Seneca Valley Senior High School

English 11

Course Number: 1604

2014-2015 School Year

Mrs. Sipp

Class Meets: Monday-Friday Period 8 Room 315

Course Description:

English 11 offers an in-depth analysis of literature, a comprehensive review of grammar and usage, and a rigorous application of the writing process. Students will become skillful at recognizing the different genres of literature and applying various literary techniques. Students will become proficient with standard grammar, will be able to compose with few mechanical errors, and be able to demonstrate appropriate proofreading skills. Students will also be able to trace the historical events that influence traditional American literature and current language usage.

Course Objective:

Through intensive review of grammar and writing, students will build upon prior knowledge by demonstrating grammar and writing skills. Utilizing the writing process, students will write narrative, informative, and persuasive essays. Students will continue to expand writing style, vocabulary study, and reading comprehension abilities in and out of literary context, using the textbook and individual novels or plays.

Text:

Elements of Language: Grammar, Usage and Mechanics, Fifth Course

Elements of Literature: Literature of the United States, Fifth Course

Instructional Methods:

A variety of instructional methods will be used, including lecture, cooperative learning, self-teaching lab activities, individualized instruction and group activities.

Course Schedule of Topics: (Not necessarily in consecutive order)

v  Sentence Writing and Combining

v  Public Speaking

v  Writing Styles

v  Composition Writing

v  Vocabulary Study

v  Assessment (pre and post)

v  Literature and Reading Comprehension

v  Grammar Review

v  Career interest and Interview/Job Skills

Grades:

Throughout this course you will be given tests, quizzes, homework, and in-class assignments.

You will be earning points for each of these and they will either help or

hurt your grade. No quiz or test will be given without a warning.

Classroom Expectations:

1.  NO cell phones

2.  NO food or drink, only water is allowed.

3.  Respect others and their belongings.

4.  Be prepared, always bring all materials to class.

5.  Be on time and have your materials ready when the bell rings.

*After four lates, you will be written-up

*Make sure to check for daily warm-up activity when entering

6. Hall pass use will be kept to a minimum and is not allowed during the first and last 5 minutes of class.

*Hall pass use is a privilege, if it is abused, it will be lost.

*When you need to use the pass, just sign out and back in upon return, including the times.

*Do not interrupt the teacher to ask for the pass.

7. Turn in all work complete and on time.

*Late assignments will be accepted one day late for half credit only. If you need help with any assigned work, just tell me and we will make time to review together.

8. Absences: It is your responsibility to make up any missed work.

*Check the absence folder for any missed work. See me before or after class with any questions.

9. Keep the room clean and neat.

*This is not only my classroom, but yours also. Clean up after yourself and return all materials from where you got them.

Teacher Availability

Room 314 Periods 4

Hallways Period 5C

Faculty Planning Center on 3rd floor Period 1

My Message to You…

If you work hard, remain focused and determined, you will emerge from this class with a secure knowledge that will last you a lifetime. As your teacher, I will provide a clear objective at the beginning of each class period and review the objective at the end of class.

Parent Expectations

Parents may expect notification of exceptional or deficient progress when progress reports are mailed home half way through each nine-week period. Any questions or concerns about class work may be addressed contacting me at the SHS (724)452-6041 ext. 1262 or my individual email address:

Student Handbook Policies

Late Work
Make-up Exams
Incomplete Grades / When students are legally absent from classes, it is his/her responsibility to arrange with his/her teachers to make up work missed in each class. The amount of time given to make up this work depends on the amount of time that the student was absent and the circumstances surrounding the absence. For instance, if the student is legally absent for two school days, the student shall receive two school days to make up the work, if necessary. If this work is not completed within the given time period, a student may receive an “incomplete” grade. At the end of the grading period, or at the interim report, the “incomplete” grade is changed to a failing grade for work that has not been completed. Students will not receive credit for any class work that takes place during unexcused class absences. Students are required to make up any missed assignments. If a student is missing due to a pre approved vacation/field trip they must follow district policy.
Class Attendance / As per Seneca Valley School District Policy #204, a student shall not be granted credit for any semester course if absences from that course total more than ten(10) periods per semester or for any full year courses that total more than twenty (20) periods for the year. Class period absences may include but not be limited to illness, truancy, vacations, parent sponsored educational experiences, college visitations, service related tests or physicals, and doctor appointments.
In addition, student(s) will not receive credit towards graduation for any class(es)from which the student(s) is illegally absent (confirmed truancy or class cut) more than three times during a semester class or more than 6 times during a full year course. The lack of sufficient credits in any particular school year could result in a student being denied promotion to the next grade level/building and/or graduation. If a student loses credit, he/she will remain in the class and the grade earned will impact the students GPA.
Field Trip Policies
Off-Campus Instruction & Course Activities / The Seneca Valley School District recognizes the value and encourages the opportunities for students to participate in pre-planned trips and educational experiences during the regular school year. Pre-approval forms are available from the building principal, to be completed by the school-approved adult supervisor of the trip
If a proposed trip has been approved by the principal, written permission from a parent or guardian must be obtained. This permission must indicate understanding of the date, time, cost (if applicable), method of travel, and purpose of this trip. Pupil participants are subject to the supervision of the school-approved adults, who may require a dress code for the occasion. At all times the school code of conduct will be enforced.
Each month throughout the school year a list of those students who have been absent or tardy 15% of the days is generated. The principal or designee will determine individual student participation on the basis of prior attendance records, previous requests, frequency of such requests, academic progress to date, and the educational value of the requested experience.
Technical Support / If you experience any problems with your account you may send an email to: or call the SHS Technology Facilitator at 724-452-6041 X1088
Academic Dishonesty / Plagiarism is defined as taking or imitating the ideas, thoughts or language of another to represent them as one’s original work. It is imperative that all work submitted by a student be representative of his/her own ideas, thoughts and especially language capability. Therefore, plagiarism is strictly prohibited in all work pertaining to school. A grade of “F” or zero will be awarded for any submitted work which is found to be the work of another (student, author, encyclopedia, internet, etc.) and subsequent offenses will be dealt with accordingly.
If the ideas, thoughts or language from another source must be used in the work being done, it is the student’s responsibility to footnote or annotate the information appropriately. Plagiarism software will be used in various classes.
Technology Usage / There are computer labs in the building for student use. Students whose teachers use the lab in their curriculum use courseware specifically designed for that curriculum during scheduled class times. Students are also permitted to use the labs for class or research during study halls as space is available. In addition, there are computers in the library for research purposes plus a workstation in every classroom for teacher and/or student use. The labs are monitored at all times.
All enrolled students have an account on the networked system for file storage and software access. All student accounts are password protected. These passwords are to be kept confidential to protect unauthorized use.
The labs are a privilege provided for the students to enhance the academic curriculum. Games that are not specifically used in the curriculum are not allowed on the system. Individual files are not considered to be personal property. These files may be accessed at any time by teachers, administrators or the system manager. Students are not permitted access to other students’ files. Tampering with files, copying of copyrighted software, downloading or installing games, password tampering, accessing unauthorized directories or removing equipment or software will be considered theft. Tampering with any hardware or equipment or violating policies and/or guidelines governing the use of networks, Internet or software programs are also considered offenses and will be dealt with Per Seneca Valley policy #218. Violators may also be prosecuted under applicable local, state or federal civil or criminal law. Students must show their ID card to gain access to the computer lab.