Ms. Townsend
English I
Syllabus
Ms. Townsend / Room A141(843) 745-7140 ext. 26342
Extra Help: / Monday: 3:15-4:30pm
Thursday: 3:15-4:30pm
Course Description:
This course is based on the South Carolina Curriculum Standards for English Language Arts,
English I. English I features classic and contemporary reading selections designed to help students understand the essential features, components and standards of structure applied in the context of a literary work or composition. The course includes strategy-based reader response activities that guide students through the reading process, comprehension and analysis of text. Students learn to read a variety of texts for different purposes; use various reading strategies; develop their own reading capacity; and evaluate their own understanding and progress. In addition, students will identify the characteristics that distinguish literary forms and understand how content, prose, form, and style are influences by history and past world events. English 1 will provide opportunities for students to analyze and critique a variety of reading selections while extending and developing a specialized vocabulary. Students enrolled in this course will learn to recognize, demonstrate, and analyze the qualities of effective communication; use listening skills to comprehend and evaluate information in a variety of scenarios; access and use information from a variety of appropriately selected sources to extend his or her knowledge and complete research assignments; and analyze information from non-print sources. This course also emphasizes strategies needed to achieve proficiency on standardized tests and classroom assessments. Students will demonstrate proficiency through oral and written products, simulated real world applications, and mastery of the EOCEP exam in English I.
English I Standards and Curriculum:
Standard E1-1 The student will read and comprehend a variety of literary texts in print and nonprint formats.
Standard E1-2 The student will read and comprehend a variety of informational texts in print and nonprint formats.
Standard E1-3 The student will use word analysis and vocabulary strategies to read fluently.
Standard E1-4 The student will create written work that has a clear focus, sufficient detail, coherent organization, effective use of voice, and correct use of the conventions of written Standard American English.
Standard E1-5 The student will write for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Standard E1-6 The student will access and use information from a variety of sources.
Standard # Academic Standards Quarters
Over the 2012-2013 school year, our class will complete a variety of units:
(Order and titles of materials are subject to change)
Unit 1: Thematic Unit “Power”
-Making comparisons to exploring the concept of power within literature and informative texts
-Animal Farm and other assorted texts
Unit 2: Thematic Unit “Heroes”
-Analyzing author’s craft, character, theme, conflict and language to break down what it means to be a hero
-A variety of short stories
Unit 3: Shakespearean Drama
-Study of Shakespearean poetry and drama in order to analyze author’s craft, figurative language and relationship between characters, theme and plot. Students will also begin narrowing research topics (i.e. the role of government during Elizabethan England)
-Romeo and Juliet
-Shakespearean sonnets
Unit 4: Research project
-Students will study graphic features, author bias and propaganda techniques to perfect the research process. Students will also design and carry out an independent research project.
-Reference Materials
-Informational Texts
-Newspapers
-Magazines
-Media Sources
Unit 5: EOC Review
Toward the end of each marking period (quarter 1,2 and 3), students will take a state benchmark assessment scored at the district level. Each benchmark assesses skills that have been taught the quarter prior. Results will be used to determine the skills to be reviewed (and to what extent) during this final quarter, in preparation for the English I End of Course Exam in May 2013.
Required Materials:
· An individual notebook is required for this class (A specified section of a binder with loose leaf is also proficient)
· A pencil or a blue or black ink pen
· A folder designated for worksheets and handouts
· A user name and password to log into the school’s network (provided by the media center with an up to date internet permission form)
Grading System:
The grade for this course is based on a point value system. The more points an assignment is worth, the more weight the assignment has on the overall GPA. Projects and tests will all be worth about 100 points, whereas smaller assignments may be worth 25 points. A student’s total points will be finalized in a percentage grade.
A= 100-93%
B= 92-85%
C= 84-77%
D= 76-70%
F= 69-60%
Assignment/Late Assignment Policy:
This year, we are implementing a No Zero Policy, which mean a 0% or incomplete on an assignment is not an option. If work is not completed and handed in on the due date, that student will be sent to the Opportunity Center during lunch (as well as before and after school) to complete (or continue working on) the assignment at hand. Once the work is handed in, a grade will be averaged with the grade it would have earned had it been missing or incomplete, and it’s completed grade. This is not a supplement for homework and cannot be depended on to pass a class.
All written assignments missed due to and excused absence, in-school suspension (ISS), or out of school suspension (OSS) must be submitted the day you return to school.
Test missed due to excused absence, in-school suspension (ISS), or out of school suspension (OSS) must be taken within five school calendar days at a time convenient to your teacher, or a zero will be given. The student is responsible for scheduling a make-up time. Office hours are Monday and Thursday 3:15-4:30 and by appointment for all other times. The teacher is not responsible for a student that does not take the time to make up what he or she missed in class. Any student that uses another teacher’s class time, without their permission, to finish an assignment will receive a zero for that assignment. Please do not ask another teacher for his or her class time. Late work extensions and accommodation requests may be submitted in writing by a parent to an administrator or guidance counselor and will be discussed and considered during a parent/ teacher/ administrator/ student conference.
All written work and assignments are due at the beginning of class. Printing problems do not constitute as a reason for being late, so if a student has to print material he or she must do so before the beginning of class. Otherwise the project is late.
Attendance Policies:
Undocumented absences are considered truancy; all assignments missed as a result will receive zero points. Additionally, it will be sent to the office for appropriate consequences. Students are required to attend at least 85 days of the 90-day semester to pass the class and not fail with a credit denial. Any long periods of absence due to illness or some other reason must be addressed in the attendance office, and then addressed to the teacher.
Tardies:
School rules dictate that students need to come to class on time. The school has implemented a tardy sweep policy which I will uphold. If a student is late they will not be allowed into the classroom until they are processed at the tardy sweep room and given a pass from the Student Concern Specialists. If a student is tardy to a class four times, it will equal an absence.
Copying/Cheating/Plagiarism:
Students are expected to do their own work at all times, unless otherwise allowed to work in groups. If a student is caught copying, their assignment will be taken from them and will be recorded as a zero. It is important for students to do their own work not only for their own motivation, but so I know who needs extra help with the lesson. Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s words, ideas, or creations without giving credit to that person. Plagiarism also includes cheating on tests and homework assignments. Plagiarism recognizes no distinction between accidental and non-accidental copying, so students must be extra vigilant about documenting everything they submit. Plagiarized assignments will receive a grade appropriate to the level of plagiarism found.
Computer Usage Guidelines and Expectations:
Purposeful damage or theft of school technology will NOT be tolerated
Consequences of failing to meet expectation: Immediate removal from computer, office referral, parental contact, possible legal action.
Students may only use computers within the classroom for assigned and relevant work.
The only exception to this would be with teacher permission after school.
Students will NOT visit unauthorized Internet sites. These include:
Clothing, shoe and music purchase sites, sports sites not directly related to specific assignments. music or lyric sites that have rated content and personal email accounts.
Students ARE NOT authorized to download any item from the Internet to the hard drive (including the Google or Yahoo toolbar, real audio player, media files, or any other material without teacher permission).
Students MAY NOT change the settings on the computer without approval of the teacher or the school technology coordinator. (including wallpaper, background images, mouse speed, sound settings, screen size, etc.)
Behavioral Expectations:
In order to reach the high goals that I set for my students, certain expectations and standards must be maintained. Complacency and mediocrity are unacceptable. Each student in the class will be challenged to aim high, work hard and take responsibility for their actions/inaction.
Each student’s responsibility includes positive and productive personal behavior while maintaining a set of ethical standards as established below.
Class Rules:
1. Be on time for class.
2. Be prepared to work and learn.
3. The disrespecting of anyone in this classroom will not be tolerated. There are no exceptions.
4. The use of profanity is not allowed.
5. Cell phones, iPods, Mp3 players and any other unapproved electronic devices are prohibited and will be taken.
*Please just simply leave your devices off and out of sight during class time; it is not my goal to take student’s property and it will make our school year and classroom run much more smoothly .
6. Food and drinks are not allowed in the classroom unless approved by the teacher.
Procedures & Expectations
Class will start the same way every day:
- Students will enter the classroom as soon as they reach the door. Do not wait until the bell rings to enter. Loitering in the hall will not be permitted.
- On the board will be the day’s ‘Bellringer’. Students will be expected to answer the question or prompt on the board as thoroughly as possible.
- Students are to allow others to finish and should keep transitions quick and quiet.
Procedures during class:
- If students need to borrow materials (pencil, paper, etc.) they will raise their hand and politely ask the teacher. Students accessing the teacher’s desk or cabinets will not be tolerated.
- It is my goal to have as many class discussions as possible, I feel that students learn the best when they discuss or debate a topic. This, however, must be done in an orderly fashion. Students will raise their hands and wait to be called on in class.
Additional Procedures
Hall Passes – Before leaving the classroom for any reason, you must have a signed pass. This lets me know that you are leaving and tells others that you have permission to be in the halls. This pass can be found in the back of your NCHS Student Handbook, which you are to bring to class daily.
Bathroom– Each student will be given 3 bathroom trips per semester. Once you have used all 3 trips, you will not be permitted to use the restroom during class until a new semester begins. It is advised that you use the restroom before school, between classes, at lunch, or after school. This includes trips to the water fountain.
Speaking in class – I highly encourage participation in class discussion, lectures and lesson, but please do not interrupt when others are talking and be respectful of what others have to say even though you may not agree.
Pencil Sharpening – Please do your best to sharpen pencils before the bell rings, when there is a pause, or during independent work to prevent disruptions.
Language – School is not the place to use profanity. Inappropriate language includes, but is not limited to profanity, racial slurs, and sexual connotations, and will not be tolerated.
Seating – I will give you the privilege of choosing your own seat so long as you do not disrupt others’ right to learn. If this privilege is abused I will take it away and assign seats. Also, you are not permitted to move desks or any other classroom furniture unless instructed.
Food/Drinks – Food and drinks are not allowed in the classroom under order of the superintendent. If you have open food or drinks in my classroom you will be asked to throw them away.
Announcements – When an announcement is made over the loud speaker the classroom must become silent. Important information is often given over the loud speaker that the teacher and students must hear.
Sleeping – Sleeping in class is never allowed under any circumstances.
Please come prepared to learn everyday!
Parental Acknowledgement and Contact Information
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Please verify that you have reviewed the information provided in this syllabus with your child. Initial the spaces for each section to verify that you understand the expectations of this course and that you have read the Parent Letter that was sent home. Please fill in the contact information with an accurate phone number and/or email address and sign your name in the space provided. Your child will receive a grade for returning this page to me by the end of the week. Thank you and I look forward to working with you and your child!
Sincerely,
Katelyn Townsend
English Department
North Charleston High School
1087 East Montague Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
______
I have read and understand the information included in this syllabus and have reviewed all sections with my child:
The following contact information is accurate at this time:
Name:______Phone Number______
Email:______Best Time to contact:______
______
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
______
Student Signature Date