Syllabus English IV 1
Beechwood High School
English IV Syllabus
2016-17
Instructor: Mark O’Connor
Room: 403
E-mail:
Availability: Available after school most days with. Prior notice required for longer, detailed meeting. Students may also see me briefly during 1st period as long as their first period teacher gives permission. Note: As I have morning traffic duty, I am not available before school.
Prerequisite: English III or English III AP
Course Outcomes:
1. The students will develop reading comprehension skills for success in college, careers and life.
2. The students will be able to identify and appreciate the significance of the major literary and cultural periods that that have shaped modern thinking.
3. The students will appreciate the underlying stylistic techniques, themes, and structure of novels, plays, and poetry.
4. The students will understand English as a language from its origins in Old English, Middle English, to the contemporary use of Modern English.
5. The students will be able to write using multiple styles and for varied purposes: personal essays, academic essays, journalistic pieces, letters, and researched papers.
Course Description:
The course will engage students in reading, writing, and speaking to advance their skills in communication. The major focus is on preparing students for success in college and their careers.
The readings are primarily from British literature and from various genres of literature such as novels, plays, poems, and short stories. The course will also develop the writing proficiency to do well in college and life.
In the first semester students will review grammar and punctuation, write literary analysis essay and college application essays. The major project in the first quarter will be about the college application/job application process. In the second quarter the major project will be to work their way through the process of researching, developing, and writing a college level research paper. The second semester will focus on British literature from the Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, English Rennaisance, Romanticism, Realism, and Modern periods but will also involve projects. In the third quarter the major project will be the completion of the senior portfolio. This will focus on personally reflective writing, business writing, and journalistic writing which are all components, with the already completed research paper, that are required to complete the writing portfolio. In the fourth quarter students will develop a senior project involving the writing of biographical pieces, thank you letters to teachers/staff, and a biographical multimedia production featuring the students from early childhood to the present.
A vocabulary program will used throughout the year to help develop college level word recognition skills. In the second half of the year the students will receive weekly subscription to Time Magazine to engage students in current issues and to help develop reading interests beyond academic work.
Extra Credit Reading Program
In addition to regular coursework, students may earn 25 points each quarter by reading the novel designated for that quarter. (See policy handout for details) The main limiting factor with the program is that evaluation of the work must be completed before grades have been posted.
Course Texts:
McDougal Littell, The Language of Literature (British Literature),
Additional readings from The Bedford Introduction to Literature (Ninth Edition) by Michael Meyer
Vocabulary for the College Bound Student (Level D)
Syllabus English IV 1
Macbeth (British)
The Hobbit (British)
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (British)
Kite Runner (American/World Lit)
Syllabus English IV 4
Death of a Salesman (American)
Course Outline
1st Quarter
Discussion, quiz, and writing activities over the summer readings: The Art of Racing in the Rain and The Martian
· Writing
Grammar, punctuation, and academic writing skills. College application essay writing. Expository essay writing, argumentative essay writing, analytical essay writing.
· Public Speaking
College and job interviewing techniques. (Students will view videos, practice, and then be interviewed for a mock scholarship by outside interviewers to the school)
· Literature
· Reading
· The Kite Runner
Extra credit reading book: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe or Ender’s Game
2nd Quarter
· Writing
Research paper (Doing initial research, developing a topic, narrowing to a thesis, MLA format and citation technique, avoiding plagiarism, developing a background section, completing the body and conclusion, revising from rough draft to final copy 6 to 10 page paper)
· Media Skills
Music appreciation PowerPoint Presentation (A popular song will be discussed with regard to its fame, history, meaning, and personal impact on the speaker
· Reading
The Hobbit (Discussion of novel as prequel to LOTR, historical context, Tolkien as medieval scholar, relationship to Beowulf and other epic tales)
Extra credit reading book: The Magician’s Nephew or Animal Farm
Christmas break reading: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
3rd Quarter
· Public Speaking
Persuasive Speaking (Call to action speech and group business presentation)
· Reading
The Kite Runner (Historical context of Middle East conflicts past and present, demographics of Afghanistan, discussion of complex structure and psychological depth of novel)
· Literature
· Anglo-Saxon to Medieval Period—Selections from Beowulf, Canterbury Tales, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Consideration of the origins of Old English and remnants still present today.
· English Renaissance, and Romanticism: Gulliver’s Travels, A Modest Proposal, and Romantic poetry
· Writing
Senior portfolio (Must have four pieces—reflection, creative, publishable, research based. Completion is a graduation requirement)
Extra credit reading book: The Horse and His Boy or Of Mice and Men
4th Quarter
· Literature
Victorian, Modern eras, and contemporary eras—Poetry and Short Story Collection “My Last Duchess,” “Phorphria’s Lover,” “Convergence of the Twain,” “The Second Coming,” “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”. Also, selections of contemporary poems and stories.
· Reading
Death of a Salesman
· Writing and Media Skills
Senior project: Digital media autobiography,personal reflective essay, thank you letters and “letter to yourself”
Extra credit reading book: Prince Caspian or House of the Scorpion
Note: This syllabus may be adjusted due to time constraints or other concerns, at the teachers discretion.
Methods of Assessment:
· Approximately 65% Summative Assessments (Unit tests, essays, portfolio, major projects, mid-terms, finals, vocabulary mastery test)
· Approximately 45% Formative Assessments (Reading and vocabulary quizzes, essay rough drafts, writing activities)
Grading Scale/Structure:
The grade is based on total points earned. No weighting of grades is made; however, point values reflect the relative importance or amount of work involved. Essays and other subjective pieces are graded by letter grade. The grade scale follows handbook policy
Syllabus English IV 4
A+ 100/99
A 98/97/96/95/94
A- 93/92
B+ 91/90
B 89/88/87/86
B- 85/84
C+ 83/82
C 81/80/79/78
C- 77/76
D+ 75/74
D 73/72
D- 71/70
F Below 70
Bold is lowest grade possible for that letter
Underlined is typically the grade given when grading by letter grade
Syllabus English IV 4
Note that with regard to subjective grading “A” work means excellent work. That is work at a high standard that few are able to achieve. “B” work indicates work that meets the high expectations of a school such as Beechwood. “C” work indicates work that meets expectations. “D” work has some good points but has some problems. F work is clearly deficient in some aspects or in one major aspect such as length.
Classroom Expectations:
Be Responsible
1. Bring all necessary class materials. Assume you need your textbook unless directed otherwise. Vocabulary book needed on Mondays and Thursdays.
2. Put in an honest effort and do your own work.
3. Turn work in on time. (Papers are due at class time. Late or incomplete papers get half credit or less) Missed work due to illness must be made up within two school days of a one day absence. After that it will be accepted for half credit only.
4. Head problems off at the pass: Talk me if something is bothering you or if you can’t get something done. We can work it out.
5. Be responsible for your grade: Check IC regularly.
6. Go to the bathroom before class; don’t ask during class. Emergencies are understandable and permission will be granted.
Be Respectful
1. Follow the Golden Rule: Treat others, as you would like to be treated yourself.
2. Be ready to learn when I am ready to teach. Get your books and other materials ready and be in your seat.
3. Keep in mind that I am busy—be patient.
4. If you are upset about something, wait, don’t escalate. See me at lunch, during first period, or after school to sort it out. An appointment is not needed if you are upset.
5. Be discreet if you eat or drink. We are trying to learn.
6. Phones policy is clear. Phones should not be out at any time during the day in the classroom. Any phones or other personal electronic devices that I see such as iPods will be confiscated and held till the end of the day. The only time these types of devices are allowed out is when they are to be used for academic purposes as directed by the teacher
Be Safe
1. Ask permission before adjusting fans, blinds, windows, or curtains
3. Keep backpacks and other items out of the aisles and tuck loose straps out of the way
4. Avoid climbing on chairs or desks to reach items or to get around people.
Academic Dishonesty:
Do your own work and do not share your work with others unless specifically directed by the teacher to do so. Looking at other student’s quizzes or sharing answers with students in other classes is dishonest. If discovered, handbook policy will be followed after consultation with a principal and appropriate penalties levied. Plagiarism (the passing off of work that was not your own as your own) is a major academic crime and the consequence for blatant plagiarism is a zero, detention, and contacting parents. it can also cause unexpected consequences such as expulsion from honors societies or the withdrawal of college recommendations.
English IV
We, the parent/guardian and the student have read and understand the expectations set forth in the English IV syllabus given to students at the beginning of the school year and the signature below indicates that we have read and understand and agree to the policies set forth in the syllabus. We also understand that this course is a graduation requirement and failure will result in delayed graduation until the course is passed.
Student Name (printed) Student Signature Date
______
Parent/guardian name (printed) Parent/guardian Signature Date
______