2016-2017

Syllabus: English 1

Teacher information Name:Mr. Edwin Crooks

Phone: 832-249-4833 (with voicemail)

Email:

Room: D183

Conference: 7th period (1:30 PM – 2:25 PM)

Description of CourseEach grading term presents a unique theme, which explores various literatures from worldwide authors, spanning from the earliest recorded centuries to modern time. Grammar and writing skills stem from the skills strongly present in the sample writing studied with that term, meaning that they may overlap throughout the year.

Objectives

UNIT THEME / READING FOCUS / WRITING FOCUS
1st Six Weeks / Identity of Self and Society: Names, Cultures & Approaches to Learning / Fiction: House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros / Autobiography writing; Vignette writing
2nd Six Weeks / Goals & Expectations: Dreams, Innocence & Beginning / Rhetorical devices in genres: Literary Nonfiction – famous speeches (Dr. King and Gandhi); Fiction- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and “The Necklace”; Media – advertising propaganda / Creating a commercial; speech analysis; mini-poetry journal
3rd Six Weeks / The Journey: Opportunity, Perseverance & Survival / Ancient Drama: The Odyssey by Homer / Roleplaying journal and literary analysis
4th Six Weeks / Choices & Consequences: Taking Risks, Courage & Freedom / Dystopian Fiction: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Maze Runner by James Dashner or The Giver by Lois Lowry / Literary response: character analysis
5th Six Weeks / Optimism vs Despair: Hope, Failure & Discovering Strength / Drama: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare / Compare and contrast: literary versus media
6th Six Weeks / Wisdom of Experience: Empowerment, Fulfillment & Self-reliance / Cultural studies: First Part Last by Angela Johnson; Literary Nonfiction – I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai; Drama – Novio Boy by Gary Soto / Literary response: Cornell notes

Grading procedures Major grade 60% [3-4 per grading term]

  • Projects [requiring 3 or more days]
  • Critical Analysis (student-centered work)
  • Writing Assignments/Essays
  • Tests
  • Comprehensive exam on Edgenuity
  • Group work [requiring 3 or more days]

Minor grade 40%[10-12 per grading term]

  • Group work [requiring 2 or less days]
  • Daily activities [workbooks, vocabulary, note-taking]
  • Mini-projects [requiring 2 or less days]
  • Class participation & discussions
  • Writing activities [graphic, revision, editing
  • Homework (when assigned)
  • Edgenuity exercises
  • Quizzes

Reteach and retesting All assignments can be resubmitted for a passing grade. If a student fails an assignment more than two times, the teacher will conference with the student to determine the content(s) that should be targeted to achieve mastery. Afterwards, another activity with similar skills will be assigned to replace the previous.

Grade repair All students (failing and passing) have the opportunity to redo or correct assignments. Alternate assignments are also offered when a second time failing of the assignment occurs. An online supplemental course will also provide activities and lessons for struggling students for content mastery. Students are responsible for all work missed due to absences to be submitted prior to grade reports marked after every 3 weeks.

Tutoring No before or after school time is allotted for tutoring, but with administrative permission, some arrangements for extra time in core course can be borrowed from the student’s non-core courses. That extra time can be designated for a core course.

Test days and exemptionsTests and quizzes, save for online lessons, are scheduled at the end of a weekly unit which is typically Fridays. End of course exams are scheduled at the end of the semester [1st semester in December before Winter break & 2nd semester in June before Summer break]. No exemptions are permitted.

Required & suggested supplies Writing utensils [pens – black or blue; pencils]; wide rule notebook paper; composition or spiral tablet (optional)

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