English 11 Honors - Course Syllabus
Mrs. Julie Champion (Room 406)
Welcome to Honors English 11; I am looking forward to a productive school term. The coursework is designed to help you become a more effective communicator, successful standardized test-taker, and responsible citizen. With the AHSGE behind you, we can begin to focus on more advanced reading, writing, and speaking skills needed for success at the college level. This includes additional preparation for the ACT and practice for completing scholarship applications and essays. The course objectives correlate with those for the Alabama Language Arts Course of Study, the ACT, and the Alabama High School Graduation Exam.
COURSE PREREQUISITE:
You must have passed 10th grade English. Also, a passing score on the AHSGE is strongly encouraged.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
· Read, analyze, compare and contrast American literature from 1900-present.
· Recognize and apply standard grammatical usage and structure.
· Apply specific reading strategies to daily reading and personal reading selections.
· Begin to analyze various writing styles and improve personal writing styles.
· Explore various technology designed for use in language arts and public presentations.
· Research topics via internet and report those ideas in MLA format.
· Develop oral communications and debate techniques.
· Prepare for the English & Reading portions of the ACT.
EXPECTATIONS: I expect you to…
1. RESPECT OTHERS!! This includes their bodies, backgrounds, opinions, etc.
2. Be prepared for class every day with textbooks, writing utensil, paper, assignments, etc.; accountability in this course will be high!
3. Be INSIDE the classroom before the tardy bell. Remain in your seat unless otherwise instructed.
4. Obey all school rules and policies. The BCBE Uniform Policy will be enforced and there will be absolutely no text messaging allowed!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Required: Loose-leaf notebook with paper, pen, and 1 Composition notebook
Optional: I would appreciate your donation of any 1 of the following items for the classroom: construction paper, dry erase markers, eraser for dry erase board, white copy paper, Post-It notes
MAKE-UP WORK:
Students with regular attendance are typically more successful than those with excessive absences, so please make every effort to be here every dayJ According to BCBE policy, you have 3 days for each excused absence to make up work missed. I must see the excuse form within three days of the absence. YOU are responsible for getting your assignments and turning them in within three days. Each day’s assignments will be filed chronologically in the index card folder. Work missed due to an excused absence will be made up as follows:
Make-up class and homework assignments must be completed within 3 days of the absence. For tests only, a cut off day before the end of each grading period will be announced in class by which all make-up tests must be completed; an absence on the cut off day does not extend the cut off!
GRADING and ASSESSMENT:
Grades will be determined using a percentage-point system (see below). Be sure to check for weekly updates on STI home. The website is https://iiod.ssts.com. You’ll need your personal ID# and PIN. All work will be returned to you, and you should keep it until the correct grade appears in STI.
Class Work 15%
Vocabulary, Prewriting & Editing, Daily Oral Language, Journal Writing
Homework 10%
Novel Reading, Language and Reading Practice
Assessment 65%
Writing Compositions, Quizzes, Unit Tests (language & literature), Novel Tests, Research Paper/Project, Projects, Speeches, Presentations, Common Assessments
Midterm / Final Exam 10%
According to Baldwin County Policy, there is no exemption for the midterm or final.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
My planning period is 2nd block from 10:00-11:00. The school’s number is 943-2221. Parents/guardians may also contact me at home 990-9391 or via e-mail at . The course syllabus, assignments, important dates, etc. will also be posted at www.foleyhs.com. Please check this site for information before calling in case the answers are already at your fingertips.
PROPOSED TOPICS & TEXTS:
Glencoe American Literature ………………………Selections from Collections 11- 21
Novels………………………………………………………………..see list below
Grammar and Composition Handbook………….Grammar Usage, as needed in writing and speaking
ACT Guide…………………………………………………………Prep for Reading and Language portions of the ACT
NOVELS:
BCBE requires the completion of a minimum of four novels, two of which must be read during personal time. We will read 2 in class, and you will read at least 2 outside class. I will provide a copy of all novels, and you will return them immediately after the test. If you or a parent objects to the content of the above novels, the objection must be discussed with me prior to the assignment of the novel; supplemental readings (chosen by teacher) will be assigned. The following novels will be taught:
In Class: The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald; Bronx Masquerade, Nikki Grimes; and A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry
At Home: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou; To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee or The Jungle, Upton Sinclair (your choice)
FIELD TRIP:
During the last quarter, you will have an opportunity to attend a field trip to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery, Alabama. The requirements for the trip are as follows:
1. Payment (approximately $42.00) by deadline
2. Parental Permission Slip
3. Teacher permission (must be passing all classes)
SPECIAL SERVICES:
Accommodations for all students with IEPs, ESL, LEP, or 504 Plans will be followed. If you have an IEP or another specialized plan, you must inform me at the beginning of the term as it may take a week for official documentation to be received.
JOURNALS
Each day you will journal in your composition notebook for the last 5 minutes of class. The length of each entry should be from ½ to 1 full page. If you don’t finish, it will be homework. Your notebook with journals may be taken up at any time without prior notice. You will be responsible for having this notebook in class each day.
Label each journal entry with the Date & journal #.
Topics:
1. How did you feel about coming to school this morning?
2. What I like/dislike about my schedule is…
3. How do you feel about the extra-curricular activities on campus? Which ones do you do?
4. Explain one thing you think everyone should know about you.
------week 3 ------
5. If there were a new student in our school, what would you tell him about it?
6. Describe some of the cliques in our school. Where do you fit in?
7. Have you ever witnessed someone being bullied?
8. Have you ever been overly aggressive with someone? How did you feel afterward?
------week 4 ------
9. My best day ever…
10. A holiday I’ll never forget…
11. How’s that goal from day one going?
12. A song that has great meaning for me is…
------week 5 ------
13. One thing I am most thankful for is…
14. If you were to be changed into an animal for one day, what would you want to be?
15. Describe something about which you feel very proud.
16. A beautiful thing I saw once was. . .
------week 6 ------
17. If I could go anywhere, I would go. . .
18. I spend my money on. . .
19. I could live the rest of my life without. . .
20. How can you turn failure into something positive? Give examples if needed.
------week 7 ------
21. What is the worst thing parents can do to their children?
22. Explain one school rule you think is necessary.
23. Explain one school rule you think is unnecessary.
24. Should capital punishment (death penalty) be practiced in the US?
------week 8 ------
25. Do you think professional athletes should make such large salaries? Explain.
26. Write about a time when a parent or adult embarrassed you.
27. Define prejudice. What do you think causes it?
28. What’s one thing you feel you’ve truly learned so far in this class?
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