Course Syllabus: 10th Grade Honors English—2007



Course Syllabus: 10th Grade EnglishInstructor Information: Mrs. Karen MaloneEmail: kmalone@commack.k12.ny.usWebsite: School Phone Number: 631-912-2100 ext. 52154Required Materials3-ring binder (can be shared with other classes)4 Dividers Loose leaf or perforated paper for assignmentsPens—blue or black Highlighter Course DescriptionThe Commack High Schools English language arts curriculum implementation aligns with state standards. The content standards for this course are clustered by strands: Reading and Literature, Conventions, Writing, and Listening/Speaking/Viewing. Tenth Grade English 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 LiteratureFocusing 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, and poetry. Through extensive reading, students will acquire new vocabulary specific to the study of literature and apply that knowledge in their writing. WritingPersuasive writing is the focus for tenth grade; however, students will continue to produce narratives, poems, and informational essays. Students will 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.ConventionsStudents 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 their own writing.Listening/Speaking/ViewingStudents 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, film productions, and electronic media. Grading Scale Assessments (tests/quizzes/projects/writing) =70%Homework/Classwork/Participation =30%Absences and Make-up Work It is the student’s responsibility to complete all work within the prescribed time. Since all work is given on a weekly agenda, a student is expected to come to class prepared even after an absence. Students can speak to me directly if an extension is needed or to schedule makeup exams and quizzes. Failure to make up work will result in a zero for the assignment. Classroom Expectations Rules in my classroom are few. I believe that as all children are different, and all actions and reactions very personal in nature, effective discipline involves a few overriding tenets rather than a long list of specific rules. Situations are dealt with as they arise with the focus on enabling the child to grow and learn from his or her actions.Guidelines for Student BehaviorEveryone in this room deserves to be respected and listened to.I teach when there are no distractions or other problems (no cell phones).I/we listen to one person at a time.Please treat me with the same respect I treat you.If someone causes a problem, I will do something. What I do will depend on what happened and what the person is willing to do to solve the problem.Be on time and prepared for class. In order to establish an academic learning environment and to keep the room clean, no food or drink other than water will be allowed during class (This includes all morning drinks (coffees/etc.). Naturally, medical conditions are an exception. If you have scheduled yourself out of a lunch period, please arrange to eat in another class that doesn’t involve as much movement or discussion as this one. Respect school and each other’s property. In ensuring that the above guidelines for student behavior are adhered to, I will operate with the following principles as my guide: 1. I will proceed in all situations with the best interest of the child whose—foremost in my mind—academic, social and emotional well-being will be fostered. 2. I will guide students toward personal responsibility and the decision-making skills they will need to function in the real world. 3. Equal is not always fair. Consequences will be designed to fit the problems of individual students, and they may be different even when problems appear to be the same. 4. I will make every effort to ensure that, in each situation, the students involved understand why they are involved in consequences. 5. If I at any time I act or react in a way that a child truly feels is unjust, that student need only ask to speak to me. I will arrange a private conference during which the student can express to me why he or she feels my actions were not fair. This may or may not change my course of action. I am always open to calm, rational discussion of any matter. (Reproduced with permission from @jimfay) ................
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