and formal written works. Rubrics will be provided and posted on the appropriate website.
This class will provide you with practice communicating through writing, speaking and analyzing. It is much like a philosopher seeking the answers to life’s questions. We will undoubtedly disagree at times, but our goal is to gain an empathetic view. We are different people, but we all live under God’s love and we are not meant to all think alike. I pray this class will allow us to learn, explore, and spend some quality time thinking beyond.
I look forward to the adventure.
Sophomore Rubric
This rubric will be used for all your papers. It is accessible online, but you need to keep it in your notebook. Every item is accompanied by an explanation of that requirement.
Grammar Conventions______20
Paper broken up into paragraphs______2
3-5 sentences per paragraph______1
Presence of thesis______3
Thesis is last sentence of the first paragraph______4
Introduction introduces main topic______2
Counter argument present______5
Restate thesis in paragraphs______3
Stick to topic______20
Prove thesis______15
Supporting arguments
Integrated into argument______5
Evident______9
Conclusion______4
Citation______2
No use of personal pronoun______5
Total______100
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