Course Description and Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE)

10th Literature Syllabus

Mrs. Susan Purvis

Course Description and Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE):

The Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) include an instructional focus relevant to the developing global marketplace and twenty-first century skills.

Instruction and assessment in English/Language Arts classrooms will require students to write frequently. They will also be reading more texts that are informational in nature as opposed to literary in nature. Students will read with pen in hand to record their reactions to the content and to record evidence for use in responding to writing prompts. Students will engage in fewer “traditional” grammar and vocabulary activities because instruction in these areas will be embedded in the study of texts being read, rather than as separate activities. For example, common errors will be addressed in student writing and vocabulary instruction will be developed and based on vocabulary in the text. Students will take the LEOCT (local end of course test) which will be administered as a post-test to measure student progress made during the school year. This will count as 20% of your final grade. During the course of the school year, students will also take the PSAT (practice SAT) and ASPIRE (practice ACT).

CCGPS Units of Study for 10th grade English:

August-October Unit 1: Moral Courage and Endurance: A Necessity for Change Extended text and focus: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

November-January Unit 2: The Importance of Place in Life and Literature

Extended text and focus: Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray

January-March Unit 3: The Many Faces of the Hero

Extended text and focus: Life of Pi by Yann Martel

April-May Unit 4: Expanding Spaces, Seeing Beyond Horizons and Limitations

Extended text and focus: various travel essays by various authors

Textbook/Novels Policy:

A class set of textbooks (Pearson Common Core Literature Grade 10) will be available for students to use in class. They are NOT required to take this book home.

*It is recommended (not required) that students purchase a copy of the novels for their individual use (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray, and Life of Pi by Yann Martel). There will be a lot of annotating, note taking, highlighting, and homework that requires the use of the text in all of the units. Students may download texts to their tablets.

Classroom Policies:

Each student is expected to:

·  Comply with all school policies. This includes dress code and the no eating in the classroom policies (You may have a water bottle).

·  Report to class on time and begin bellringer immediately. Do not wait for me to prompt you as you must be ready to answer when I call on you.

·  Do not attempt to come in the room and then leave to run an errand. All business is to be handled before you come in.

·  No loitering outside the door waiting on the tardy bell. You must be in the room and working by tardy bell.

·  We will not stand up or line up waiting for the bell. I will dismiss you from your seats.

·  No cellphones or earbuds/phones. School policy will be followed.

·  Bring all materials necessary for active learning, including pens, pencils, notebook, paper, and especially a positive attitude. J

·  RESPECT the teacher, self, other students, and their property,

·  Participate and pay attention in class.

·  Complete all assigned work.

·  Cheating and Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. Students will receive an automatic zero for the assignment and will NOT be able to make it up. If the cheating is habitual, students will be referred for further disciplinary action.

·  Bathroom Policy- Since the school will be on a seven period day with only 50 minutes per class period, students MUST use the restroom between classes. There is not enough time to use it during instructional time unless it is an emergency. Please use your time wisely and use the facilities between classes.

Discipline Steps:

1.  Student/Teacher conference

2.  Parent contact (email, phone call)

3.  Teacher Detention (Parents will be notified at least 48 hours in advance.)

4.  Disciplinary Referral

NOTE: Disciplinary actions will be taken in regards to the severity of the behavioral and/or academic issue, which may or may not include the aforementioned steps in order.

Detention:

Notice for a detention will be given 48 hours in advance. Students must serve the time slot agreed upon by parent and teacher. Missing an assigned detention will result in ISS.

TUTORIAL:

I hold tutorial every week on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:50-4:30 pm. This is a time for completing make-up work, test review, and/or test corrections. Tests and quizzes must be made up during this time ASAP upon your return to school. If you want to make it up before school, ask me for a pass to come to my room. Please make arrangements with me in advance to attend tutorial. I will post a sign-up sheet on the board for easy sign-up.

Grading:

Grades are calculated according to the policy set forth by the Effingham County Board of Education. All students are required to take an End-of-Course Test, which will comprise 20% of the student’s final grade average. The remaining 80% of his/her grade will be the student’s class average. For the English Department, class averages will be calculated as follows:

Tests – includes essays, projects and reports………….………….….45%

Daily Grades…………………………………………………...….…20%

Homework …………………………………………………………...10%

Quiz…………………………………………………………………..25%

*Essays count as test grades.

Assignment Make-up Policy:

·  The student is responsible for work missed due to an absence from class. If the absence is excused, any work due on the day the student was absent must be submitted within three days of the student’s return.

·  Tests and/or long-term assignments that were assigned prior to the student’s absence will be made up the first day the student returns to class. Students are required to make arrangements to take the test in the morning before school or after school so as not to miss instruction that day.

·  If the student is absent the day before a test/quiz, the student will take the assessment on the regularly scheduled day with the rest of the class. Tests will be announced well in advance so that this is not an issue.

Make-up work should be discussed before or after school only, not during my class. Check the absent folder for your class as soon as you return for any handouts. This is your responsibility.

Attendance Make-up Policy (Saturday School):

Students who miss seven (7) unexcused or excused days of class will be asked to make up the time in Saturday school for the next occurring absence.

Late Work Policy:

Late work is unacceptable. If a student is in school and does not turn in an assignment, he/she will lose 10 points for each day the assignment is late (up to three days). Work that is more than three days late will not be accepted and will receive a zero.

If a student is missing three or more assignments, he or she will be assigned an academic detention.

Also, should a student have an unexcused absence or suspension, he/she is still required to make-up work.

Supply List:

·  Large 3 ring binder (at least 1 to 1 ½ inches) a

·  5 notebook dividers with tabs (minimum)-bellringers, Vocabulary, Homework, Unit work and handouts, Writing/journals

·  College-Ruled notebook paper (preferred)

·  Medium blue or black ink pens

·  RECOMMENDED- a personal copy of the class novels

WISH List:

Kleenex

Band-Aids

Hand Sanitizer

Please complete and sign the attached Personal Data form and return, indicating that both the student and parent understand the classroom policies.

I look forward to an exciting, challenging, and “learning-filled” semester with your child.

Respectfully,

Susan Purvis

(912) 754-6404

Personal Data (print clearly)

Student’s name: ______

Home telephone number or cell: ______

Student’s email address:______

Home mailing address:______

Parent’s name: ______

Parent’s Work/Cell telephone number: ______

______

Parent’s e-mail: ______

______

Any other information regarding health, emotional, or educational concerns:

______

______

I understand and agree to follow Mrs. Purvis’s classroom policies.

I understand that the GPS units are rigorous and require student and parent involvement for success. I also understand that it will require a lot of reading and writing outside of the school day.

I understand that it is my responsibility to bring all supplies needed for class daily.

Student signature: ______

Parent signature: ______