Brief Overview of the Year

WELCOME to Mrs. Giammario’s class!

English II

MHS – Room

Brief Overview of the Year:

First 9 weeks: Narrative Writing, Literary Terms Unit, “The Tiger’s Heart”, Short Stories
Second 9 weeks: Reflective Writing,To Kill a Mockingbird, “12 Angry Men” (time permitting)
Third 9 weeks: Informative Research Paper, Informative Research Presentation, Poetry, Short Stories
Fourth 9 weeks: Argumentative Writing, EOI Test Preparation, Julius Caesar
*Additional material from the Literature book will also be used throughout the year

Why this class is important:

This course fulfills the 10th grade English requirement. Major emphasis is placed on essay writing, grammar and the study of literature and nonfiction. Students must score at least satisfactory on the state mandated End-of-Instruction English II Reading and Writing test upon completion of this course.

Supplies:Pen/Pencil

Paper

Composition Notebook or Spiral Notebook

Binder

Dividers (5 for syllabus, bell work, handouts, notes, and graded work)

Personal hand-held sharpener is recommended

How to succeed:

Arrive prepared. Work hard. Be nice.

Have binder and other materials such as books every day.
Be prepared for class and on time everyday. Students should be ready for class when the bell rings and must complete bell work every day within the first 5 minutes of class.
Be respectful of all students and teachers.
You are accountable for your actions. No excuses.
Social media/texts/games can wait. Avoid distractions and pay attention.

And now for the details:

Assignments/Grades:

-2 Grades per week minimum

-40% of overall grade: Assignments such as daily work, bell work, quizzes, research prep, andhomework

-60% of overall grade: Assessments such as tests, major projects, and the final research paper. The research paper and all major projects will equal two test grades maximum each.

Papers and Projects:Throughout the year, papers and projects will be assigned with ample notice. Because of the weight given to these assignments in accordance with the English department grading guidelines failure to successfully complete and turn in papers and projects will result in an “F” for the semester. Every effort should be made to complete all papers and projects. Papers must be formatted in MLA.

Late Work Policy:

-In Class assignments: anything students are given time in class to do is considered an in class assignment and will NOT be accepted late.

-Papers and Projectswill NOT be accepted late.

-Homework: Homework is an assignment that is sent home for students to do independently and is not given class time to complete. For the Fall Semester homework will be accepted one day late for a maximum of 50% credit.By Spring Semester students are expected to be able to turn in all assignments on time. Late work will not be permitted Spring Semester.

-Reading Assignments: If students are asked to read outside of class it is imperative that they complete the reading in order to be successful in class the next day. For this reason, reading homework is not included in the one day late for 50% credit policy.

Absent Work:

Make-up work must be completed according to the time frame given in the student handbook.
It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain copies of any work/notes missed from the absent folder.

Absent Work Procedures:

Look in the Absent Binder for work with your name on it from the day(s) you were gone.
Read over the assignment(s) and the weekly agenda on the board.
If you have questions, ask Mrs. G.
However many days you were absent is the amount of time you have to turn in absent work! For example, if you miss Monday and come back Tuesday, the absent work is due on Wednesday. If you’re gone Monday and Tuesday, you have until Thursday to turn in absent work, and so on.
Turn completed absent work into the absent work tray. The tray is checked and emptied every afternoon. Absent work turned in past the allowed number of days will not be graded and will receive a zero!

Test and Quiz Make Up:If a student misses a test or quiz it is the responsibility of the student to set up a time within a week of the missed day to make up the test or quiz. No make-up tests or quizzes will be given during class time. If a missed test or quiz is not made up within a week the student will receive a zero for that test or quiz.

Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism are grave transgressions and shall result in a “0” for any student found cheating or plagiarizing. All papers, assignments, projects, etc.will be checked for plagiarism and cheating.