English C/D
(One English Credit)
Instructor
Mrs. Sandy McClure
Hours 1, 2, 6: Room 101, English II
Hour 3: Room 110, English III
Hour 4: Room 311, English B
Hour 5: Room 311, English C/D
Wildcat Hour: Tutor Shift A
e-mail:
This course is meant to prepare students for high school language arts courses by improving our abilities in oral and written expression as well as critical reading of texts and media. Ultimately students should be developing skills applicable to life academically, socially, and emotionally. Our main activities during our class will involve:
· Reading, writing, and speaking
· Subjects, tasks, and projects that are relevant and will be applied in the “real world” not just the “school world”
· An opportunity to work with texts and topics that interest you personally
By the end of this course you should be able to:
READING
· Apply and improve vocabulary skills in context
· Improve your ability to understand and appreciate what you read
· Find, describe, and appreciate literary elements and literary devices in what your read:
Theme, character analysis, internal/external conflicts, /mood, metaphor, symbolism, tone, irony, imagery, repetition, understatement, parallelism, allusion, analogy
· Improve your ability to understand where an author is “coming from” when analyzing organization, perspective, and other text features
· Use comprehension strategies to critically read and make connections with texts and media
COMPOSITION
· Apply all stages of the writing process (includes prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, finalizing of essay) when appropriate
· Write an effective paragraph, and build upon this skill to write a multi-paragraph analysis, synthesis, or argumentative essay with thesis, specific and relevant details, and analysis
· Correctly use other people’s ideas in your own writing (evaluate, utilize, and cite sources)
· Develop your own writer’s voice, improve your word choice, and learn how to make your writing “flow”
· Improve your grammar and mechanics and begin to recognize your own errors
SPEAKING and LISTENING
· Improve your listening and speaking skills for different audiences and purposes in both formal and informal presentations
· Identify and describe what it takes to speak well in front of others
· Be able to present a clear argument, using specific and relevant details during informal discussions, dialogues, and class presentations and discussions
READING: Reading is a foundation of this course and should be completed on schedule to ensure quality participation in class activities and discussion. Active reading strategies (highlighting, notating, making inferences, summarizing, activating background knowledge, etc.) will be presented and used in order to enhance the students’ ability to critically read text and media in a world that is continually reliant on this ability. Though the reading can be rigorous, students will have the ability to choose appealing texts for independent reading books, and will also be assigned a variety of readings including: class novels, short stories, poetry, drama, editorials, articles, film, art, and other types of media.
WRITING: Writing improvement is also a foundation of the course and will be completed both informally and formally. Students will be required to keep a writing notebook where they will discuss different prompts that are related to content. More formal writing will be focused on creating an effective written argument through thesis-centered essays and research. In addition, our class will study the English language, including vocabulary and grammar in order to both improve communication skills and to prepare for standardized tests. Conventions and grammar will be included in the writer’s notebook.
SPEAKING and LISTENING: Focused discussion is very important for student success in English II. Students will be given the opportunity to grow in a comfortable environment where diversity of opinion is both encouraged and valued. Students will be assessed in a formal setting, including presentations and Socratic discussions, as well as in a more informal daily classroom discussion forum, where speaking and listening will be required.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
· Writer’s Notebook (Composition or Spiral) for in-class writing and grammar practice
· Pen or pencil
· Winning Attitude
LATE WORK POLICY
Students should complete all work (mostly in-class with some homework) by the assigned due dates. If the student fails to turn in assigned work, 10% of the grade for that assignment will be deducted for each day it is late until the third day where the grade will be held at 80% of the full assignment points. Students then may turn in any assignment until the end of that unit for the 80% of that assignment’s point value. A zero will be entered in the grade book until the assignment is graded, which may take longer if the assignment is turned in later. The student’s work will then be assessed out of 80% of the full points rather than the full points. Students are strongly encouraged to turn in work on time to avoid these penalties. ****This policy will be strictly enforced.
***LEARNER EXPECTATIONS***
Our classroom is a professional community, and students should conduct themselves accordingly. All students are subject to the rules outlined in the student handbook, and students should make themselves familiar with these rules. In order for a community to be effective students must feel comfortable, therefore those who disrupt the community with their words or actions (rude, sarcastic, obscene, or disrespectful speech or behavior) will be removed from class.
Students should strive to meet the following expectations: 1) achieve academic excellence, 2) demonstrate personal integrity and responsibility, and 3) value diversity. Respect is key to everyone’s success.
CLASS ELECTRONICS POLICY
Cell phones and electronic devices, seen or heard, warrant an immediate referral. If specified by the teacher, a cell phone may be used during class for the purpose designated by the teacher. Students who charge their cell phone during class are liable for lost or stolen devices.
GRADING PRACTICES
Grades for English C/D are divided into five categories: homework (including class work), writings, quizzes, projects, and tests. These grades will be calculated using total points, for 90% of the grade for the semester. The final exams for each semester will count as 10% of the student’s final grade.
EXTRA CREDIT:
Extra credit will be given at the discretion of the instructor (very rarely).
Blue Springs High School Grading Scale
A+ = 98-100
A = 94-97
A- = 90-93
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
F = Below 60
TARDIES
Tardiness will be recorded by the teacher, and according to the school policy after the fourth tardy, a parent will receive a call. On the fifth tardy, and every tardy after the fifth, the student will receive an office referral.
ABSENCES
Students who are absent are responsible for missing assignments. I am available for help during Wildcat Hour, and before and after school most days if you just let me know that you will be here. You have one day for every day you were absent to make up the assignment. After the tenth absence, you cannot make-up assignments without a doctor’s note.
Note:
A student who wants an alternative reading assignment for a particular assigned book should explain to the teacher why he/she wants an alternative text, and the teacher will then work with the student to select an alternative text of comparable text complexity that addresses the objectives of the course and of the particular unit in which the text is the focus.
THIS SYLLABUS SHOULD BE A REFERNENCE OF CLASS EXPECTATIONS FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
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Please Detach and Return to Mrs. McClure by 8/26/2016.
I have read and understand all the material covered in the course syllabus for English C/D.
Student Name (Print): ______
Student Signature: ______
Date: ______
Parent/ Guardian Name (Print): ______
Parent/ Guardian Signature: ______
Date: ______
On the back, please include any note about your student, you would like me to know for our shared success in the class.