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Course Syllabus – English 12-2 Bloomington High School South 2008-09 Mrs. Walls 330-7714 ext. 51097 lwalls@mccsc.edu Course Description: As seniors, students are about to launch into a world much bigger than that of high school; English 12-2 is designed to focus on reading, writing, and analyzing texts through the exploration of central social issues presented in the class texts. This course will examine these issues through reading various essays, stories and poetry. Skills related to critical thinking, analytical writing, and presenting are essential to all of us as productive, literate citizens. Students in 12-2 will be required to use these skills to develop their own views on a variety of issues as well as to clearly articulate their own ideas. Ultimately, the goal of English 12-2 is to help the student gain a better understanding of him/herself, and his/her goals, values, perspectives, etc. as well as the world around him/her through a variety of mediums while providing students the necessary skills to succeed in the post-secondary world. Student Translation: You will be reading a lot of different types of material about social issues and writing about your ideas on these topics! This will be really important for you to know when you leave high school. Trust me! Adopted Textbooks: Houghton Mifflin’s The Riverside Reader, Eighth Edition, 2005 McDougall Littell’s Grammar for Writing, 2008 Course Activities: Vocabulary Weekly vocabulary assignments and quizzes will be included to build student vocabulary and communication skills. Major Writing Assignments English 12-2 focuses on the common writing strategies as highlighted in The Riverside Reader: narration/description, cause and effect, process analysis, comparison and contrast, and persuasion. A minimum of three major writing assignments will be assigned: a personal narrative, a research paper, and a final paper encompassing the central writing strategies. In addition to these, smaller and more frequent writings over class readings will also be required. Literary Study English 12-2 uses literature as a means of discovering different points of view on a wide variety of issues. The major genres and literary terms and devices will also be reviewed. Assignments and assessments may include: Annotation of texts Projects and /or presentations Written responses in the form of journal and/or analytical writing over readings Expression of ideas and opinions drawn from the readings Tests and quizzes over readings Outside Reading Outside Reading will also be required over the course of the trimester. Students are required to read two books of his or her choosing over the next 12 weeks (one book each 6 weeks). This should not be a book that you are reading for another class or have read before. These books can be fiction, nonfiction, historical, instructional, etc. Although the choice is up to the individual student, teacher approval must be granted. The teacher will designate specific days where students will be required to bring their reading book to class and will be allotted time to read. However, it is suggested that students always bring their reading book to class in case extra time is available. Reading logs and other assignments will be distributed and explained at a later date. Current Events As a means to encourage students to become more aware citizens of the world and to demonstrate the relevancy of the class material, students are expected to read the newspaper and listen to the news in search of current events that connect to social issues. Assignments will most likely include a summary, opinion, and an explanation of how the news article relates to class material. Finally, students will be expected to sign up for a class day to share their article with the class. (Guidelines will be given later.) Resume & Cover Letter As seniors, students will be soon entering the work force (some sooner than others). Thus, students are required to compose a resume and cover letter, write a self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses, and evaluate his or her personality traits. Grammar The student will demonstrate through various assignments a clear understanding of the English language that includes competency in spelling, punctuation, agreement, usage and vocabulary. Classroom Procedures Assignments, absences, and make-up work: You must be responsible – When absent, you must take the initiative to ask for your make up work! The public library has public computers along with the library here at South. If you do not get your work finished during class, you are expected to work before school, after school, over your lunch, during SRT, or on the weekend to complete the assignment. If a student misses class for an excused absence, the student will have ONE school day for each day absent to complete missed assignments without penalty. Late work will be accepted for half credit. ASSIGNMENTS FROM UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL NOT BE GRADED! Supplies needed every day: *Loose leaf paper *Textbook *Pen (blue or black ink ONLY) or pencil * Independent Reading Book Headings: All papers turned in (unless otherwise directed) require the following in the upper right-hand corner: Your Name Class Period # Date Title of assignment I do not have time to track down assignments with no names on them. No name = no grade! Homework: Homework must be turned in at the beginning of class. All grades are online and are updated every two – three weeks (if not sooner). Grading: Points will be accumulated through two grading periods and a final exam. The trimester grade will be based on your points for each grading period (worth 40% each) plus the final examination, which is worth 20% of the total. Bonus opportunities will exist, but will not replace required work. Grading Scale: English 12-2 follows BHSS grading scale (see Panther Planner). Expectations in my classroom: Respect yourself and others. No insults - PERIOD. Any insults (especially those based on ethnic background, skin color, gender, sexual preference, or religion) will be dealt with seriously. Stay awake--do not put head down in class. This is disrespectful and will result in a referral. You need to be in class when the bell rings. Entering class after the bell results in a tardy. Bringing the correct materials to class every day is vital. Carpenters can’t work effectively if they forget their hammers – neither can you work effectively without the proper tools for your class. If you continuously forget, points will be deducted from your participation grade. No book bags/pack packs allowed in class. No food or drinks (with the exception of water in clear bottles/containers) in the classroom. No electronic devices or cell phones in school (i.e.: no cell phones during my class. Headphones are only allowed when doing independent class-work.) Cheating is unacceptable. Students caught cheating on ANY work will receive a ZERO for that assignment and will have no opportunity to make up the work. Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Parents/Guardians will be notified. Attendance: Come to class! Be on time! Coming to class on time is like getting to work on time. If you are late to work too many times, you get fired. I won’t fire you, but you will have some problems. Refer to the Panther Planner to see the consequences for being tardy. Please note that entering class more than 5 minutes late is counted as an unexcused absence. Attendance is essential if you wish to pass 12-2. Thus, do not think about getting "senior-it is" at this point! Come to class. If you cannot attend, make sure your absence is excused by a parent/guardian. As Ken Nunn says, "it’s that easy!" ☺ Passes: Students are given a Panther Planner at the beginning of the school year. The student must have their Panther Planner in order to go to the restroom, locker, office, etc. during class time. Disruptive/Inappropriate Behavior: Each disruptive offense (non-compliance, rudeness, inappropriate behavior/language, fighting, failure to bring required texts/materials to class, etc. ) will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the situation and other determining factors. Consequences will include, but will not be limited to: Verbal warning in class Revised seating arrangements Student/teacher conferences Parent guardian contacts ISS (In-School suspension) Saturday school sessions Referrals to school administration OSS (Out of School Suspension) Expulsion
Walls/12-2 I have read, understand, and plan to follow the information and expectations specified above: Please print Student Name: __________________________________ Student signature: ______________________________________________ Parent signature: _______________________________________________ Preferred method of contact: Phone#: __________________________________ Email: ______________________________________ Date: __________________________ (5 bonus points if turned in by _____________________) Syllabus & Course Information 11-1: American Literature/2008 Teacher Contact Information: Phone: 330-7714 ext. 51097 e-mail: lwalls@mccsc.edu General Materials: Text: Literature: American Literature, McDougal Littell, Inc., 2008 Novel Study: One- two of the following novels will be included in 11-2: Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Willa Cather’s My Antonia Edith Wharton’s Ethan Fromme Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans Edith Wharton’s The Age of innocence Standards Addressed: Unit I: early American Writing (1600-1800) This unit spans from the Native American experience, through the Puritan and colonial period, and finally winds up exploring the Revolutionary Period and the Age of Reason. Objectives: You will recognize the indigenous Native American culture through its literary and oral traditions, understand the impact of Spanish explorers, examine the records and explore the hopes of the early settlers, demonstrate understanding of the experience of African slaves and show how the multiple cultures of early America provided a foundation for American values. Additionally, the Puritan influences on American values and the ideals of early American democracy’s influence on writings and the formation of our democracy. Unit II: American Romanticism (1800-1855) Objectives: Understand Romanticism as a literary movement. Outline the rise of the Romantic period in American letters, state the characteristics of Romanticism, and recognize and analyze the relationship of man, nature, and society as expressed in literature and the arts in this period. Identify the elements of transcendentalism. Unit III: From Romanticism to Realism (1855-1870) Objectives: Understand the historical and cultural contexts of romanticism and realism; understand realism as a literary movement. Analyze elements of style, including tone, sentence structure, figurative language and dialogue. Analyze narrative elements, including conflict and characterization. Discuss primary sources as well as author’s purpose. Finally, analyze the relationship between audience and form and their effect on a message. Unit IV: Regionalism and Naturalism (1870-1910) Objectives: Understand regionalism and naturalism as literary movements. Analyze descriptive language, including imagery, figurative language, repetition and diction. Identify and analyze literary elements, including setting plot, conflict, theme, tone and irony. Analyze author’s perspective and the effect of the author’s choice of genre has on the expression of a theme or topic. Primary sources will also be examined. Assessment: Points are cumulative throughout the semester. Projects, tests, and major papers will count approximately 70% of students’ grade, whereas daily assignments, vocabulary, notebook, and quizzes will count approximately 30% of the grade. Tests and/or major writings will occur at the completion of the unit, chapter, or grading period. Vocabulary tests typically occur every Friday. Please use a word processor or only blue or black ink on major assignments. Always double-space! Final exam is cumulative and worth twenty-percent of semester grade. Grades ~ The school grading scale follows: A+ 100-97 B+ 89-87 C+ 79-77 D+ 69-67 A 96-93 B 86-83 C 76-73 D 66-63 F 59% & below A- 92-90 B- 82-80 C- 72-70 D- 62-60 Materials: Students are responsible for bringing all necessary materials to class each day. Violations of this policy will result in deduction of participation points and/or office referrals. Necessary materials consist of the following: Textbook/novel Paper & writing utensil Independent reading book Late Assignments: Assignments are due on the due date and typically at the beginning of a class period. If you miss the due date with an excused absence, then you have one school day for every day absent to make up the work. Students are wholly responsible for acquiring their missing work on the next class period following the absence. This is a student responsibility—it is not up to the teacher! For more information, please refer to the Panther Planner for the school’s policy. Extended Absences and Emergencies: Sometimes things happen beyond our control. I will make special arrangements for extended absences with respect to due dates. Please contact me (see email address and phone number above) if such a situation arises and you know you will be gone a long time. Feel free to email me! Attendance: It is essential to attend class in order to perform well. For further information on the attendance policy, consult the student handbook, the Panther Planner. Again, it is the student’s responsibility to acquire his/her missing work. Tardies: If you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you are tardy! If you enter the class in the first five minutes (without a pass), you are tardy. After five minutes, you are truant and unexcused (without a pass). The consequences for tardies are as follows: 1st offense…warning 2nd offense…2nd warning 3rd offense….phone call home Any tardies exceeding 3 offenses……………….office referral Hall Passes: You must fill out your hall pass in your Panther Planner and have it signed. Passes will only be given at appropriate times (i.e. study times, before class begins, etc.). Online Grades Students and parents will have access to individual student’s online grades. They are posted online at www.south.mccsc.edu (click on online grades.) Passwords will be distributed at my earliest convenience. I typically update grades once a week. Please allow a week or two to get started. I appreciate your patience.General Rules: Respect yourself and each other. Be in your seat when the bell rings. Do not bring backpacks to class. No food or drinks with the exception of water in clear bottle/container No CD players or games or cell phones (See Panther Planner). Stay on task! Study or complete class work when given time to do so. Bring materials to class everyday. Use blue or black ink (or word processor) only for writing assignments. Do not line up at the door before the bell rings! My classroom rules are reasonable and are necessary for an effective and positive learning environment. Defying my classroom rules will be dealt with on a case by case basis. I strive to work issues out with the students by myself or with parental intervention. Ultimately, however, office referrals will be given when/if a student chooses not to comply.
Please sign and return the following (you should keep the course information sheet): It is important that both the parent/guardian and the student have read and clearly understand all topics discussed. Please feel free to contact me at any time with your concerns. Thank you, Leigh Ann Walls
11-1/Walls Name of Student (Please Print):___________________________________ Class period:______
X____________________________________ Date:__________________ Student Signature X____________________________________ Date:__________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Preferred Method of Contact: __________________________________________________ ________________________________ Parent/Guardian Email (optional) (phone)
11-1/Walls Name of Student (Please Print):___________________________________ Class period:______
X____________________________________ Date:__________________ Student Signature X____________________________________ Date:__________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Preferred Method of Contact: __________________________________________________ ________________________________ Parent/Guardian Email (optional) (phone) |