English 10 Regents2009-2010

Instructor:Mr. HartsteinE-mail: Office: Room W-13 Office Hours: 4ab Block (W-27; A, B, C Days)

Phone: (585)339-14501st Block (D Day), 3rd Block (A Day)

ext. 49122nd Block, after or before school

by appointment

Course Description

Students will experience a variety of subjects, themes andperspectives through the study of world literature.Short stories, essays, poems and other selections will beread from anthologies and other sources. Furtherdevelopment of writing skills and continued study of grammar and vocabulary are also part of the curriculum.

Course Goals

By the end of the year, you will be able to:

  • Connect important questions and issues raised by course texts to your own life and the larger world
  • Critically read and respond to a wide variety of texts (books, articles, films, etc.)

Required Materials

  • 3-ring binder (1 – 2”), with divided sections as follows:
  • Section 1: Literature
  • Section 2: Writing
  • Section 3: Vocabulary
  • Loose leaf paper
  • Writing utensil (pencils not allowed on tests/quizzes)
  • Calendar or planner

Themed Units and Texts

The course will be roughly divided into four units, each including a novel or two that will be studied together as a whole class:

  • Identity and EnvironmentThe House on Mango Street– Sandra Cisneros

The Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan

  • Developing a Personal PhilosophySiddhartha – Herman Hesse
  • Dealing with InjusticeSold – Patricia McCormick

Kaffir Boy (selections) – Mark Mathabane

  • Power and SocietyAnimal Farm – George Orwell

Macbeth – William Shakespeare

For each unit, you will be responsible for reading and completing assignments related to a “student choice” text, which can be selected from a list of four or five titles.

(see reverse)

Research Project

In the second half of the course, you will be tasked with selecting a world issue of interest, and researching it using a variety of sources. You must then construct a persuasive paper, communicating the basics of the issue, exploring its underlying causes, and making recommendation/predictions for the future. The paper will be written using MLA style (including a Works Cited page). You will also be responsible for sharing your findings with the class.

Revision of Written Assignments

With most essays, you will be allowed to submit a revised/corrected version in order to put feedback and recommendations to use. Re-submitting a paper DOES NOT guarantee a higher grade will be awarded, but if the work is substantially improved, an average of the initial and revised marks will be recorded (all resubmits must be turned in at least one week before the end of the marking period). However, time to review your work with both me and your peers will almost always be available prior to handing in major assignments, so you are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities and put your very best effort into whatever you hand in.

Late Assignments

Work will be marked down 10% of the original point value for each school day past the due date, up to a total of 50% off.

Rules and Expectations

We will discuss these in the first few days of class…

Grading

Each marking period grade is worth 20% of the overall year grade. The mid-term and final exams are each worth 10%. Within each marking period, grades will be approximately weighted as follows:

  • 40% - Essays / Tests / Projects
  • 40% - Classwork / Quizzes
  • 20% - Homework

Absences

In the event of an absence, it is always the student’s responsibility to contact me about missed work. Adequate time and support will be provided to make up assignments, taking into account the nature and duration of the absence. Please be proactive about making up work (i.e. see me ahead of time if you know in advance that you will be out, or e-mail or call about assignments during a lengthy unplanned absence if you are able to work from home)!

I wish us all a successful and rewarding year. If you have any questions/concerns/suggestions, please do not hesitate to see me!

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