Ms. Cook

English 10: Paradigm Shifts Through American Literature

2013-2014

Phone: (205)-342-2800

Email:

Planning Period: 2nd Period

Room: 304

Progress Reports: Sent home once per nine weeks

Website: and

Course Description: English 10 integrates listening, speaking, reading, and writing through studies of literature and composition. Types of literature studied include biographies, autobiographies, essays, short stories, dramas, and novels. Students explore both classic and contemporary literature, employing critical and analytical evaluation of literary works. Written expression lessons allow students to develop and demonstrate skills in composition, grammar usage, and the writing process. Preparation for language and reading aspects of the Quality Core Exam, scholastic aptitude, and post-secondary admission tests are aspects of English 10. This course fulfills the requirements of one unit of tenth grade English for graduation.

Prerequisite: Advanced English 9 or English 9

Texts:

Literature: Literature: The Reader’s Choice

Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None*

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible

William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

Excerpts from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter

(* Students are responsible for providing their own copy of the literary work and must have the literary work the day the unit begins. All other literary works will be provided to the student.)

Materials: Large three-ring binder (for English use ONLY), loose-leaf paper, pack of dividers (DOL, WOTD, Literature, Grammar, Writing), BLACK pens (REQUIRED for formal writing assignments), red pens, #2 pencils, a pack of highlighters, and research supplies (may be purchased through the H.H.S. library)

Course Requirements/Classroom Rules

  1. All Tuscaloosa County Board of Education and Hillcrest High School rules will be enforced in my classroom.
  2. Be prepared and bring all materials to class. You will NOT be allowed to return to your locker.
  3. No food or gum of any kind is allowed in the classroom. Students will be given one warning. If student does not put said items up, confiscation of the items or a referral will occur. Only drinks with screw-on lids or caps are allowed in the classroom.
  4. BE IN YOUR SEAT and ready to begin class when the tardy bell rings. If you are not IN your seat when the bell rings, you will be marked tardy.After THREE tardies, students will be written up.
  5. Follow directions the FIRST time they are given.
  6. Absolutely no talking without permission. Class discussions occur frequently, and cordial behavior is expected. Anything less will not be tolerated.
  7. Stay in your seat unless instructed otherwise.
  8. Have and show respect to yourself and others.
  9. The dress code will be enforced in this classroom. There are to be no low-cut shirts; short shorts, leggings, or skirts; hats (on or off your head, girls included); muscle shirts; drooping pants; and inappropriate pictures or suggestive language on clothing. You will be sent to the office to change clothing.

Infractions of Rules:

Students will be given NO MORE THAN two warnings per class period regarding behavior, but warnings do not have to be given if the behavior is worthy of an immediate referral. Warnings will not be given for dress code violations or tardies.

Personal Electronic Devices:

Technology can be a valuable educational resource. Students are allowed to use electronic and technological devices at SPECIFIED times and ONLY when authorized by the teacher for an instructional purpose. Devices such as smart phones, Kindles, Nooks, laptops, and iPads are items that students can use at the DESIGNATED time. Students may also use these devices to replace paperback/hard-cover novels required for purchase/use for reading assignments. If a student is using a device inappropriately (not in accordance with classroom instruction or TCBOE policy), consequences will be enforced as stated in the Code of Conduct Handbook.

Attendance and Make-Up Policy

Attendance is vital to successfully completing this course. This class will require strenuous effort and will continue, whether or not you attend class. Students with EXCUSED absences have TWO days for each day of excused absence to COMPLETE and RETURN make-up work. I enter lesson plans DAILY in iNow Home. It is the responsibility of the student to request and return make-up work. Students should not ask for assignments DURING class. Ask BEFORE or AFTER class. If you are absent on a test day, be prepared to take the test the day you return. Last, make-up tests will NOT be given during regular class time. Student should set up a time before or after school to make up a test or quiz. Until makeup work is completed and graded, a zero will be entered in iNow.

Grading Policy

Grades will be determined based on the number of assignments. These assignments include daily oral language and warm-ups, writing assignments and essays, speeches, homework, major exams (unit tests and nine-weeks exams), class assignments, quizzes (announced and unannounced), projects (novel projects and research projects), and word-of-the-day tests. The required comprehensive nine-weeks assessments at the end of the first, second, and third nine weeks will be weighted 10% of the nine-weeks average. The comprehensive final exam (fourth nine-weeks exam) will be 20% of the course average.

Exam Exemption Policy

Nine-weeks exams will be given to students after the first, second, and third nine-weeks grading periods of each term. A final comprehensive semester exam covering the entire course will be given at the end of the fourth nine weeks. This exam counts 20% of the COURSE GRADE. Students may earn an exemption from the comprehensive exam if they meet the following criteria:

  • Possess an A average with 3 or fewer absences* or
  • Possess a B average with 2 or fewer absences* or
  • Possess a C average with 1 or fewer class absences*

(*Excused or unexcused absences)

AND

  • Have no discipline referrals to the office that result in detention or suspension.

A student who does not meet the exemption criteria MUST take the course examination in order to receive credit. Only school-related absences will not affect the exemption status of a student. All other absences, excused or unexcused, count against the exemption.

Class Procedures:

  1. Bell work-Students will have bell work to do at the beginning of each class. It is expected for every student to complete these assignments everyday, whether graded or not. This work MUST be made up like all other work in the class when the student is absent.
  2. Assignments- Students will be expected to read literary works outside of the class during the semester. In addition, students should expect to have homework at least three times a week. You may refer to iNow for all homework assignments, in addition to the assignments being written on the board. Students are responsible for writing the assignments posted on the board.
  3. Questions and Tutoring- If a student has questions, he or she may raise his or her hand until the teacher gives permission to speak. Students are also able to email the teacher outside of school hours if there is a question. If a student needs extra help with the curriculum, please schedule in advance time to meet after school with Ms. Cook.
  4. Passes- It is important for students to be in the classroom at all times; however, two bathroom passes will be given per nine weeks. Unless there is an EXTREME circumstance, students will not be allowed out of the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to go to the bathroom before or after class in all other cases. Tardies will still be counted for students who come to class late if they have not requested to use a bathroom pass or have no available passes.