Bethel-Tate High School

HONORS English 10

Instructor: Mrs. KayceSams

Room: 111

School Email:

School Phone: (513) 734-2271 Ext. 7073

Teacher Website:

Course Description

Honors English I0 is a fast-paced, critical reading, writing, speaking and listening course designed to introduce students to the different kinds of literature around the world. It is a course designed to create opportunities for students to discover, interpret, confront, and become familiar with human experiences from cultures and countries around the globe. Students will gain a greater understanding of their own personal values in relation to those of others. The ultimate goal is for students to gain a broader sense of empathy for the world in which they live in. This course is centered on essential questions and divided into four units as follows:

Unit 1 – Latin and Central American Literature – 8 weeks:

What effect does society have on the individual? What effect can the individual have on society?

The House on Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros)

Nickel and Dimed Selections (Barbara Ehrenreich)

“A Dream Deferred” (Langston Hughes)

“Cinderella” (Anne Sexton)

Selected Short Stories/Essays/Non-Fiction Articles

Narrative Writing

Cause/Effect Writing

Socratic Seminar

Grammar

Vocabulary Units

Unit 2 – American Literature – 8 weeks:

What is the role oftechnologyin society? What is the importance of books/literacy in society?

Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury)

“Dover Beach” (Matthew Arnold)

“The Tyger” (from Songs of Experience, William Blake)

“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” (Dylan Thomas)

Let’s Take Back the Internet! (Rebecca MacKinnon)

Argumentative Essay

Socratic Seminar

New York Times Debate Room Articles

Grammar

Vocabulary Units

Unit 3 – African and Middle Eastern Literature – 9 weeks: How does the literature in this unit offer insight into African and Middle Eastern cultural conflicts?

 “Master Harold”…and the boys (Athol Fugard)

Selected Essays from Living in Hope and History: Notes from Our Century (Nadine Gordimer)

“Invictus” (William Ernest Henley)

Informative Writing/ Research Project

Vocabulary Units

Grammar

Unit 4 – British Literature– 8 weeks:

How do individuals think through moral dilemmas?

Lord of the Flies (William Golding)

Argumentative Essay

Narrative Writing

Socratic Seminars

Selected Short Stories/Essays/Non-Fiction Articles

Remaining Vocabulary Units

Course Requirements

Journals- Every day will begin with an 8-10 minute journal prompt. Prompts will vary depending on the day of the week. You are to start work on the prompt as soon as you are seated, and as the bell rings I should see everyone quietly working. In order to receive ALL of your points, you MUST be writing/reading for the entire time. All writing for the week will be done in the student composition notebook/ journal and turned in every other Friday.

Monday –Image/Video Writing response

Tuesday – Literary Term

Wednesday –Quote/topic writing response

Thursday – Sustained Silent Reading (bring your favorite book)

Friday –New York Times “word of the day” /Prefix/Context Clues/Grammar Exercises

Writing/Research – Writing is absolutely essential to success in English I0. Students must come to class prepared to write extensively throughout the class period. Students will learn to create a narrative, informational, and argumentative text, by using all parts of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, peer response, editing and revising and publication or final draft.

Portfolio – A writing portfolio for each student will be kept in the classroom to assess student growth.

Vocabulary – Vocabulary tests will be given every two weeks. Vocabulary words will come from texts we are reading and from the Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop book.

Grammar – Grammar instruction will be given at various times throughout the writing process and given during the daily journal prompts.

Group Work – Each student is required to come to class willing to actively participate in small group discussion, Socratic seminars, activities, and projects. Students will be evaluated by their peers on their contribution to the group.

Readings/Literary Terms– Students will be reading a variety of literature (short stories, poems, drama, novellas, and novels) and informational texts both in class and for homework.

Participation and Performance – A key component of the course is active participation and each student doing their personal best.

Supplies Needed

1 3” Binder

Dividers for the binder (Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3)

2 Folders with pockets (label one with your first & last name in top right corner)

Lined college ruled loose-leaf paper

Pens (black or blue ONLY) and pencils

Post-It Notes

Highlighters

1 Composition Notebook (Journal)

Your Favorite Book (S.S.R )

*If you need help with attaining any of these supplies, please let me know as soon as possible and I can try to help you.

Classroom Procedures

  1. Entering the Classroom - Please enter the classroom quietly, get your composition notebook/journal out of the class bin, take a seat, and get started on the journal assignment as soon as you are seated, and as the bell rings I should see everyone quietly working. All of this should be done before the bell rings, so that you are ready to begin class when the bell rings.
  1. Arriving Late -When you enter the room late (with a pass/note) you need not disturb the class. Simply hand me the note, pick up any handouts, write down the journal prompt, and don’t disturb the class. If you must speak with me, please go to your seat and raise your hand when it is appropriate for you to do so. If you come in late without a pass or note, you will be given 1 warning, after that a detention will be given. If tardiness becomes chronic, I will call home and/or refer you to Mr. Hickman.
  1. What to do if you are Absent-If you are absent you will get 2 days (for each excused absence) to make-up work. The due date will be posted on Progress Book. If the assignment is not turned in by that date it will only be given ½ credit. Make-up work is YOUR responsibility.
  1. Make-up Tests – If you are absent for a TEST DAY (not the day before a test) you will have to arrange for a make-up test. Please see me during homeroom on your first day back to school. Make-up tests can be done either during homeroom or after school. Responsibilities do not always enable me to stay after school unless previously arranged so please check with me first. Don’t just assume I’ll be here after school.
  1. Behavior problems in the classroom – Be respectful. Students must show respect for people and property. Foul language, rude comments, teasing, and interrupting fellow classmates or the teacher will not be tolerated.

Consequences

1st Offense – Verbal Warning

2nd Offense – Parent Phone Call

3rd Offense – Detention and Parent Phone Call

4th Offense – Referral to Mr.Hickman

*Depending on the student behavior, some actions will be given an immediate consequence and dealt with as deemed appropriate by the teacher.

  1. Cell phones – No cell phones will be allowed in sight, this includes charging your cell phone. If I see your cell phone I will take it and turn it in to the office. If you refuse to hand your phone over, you will be sent to Mr. Hickman.
  2. 1st Offense - Electronic device turned into office for the day and student is verbally warned.
  3. 2nd Offense - Electronic device turned into office for the day and parent notified by email or mail.
  4. 3rd and future offenses - Electronic device turned into office and parent/guardian required to pick up. Student receives a Friday School detention.

*The administration reserves the right to apply Friday School detention and/or other disciplinary actions to students who use their electronic devices to control school property (i.e. tvs, computers, etc.) Neither the staff nor the administration is responsible for student cell phones and or any other electronic devices. Repeated violations of cell phone/electronic devices used WILL result in detentions/suspensions. STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO USE CELL PHONE/ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING LUNCH/BREAKFAST. STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO TAKE VIDEOS, PICTURES, ETC. ONCE A STUDENT ENTERS THE BUILDING, ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES MUST BE TURNED OFF AND PUT AWAY, OUT OF SIGHT.

  1. Homework – Homework is due at the beginning of the class and should be placed in the bin assigned to your class. Assigned reading homework will always be followed up with a short quiz on the day the reading is due. Grades are a reflection of YOUR effort in this classroom. If you fail my class, it is because you did not turn the majority of your work in on time
  1. Sharing a Google Document - If you are “sharing” a Google document with me, you must send an email so that I am aware. You must also include your first and last name in the subject along with the assignment title. On the actual document, you MUST include a heading, which includes your first and last name. If the following steps are not done, I WILL NOT take the work! If you need something printed, please see me during Homeroom before the due date. Every student must know the teachers email address: (not knowing my email to share homework is not an acceptable excuse).
  1. Late Work – I will take late work at any time for ½ credit. * Work that has been reviewed in class will NOT be able to be made-up. For example, Vocabulary Completing the Sentence can only be made-up if you were absent.
  1. Dismissal - Students will remain seated at the end of class until the teacher dismisses them to ensure that they do not miss any reminders or instructions that may be of importance. Do NOT pack up until the bell rings (even if there is only 2 minutes left)!
  1. Availability - If you need tutoring, have questions, need to collect make-up work, or would simply like to consult with me regarding something you are working on, please see me after class and/or email me your concerns and I will be happy to set aside a time to meet with you. I will be available Monday through Friday after school, by appointment only. Please remember, if you have made an appointment to see me, you have obligated yourself to show up.
  1. Progress Book - I update Progress Book on a daily basis. Parents and students are strongly encouraged to check Progress Book for class updates, syllabus, contact information, missed assignments, and grades/comments.
  1. Leaving the Classroom - Students should use the restroom, get water, go to the office, etc., during the class change before or after class. To leave the classroom for any reason, students MUST have an agenda with a signed “tiger” pass. * If you leave the classroom without your agenda, it will be a direct referral to Mr. Hickman followed by a parent phone call. The only exception to this rule is an emergency.
  1. Food & Drinks – Food and drinks are not permitted in the classroom.

Grading Scale

  1. Homework(15%) - For the most part I will assign reading and writing research for homework, but there will be other small assignments from time to time to complete outside of class.
  2. Class work(10%) – Class work grades may consist of participation, attendance, in-class writing, and other tasks as assigned.
  3. Tests and quizzes(25%) – Tests or written papers will be assigned after each major theme/work we study. Quizzes may be given at any time to test comprehension and/or completion of assignments.
  4. Projects and papers(25%) – Group projects and major writing assignments (narrative, informational, and argumentation) will be given during and/or at the end of each unit.
  5. Final exam (25%) – If you are required to take the final exam, the exam will consist of short-answer and essay questions.

Questions about Grades

If you are ever in question about the grade you received or if you disagree, you are encouraged to seek clarification. You must submit something in writing to me explaining your question or position and, in the case where you feel your answer was correct but marked wrong, provide evidence from the text to back up your opinion. I will review your written argument and I will respond and return it. If your grade needs changed, I will do so before returning your written argument. If you continue to have a concern after I return your document, I will be happy to meet with you. I will not meet with you before you have something in writing. By doing this, you have documented your concerns and I am not spending class time hearing objections from ten different students about grades.

Plagiarism & Cheating

Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they are entirely one’s own. Acts of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:

1. Using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation

2. Using the work of another student (ex. copying another student’s homework, composition or project)

3. Copying and pasting off the Internet with or without editing

Plagiarism on any project or paper will result in a zero for the assignment. Students who willingly provide another student with access to their work will also receive a grade of zero for that assignment. If serious, a referral will be written to an administrator. If you plan on collaborating with someone else on an assignment, please talk to me first.

Final Words

I am looking forward to a fabulous year! Our world is truly a remarkable place inhabited by extraordinary people. Enjoy and celebrate the differences among cultures, while at the same time recognizing our common bonds. Bring your best each day. Doing enough to “just get by” is not acceptable. Bring your best attitude and your best work!

Students and Parents: Please sign this sheet and return the bottom portion to me. Contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

I have read and understood the standards and policies for Mrs. SamsHonors English I0 World Literature course. I agree to follow these policies and accept the procedures detailed above and in the Bethel-Tate Local Schools High School Student Handbook. I understand the cell phone policy and the meaning of plagiarism and its ramifications.

Please print parent or guardian’s name ______

Parent or guardian’s signature ______Date ______

Parent contact information (phone number) ______

Parent contact information (email) ______

Please print student’s name ______

Student’s signature ______Date ______