RonaldWilsonReaganHigh School
High School English II Syllabus 2014-2015
Teachers: Mrs. Whitney Wilhelm, Jennifer Kerr (4th period only) Location: Room 423
Phone: 703-6776
W. Wilhelm:
J. Kerr:
Overview
Students in High School English II will use the lens of World Literature to become ready for English II in reading, writing, speaking & listening, and language through reading and analyzing literature that extends across genres, cultures, and centuries. This exploration will provide profound insights into the human condition and serve as models for students’ own thinking and writing. In addition, students will work to increase their reading comprehension skills in preparation for the EOC.
Please note, 4th period will be team-taught with Jennifer Kerr. Please feel free to contact either of us with any comments, questions, or concerns via phone or e-mail.
Materials
2”-3” binder
Section dividers for binder with pockets (I suggest about 12)
College-rule, loose leaf notebook paper
Blue or black ink pens
Pens of another color (red, green, etc.)
#2 lead pencils (mechanical pencils are fine)
[Highly suggested, but not required: a flash drive (this will be extremely helpful for any writing assignments)]
Requirements and Expectations
- Be prepared for class! Bring all materials to class (pens/pencils, book(s), homework, binder). This also means that you have read the entire assignment, have thought about it, and are ready to discuss it. (You’ll also be prepared for any written response or quiz that may appear daily.)
- Be ON TIME for class!
- Respect all members of the class! Do not talk or interfere when others are concentrating and listening in class. Do not interrupt any speaker, student or adult. (Make notes of your comments if necessary.) Do not make rude or offensive comments in class. Do not do work for other classes while in my class. Keep your area tidy.
Reading and Literature
Specific works of literature form the basis of the units of study in this course. Students will read one novel, many works of poetry and short fiction and non-fiction, and various informational pieces. In addition, students will be challenged to understand current world issues via Channel One. Throughout these experiences, they will be challenged to develop their ability to read and listen critically and actively across genres as they increase their reading and listening comprehension skills. The main works we will read include (please note that this list is flexible depending on time and availability):
“Blue Winds Dancing” Thomas S. Whitecloud
“Mount Rainier: Washinton’s Tranquil Threat” John Krakauer
“Remember Who You Are” Cathy Guisewite
“Soujourners Who Came to Stay” Donald Dale Jackson
The Invisible Thread Yoshio Uchida
“Mark Twain: The Early Years” Skip Press
“Adventures of a Young Painter” Benjamin Franklin
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Writing and Research
Students will focus on increasing their writing skills by writing short responses similar to those on the EOC, writing journal and reader response entries, and developing longer essays through numerous prewriting activities, all of which will prepare students for the writing expectations of English II. Detailed rubrics will be provided.
Speaking and Listening
Students will acquire, evaluate, and present complex ideas, information, and evidence through listening and speaking. Any formal presentations will occur in end-of-unit assessments. On a daily basis, however, students will answer questions, build understanding, and solve problems through one-on-one, small-group, and whole-class academic discussions.
Language
Vocabulary and grammar are semester-long endeavors. Vocabulary will be studied within the content of each unit; students will grow in their ability to use context to determine words and phrases, appreciate the nuances of words, and steadily expand their repertoire of words and phrases. Grammar instruction will revolve around both short, daily practice lessons as well as in the context of writing and editing. Students will be provided a copy of Daily Grammar Practice (DGP) notes (essential to our daily exercises) to keep in their English notebook. If this copy is misplaced, the DGP notes are located on my website as a PDF.
Evaluation/Grading
- (15%) Silent Reading / Reading Comprehension /Journal grades: Silent reading grades consist of credit given for progressing with student-selected independent reading. Reading comprehension grades consist of scores on reading comprehension practice activities completed in class and/or on-line. Journal grades consist of pre-writing, graphic organizers, and any other note-taking or reflective written processes students will be expected to do daily. Journal entries will be made in a specific composition notebook provided by the school. Journal grades will consists of a variety of completion credit, and graded work. Mostly, journals will be used to help students in the writing process by allowing them a place to think, plan, and organize, as well as providing a place for teachers to communicate with students about their writing. These grades will constitute 15% of the quarter grade.
- (20%) Classwork/Homework grades: Classwork grades consist of individual and group focused assignments completed in class, or assignments begun in class and completed at home. Homework grades consist of, but are not limited to: short quizzes on daily assignments, credit given for completion of homework, and graded homework. Late homework and classwork are NOT accepted and will result in a zero*. Classwork and homework grades are averaged, and the result is 20% of the quarter grade.
- (25%) Minor grades: Minor grades consist of, but are not limited to: quizzes on vocabulary and grammar, short written assignments, mini-projects and presentations. Minor grade assignments will be accepted late with a 10-percent penalty for each day the assignment is late*. Minor grades are averaged, and the result is 25% of the quarter grade.
- (40%) Major grades: Major grades consist of, but are not limited to: assigned tests which assess your understanding of required readings, literary terms, and grammar; formal essays; and extensive projects and presentations. Major grade assignments will be accepted late with a 10-point penalty for each day the assignment is late*. Major grades are averaged, and the result is 40% of the quarter grade.
*unless the work is late due to an excused absence; see “Absences” below for more information. If you come to class without work that I plan to collect that day, please fill out your missing work log in the missing work binder. After three missing assignments, I may call home.
Absences
If you plan to be absent, please let me know as far in advance as you are able, so I can help you stay on track with your work. I will gladly give you as many assignments as I have ready in advance. However, if you have an unplanned absence, while you are out, a fellow student will collect papers for you and make notes about what you missed on a missing work sheet. You can pick up your missed work when you return by finding it in your period’s missing work folder. Please read the notes about making up missed work below:
- You are allowed two days per excused absence plus one day to make up your work. Example: You are absent Monday and Tuesday. You pick up your work Wednesday, the day you get back, like you are supposed to (this is your “plus 1” day). All of your work is due four days from Wednesday, so it is due Tuesday next week (weekends don’t count). See this played out on the chart below:
Monday: absent / Tuesday: absent / Wednesday: pick up work, sign the log, and arrange test/quiz/project make-up dates / Thursday: work on make-up work / Friday: work on make-up work
Monday: work on make-up work / Tuesday: make-up work is due by the end of the day / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
- I will not ask you for the work --- you must retrieve all work from the proper period folder, see me for questions and as needed to make up bigger assignments, and complete the work within the given time frame. PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN AND DATE YOUR NAME ON THE “GOT MY WORK!” LOG BY THE MAKE-UP WORK FOLDERS WHEN YOU PICK UP THIS SHEET AND WORK ATTACHED.
- You are responsible for completing your work and submitting it to me on time. Until the work is complete, I will put in a “0%” and a “missing” indicator in the gradebook for that assignment. When the work is submitted, I will remove the “missing” indicator and the “0%” and enter the assignment as “collected.” Once I have graded it, I will put in your grade. (Please note: If a grade has a “0%,” but no “missing” indicator, that means it cannot be made up – it is too late, or it was a missed homework assignment on a day you were here.)
- If you were absent, and that absence was not excused, you will receive a zero on any assignments from that day, including tests. Make-ups will not be allowed.
- If you are absent during the majority of a group, in-class assignment, you have two options: 1) if you know you’ll be absent, or are able to work while you are absent, talk to your group about what you can do to contribute fairly; 2) if you either can’t work while you are away or weren’t aware in advance that you’d be absent, talk to me about a make-up assignment. You may NOT simply add your name to the group and receive credit for work you did not do.
Please return this form by August 26, 2014.
I have read the English III syllabus for Mrs. Wilhelm’s class and understand the academic and behavioral expectations.
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Print Student NamePrint Parent name
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Student SignatureParent Signature
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