English III Honors

Course Syllabus

Mission Statement – WindhamHigh School is a community of learners. We offer a safe, welcoming environment built on a foundation of pride, trust, honesty, and respect. We believe that physical, mental, and social well-being are building blocks for personal and academic success. Our commitment to quality education emphasizes individual learning experiences, challenging academics, and varied opportunities for creative thinking and healthy risk-taking. Exposure to the arts, to careers, and to areas of personal interest invites meaningful planning for the future. Our fundamental goal is to foster a passion for lifelong learning. WindhamHigh School is truly a place where all can wonder, explore, and achieve.

Instructor – Mrs. Richard

Class Location - room 125

Office Hours - Monday and Thursday from 2:00-2:45

E-mail Address –

Phone Number - 892-1810 ext. 399

Course Description – This course will offer a study of American literature using works of merit which also inform our American culture and heritage. Students will read and examine avariety of literary works from colonial to contemporary times. Formal writing will be based primarily on literary analyses. Some time will be devoted to preparation for the SAT. Students will complete work with oral presentations, with research skills, and with grammar and usage issues, particularly as they are applicable to their writing. The vocabulary texts are primarily self-study; students are encouraged to use the practice exercises and practice quiz, to which answers are provided in the text.

Essential Questions – One overarching question will serve as the focus for this class:

How do American history and culture shape personal identity?

Additionally, the following questions will help to guide the understanding of the texts covered this year.

  • What can one do when faced with lack of power and choice?
  • How does one balance individualism with responsibility to community?
  • What is the American dream and is the attainment of it possible for every member of society?
  • Why are some members of society more susceptible to alienation than others?

Connection to the Maine Learning Results – At Windham High School, all English III classes will address the following standards from the Maine Learning Results (specific information can be found on the district website):

Reading: 2f, 3a, 3b, 4a

Writing: 1a, 5a, 5b

Research: 1c

Listening & Speaking: 2d

Texts – American Literature: A Chronological Approach

Vocabulary for College A & B

The Crucible

Ethan Frome

The Great Gatsby

The Catcher in the Rye

The Things They Carried

The Road

Other material may be covered as the need arises.

Evaluation is based on the following percentage values: tests and quizzes (35%); writing, projects, and presentations (35%); homework and classwork (20%); class participation, behavior, and preparation (10%). Values will be adjusted if the need arises as the year progresses. Summer reading assignments will count 10% of the first quarter grade.

Classroom Expectations

1. All short-term assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date.

Late work will not be accepted. Work that is late because of an excused

absence must be passed in immediately upon your return to class.

2. Long-term assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Work

that is late (Any time AFTER it is requested) will result in a deduction of

seven points per day. Long-term assignments include literary analyses,

projects, research papers, etc.

3. Be on time for classes. WHS rules for tardiness will be enforced.

4. You are expected to come to class prepared to work. You should bring the

appropriate book(s), a notebook, a writing utensil, and the WHS planner with

you.

5. You are expected to make up all work you have missed because of an

EXCUSED absence. You should check with me about the missing work on

your first day back. All work must be made up within two weeks. All work

missed as a result of an UNEXCUSED absence will result in a grade of zero

and cannot be made up.

6. Academic Honesty... All work you do for this class must be your own. No

copying of someone else's homework, using someone else's essay, plagiarizing,

or otherwise cheating will be accepted. The penalties for any of these

indiscretions are spelled out in your student handbook. Please see the

“Academic Integrity” section of your student handbook for more information.

7. No electronics of any sort – no cell phones, iPods, texting, etc.

8. Be respectful of everyone and appropriate in your behavior at all times.

9. All formal writing assignments must be typed or word-processed and in MLA

format.

10. Students are expected to come to class prepared for a test or a quiz.

Generally, students may not make up a test or a quiz because of a failing

grade.

Your success is important to me, so please let me know of any way that you experience difficulty, so that I can help. Please review this syllabus with your parent(s)/guardian(s), and complete the following portion to be returned. I will make an effort to contact a parent or guardian when a student is failing the class.

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Student name

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Student signature date

Student email ______

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Parent name

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Parent signature date

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Please use the space below to list any additional information, concerns, and/or questions you have for me.