10th Literature/Composition Syllabus

Ms. Joey Jandasek

Course Description and Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE):

Welcome to 10th Grade Literature/Composition. I am excited to embark on our year-long journey together with our main focus being on YOU becoming an even stronger reader and writer. Keep in mind that this is a rigorous course and my expectations are high.  Along the way, I hope to not only educate you about literature and writing, but also hope to make you want to read and write outside of the classroom as well!

Our curriculum is based on the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). Instruction and assessment in this class will require frequent reading and writingboth in-class and out-of-class. Students will read, analyze, and synthesize a variety of texts including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Students will write in response to a variety of prompts and in a variety of genres throughout the year. Students will engage in traditional grammar and vocabulary activities with these areas also embedded in the study of main and supplemental texts being read. Students will take an LEOCT in May to assess student growth for the year. This test will count 20% of the final grade for the year. During the course of the school year, sophomores also take the PSAT (practice SAT).

GSE Units of Study for 10th grade English:

August-October Unit 1: The Importance of Place in Life and Literature

Extended text and focus: Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray

November-JanuaryUnit 2: Moral Courage and Endurance: A Necessity for Change Extended text and focus: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

January-MarchUnit 3: The Many Faces of the Hero

Extended text and focus: Antigone and A Midsummer Night’s Dream

April-MayUnit 4: Expanding Spaces, Seeing Beyond Horizons and Limitations

Extended text and focus: various travel essays by various authors

Reading Requirements/Materials:

Silent Sustained Reading (SSR): We will be doing Silent Sustained Reading throughout the year. Students will be required to read a book (periodical) of their own choosing for at least 10 minutes periodically. These books may be brought from home, checked out from me, the school library, or the public library. They must be approved by me. More information will be forthcoming.

A class set of textbooks (Pearson Common Core Literature Grade 10) will be available for students to use in class. They are NOT required to take this book home.

*It is recommended (not required) that students purchase a copy of the novels for their individual use (Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray,To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee). This will allow students to annotate, note take, highlight, and complete homework that requires the use of the text in all of the units. Students may download texts to their tablets.

Classroom Policies and Procedures:

Each student is expected to:

  • Report to class on time.
  • Bring all materials necessary for active learning including: pens, pencils, notebook, paper, and especially a positive attitude. 
  • Leave your cell phone (technology) in your bag, unless it is being used for academic purposes.
  • Participate and pay attention in class.
  • BeginWarm-Ups as soon as the bell rings.
  • Stay in your seat until the bell dismisses you.
  • Comply with ALL school policies which includes dress code and the no eating in the classroom policies (You may have a water bottle).
  • RESPECT the teacher, self, other students, and their property.
  • Complete all assigned work.
  • Turn in all assignments to the appropriate tray for your class period.
  • Be Sure To Turn In Late And Make-Up Work With The Appropriate Pass Attached To The Bin At The Back Of The Room.
  • Raise your hand to ask a question or interject during direct instruction.
  • Cheating and Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. Students will receive an automatic zero for the assignment and will NOT be able to make it up. If the cheating is habitual, students will be referred for further disciplinary action.
  • Bathroom Policy- Students SHOULD use the restroom between classes. There is not enough time to use it during instructional time unless it is an extreme emergency. Please use your time wisely and use the facilities between classes.Be sure to take pass when leaving room.

*Parents, please indicate on your child’s data sheet (attached to the syllabus) if there is a medical issue regarding the restroom.

Technology Use:

Students may use technological devices (ipads, tablets, smart phones, etc.) for academic purposes at the teacher’s discretion. Unauthorized technology use will result in disciplinary action.

Discipline Steps:

  1. Student/Teacher conference
  2. Parent contact
  3. Teacher detention (Parents will be notified at least 48 hours in advance. Missing an assigned detention will result in ISS)
  4. Referral to administration

NOTE: Disciplinary actions will be taken in regards to the severity of the behavioral and/or academic issue, which may or may not include the aforementioned steps in order.

Tutoring:

Tutoring is available every Tuesday from 3:45 – 4:15 or by appointment withat least one day notice given. Tutoring may be assigned on behalf of the teacher for academic purposes and 24-hours notice will be given in that event.

Grading:

Grades are calculated according to the policy set forth by the Effingham County Board of Education. All students are required to take an End-of-Course Test, which will comprise 20% of the student’s final grade average. The remaining 80% of his/her grade will be the student’s class average. For the English Department, class averages will be calculated as follows:

Tests – includes essays*, projects and reports………….……………45%

Daily Grades…………………………………………………...….…20%

Homework …………………………………………………………...10%

Quizzes……………………………………………………………….25%

Assignment Make-up Policy:

  • The student is responsible for work missed due to an absence from class. If the absence is excused, the student is responsible for submitting make-up work within three days of the student’s return.
  • Tests and/or long-term assignments that were assigned prior to the student’s absence will be made up the first day the student returns to class. Students are required to make arrangements to take the test in the morning before school or after school so as not to miss instruction that day.
  • If the student is absent the day before a test/quiz, the student will take the assessment on the regularlyscheduled day with the rest of the class. Tests will be announced in advance so that this is not an issue.

*Make-up work should be discussed at an appropriate time that does not disrupt class. Teacher is available before school for students to inquire about his or her absence.

**MAKE-UP WORK REQUIRES A RED PASS ATTACHED AND MUST BE TURNED INTO BIN AT BACK OF ROOM.

Attendance Make-up Policy (Saturday School):

Students who miss seven (7) unexcused or excused days of class will be asked to make up the time in Saturday school for the next occurring absence.

Late Work Policy:

Late work is unacceptable. If a student is in school and does not turn in an assignment, he/she will lose 10 points for each day the assignment is late (up to three days). Work that is more than three days late will not be accepted and will receive a zero.

If a student is missing three or more assignments, he or she will be assigned an academic detention. Also, should a student have an unexcused absence or suspension, he/she is still required to make-up work.

*LATE WORK REQUIRES AN ORANGE PASS ATTACHED AND MUST BE TURNED INTO BIN AT BACK OF ROOM.

Supply List:

  • Large 3 ring binder (2-3 inch notebook)
  • 4 notebook dividers with tabs (minimum)-Literature, Grammar (Bell Ringers), Vocabulary, Writing
  • College-Ruled notebook paper (preferred)
  • Medium blue or black ink pens
  • Pencils
  • Personal reading material (We will do Silent Sustained Reading the first 10 – 15 minutes of class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so this will be an appropriate novel or periodical.)
  • RECOMMENDED- highlighters and a personal copy of the class novels

Teacher WISH List:

Cough Drops

Kleenex

Band-Aids

Hand Sanitizer

Clorox Wipes

Please complete and sign the attached Personal Data form and return, indicating that both the student and parent understand the classroom policies.

I look forward to an exciting, challenging, and “learning-filled” year with your child.

Respectfully,

Joey Jandasek

(912) 754-6404

Personal Data (print clearly)

Student name: ______

Parent / Guardian name(s)-please indicate relationship to student:

______

Mailing Address ______

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Home telephone number (cell): ______

Work telephone number: ______

Parent / Guardian(s) e-mail: ______

Student lives with: ______

______

Any other information regarding health, emotional, or educational concerns:

______

______

______

______

1- I understand the importance of my child’s attendance in this class.

2- I understand and agree to follow Ms. Jandasek’s classroom/ ECHS school policies.

3- I understand that the GSE units are rigorous and require student and parent involvement for success. I also understand that it will require reading and writing outside of the school day.

4- I understand the grading procedures for this course.

5- I am aware of the materials that my child needs for this course.

6- I have read and discussed this syllabus with my child.

Student signature: ______

Parent signature: ______