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2016-2017 Honors English II Van Alstyne (Room 32) 324-2301
helenaschools.org (click on “Power School”) (Grades, attendance, and assignments)
(Online paper submissions)
Welcome to Honors English II. I look forward to getting to know you through your spoken and written words!
The sophomore year is one of growth and maturation. Sophomore English capitalizes on this development by fostering student awareness of self and by building organizational, interpretive, and analytical skills. Students are encouraged to create ideas, develop those ideas, and communicate them logically. They have many opportunities to gather and assess information, think critically, solve problems, and express their thoughts during discussions and in writing. Students are taught and practice correct grammar and punctuation in order to improve the clarity of their writing. Vocabulary instruction focuses on Latin roots and on terms used to analyze literature. Students also learn the discrete skills necessary to produce a research paper.
Students read both fiction and non-fiction works including novels, short stories, drama, poetry, memoirs, and essays. They write two Significant Writing papers (process pieces) per quarter, as well as other forms of writing. Assignments include reading quizzes, tests, group, and individual projects. The sophomore year focuses on the research paper and on modes of comparison/contrast(first semester) and exemplification(second semester). In comparison/contrast writing, the relevance of the essay lies in the reason for doing the comparison. In the exemplification mode, the writer offers examples to support a generalization about something. Thus, examples provide the evidence that proves the thesis.
Classroom Expectations and Rules
- Be on time; bring materials; respect others; be honest; read carefully and discuss; complete homework.
- No food in class except for nutrition break. Wait until speakers are finished before using the pencil sharpener or the garbage. Students must ask permission to leave the classroom; students who ask excessively will be placed on a pass system.
- Use electronic devices only with permission. Anyone using a cell phone in class without prior permission will be sent to the office, as per school policy. After the third infraction, the student will no longer be allowed to use a cell phone at school.
Passes: Each student will receive one “Life Happens” pass per quarter. This pass allows the student to turn in an assignment or paper up to one week late, or take a quiz or test up to one week late, for full credit.
Grading scale: 90-100 percent (A); 80-89 (B); 70-79 (C); 60-69 (D); and 59 and below (F). Written papers are accepted late for 10 percent grade reduction per day. Assignments that are time-dependent for entire classroom work, such as grammar and vocabulary exercises, are not accepted late. Plagiarized papers receive a zero.If you have special circumstances such as illness or family problems, talk with me privately about an individualized plan for turning in work. Each student will keep a portfolio of his or her written work in my classroom.
Office hours: Before 1st period, during 3rd and 4th periods, and after 7th period (I am unavailable at lunch).
Makeup work (resulting from absences)
HHS school policy is followed: (x+1), where missing days equals x. For makeup assignments, read the board, check PowerSchool, ask a classmate, or ask me outside of class time. ALL MAKEUP QUIZZES AND TESTS MUST BE DONE OUTSIDE OF CLASS TIME. Makeup work is not accepted after ten excused absences, per school policy.
Alternative readings and films
If you or your parent is uncomfortable with a reading or film, contact me to start the alternative assignment process.
1st Quarter
Collections:“What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?” by Etgar Keret
“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
Close reader: “The Wife’s Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness by Simon Wiesenthal
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (A Lewis and Clark Library “Big Read” book)
Julius Caesarby William Shakespeare
Areas of Study:
Standard editing marks
Speaker, purpose, audience, theme, symbolism
Three levels of questioning (factual, interpretive, evaluative)
Paragraph development (MEAL Plan –Main Idea, Evidence, Analysis, Link to thesis)
The thesis and the outline
Persuasive techniques in speaking and writing
Comparing and contrasting
Grammar: Parts of speechreview, pronoun-antecedent agreement, ambiguous pronouns
Latin vocabulary bases (Lessons 1-4)
2nd Quarter
Collections: “Called Out” by Barbara Kingsolver
“Hope for Animals and Their World” by Jane Goodall
Close reader: “In Defense of Everglade Pythons” by Andrew C. Revkin
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indianby Sherman Alexie
Fools Crowby James Welch
Areas of study:
Evaluating the credibility of Internet sources (media literacy)
Finding evidence in primary and secondary sourcesat the Montana Historical Society
Quoting, summarizing, and paraphrasing (in-text citations)
Using the HHS Research Guidebook on MLA Style (including Works Cited page)
Grammar: Parts of the sentence,subject-verb agreement, phrases and clauses, independent and dependent clauses
Latin vocabulary bases (Lessons 5-8)
First semester literary terms:Elements of plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution), connotation/denotation, dialogue, monologue, soliloquy, suspense, symbolism, flashback, en media res, tone
3rd Quarter
Collections: “We grow accustomed to the Dark” and “Before I got my eye put out” by Emily Dickinson
“Coming to our Senses” by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Close reader: “The Trouble with Poetry” and “Today” by Billy Collins
Fahrenheit 451by Ray Bradbury + Bradbury short stories
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
Areas of study:
Poetic devices, including figurative language
Creative writing, including the short-short story
Science fiction
Grammar: Punctuation (semi-colons, colons, dashes, hyphens and more), misplaced and dangling modifiers
Latin vocabulary bases (Lessons 9-12)
4th Quarter
Collections: “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Close reader: “Speech at the March on Washington” by Josephine Baker
To Kill a Mockingbirdby Harper Lee
“This I Believe” essays
Areas of Study:
“Close reading” analytical skills
Literary analysis
Introductions, transitions, and conclusions
Grammar: Common errors in grammar and usage: Run-ons (comma splices and fused sentences), fragments,shifts in verb tense, active and passive voice,misplaced and dangling modifiers, verbals (participles, gerunds, and infinitives)
Latin vocabulary bases (Lessons 13-15)
Second semester literary terms:Imagery, analogy, allusion, enjambment, extended metaphor, motif, juxtaposition, rhetorical question
*Please note that this syllabus is subject to change.
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Affirmation and Acknowledgement of Syllabus
please cut this portion and return by Wed., Sept. 14
Students: After reading and discussing the course information and syllabus for Honors English II with your parents/guardians, please sign below. Your signature acknowledges the following:
- I have read this syllabus and understand the course requirements.
- I understand the late work and makeup policies.
- I will communicate with Ms. Van Alstyne if I am struggling with the expectations, course load, or concepts taught.
- I understand the behavioral expectations.
Student Printed Name ______
Student Signature ______
Parents and Guardians: After reading and discussing the course information and syllabus for Honors English II with your student, please sign to acknowledge your understanding of this syllabus. If you have any questions, contact me at Thank you for your time and your support!
Parent or Guardian Name ______
Parent or Guardian Signature ______
e-mail ______phone ______