English III Syllabus

Ms. Pohlman

(636)851-4698

Welcome to English III – please be sure to keep this sheet and use it to find information about our class website, contacting me, expectations for the course, and policies that we will follow for the year.

The most important change is the adoption of the Common Core State Standards, and the importance it has on the course’s curriculum. The Missouri Department of Education requires these standards, and all schools in the state have begun to implement the Common Core State Standards. However, Missouri is not alone in this shift. The Common Core State Standards Initiative has been adopted byforty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (corestandards.org). English III and IV are the first of the high school English courses to implement the standards and revise the curriculum accordingly.

So what does this mean to you? It may help if you understand the mission statement adopted by the Common Core Initiative.

Mission Statement

The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy (corestandards.org).

Major Components

  • Increased rigor
  • 21st Century Skills
  • Emphasis on writing
  • Inclusion of numerous uses of technology
  • Challenging texts dating from the 1600’s through present.

Class Expectations:

  1. You will be expected, by the end of the course, to explain how each era’s perception of the American Dream changed and how the literature reflected those changes and beliefs. In addition, you will use this information to examine the current reality of the American Dream.
  1. Keep up with the class. This will NOTbe a course where you can fall behind and play catch-up. As you will notice by the Common Core Mission Statement, this curriculum is focused on college and career readiness, and you will be held accountable as such.

To help you keep up and know what you have missed if you were absent, or to pull copies of assignments that are available electronically, access the classes Edmodo page. To access and join my Edmodo Classes, go to: You will be asked to enter a group code. Our code is: 8cltit. From Edmodo, you may access the calendar and copies of the assignments. This code is only valid for one week – so don’t put off joining the class.

  1. A policy regarding late work has been adopted by all English III instructors;

Late assignments (homework type – not major projects or essays) will be accepted up to 5 calendar days late (this includes weekends), but will be deducted by 20%. For instance, you have a homework assignment due on Thursday, you have until Tuesday to turn it in, and that’s it – no questions asked. However, if the assignment was worth 30 points, you will lose 6 points off the top. That does not mean you automatically receive 24 points, which means the most you get is 24 and errors are deducted from that. Important – this is a basic rule of thumb; however, if there is an assignment that we are going over in class the next day, and therefore needs to be completed in order to participate, there will not be a chance to turn it in late. You will be told when this is the case. In addition, no late assignments will be accepted once the papers have been returned to students.

Late projects and essays will be deducted at 20% per day it is late.

  1. 4. To help you keep up and know what you have missed if you were absent, or to pull copies of assignments that are available electronically, access the class Edmodo page. To access and join my Edmodo Classes, go to: You will be asked to enter a group code. Our code is: 8cltit. From Edmodo, you may access the calendar and copies of the assignments. This code is only valid for one week – so don’t put off joining the class.

I will also have a Remind 101 account for you to use for homework reminders.

From the Remind 101 Student App, text the number (512) 201-2835 and in the message section, type @pohlm

Other resources and things you can expect to use or complete in this class include:

Tips and practice to use when you take the ACT test. We will be taking a timed, practice version of the Reading and English portion of the ACT at least times during the year, with smaller portions of these parts of the test given throughout each semester.

Creation of numerous projects, usually using technology, and the presentation of these projects.

A major research project during 3rd quarter.

Essays during each quarter, turned in electronically through Turnitin.com

Practice of skills through the use of Study Island

Inclusion of mobile device use to participate in surveys, short quizzes, discussions, etc.

Lots and lots of reading, discussing, annotating, examining, writing and growing

Students and Parents –

We use technology for a lot of skill reviews, project work, and submitting essays. Please take a couple of minutes to respond to the questions below so that I have a better idea regarding your son or daughter’s access to technology. I appreciate your time with this.

Mobile Technology

1. _____ My son/daughter has a mobile device (Smartphone, iPod Touch, iPad, or other device) that can be used to access the internet or utilize free learning apps within the classroom.

2. ____ My son or daughter either does not have a device, or has a limited data plan, so I prefer it not be used within the classroom.

Home Technology

1. _____We have a home computer and internet capabilities, and my son or daughter can access this to check the class web page, complete assignments, and practice for tests.

2. _____ We have a home computer that my son or daughter can use for typing, printing, etc., but there is not internet access.

3. _____ We either do not have a home computer or internet access, but we have means of getting our son or daughter to a library or friends house to use theirs.

Parents, please sign below to ensure that you have read and understand the classroom procedures, and have discussed these with your child.

Thank you –

Ms. Pohlman

Parent Signature ______

Student Signature ______

Any comments or questions? Please feel free to put those here:

______