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W.E. High School English IV Course Syllabus
Teacher:Christina DavisEmail address:
Room #125Planning: 3rd Period 11:55-1:25Phone: (803) 266-8031
General Course Description and Objectives:
English IV is a survey course that covers British Literature from the Anglo-Saxon Period to Post Modernism. It also is a survey course in writing in that you will write in different styles and genres for different purposes and audiences. You will learn the different types of writing as well as the different purposes of that writing and what forms writing can take. You will also engage in several creative projects that will demonstrate your understanding of content and material.
Throughout the semester students will be continuously writing. In order to construct excellent papers, students will be refining their writing skills. Through exposure to a variety of different types of writing, students will increase their awareness of the elements of good writing and develop strategies for improving their own skills. Weekly vocabulary work will also enhance student writing and help prepare them for the SAT.
This class is for students who are about to leave the structured setting of high school to venture out on their own. Because of this, throughout the year a strong emphasis will be placed on students to take increasing responsibility for their own learning. This means, among other things, students must rely on their own thinking and nascent management skills when navigating course material. Part of the teacher's role will be to provide key resources and help facilitate this process. Central to the success of sharing the responsibility for learning is the development of good communication skills. Students will be given ample opportunities to express and explore their ideas individually, in pairs and in a large group.
Materials Needed:
- USB Jump Drive (2GB is sufficient)
- 1 inch 3 ring binder (splurge on the more expensive one because it needs to be durable)
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- dividers (5 pack will suffice)
- loose leaf paper (college ruled is preferred)
- pens (blue / black)
- pencils
- index cards
- index card box
- markers or colored pencils
- agenda/planner/calendar
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- During the course students will also use a vocabulary workbook that they will purchase from the school for around $15.00 this money should be brought in by the 2nd week of school.
Grade Percentages
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- Classwork 30%
- Homework10%
- Tests15%
- Exams (2)10%
- Quizzes10%
- Papers/Projects15%
- Portfolio10%
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Attendance and Tardy Policies:
Attending class daily is critical for success in English IV. Absences in excess of 5 days must be excused or credit will not be awarded for the course.
Tardies – The tardy policy will be strictly enforced.
Leaving Class – Each student will be given 4 passes per quarter. These will be used to go to the bathroom or your locker. Once these are used students will have to serve lunch detention for any trips out of the classroom. If students have leftover passes they can be turned in for bonus points. This does not apply to going to the library. Students will be allowed to go to the library at the end of class once all assignments are completed. You will have to get a pass signed by the librarian before you will be allowed back into class.
What to do if you miss a class:
Absence: If you have are absent, you will be allowed to make up work, with a penalty. Provisions for make-up of schoolwork missed is the student’s responsibility and shall be worked out with the teacher at the earliest time possible, but the time by which the work is completed and turned in should not exceed two (2) school days after returning to school.
Make-up Work – Each student is responsible for obtaining make-up assignments from the hanging folders at the back of the room. You will not be reminded to do so. After work has been in the folder for 5 class days it will be removed and thrown away. Group partners will be responsible for labeling and placing any assignments in the folder. After work has been in the folder for 2 class days, you can still complete it for enrichment but no credit will be given.
Late Projects/Papers – Late Projects and Papers will be accepted up to 5 days late. There will be a 10 point penalty for each class day an assignment is late. They will not be accepted more than 5 days late. If there is a presentation component of the assignment, the student will receive a zero for that section of the rubric.
Extra Help: I am available after school by appointment. If you need help, ASK FOR IT!
Other Assignments
Senior Portfolio: You will be required to complete weekly assignments that will be used to build your senior portfolio. You will not be reminded to do this. It will be checked each weekend. If your work is not turned in by 3pm Friday you will receive a zero. I will edit and proofread these assignments on a regular basis. It is then your responsibility to make corrections and submit a typed draft with the following week’s rough draft. Your completed portfolio will be due at the end of the semester. The final product will be worth 10% of your final grade. Some assignments may require you to complete some tasks outside of the classroom. You will have plenty of advanced notice of this, so there will be no excuses accepted for failure to complete them.
Vocabulary: You will be asked to bring in approximately $15 to cover the cost of your Vocabulary Workshop Workbook. This will need to be brought in by the end of the first week of school. If this is an issue, let me know.
Literary Terms/Grammar: Each week you will have a quiz on 9-10 words associated with grammar or literary terms. These should be defined in your binder and studied for understanding.
Reading:Some of the materials we will read in this class will be found in the textbook. We will also read other materials that may be found on the internet or that will be copied from anthologies or other text books. In addition to these materials you will read at least 3 novels. One of the books, you will be required to purchase. The purchase price of this book will be $5. This will be the last thing you will read and it will be annotated as if you were in college.
Words of Wisdom
This is not an easy class. However, it is not difficult. It is rigorous. You will have to study for this class. Most tests/quizzes/projects will be open ended. The goal of this is for you to be able to demonstrate the depth and breadth of your understanding.
One thing that is difficult for most students to cope with is the idea that there is not always one correct answer. Through evidence and argument any individual idea can be correct.
Also, do not cheat or plagiarize. You will be caught, and you will be failed. If you have any questions about this, ask. Better safe than sorry.