GRISWOLD HIGH SCHOOL
125 Honors English II
The expectations and assessment tools used to evaluate student performance are designed to reinforce the “GHS Mission Statement” and students responsibilities that follow. Please carefully read and become familiar with the challenges and expectations presented in this course syllabus.
Teacher: Mrs. Gillespie Date: 2010-2011
Credits: Full Year / 1.0 credit
Textbook: Scott Foresman Literature and Integrated Studies: World Literature
Required Materials: A two-inch three-ring binder notebook with five dividers containing at least 150 sheets of white-lined paper and working papers (handouts), the assigned reading book, a blue/black pen, pencil, and agenda are everyday ESSENTIALS.
Suggested Materials: Post-It Notes, Highlighters, and a USB Storage Device OR Google Docs account
Griswold High School Mission Statement
The faculty and staff of Griswold High School provide a safe and accepting atmosphere in which all individuals learn, broaden their horizons, and achieve their full potential. Through the high expectations of a diverse and challenging curriculum, students acquire the knowledge and skills essential to take their places as responsible citizens and productive members of society. In alliance with the community, parents, students and faculty share responsibility for the success of the mission.
Relevant Academic Expectations (AE):
The Griswold High School graduate:
· AE1: Uses standard English to read, write, and speak effectively
· AE2: Communicates and receives information through oral, written, visual, artistic, and technical means of expression
· AE4: Utilizes critical and creative thinking skills for problem solving and decision-making
· AE5: Employs tools of technology to research, process, and communicate information
· AE6: Works independently as well as cooperatively to achieve goals
Civic and Social Expectation:
The Griswold High School graduate:
· Demonstrates respect for all members of the school community
· Manages time to meet the demands of academic responsibilities along with social and extra-curricular activities
· Accepts responsibility for his or her own actions and behavior
· Recognizes the importance of social and civic responsibilities to a community
· Exhibits an understanding of diverse perspectives and cultures
· Understands the importance of physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices
Course Overview: (Program of Studies)
This is a full-year, honor-level sophomore English class. Course readings will cover literature from a wide variety of time periods, cultures, and genres. The focus will be on the examination of universal themes as well as the development of an appreciation for cultural diversity. Critical analysis of literature as well as developing an expression of personal perspective and insight are an integral part of this course. Intensive work in all areas of writing will reinforce and continue to build on previous skills. Research projects will be due quarterly. SAT prep as well as weekly vocabulary will prepare students for college boards. This rigorous course is recommended for students intending to pursue the English Honors Program throughout their high school careers.
ATTENDANCE:
Regular attendance is vital for learning to take place; however, there are the rare occasions when students become ill or cannot be in school. Immediately following an absence, a student must present an office note or parent note explaining and excusing the absence or it will be marked unexcused. See the GHS handbook for attendance failure policy.
Tardiness & Cutting: Tardiness will be permitted only if the student has a signed agenda. Otherwise, the student will owe time at the end of class, at lunch, or after school, depending on the frequency and severity of the tardiness. As is stated in the student handbook, more than four unexcused tardies will lead to an office referral. Students who are marked present in school but who are not accounted for in class will be referred to the office for cutting class.
Dismissals/Field Trips/In-School Activities: Students who will miss a class while in school will need to get the assignment before leaving school that day. It will still be due the next day. If you will be absent because of a pre-arranged extra-curricular event, it is your responsibility to turn in your work ahead of time so that you receive full credit AND to make a request for the next day’s work. All homework requests require 24 hours notice and the teacher will make every effort to fulfill requests as soon as possible.
EXPECTATIONS FOR ASSIGNMENTS:
Griswold High School English Department
Homework and major papers/projects are vital learning tools. Griswold High School English teachers purposefully select out-of-class assignments that reinforce skills and content covered in class, prepare students for future lessons, and/or extend learning. Failure to complete assignments by set due dates seriously impedes student learning and compromises academic success.
The Griswold High School English Department is currently piloting a set of homework guidelines that supports both the Griswold Public School District’s and Griswold High School’s 2010-2011 goals regarding increased student academic performance and achievement.
The Griswold High School English Department Homework Guidelines:
I. Homework – Homework is not optional. It is due at the start of class.
A. A student who has not met the expectations for the assignment in terms of completion or quality will be given an incomplete for the assignment and within two days the student must attend an academic intervention period before school, during lunch, or after school to complete the assignment. The students will receive 70% of his/her earned grade for the assignment.
B. If the student doesn’t attend the academic intervention period, an office referral for disciplinary action will be issued (insubordination), and the student will still be required to complete the assignment.
II. Making up work due to absence - It is the responsibility of the student to acquire and make up missed hand outs, notes and assignments in a timely manner.
A. Homework from the day(s) previous to the absence is to be turned in upon student’s return to school.
B. Homework missed due to absence is to be made up within a five day period. In the case of extenuating circumstances, parents should contact the teacher.
C. If the student is out more than two days, his/her parent should call the main office to make a homework request, check the online homework site, or contact the teacher.
III. Major projects/papers
It is expected all major projects and papers are to be handed in on the specified date, whether or not the student is present in class or school. In the case of extenuating circumstances, parents must contact the teacher.
IV. Seniors
All senior assignments must be completed and turned in five days before final exams start. No work will be accepted after this time. This also applies to seniors in junior English classes.
All assignments are posted on the web and should also be recorded in students’ agendas.
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Acceptable Work:
What is acceptable? Your best work. Students who complete all their work on time to the best of their abilities will earn the highest possible grades—practice makes perfect! Therefore, the following guidelines apply:
1. All work submitted for assessment will be on time, neat, legible, checked for errors, and meeting requirements.
2. Work that is incomplete or which does not meet the basic requirements set forth in the assignment will not be accepted; such work is returned to the student for revision/completion and will then be subject to lateness penalties.
3. All final formal writing assignments must be formatted according to the guidelines in the Griswold student agenda.
Missing Homework: Usually the previous night’s homework is referenced, discussed, and/or corrected at the beginning of class. Therefore, homework that was left at home or in the locker will be considered incomplete.
· Students can expect to have homework approximately five nights per week, with reading assignments of approximately 30 pages a night. Homework is often in the form of writing or reading assignments.
Parent Notification: Yes, I will call/email/write to parents if there are homework (or classwork) issues. A notification slip will be sent home with you on the day of the “slip-up” to be signed by a parent. If that slip is not signed and returned to the teacher the following day, parents will be called. If there continues to be a problem, a conference will be arranged.
Rewrites:
In the interest of promoting growth and rewarding revision, most writing assignments (excluding final research papers and most “tests”) may be rewritten for a higher grade and resubmitted within a week after it is returned to the student; however, rewrites may only be submitted if the assignment was submitted on time and all previously required drafts were completed. Furthermore, a “rewrite” involves significant revision and changes to the writing; it is NOT a matter of merely fixing punctuation. Scheduling a conference with the teacher is highly recommended to discuss how to revise.
GRADING AND ASSESSMENT:
In order to pass this course, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance and progress towards mastery of writing for different purposes, reading critically, and applying terminology and concepts. To evaluate your mastery and progress in these areas, your grades will be factored according to a weighted system. Not only are categories weighted according to importance, but each assignment will have a point value; the point values of assignments will differ according to the type of assignment, the complexity of the task, and time required to complete the assignment. (For example, a vocabulary quiz will typically be worth 100 points, while vocabulary practice exercises might be worth only 50.) Points will accrue each quarter and your grade is based on a percentage of how many points you earn in each category. This means ANY uncompleted assignments will severely lower your grade. You are expected to participate in all aspects of this course, including:
30%-- Reading, Class Work, and Participation: Students are expected to be active participants in class in order to achieve their maximum potential, so class work and participation will recorded and awarded points to credit students for their effort and progress. Students are responsible for reading assignments given in class or as homework. The study of literature and its significance is central to this class, so students will be assessed on their progress frequently using a variety of tools, including announced and unannounced comprehension quizzes on reading assignments and responses to the literature (such as journals). Students will also be expected to participate in literature discussions and activities requiring independent and cooperative work, with grades based on how much you contribute to class discussions, group work, and class productivity. RCWP assignments include daily grammar and editing exercises, journal responses, group participation, class discussions, research notes, drafts of essays, and notebook checks.
*Notebook: Students are expected to be prepared for class each day with their materials, including their organized binder with sections for all literature notes and handouts, writing and editing notes and assignments, and vocabulary. Materials will be checked periodically and graded for organization/content.
10%-- Vocabulary and SAT preparation: Students will be responsible for literature-based vocabulary and word study. Students can expect practice, application assignments, and quizzes on vocabulary words and other language study concepts (such as rules regarding mechanics, usage, and grammar) covered during class; due dates will be provided on unit syllabi.
30%-- Literature Assessments (Tests, Projects, Analytical Essays, Responses to Literature): During and after the completion of most literature units, tests, essays, or projects are assigned to assess comprehension and analytical response skills. These major assignments are announced in advance and time for review/completion is provided; rubrics and directions will be provided outlining the requirements for assignments as they arise.
*Outside Reading & CAPT-Style Responses to Literature: During the course students will read several books and stories from assigned genres or themes outside of class.Reading due dates and genre requirements may be modified as the year progresses; therefore, teacher approval of any free-choice books is highly recommended to ensure all submissions are acceptable. A HANDWRITTEN Response Form, incorporating CAPT style questions, will be completed for many of the books and stories read, counting as a major grade. After the assignment has been completed, students will receive a feedback and suggestions to improve future responses. Responses will be graded by the same standards used to evaluate CAPT essays.To track progress, responses will be kept on file in the classroom.
30%-- Research and Writing Assignments: These written displays of knowledge, research, and expression include essays, researched presentations, and research papers/projects. Students will receive guidelines and rubrics ahead of time to help them prepare for formal writing assignments, often requiring research or other requirements that can be partially completed in Writing Lab. Journals and less formal writing assignments (drafts, free-writes) may also be assigned and will help the student complete larger assignments like essays and portfolios. All writing assignments will be kept in the student’s writing folder in preparation for the final writing portfolio.
*Writing Portfolio: Many of the major assessments this year will be writing assignments. We will spend a lot of class time on all stages of the writing process and in assessing our work. Students will keep a collection of dated formal writings, drafts, and peer, teacher, and self-assessments in their writing folders to chart their progress as ever more sophisticated writers and thinkers. Items included in the writing portfolio are essays, responses to literature, poems, short stories, letters, etc. Improvement over time (revisions) and self-reflection is also factored into student grades. Students will receive separate handouts on the required elements of portfolio assessments.
*The final writing portfolio may be worth up to ½ the final exam.
Extra Credit:
Opportunities will arise from time to time; it is your responsibility to take advantage of it!
Honesty & Academic Integrity
Cheating, plagiarism, or falsification (lying) of any kind will not be tolerated. Students are cheating if they:
· Copy or allow to be copied any assignment by any method
· Use any unauthorized aid on quizzes, tests, or exams
· Steal, possess or view a copy of a test beforehand
· Give or receive help on a test
· Take someone else’s work and submit it as theirs