Elsinore High School 21800 Canyon Drive, Wildomar, CA 92595

Expository Readingand Writing Course 2016-2017

Ms. Stute

Email: Phone: 951.253.7200

Elsinore High School 21800 Canyon Drive, Wildomar, CA 92595

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A task force of high school and California State University (CSU) faculty developed ERWC, a fullyear college preparatory English course for high school seniors. ERWC emphasizes expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing. ERWC aligns with the California EnglishLanguage Arts Content Standards, addresses critical reading and writing problems identified by the CSU English Placement Test Committee, and prepares students to meet the expectations of college and university faculty. The course meets college preparatory requirements for both the UC and CSU systems.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Analyze the features and rhetorical devices of different types of texts and the way in which authors use those features and devices.
• Analyze the way in which clarity of meaning is affected by patterns of organization, hierarchical structures, repetition of main ideas, syntax, and word choice in the text.
• Analyze an author’s implicit and explicit political and/or philosophical assumptions and beliefs about a subject or topic.
• Identify and assess the impact of ambiguities and complexities within the text.
• Demonstrate an understanding of elements of discourse (e.g., purpose, speaker, audience, form) when completing reading and writing assignments.
• Make warranted and reasonable assertions about the author’s arguments and themes by using elements of the text to defend and clarify interpretations.
• Critique the validity of arguments in texts; their appeal to both friendly and hostile audiences; and the extent to which the arguments anticipate and address reader concerns and counterclaims (e.g., logos, pathos, and ethos).
• Develop academic/analytical essays that are focused on a central idea, developed with information learned from assigned texts, well-organized in an appropriate and effective pattern that structures ideas in a sustained and persuasive way, and free from grammatical and mechanical errors.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Textbooks, including The Language of Literature and Language Network, 12th grade editions; ERWC modules; pens; paper; etc., are necessary tools in an English class and must be brought on a daily basis. Unit tests will be taken on scantrons and require a number two pencil. Failure to come to class prepared will result in lower citizenship and academic grades.

CORE READING

Students will read Shakespeares’ Hamlet, Orwell’s 1984, Shelley’s Frankenstein, and assorted articles from the ERWC curriculum.

GRADING

Homework--All assignments are designed to help students master skills and knowledge. Therefore, all assignments must be complete and on time. Late assignments will be penalized by 50% of possible points per day. After an excusedabsence, homework assigned on the day missed must be turned in within the number of days absent. Homework given in advance of the absence must be, at minimum, sent via email by the due date (i.e. absence is not an excuse to not turn in an assignment given with two days or more advance notice. (continued on the back of this paper)

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Please cut and return this portion with your son or daughter by Friday, Friday, August 26, 2016. This acknowledgement recognizes the back of this sheet as well. Please keep this top portion for your records.

YES, I HAVE READ MS. STUTE'S CLASS POLICY WITH MY SON/DAUGHTER AND UNDERSTAND THAT MY SON/DAUGHTER MUST FOLLOW THE CLASS AND SCHOOL'S RULES.

Student name (print) ______Period ______Date ______

Parent/Guardian's signature ______

Student's signature ______

I advise you to get a classmate's phone number so that you can stay up-to-date on assignments if you ever miss a class. Assignments given two days or more advance notice of the due date are due on that date regardless of whether or not the student is in class on that date. You are responsible for getting and turning in your assignments when you are absent. Either designate a classmate to turn in the work or have a parent/guardian put the assignment in my mail box in the main office on the due date when you must be absent. Sending an email with a picture or file of the work and bringing the hard copy upon your return is also acceptable. Work is due at the beginning of class. If you skip class to finish the assignment in another location (e.g. media center, computer lab, or another teacher’s classroom), your assignment will not be accepted and you will receive a truancy.

Make-ups--When students have a cleared absence (which they may be required to prove), they will be allowed to make-up exams, quizzes, presentations, etc., within the number of days absent (the day of return counts as one day). It is the student’s responsibility to check the white board for what was missed; it is an unreasonable expectation that a teacher can recap a nearly hour-long lesson minutes before the class starts. Some Powerpoint presentations and notes will be on School Fusion. Absent students who fail to schedule exams upon their return will receive no credit. Scheduling make-ups is completely the responsibility of the student.

Grades—Standard percentages will be followed, with 90-100% in the A-range, 80-89% in the B-range, 70-79% in the C-range, and 60-69% in the D-range. Typically, scores 59% and lower will result in F grades. In all situations, the instructor’s decision is final and may take into account private, personalized situations such as I.E.P.s, severe health issues, or other extenuating circumstances.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Attendance--Taking an English class is like life; you have to be here to participate and to learn. On unannounced days, points will be given for in-class assignments that cannot be made up because the classroom experience cannot be duplicated at home. When possible, an alternate assignment will be given upon return by student-initiated request or can be found on School Fusion. According to the student handbook, “Excessive unexcused absences may result in no credit for a class and a classroom grade of F.” To clarify, LEUSD believes that five unexcused absences per grading period (meaning a semester) constitute excessive unexcused absences. Parents have 10 days to excuse an absence and must provide a satisfactory explanation verifying the reason for the absence(s).

Truancy--Truancies are unacceptable. If an absence is not cleared on the daily attendance list, your absence is considered truant. In addition, the handbook states, “If a student leaves a class at any time without teacher permission, that student will be considered truant.” Truancy will lower your citizenship. Truancy will lower your scholastic grade since you will not be allowed to make-up missed course work, quizzes, or tests.

Tardies--Class is begun on time, so tardies are disruptive. People who are habitually tardy will have their parents called and/or a referral to receive counseling, detention, or Saturday school. Your citizenship grade is also affected: 3 tardies = "N" and 6 tardies = "U" and Saturday Work Study.

Citizenship--Students are expected to be attentive and respectful of other students' right to learn. Participating in class discussions is a positive way to contribute to the class, and it will help your citizenship and academic grades. Put-downs, foul language, and defiance will not be tolerated and will result in a referral and "U." Profanity directed at a staff member will result in suspension and possible expulsion.

Cheating/Plagiarism--Students who cheat on an assignment/test will receive a zero for that assignment and possibly a one-week suspension. Their citizenship grade will also be affected. A third violation will cause a student to fail the class. See EHS handbook. Additionally, the online posting of answers, test copies/questions, or anything else that compromises academic integrity, will be treated as cheating and defiance.

Format--All written class work must be in black or blue ink. Certain assignments will be required to be typed (computers and typewriters are available on campus). All final drafts of essays (five paragraphs or more) must be typed and double-spaced, no exceptions.

Absolutely no hats, cosmetics, electronics, food, gum, drinks, etc., in the classroom. Cell phones will be confiscated and will only be returned to a parent or guardian after school hours, NO EXCEPTIONS. If you have an emergency situation where you must use your phone (i.e. getting result of grandparent’s surgery), please let me know at the beginning of the class to prevent any misunderstandings. If you must have a cell phone in class, it must be in a closed backpack or purse. See EHS handbook.