10th Grade Honors English – British Literature (2015-2016



“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. TolkienCourse Description: [as stated in the LCPS curriculum guide]“While honors courses focus on the same content and skills as academic courses, honors courses are distinguished by a more rigorous study of literature. They move at an accelerated pace, cover a greater breadth and depth of textual study, and require more independent work. They also are designed to prepare students to take Advanced Placement English in their junior and/or senior year. Accordingly, they emphasize the ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources as they read and write. The honors level portfolio that students work to compile throughout the year mimics the rigor of a college course. Students taking honors level courses receive an extra GPA weighting of 0.5.”Recommended Materials:Pencil(s)/Pen(s) – blue or black preferred but ABSOLUTELY NO RED INKNotebook or loose-leaf paperBinder with dividersHigh-lightersSticky notesWriting:Throughout the course a variety of in-class and out-of-class writings will be assigned. Most essays will be assigned with an evaluation standard focusing on four core areas of writing: content, organization, style, and mechanics. Students will be required to write using a variety of modes, with a particular emphasis on expository writing. Timed writings will be completed regularly in preparation for future needs concerning on-demand writing. Consistent appropriate punctuation usage and mature sentence constructions are expectations for all writing assignments. As students progress in developing a unique writing voice, they will strive to independently evaluate the use of diction and syntax as it applies to their own writing style. As required by Loudoun County Public Schools, all students taking an honors English course will be required to complete a third quarter writing project wherein students will engage in “individualized explorations and reflections based on an over-arching, personally selected question that will be researched.”Literature:This course will present a thematic survey of British literature. Discussions of the literature will address historical context as it corresponds with the author’s purpose and perspective, with note given to author’s style. Novels will be assigned in pre-determined increments, with the expectation that students read outside of the classroom and come to class prepared to question, discuss, and analyze the text assigned. In order to be successful in this course, students must keep pace with the accelerated schedule of reading assignments and come to class prepared to examine, evaluate, and discuss, offering their interpretation with peers. Reactive reading, including annotating and questioning, will be encouraged, as readers strive to make inferences, complete analyses, and discover deeper meanings. [Tentative List of Class Readings]Lord of the Flies – GoldingMacbeth – ShakespeareFrankenstein - Shelley1984 – OrwellWar of the Worlds – WellsIt is highly recommended that students purchase their own books. It is NOT required but helpful if annotations need to be made within the text. The list above may also change depending on progress through the school year. Grammar:Grammar will be addressed as needed throughout the course. Grammar rules will be reinforced through writing activities specifically addressing areas of weakness. Consistent appropriate punctuation usage and mature sentence constructions will be an expectation for all writing assignments. Over the course of the year, specific emphasis will be placed on colon/semicolon usage, modifier placement, parallel construction, and active voice. Vocabulary:Vocabulary will be studied in the context of a given piece of literature; context and connotation will be discussed, with particular focus on author’s purpose and style as reflected in diction. Designated level-appropriate vocabulary will be studied using a separate workbook that will be purchased individually by students. In addition, the county has mandated the study of specific roots, prefixes, and suffixes which will be presented in conjunction with words comprised of the specified roots, etc. and taught as a means to accessing definitions of unfamiliar vocabulary. Grading:Students will be evaluated on the following: class work and quizzes, reactive reading annotations, projects and presentations, informal writings/applied practice, formal essays, and class seminars. Grades will be based on a point system (points earned divided by points possible). Nothing is explicitly weighted as a certain percentage of your grade; however, the weight will be implied by the point value assigned. It is essential that students stay up-to-date with assignments. Work that is not completed in accordance within the timeline of the teacher’s request will inevitably negatively impact a student’s grade. Late work will incur a daily point deduction; late assignments will only be accepted up to one week after the work has been assigned. It is the student’s responsibility to complete make-up work or schedule a make-up test/quiz in the event of an absence. Students should check the teacher webpage on the LVHS website regularly, especially in the event of an absence. Daily assignments may be retrieved from the school web page under the teacher-specific calendar. Project hand-outs, reference materials, and extra practice sheets are also available on the school-sponsored teacher web page.Please check PHOENIX on a regular basis for the most up-to-date grade. Plagiarism/Honor Code:Plagiarism is using, stealing, borrowing, or passing-off the ideas or words of another as one’s own. An honor code is in effect throughout the course of this year. Anyone caught cheating or plagiarizing will be penalized according to school policy. ................
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