Course Outline 2013 – 2014
English 10
Mrs. Martino
Course Objective: This course has been designed to improve students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through combining reading strategies and writing instruction with grade-level curriculum. All lessons, units, and class activities have been designed in accordance with the NY State Common Core Learning Standards: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/common_core_standards/.
E-Mail and Webpage
· Students and parents may use the e-mail address above to contact me anytime with questions or concerns.
· Students and parents are encouraged to check my Teacher Webpage daily. Homework assignments will be updated daily, so students and parents can always be aware of current assignments and projects even when a student is absent from class.
· Instructions for Accessing Webpage:
o Go to www.malboroschools.org
o Select “High School” from the “Select a School” menu
o Select “Faculty”
o Scroll down the page until you see my name and Click on my name
Tentative Reading List: Students will read either the entire text or passages from any/all of the texts listed below.
· Short Selections from Holt Elements of Literature textbook *Students have Internet access to the textbook at go.hrw.com.
· Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
· The Crucible by Arthur Miller
· Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
· To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
· Lord of the Flies by William Golding
· Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers OR Black and White by Paul Volponi
· Animal Farm by George Orwell
Course Outline/Requirements: All activities, projects, and assignments are aligned with the NY State Common Core Learning Standards and were created in order to improve students’ achievement in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In addition, we will be preparing students for success on the English Regents Exam and the SAT Exam, both of which students will complete in 11th grade. Specific course requirements that all 10th grade students must complete are listed below. Grading for the course will be based on a total points system.
· Final Exam: The final exam grade for 10th grade is based on the four Common Tasks listed below.
o Style Analysis Paragraph
o Reading Comprehension
o Writing from Sources
o Text-Based Written Response
· Research Presentation: Students are required to complete an Inquiry-Based research assignment using MLA research style documentation.
· Poetry Month: In celebration of Poetry Month (April), students will memorize a selected poem and write a poem in which they emulate the author’s style.
· Quizzes and Tests: Daily and weekly vocabulary/reading comprehension quizzes will be administered throughout each unit of study to assess students’ comprehension. In addition, unit exams and/or essays will be administered at the conclusion of each unit.
· Weekly Nonfiction Reading Packets: Each week students will receive a nonfiction reading packet on Monday. Students will be required to read and annotate the articles and readings in the packet in order to be prepared for a quiz on Friday.
· Wilson Daily Prep: Students will complete online activities to help them prepare for the SAT exam. These assignments will be counted as a homework grade. www.wilsonprep.com
· Extra-Credit: Several extra-credit assignments are available for those students who would like to challenge themselves: “Word of the Week,” SAT “Questions of the Day” at www.collegeboard.com, Independent reading poster (assignment available on my website).
Classroom Policies
· Students should be in their seats and prepared to learn when the bell rings.
ü Cell phones should be put away.
ü Class materials should be out and ready!
· Students should assume responsibility for their own learning.
ü Complete all assignments on time. Late work will not be accepted for credit without a “Late Homework Pass” within 1 week of the due date. After a student had used his/her “Late Homework Pass,” he/she must stay after school or come in during a lunch period to make up work.
ü Students who are absent must hand in their assignments and take any missed quizzes/tests on the day of their return.
ü Obtain missed work when absent (check the website, obtain handouts, submit assignments, make up quizzes/tests, etc.)
· Students should be respectful to others.
Extra Help: Extra help is always available upon student request. I can meet with students during my free periods as well as before (7:15 – 7:35am) and after school. I will be available for extra help after school until 3:45 on Wednesdays.
Supplies
· A 3-ring binder with loose-leaf paper and 2 Subject Dividers (Literature and Writing)
· A Composition Notebook to use as a journal
Parent & Student Ackknowlegement of the 2013 – 2014 Course Outline 2013 – 2014 for Mrs. Martino’s English 10 Class
*I have read the above information and understand the requirements and expectations for this class.
Student’s Name (Printed) Parent/Guardian Name (Printed)
Student’s Signature Parent/Guardian Signature