“If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” -Benjamin Franklin
English 11 /2018-2019
Mrs. Hanft
Dear 11th Grade Student,
Welcome to English 11! This course is designed to strengthen your verbal and writing skills, which will ultimately help you to achieve success in college or any other future endeavors. As we begin another exciting school year, I would like to take the opportunity to review the course requirements, expectations, and grading procedures with you. These requirements and expectations are for you to succeed and enjoy a worthwhile experience in this class.
Course Requirements
√ Students will read a minimum of various novels, a play, a selection of short stories, as well as
nonfiction selections
√ Students will create various compositions, including expository, narrative,
persuasive, and creative pieces
√ Students will write one major research paper: an in-depth literary analysis of a
work studied in class
√ Students will complete fifteen vocabulary units
Although not required, it is STRONGLY recommended that you purchase a vocabulary book. The cost is $12.50 (if paying by check, make payable to “CR North” with my name in the memo); money is due by September 14th
√ Students will focus on the following grammatical topics: sentence structure,
agreement, punctuation, misused words, and other SAT-related grammar
CouncilRockSchool District strongly encourages parents to survey the outstanding collection of challenging literature contained within our program. Much of the content presents ideas and issues that are important, complex, and encourage critical thinking. Any connection discussed in class is made that much stronger by the conversation and connections that are made at home. We invite you to discuss any of the elements of our courses with your child's teacher.
Assessment
*Note: In HAC, any assignment with an asterisk next to it is a district-wide assessment and will not be sent home. All assignments will be returned in the order they are graded and all students have the opportunity to review assessments in a classroom setting. With the exception of district assessments, students have the option of taking assessments home. In lieu of taking an assessment home, students may leave the assessment with the teacher for future use/reference.
• May include some or all of the following: group/class literature discussion, tests/quizzes, blue book essays, rubrics, homework, conferencing (peer and teacher), reading quizzes, creative writing, final exam, and other various assignments.
• Any homework assignment turned in one day late will be worth ½ credit, and will become a zero after that. Major writing assignments (essays) will lose one full letter grade for each daythey are late. I will give you enough time and notification to complete any assignment or if any due dates change; therefore, please be prepared by bringing in all materials to complete each assignment properly. All assignment due dates will be posted on my website.
• Please let me know at least one week in advance if you are planning to be out of class for an extended period of time so that I can get all assignments to you before you leave.
• If you miss a test or quiz, you must schedule a Clinic appointment to make it up. You may not take make-up tests or quizzes during the school day unless otherwise approved due to an extenuating circumstance.
• The marking period grade is comprised of the following categories:
Writing50%
Tests, quizzes, projects20%
Vocabulary (tests, activities, homework)20%
Homework/classwork10%
The final exam grade will be 25% of the fourth marking period grade.
The research paper will be 25% of the marking period in which it is graded.
Materials (needed by the end of the first week)
• Pens, pencils, highlighters, notebook or binder with paper, Post-Its, a binder or folder to store any class handouts
• You are also responsible for bringing the necessary books to class on the assigned
days
Extra Help
Please do not hesitate to ask me for extra help if you have major concerns about or are struggling with any concepts or assignments in this course. I am available Tuesdays and Thursdays for Clinic by appointment. You must make your appointment at least one day prior to coming in! I care very much about your success in this class, so please do not wait until the last minute to ask for extra help. I will make whatever effort is necessary to meet with you if you need help.
Classroom Procedures/Expectations
•All of the school rules in your student handbook apply in our classroom
- Phones and PLD’s will be stored at the back of the room in your assigned spot during class. You will also be asked to remove Apple watches during exams and place them with your phones, in your bag, or I can hold onto them for you.
- Use, but please do not abuse your privileges to leave the classroom to go to the bathroom, locker, get a drink, etc.
- You may bring a water bottle and a small snack to class, but please, no five course meals, and be sure to put everything in the trash to make less work for the cleaning staff
- Students are expected to anticipate any printing problems before the due date. In other words, make sure that you anticipate printing, saving, and computer problems by always having your files stored on a back-up drive or disk.
- If ANY words or ideas other than your own are used in your work, they must be documented. Otherwise, your work will be given a failing grade, and administrative action will be taken. Please see your student handbook for Council Rock’s Academic Integrity policy.
Contact Information
If you or your parents need to contact me, my e-mail address is located at the top of this syllabus, or you can contact me at CRHS North at (215) 944-1339.