English II –Pre-AP Course Syllabus

Mr. Thomas

Email:

School Website:

School Phone:281.920.8000

Conference Period:3rd Period

Texts:

Literature, Fourth Course (school issued)

Outliers- Malcolm Gladwell

The Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan

1984- George Orwell

Antigone- Sophocles (in textbook)

Tortilla Curtain- T.C. Boyle

Julius Caesar – William Shakespeare(in textbook)

Students are very strongly encouraged to buy their own copies of the texts, as they will be able to take notes and highlight, which will greatly help in the understanding, analysis, and dissection of the literature.

Course Description:

Pre-AP English II has an integrated curriculum designed to increase and refine reading, writing, and listening/speaking skills. Students will be encouraged to think critically about themselves, the world around them, and the ways in which we are all influenced. They will be planning, drafting and completing written compositions based upon research, literary analysis, and self-reflection. Most importantly, this class is designed to lay the necessary foundations for success in future classes and exams, whether they are AP or otherwise.

Required Supplies:

Sturdy three-ring binder with 5 dividers

Standard-rule lined paper for binder (not tear-out spiral notebooks)

Pens/pencils

Multi-Colored highlighters (pink, orange, yellow, and green)

Classroom Expectations:

  • Respect
  • Participate
  • Read
  • Be Positive

Grading Policy:

  • There will be a minimum of 6 minor grades and 3 major grades per nine weeks.
  • Six-Weeks Grade Weight: 30% minor / 70% major
  • Late Work:
  • Minor: accepted up to ONE week late for a maximum grade of 70(Note: Classwork reviewed in class cannot be submitted late- an alternate makeup assignment will be provided)
  • Major: accepted up to THREE days late (Not accepted after three days)

One day late: maximum grade of 70

Two days late: maximum grade of 60

Three days late: maximum grade of 50

  • Semester Grade:
  • 1stsix-weeks grade25%
  • 2ndsix-weeks grade25%
  • 3rd six-weeks grade25%
  • Semesterexam grade25%

Tardy Policy:

Unless they have a pass, students are tardy if they are not in the classroom and prepared to work when the bell rings. They should immediately begin their Warm-Up, which will be on the board. Note, teachers will follow the outlined tardy policy in the Westside Way. Tardy information can be found at:

Tutorials:

Tutorials will be offeredat the following times:

-Mrs. Morgan: N116. Tuesday/Wednesday 7:15am; Friday lunch

-Mrs. Moser: N222. Tuesday lunch; Friday 7:15am

-Mr. Thomas: E122. Monday 7:15am; Thursday lunch

Retake Policy:

Upon failing any non-project major grades, students have the option of retesting (once) in order to bring their grade up to a 70 if they complete the following within 1 week of receiving the grade:

  • Attend 2 tutorials
  • Submit signed parent retake form
  • Complete corrections/rewrites where assigned.

Individual Reading Assignment (IRA):

In order to keep up with the changing climate of contemporary literature, each six weeks the PreAP students will be required to read a contemporary novel from a list provided by the teacher and submit a typed 2 page character or thematic analysis for a major grade at the end of the grading period. Book selections and essay prompts will be provided at the beginning of each term.

Absence Policy:

  • The student is responsible for getting missing work on the day that he/she returns to school. Most handouts will be posted on the website under homework. Students are expected to check the website.
  • A student is given one day per absence to turn in missing assignments without penalty.
  • A student is expected to take a missed exam or quiz on the day that he/she returns to class.
  • If a student is absent the day(s) before a previously announced quiz or exam, he/she is still expected to take the quiz/exam, because the student had advanced notice.

Parents/Guardians:

To acknowledge that you have read and understood this course’s syllabus, please either:

1)Fill out this form and return it to your child, who will then give it to me

or

2)Send me an email with your child’s full name, class period, and the below information

Please regularly check the class website for the most up-to-date information on what we will be doing each week. I will post the week’s calendar by prior to the start of each week. This should help you to keep track of what your students are doing (or should be doing).

I look forward to a great year with your child. Feel free to contact me for any reason at any time. Email is the fastest way to reach me. If I am still at school, I will respond that day as soon as is reasonably possible, but as per WHS policy, I will respond to all questions within 2 school days.

Sincerely,

Billy Thomas

------

Contact Information

Phone:______Date:______

Email:______

Student’s Name:______

Student Signature: ______

Parent’s Name:______

Parent’s Signature:______