GRADING POLICY/CURRICULUM: A



Course Description: Welcome to a new year at MMHS! We will embark on an exciting journey exploring some of the greatest novels. You can expect to improve your analysis of literature, writing abilities, communication skills, note-taking, grammar and punctuation.

Textbook and Novels:

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Glencoe Literature Course Five McGraw-Hill, 2002

Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

Night by Elie Wiesel

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Recommended Materials:

1) A section in a three-ring binder dedicated to English (with tabs for Sophomore Packet/Handouts, Lectures/Notes, and Vocabulary).

2) Spiral-bound journal for Opening Activities

3) Pens, highlighters, post-its, and post-it flags

4) Calendar or daily planner

Course Expectations Regarding Behavior, Assignments, Projects, Quizzes, Tests, and Essays:

Behavior: Follow all directions promptly and politely *Speak only after being called upon or if otherwise given permission *Listen to the recognized speaker without talking *Do Not bring food or drink (except water) into the classroom *Treat everyone in the classroom with respect and courtesy *Follow all school wide policies, including those about gum, dress code, electronic devices, etc. *Raise your hand if you would like to speak *Be in seat ready to start when the tardy bell rings *Do not deface school property in any way *Do not throw anything within the room*Do not do any personal grooming during class* Do not use rude, inappropriate or disrespectful language * Participate in all classroom activities.

Assignments (Homework and Classwork): Expect homework every night; this may consist of reading, annotating, watching or listening to the news, searching the internet for various articles related to literature and the research paper, and vocabulary.

Late work is accepted; however, there is a 10% deduction for EVERY day it is late.

If a student is absent the day an assignment is due, the assignment is due immediately upon the student’s return to class. For assignments missed due to an absence, student may complete and submit at the discretion of the teacher. The student MUST discuss missed assignments and due dates before or after class; it is the student’s responsibility to remember.

Quizzes and Tests: Students may make-up a missed quiz or test following an excused absence. Students are expected to make up tests immediately upon return to class. The student must make an appointment with me to complete this task.

Essays/Projects: Students should expect writing assignments and projects (group and individual) for each unit. Essays will focus on various modes of writing and include the multiple step process; projects will incorporate multiple intelligences and interdisciplinary skills. All essays must be typed according to MLA standards, and I must have a hard copy of electronic projects (E.g. PowerPoints – slides page).

Journals for Opening Activities: We will begin each class with an opening activity focusing on writing, grammar, and punctuation. You must bring your journals EVERY class period; per school rules, you may not make up missed journals.

Cheating Policy: plagiarize is defined as “to steal and pass off the ideas and words of another as one’s own; to use a created production without crediting the source; to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary). This includes, but is not limited to: turning in another student’s work as your own, locating papers on the Internet written on the topic you’re assigned and cutting-and-pasting excerpts into your paper, copying homework, e-mailing answers to another, allowing someone else to edit and revise your paper while he/she is typing it for you, and producing answers on from a source other than your own brain or any supplemental materials allowed for any specific test.

1. What it is not: it is not cheating to: a) form a study group to discuss ideas, provided you write your responses in your own words b) have a “writing buddy” to help you edit and suggest revisions in your paper or composition, provided you complete the actual word c) have a tutor, relative, or adult in addition to your teacher help you with your work, provided the words, notes, and ideas are your own.

2. Consequences: cheating is a severe clause offense and will be handled accordingly (refer to the severe clause portion of the management plan). In addition, students who plagiarize will earn an F on the assignment and will not be allowed to make it up or do extra-credit to recoup points. Any incidents of cheating will be reported to the student’s parent and counselor and may be subsequently documented in the student’s file. Additional consequences will be assigned on an individual basis.

Grading Policy:

1. The grading policy is weighted and based on percentage:

|90 – 100 |A |

|80 – 89 |B |

|70 – 79 |C |

|60 – 69 |D |

|0 - 59 |F |

10% of the grade Final

20% of the grade Tests/Quizzes

15% of the grade Homework

10% of the grade Participation

30% of the grade Writing/Projects

15% of the grade Classwork

Video List: Below is a list of movies and movie clips that may be shown in class. All films relate to studied novels and thematic elements. Please sign your name indicating that you allow your student to view the movies and clips.

▪ Animal Farm (PG)

▪ Freedom Writers (Rated PG-13)

▪ A Midsummer Night’s Dream (PG-13)

▪ Of Mice and Men (Rated PG-13)

▪ Supersize Me (PG-13)

▪ Dead Poet’s Society (PG)

▪ Tale of Two Cities (two versions 1935 [not rated] & 1980 [made for TV/not rated])

▪ The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (PG-13)

▪ The Reduced Shakespeare Company (Not Rated)

▪ Oprah’s Interview with Elie Wiesel, the author of the novel Night and a holocaust survivor (this Oprah Show is not rated but does, however, contain some graphic images and videos taken during the liberation of the Jews from Auschwitz, which include some nudity and images of dead bodies)

Please contact me if you would prefer your student not watch any of these films. By signing on the following page, you are giving permission for your student to watch the above listed films.

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN:

I have read, understand, and agree to Mrs. Smith’s syllabus. I understand that if I or my student has a question or concern it is my or my student’s responsibility to contact her. By signing this syllabus, I am also giving permission for my student to watch the films listed above.

Printed student name ____________________________________________Period ___________

Student Signature________________________________________________________________

Printed Parent Name _____________________________________________________________

Parent Signature_________________________________________________________________

Parent email (optional but encouraged) _______________________________________________

Thank you. If you have any questions, please e-mail or call. I am looking forward to a great year of English II.

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