Syllabus

Texts for Course: Literature (McDougal Littell)

Writers’ Choice (Glencoe)

Daily Oral Language (Great Source, Inc.)

Julius Caesar (Honors, Advanced, and Regular)

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Honors)

Johnny Tremain (Honors, Advanced and Regular) (Honors and Advanced summer reading assignment)

To Kill A Mockingbird (Honors, Advanced and Regular)

The Scarlet Letter (Honors and Advanced)

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Honors and Advanced summer reading assignment)

Other texts as selected

Goals for Course: To read and gain an appreciation for world and American literature

To recognize and appreciate the elements of literature

To develop critical thinking skills through both reading and writing

To master the principles of American English grammar

To prepare for the Alabama High School Graduation Exam (Language and Reading)

To prepare for the Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing: Grade Ten

Classroom Responsibilities:

Punctuality— In order to avoid being counted tardy, you must be in the room when the tardy bell rings, and you must not leave class to return to the restroom, office, etc. You must have a pass if you enter after the tardy bell, and you will be required to get a late pass from the office for any reason and return. This will count as a tardy to class. For exemption purposes three tardies constitute an absence. Two tardies (and each tardy thereafter) to class will result in a referral to the office.

Preparation— On a daily basis, you are expected to bring all required class materials, including your binder with paper; pens and/or pencils; and your English workbook (as needed), on a daily basis. Come prepared—I do not lend pencils or pens!

Responsibility— It is YOUR responsibility to check with me about make-up work (check my Web page and the assignment board). Make-up tests/exams for my classes will be given on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:15 AM. Tests must be made up within five class days of your return to school. Failure to do so will result in a zero.

*You must take announced, scheduled tests even if you have an excused absence on the day before the test.

If you are absent for a school-related function, especially athletics, you must check with me in advance and be prepared to be at the same point as the rest of the class when you return; this policy applies to both classwork and exams.

Respect— It is my belief that if you respect yourself, other students in this class, your school, and me, then additional behavioral rules will not necessary. Any behavior that disrupts a student’s learning or that in any way indicates lack of respect will not be tolerated. Consider your student handbook to be your first and only warning concerning all school policies adopted and approved by the Guntersville City Schools Board of Education.

Supplies needed:

Grades are determined on a cumulative point system. At the end of each nine weeks, a student’s total number of points is divided by the total points possible. The resulting percentage is the student’s grade for that grading period. A portfolio of student work is available for viewing by parents and students. Grades include writing assignments, objective tests, quizzes, unit tests, projects, presentations, and other items as assigned in class. On any assignment or test, students may be penalized for failing to follow directions or failing to write name, class, and date on paper. Semester exams are given in accordance with school board policy. Semester exams count 20% of the semester grade.

Cheating or plagiarism on any assignment will result in a grade of zero for that assignment.

Writing assignments may be scored using a system of points deducted for specific errors or for content, or they may be scored using a rubric grading system. The rubric system means that the score is holistic, based on the content of the paper; that score should be raised or lowered by the quality of the writing. In general, the following may be applied:

A- Excellent paper demonstrating insight and understanding, as well as original thinking; no major errors in structure and/or mechanics

Portfolios are used to develop students’ writing throughout the year. As students receive the grade for their writing, they will have the portfolio as a self assessment tool, as well as teacher assessment means, to further develop and master the desired writing skills.

No makeup tests are given for unexcused absences, nor will assignments be accepted for unexcused absences. Only work missed for excused absences may be made up. I will not give any makeup work to students who have not provided a blue slip indicating an excused absence. In the event of extended illness, a student should make arrangements with me and the counselor’s office.

Within two days of a student’s return to class, he/she should show a blue slip and see me before or after class to schedule makeup work. Following the handbook guidelines, all makeup work must be completed and turned in within five days of the students’ return to class.

Please note: Participation in a school activity that necessitates missing class is not considered a school absence; therefore, there is no five day period allowed for makeup work. Students are expected to be prepared immediately upon returning to class. Thus, it is crucial that prior to absence for participation in school activities, a student should see me to make arrangements for work that will be missed.

Note: Course requirements may be amended or modified for individual students as required by special education/504 needs outlined in the IEP or other individualized plans.