Course Syllabus: 10th Grade Honors English—2007



Course Syllabus: 10th Grade Honors English—2008

Instructor Information:

Mrs. Jennifer Sonenberg

Email: Sonenberg@fulton.k12.ga.us

Website:

School Phone Number: 770-521-7600 ext. 296

Required Texts Replacement cost

Prentice Hall Literature: Platinum Level $70.00

Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar $60.00

Supplement texts $15.00

Required Materials

3-ring binder to be used for English class only 5 Dividers

College-ruled composition book for journals Pens—blue or black

Loose leaf or perforated paper for assignments Highlighters

Course Description

In 2004 the Georgia Department of Education adopted new Georgia Performance Standards for grades 9-12. Consistent with state curriculum, the Fulton County Schools English language arts curriculum implementation aligns with state standards. The content standards for this course are clustered by strands: Reading and Literature, Reading Across the Curriculum, Conventions, Writing, and Listening/Speaking/Viewing.

Tenth Grade Literature and Composition will continue to build on the reading and language curriculum established in ninth grade. Throughout this year-long course, students will have opportunities to develop and expand their knowledge of literature and language and demonstrate their mastery level of new learning through performance tasks and assessments.

• Reading and Literature

Focusing on a study of literary themes, students develop an understanding that the theme of a work of literature is what relates literature to life, and that common themes recur across diverse works of literature. Students will read, interpret, and analyze informational material such as newspaper articles, editorials, and magazine and journal articles. They will also analyze themes and structure in fiction, including short stories, novels, and drama. The study of poetry provides a level of rigor that surpasses ninth grade. Through extensive reading, students will acquire new vocabulary specific to the study of literature and apply that knowledge in their writing.

• Reading Across the Curriculum

To encourage students to become life-long readers, the curriculum includes standards that address both academic and personal habits of reading. Students will read approximately one million words per year from a variety of subject disciplines including language arts. In the English language arts classroom, students will learn the vocabulary of literature, writing, and listening, speaking, and viewing.

• Writing

Persuasive writing is the focus for tenth grade; however, students will continue to produce narratives, poems, informational essays, and technical documents. Students will practice timed writings and continue to use the stages of the writing process to develop compositions and writings that demonstrate an understanding of tone, point of view, style, organization, author’s purpose, and audience. Students will continue to use research and technology to support reading and writing.

• Conventions

Students will increase their knowledge of the conventions of language in reading, writing, and speaking. They will demonstrate their control of the rules of English, focusing on the correct use of clauses, phrases, and the mechanics of punctuation. Sentence construction and usage will continue to be a focus for tenth graders. They will apply their knowledge of the conventions of format when producing technical writing, workplace writing, and research based papers.

• Listening/Speaking/Viewing

Students will continue to develop their critical listening skills. Through presentations and interactions with the teacher and other students, they will apply effective speaking techniques in small and large group settings. The viewing standards will enable students to develop media literacy skills through the careful examination of contemporary texts including television, radio, film productions, and electronic media.

All reading selections and writing assignments are designed to address the student learning described in the course description. For a more detailed description of the new Georgia Performance Standards for English Language Arts, you may access or fcgps/

Course Expectations

Tenth grade honors Literature and Composition is designed as preparation for Advanced Placement Language (offered in the 11th grade) and Advanced Placement Literature (offered in the 12th grade). The course of study is rigorous and should be attempted only by serious readers and writers. If students fall below an 83 average, the student is at risk of being removed from the program at the end of the semester. Further, students that do not maintain a satisfactory average will not be recommended for future honors and/or advanced placement classes. Additionally, an honor student’s need to request recovery is a clear indication that the student is misplaced and a course change should be sought. It is important for students to be placed appropriately for the overall good of the student and the class.

The honor student must:

• be self-motivated and willing to do more than what is asked or required.

• be tolerant of other people’s opinions.

• accept instruction and constructive criticism in order to improve oral, written, and interpretive skills.

• take full responsibility of all assignments.

• make attendance a priority and make-up missed work without prompting—ie: please see class website for assignments when you are absent so that you are caught up when you return.

• listen carefully in class and take notes.

• follow directions without excessive need for clarification.

• prioritize one’s learning as an on-going process by refraining from procrastination and cramming.

• demonstrate superior knowledge of the course content by analysis and synthesis of a variety of topics in class discussion, writings, and assessment situations.

Focus on Student Learning

The following is a representation of the texts students will encounter during the year.

• Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama from the literature book

• Catcher in the Rye One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

• Brave New World Lord of the Flies

• Antigone Of Mice and Men

• Anthem 1984

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream Dracula

• Macbeth

Additionally, vocabulary and grammar studies will be paired to complement the readings as will writing workshops in order for students to demonstrate their knowledge acquisition in various student-centered tasks.

Assignment Expectations

• All assignments (aside from major papers which must be typed unless otherwise stated) must be written in blue or black ink or pencil.

• Please write an MLA heading in the top left hand corner on each assignment

• Late work is not acceptable in this course. You must have the work in hand when you cross the threshold of the classroom. If you leave an assignment in your locker, you must have an available pass left in your agenda to get it. If not, it is a zero!

• Late major projects and major writings can be turned in up to 2 days late, but your grade on that project or writing will be penalized 10% per day for being late. After the 2nd day, late work will not be accepted for credit.

• If you will be missing class for school-related activities or pre-arranged absences, you must get your work ahead of time. It will be due upon your return to class. Depending upon the assignment, failure to do so will result in no credit or a late penalty.

Classroom Expectations

I want to address my four major classroom rules or Cougars “ROAR”:

1. Responsible

2. On Time

3. Attentive

4. Respect

*Note: You are responsible for everything in this syllabus and in the CHS Handbook,

even if you choose not to read them. This includes leaving radios, CDs, DVDs, iPods, cosmetics, hats, cell phones, and sunglasses outside the classroom. Water in a closed capped plastic bottle will be allowed if disposed of properly.

Failure to comply with these rules results in the following:

1st violation: teacher and student conference after class

2nd violation: teacher and parent conference via email, telephone or meeting

3rd violation: teacher, student, parent, and administrator conference

Grading Scale and Final Grade Breakdown

A=100-90 B=89-80 C=79-70 F=69 and below

Major Writings=25%

Daily Assessments (such as quizzes) =15%

Homework and Classwork=20%

Major Assessments(such as tests and projects)=25%

Final Exam=15%

Absences and Make-up Work

It is the student’s responsibility to complete all work within the prescribed time. Students have the number of days absent to make up work—one day absent gives one day to complete work and/or arrange makeup quizzes or tests. Failure to complete an assignment within this timeframe will result in a zero for the assignment. First, please see the bulletin board for the folder relating to your particular day(s) of absence. Second, see the teacher if you need to schedule makeup exams and quizzes. Failure to make up work will result in a zero for the assignment. This will be strictly enforced.

Fulton County Recovery Policy

(High School version)

Provision for Improving Grades

1. Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.

Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.

2. Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades.

Chattahoochee High School Recovery Guidelines

Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2) major grades. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR ASSIGNMENT/TEST.

CHS English Department Plagiarism Statement

Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they are entirely one’s own.

Acts of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:

1. Using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation;

2. Using the work of another (e.g. copying another student’s homework, composition, or project);

3. Using excessive editing suggestions of another student, teacher, parent, or paid editor.

Plagiarism on any project or paper at CHS will result in a zero for the assignment and an Honor Code Violation. Unless directly stipulated by the teacher, collaboration on written work is not acceptable.

Upon teacher request, students may be required to email essays, research papers, or other written work to . The website checks the submission for plagiarism, provides a receipt for the student to give to the teacher, and reports to the teacher that the student’s work was not copied from any source. Students will be trained on the use of in the first weeks of school. Students who do not have email access at home may use the computers in the media center.

Computer Network Policy

Unauthorized intrusion of computer networks is a major disciplinary infraction. Students are prohibited from:

1. unauthorized/unsupervised use of the computer network;

2. shelling-out to network directories;

3. adding software packages of any kind to the network;

4. causing damage to the network environment

Internet Access Guidelines

Access to the Internet is available at CHS. It will be used only as a part of research in the academic area. We believe the Internet offers vast, diverse and unique resources to the community. Our goal in providing this service to you is to help promote educational excellence.

We at Chattahoochee H.S. firmly believe that the access to valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material inconsistent with the educational goals of Fulton County Board of Education. Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies, and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you have. In general this requires efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources.

Statements and/or information provided by the Internet's World Wide Web do not necessarily reflect those views held by CHS. Any information you gather from various World Wide Web sites while you are using the Internet is your sole responsibility. This is also true for any damages incurred. This includes loss of data, nondeliveries, or service interruptions caused by the Internet or by your own error(s) or omission(s). Chattahoochee High School, Fulton County Board of Education accept no responsibility for accuracy and/or quality of information obtained through the use of its Internet services.

Additionally, vandalism will result in immediate cancellation of privileges, disciplinary action and may result in school suspension and/or criminal charges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet, or any of the above listed agencies or other networks that are connected to the Internet provider. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses. Moreover, you do not have permission to create "homepages," directories, or establish additional network addresses here at Chattahoochee High School.

Video Viewing Guidelines

Within the curriculum, there poses the opportunity for teachers to incorporate different forms of technology into the classroom. One of these forms of technology is the showing of clips of related movies or related movies in their entirety. Any video rated PG-13 or above will have prior approval of administration. If you choose not to allow your student to participate, check in the appropriate space on the last page of the syllabus, and an equivalent assignment will be given in place of the one accompanying the film or film clip and they will be sent to the media center or another supervised classroom to complete this assignment and not watch the film.

Below is a list of the possible movies we may view in class throughout the year:

• Of Mice and Men 1992 (PG-13) Lord of the Flies 1963 (PG)

• Riding the Rails (NR—documentary) Macbeth 1948/1971 (PG/R)

• North by Northwest 1959 (PG) Wait Until Dark 1967 (NR)

• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 1975 (R) Hamlet 1990 (PG)

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream 1999 (PG-13) The Village 2004 (PG-13)

Please detach, and return this portion to the teacher.

SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Please call me directly if you have any concerns or questions at extension 296 or email me at sonenberg@fulton.k12.ga.us. Also, please provide the necessary information below. Thank you for your concern and support. This will be due on or before August 15h.

I have read and understood the course description and classroom policies.

Parent Signature

______________________________

Parent Primary Email address

______________________________

Phone Number and Hour(s) Best Reached

(Please see Video Viewing Guidelines Section for more information)

_____I give my permission for my son/daughter to view selected films.

_____I do not give permission for my son/daughter to view selected films.

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_________________________

Student Signature Date

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