English I - Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences



English I

Course Syllabus (2011-2012)

Chicago High School for Agriculture Sciences

Instructor: Mr. Konrath

Email: fpkonrath@cps.edu

Room: 124

Course description: The course is designed to introduce students to a variety of literature, writing methods, grammar, and the ACT English, Reading, and Writing standards. Non-fiction, short stories, poetry, mythology, drama, and novels will be studied. Students will also complete four essays throughout the school year, including their science project research papers. The purpose of the class is to prepare students for success in all classes during their high school careers.

Required materials:

o The Language of Literature textbook

o One book cover

o 1 ½ inch three-ring binder, plastic with front plastic insert

o college-ruled loose leaf paper

o college-ruled spiral notebook

o pocket dictionary

o #2 pencils

o pencil sharpener

o pens (blue, black, and red)

o whiteout

o one pack of “3 x 5” white, lined index cards

o one pack of “4 x 6” white, lined index cards

Grading: Students’ grades will be determined using the following format

Tests/quizzes 35%

Written assignments 25%

Homework/Class work 15%

Final Exam 25%

Grade Scale

The CHSAS grading scale is:

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

D 60-69

F 59 and below

Binders

All students are required to bring their binders to class every day. Binders are to be kept organized throughout the school year. At the end of each quarter, binders will be checked for organization. Students will receive a rubric at least a week in advance detailing everything that must be included in the binder and describing in which order everything must be placed. Binder checks are worth 100 points in the “homework/class work” category of the class grade.

Binders must be organized in the following format

• Syllabus and important papers

• Bell work

• Notes

• Homework

• Tests/ quizzes

Homework

Homework is essential to the success of any student in any class because it reinforces the concepts learned in class. Therefore, homework will be given at least 4 nights per week. All homework assignments will be written on the board by the end of the period. It is the student’s responsibility to check the board for any assignments and record these in his or her agenda. Homework assignments can also be viewed on the class website at . Homework may consist of reading, writing, or both. Homework is due at the beginning of the period and will not be accepted after homework has been checked in.

Late work

Late work is not accepted under any circumstances. If students walk in to class late, their homework is considered late and will not be accepted. Students are responsible for completing their assignments on their own time. If a student makes the choice to not complete his or her homework, he or she must accept the consequences of the decision.

Attendance

Good attendance is imperative to passing any class. Students who attend class regularly have the opportunity to ask questions and practice skills. If a student is legitimately sick or has any other excused absence, he or she is responsible for work given during the absence. Class work and homework worksheets will be available in the English binder located on the table at the front of the room. A student with an excused absence has the same number of days to make up work as he or she missed. Therefore, if a student misses two days of school, he or she has two school days to make up the missed work. Only students who have excused absences will be permitted to make-up tests (within two days of the absence) or submit missed assignments for credit. Students are also responsible for obtaining missed notes. All power point notes can be found on the class website.

An in-school suspension is not considered an excused absence. Therefore, any work missed cannot be made up. If a student has an in-school suspension on a test day, the student may only take the test at the end of the same day. These students must report to room 167 immediately after in-school suspension has been completed.

Cheating

Cheating and plagiarism are very serious offenses. No cheating or plagiarism will be accepted. In order for students to grow academically, they must complete their own work. Students who cheat or plagiarize will receive a zero for the assignment and will receive the appropriate disciplinary action. Any English work done in another class will be considered cheating and will receive a zero.

Reading

Besides reading for homework and class work assignments, students are required to read books independently. The program is designed to create lifetime learners who enjoy reading. Therefore, students will read one book a quarter and complete a book report. These reports are worth 100 points and will count towards students’ “homework/class work” category. Just like homework, book reports are due at the beginning of the period of the due date and will not be accepted late.

Books must be at least 250 pages long and must not have been made into a movie or television show.

In order to give students an opportunity to read, Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) will be held once every month. Students must bring their own books to read. Students will earn points every time they bring their books to read.

Assignments

All work done in English class should be done in black or blue ink with the exception of scantron tests. Work done in pencil will not be accepted.

All major essays must be typed. Any assignment that is not typed will not be accepted. All typed assignments must be printed out and handed in at the beginning of the period. Students will not be allowed to turn in the assignment at a later date or later on in the day. Emails or other electronic copies of essays will not be accepted unless a prior agreement has been made with the teacher.

Portfolios

Throughout the school year, students will work on writing assignments in order to improve their writing skills. Portfolios will be a major component of assessment in the class. Portfolios will be kept in the classroom and will be part of the “written assignments” category.

Projects

Projects will be assigned throughout the year and will count as test grades.

Tentative schedule

The following schedule is tentative and can be changed by the teacher at any time. Each quarter follows a theme, and assignments will be geared towards the quarter’s theme.

1st quarter- conflict

Units: Non-fiction

Research

Process essay

2nd quarter- identity

Units: Short stories

Novel

Research paper

3rd quarter- justice

Units: Poetry

Greek mythology

Narrative essay

4th quarter- alienation

Units: Shakespeare

Persuasive essay

Please complete and return this sheet by August 16th, 2011 to acknowledge you have read and understood the syllabus.

I have read and understand the English I syllabus.

___________________________________________________ _________________

Parent’s or guardian’s signature date

___________________________________________________

Parent’s or guardian’s name (please print)

___________________________________________________

Student’s name (please print)

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download