SOPHOMORE ENGLISH SYLLABUS

Mrs. O’Connor

Room 225

Materials:

  1. Literature book
  2. Binder and notebook paper with dividers
  3. Pens and pencils
  4. Jump/flash drive

Grading:

A variety of assessments will be used. These will include: homework; group projects; quizzes; writing assignments/portfolio entries; journals; oral presentations, vocabulary; tests; and ACCELERATED READER. There will be mid-term and final exams. A sample of the range of grades follows:

Quizzes & homework10-40 points

Tests75-100 points

Writing assignments25-100 points

On Demand Score100 points

Semester Exams10% of semester grade

Major projects150-300 points

Make-up work:

Please see me at the beginning or the end of the block to see what work you need to complete due to excused absences. The work must be turned in in an equal ration to the days missed: absent two days—turn in two days later. Mark the paper ABSENT on the top.

Late work:

Homework is generally worth ten points. I will accept homework ONE day late for half credit (5 points.) ALL WORK IS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BLOCK. Any work turned in after that is considered LATE.

Major assignments:

Any major paper and projects that are turned in late are penalized one LETTER grade for every day late.

Accelerated Reader:

Most of you don’t read enough books! Therefore I will expect you to read them during this course and give you a grade for it based on meeting the required number of points expected EACH nine weeks. You must get an ID card so that you may sign books out of the library.

Accelerated English : 35 points each nine weeks

Regular English: 20 points each nine weeks

You may also earn up to 20 extra points by reading more books beyond the requirement. AR books in the library have little blue circles on them that tell how many points the book is worth.

Possible Units of Study:

Short Story

Write a short story

Animal Farm

“Julius Caesar”

“Antigone”

Separate Peace—

Poetry

Grammar

Compositions

Book Circles

Others—Research paper

Class Expectations:

  1. Each student will bring his/her textbook, notebook, pen and pencil to class each day. Bring your accelerated reader to class each day, too.
  2. Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
  3. Remain in your seat until the dismissal bell rings.
  4. Treat your teacher and classmates with respect.
  5. Talk only when called upon or during group work.
  6. The room temperature will be controlled by the teacher. Please don’t touch the thermostat.
  7. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. All those involved will receivea zero for the assignment.
  8. Be sure to put your complete name, date, period, and the assignment/page number on all of your papers.
  9. Do your best!
  10. Ask me for help when or if you need it. Unfortunately, I am not a mind reader ; you need to tell me when you need help.
  11. No i-pods or mp3 players please. Turn off your phone!