English II Course Syllabus
In this course you will read short stories and novels, autobiographies and other types of nonfiction, poems, and plays. The works come from a broad range of time periods and cultures. As you read and analyze the literature, you will become more skilled interpreters of literature and the world in which we live.
In addition to reading, you will be writing expository, narrative, and argumentative essays as well as stories and poems. In journals, you will also have opportunities to express yourself informally; your journals will serve as a record of your growth and development as writers and thinkers during your sophomore year. We will not, of course, neglect grammar study and vocabulary development.
Contact Information
Shannon Bailey
270-265-2506
[email protected]
Text Messaging Service:
3rd Period: text @b874cb1 to 81010
4th Period: text @b874cb1e to 81010
5th Period: text @b874cb1e9 to 81010
7th Period: text @b874cb1e98 to 81010
Course Content
Novels, Poetry, Short Stories, Drama, Grammar Usage and Writing, Nonfiction, Literary Terms and Forms, Epic Poetry, Electronic Texts, Research Fundamentals, Reading Strategies, Persuasive Language and Logic, Listening, Viewing, and Speaking, Study Skills and Test Taking
Standards
For a list of Common Core Standards, go to http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/
Unit Sequence
1st Nine Weeks
Unit 1: Introduction to English 10: Practicing the Habits of a Lifelong Learner
Unit 2: Nature as Metaphor: A Sense of Time and Place
2nd Nine Weeks
Unit 3: Parts of Speech Review
Unit 4: Revision Strategies
3rd Nine Weeks
Unit 5: Where Do I Fit In? Exploring Identity and Culture Through Literature (The Awakening)
Unit 6: On-Demand/Argumentative Writing/Analysis of Argument
4th Nine Weeks
Unit 7: Dramatic Literature (Shakespeare’s Macbeth)
Unit 8: Warriors Don’t Cry: Explorations of Culture, Identity, and History
If time permits, Unit 7: Epic Poetry: Homer’s Odyssey
Inclement Weather Unit: Reading Strategies
Grammar mini-lessons on punctuation will be spread out among the 2nd semester. Writing assignments will correlate to the units of study.
Resources
TCCHS Library, Classroom Textbooks, and Novel Sets
Materials
Paper Pencils and/or Pens (Blue or Black Ink Only)
Folder and/or Three-Ring Binder
Composition Notebook and/or Spiral Notebook
Attendance Policy/Makeup Work
Your presence (mind and body) in class is essential. If you must miss class due to illness or other circumstances beyond your control, it is your responsibility to find out which assignments you missed, to acquire the handouts, and to borrow and copy the class notes for the day(s) you were absent. Because you will have at least a week’s lead time for papers and other major assignments, the due date remains the same regardless of your absence. If an emergency arises (illness or otherwise) and you absolutely cannot complete an assignment in a timely manner, please come and speak with me.
Assessment/Grading Policy
Your grades will be based on the following aspects of this class: Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Speaking, Writing, Viewing, Research, Study Skills, and Literacy Community Membership. The last category assesses your active participation as a member of a literacy community (English classroom). In other words, you will not pass this class by remaining an inactive participant. Along with active participation, you must adhere to the due dates given for each summative assessment.
Grades are given on a point system. According to their importance, assignments will be given a certain number of points (i.e., tests are worth 100 points).
Late Assignments
Your responsibilities in this class include maintaining pace with the reading and turning all assignments in on time. If you do not understand an assignment, ask for help far enough in advance to have time to finish the assignment. If you are having personal difficulties apart from class, talk to me before an assigned due date so that we can make other arrangements. Most assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the day of the due date. Late work may be accepted; however, penalty points will be taken as deemed necessary. There will be times when I will not accept any late assignments. You will be warned in advance if this is the case.
You will be given at least a week’s lead-time for out-of-class papers and other major assignments, so plan accordingly: if you spend most weeknights working on daily homework for other classes, you will probably need to block out a significant amount of time on the weekend for prewriting, writing, and revising your work.
Reading
Keeping up with reading assignments is crucial to your success in this class. If you have not read the assignment, you cannot thoughtfully participate in class discussion. If you fall behind in the reading, you will become overwhelmed and set yourself up for frustration when it comes time to write a paper. Bear in mind that some of the reading will be difficult and you may not understand it all the first time. That’s OK; I want the reading to stretch your thinking. Do the best you can to understand; meanwhile, write down questions that we can address in class. I am always happy to help anyone who asks for help.
Classroom Expectations
Be
Prompt,
Prepared,
Polite,
Productive,
and Persistent.
Explanation:
Prompt: Get quickly to class and immediately find your seat.
Prepared: Be prepared to learn. Be in your seat and have books, pencils, paper, and homework ready.
Polite: Be respectful of yourself and others.
Productive: Give your best at all times.
Persistent: Be willing to work from start to finish.
Plagiarism Policy
Throughout this course, there may be ample opportunities to use another’s work as your own. This is unacceptable behavior as a student in this classroom. If you are found to be cheating on any assignment, you will receive a 0% on the assignment. Distributing test questions via phone and/or person is also a form of cheating. Any forms of plagiarism/cheating will be dealt with as an academic issue; therefore, you will receive a 0% for any inappropriate academic behavior. Also, please be aware that when you share your paper with someone else, you are also cheating. You will receive a 0% as well.
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, plagiarism is defined as the following: to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own, use (another's production) without crediting the source, to commit literary theft, present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.
Personal Statement
It is very important that you review your notes and homework frequently! The homework I assign will have one or more of the following aims:
• Practice reinforces the learning of material presented in class and helps you master specific skills.
• Preparation provides supporting information—history, skills, definitions—for what’s forthcoming; it will help when new material is covered in class.
• Extension or elaboration involves the transfer of previously learned skills to new situations.
• Integration asks you to apply skills and concepts to produce a single product.
I will make every effort to communicate the purpose of homework assignments to you. If you are having difficulties with anything covered in this course, see me as soon as possible. I am excited and proud to be teaching this course. The nature of this course is to challenge and to push you to stretch beyond what you already know and can do. Although I expect you to work hard this year, I will never give you an assignment or expect you to do anything I haven’t already done or wouldn’t/couldn’t have done myself when I was your age. I also want to say now that I appreciate your effort and value each of you as important members of the class, regardless of the grade you earn from me. Your grade does not equate to your value as a person. My wish is to help you discover and cultivate your gifts for use in a meaningful life.
Verification of Receipt of Syllabus
I, ________________________ (Student), have read the syllabus for English II. I understand the policies and procedures set forth by Mrs. Bailey. I understand what is expected of me in order to succeed in this class.
I, ________________________ (Parent/Guardian), have read the syllabus for English II. I understand the policies and procedures set forth by Mrs. Bailey. I understand what is expected of my child in order to succeed in this class.
_________________________________________________ Student name
_________________________________________________ Student signature
_________________________________________________ Parent/guardian’s signature
___________ Date