Course Syllabus

Honors English 10 Sussex Academy

2014-2015

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Welcome to the Sussex Academy High School! Our program provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to understand and make connections between traditional subjects and the real world. We strive to develop internationally minded lifelong learners who, recognizing our common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet in order to create a better and more peaceful world. Learners strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. Course Overview In this year-long literature course, students in Honors English 10 will be familiarized with the assignments and assessments of the International Baccalaureate English at the Higher Level. Students read and improve their understanding of fiction and nonfiction, analyze literary themes, structures, and details, develop oral and written commentary skills, recognize how writers make use of literary features, and learn how to construct a strong literary argument. MLA format will be required for all written assignments. The aims of the teaching and study of English 10 are to encourage and enable students to:

• use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, self-expression and social interaction

• develop the skills involved in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting in a variety of contexts

• develop critical, creative and personal approaches to studying and analyzing literary and non-literary works

• engage in literature from a variety of cultures and representing different historical periods • explore and analyze aspects of persona, host and other cultures through literary and non-literary

works • engage with information and communication technology in order to explore language • develop a lifelong interest in reading widely • apply language A skills and knowledge in a variety of real life contexts.

Intercultural Understanding Throughout this course, students will read from a variety of texts, both inside and outside of their own culture. Texts include Lord of the Flies, I Know Where the Caged Birds Sing, Flowers for Algernon, All Quiet on the Western Front, Julius Caesar, Catcher in the Rye, Looking Like the Enemy: My Story of Imprisonment in Japanese American Internment Camps and a variety of short stories and poems. Assessments: Students will be informally assessed through formative assessments throughout each unit and formally assessed through summative assessments at the end of each unit. In English 9, students are assessed using the following criteria:

• Content • Organization • Style and Language Use

Instructor: Dr. Cooke Help Days: TBA 10th Grade Team/English Department Planning Period: Period 2 Mon-Fri Email: marc.cooke@saas.k12.de.us Dept. Phone: 302-856-3636, ext 1204

Course Syllabus

Honors English 10 Sussex Academy

2014-2015

2

Tasks: • Weekly assignments • One essay (argumentative or analytical) of 500-1,000 words . • One independent reading assignment (beginning mid November) • One response to literature:

o Response to literature option A: a written personal response, demonstrating the student’s ability to approach work in an independent fashion, of 500-1,000 words.

o Response to literature option B: an oral personal response, demonstrating the student’s ability to approach work in an independent fashion, of 3-5 minutes in length. Only individual oral tasks (no group work) may be submitted.

Scope and Sequence: Unit 1: Can progress be made without conflict? Unit 2: What kind of knowledge changes our lives? Unit 3: Does all communication serve a purpose? Unit 4: To what extent does experience determine what we perceive? Unit 5: Can anyone be a hero? Required materials Students are expected to bring the following materials to every class every day.

• Two 1” Binders (with dividers and lined paper) One for each semester • Pencil and/or Pen • Composition/Spiral Notebook

Agenda (given out on Day 1) If expectations are not met, students will receive a demerit. Textbooks and Resources: Literature anthology can be found on the iPad provided by the school but Internet based. Students may purchase and upload books of their own to the iPad for independent reading. Should you do this, you are encouraged to use a text-marking APP such as Good Notes. Grading Policy: Grades for this English 10 course will be comprised of the following elements:

• 50% Summative/Formative Assessments (Examples: Exams, Essays, Reading/Comprehension Checks, quizzes, etc.)

Each quarter there will be between 1-3 tests, 4 or more written assignments, 3 or more quizzes or reading comprehension checks

• 50% Homework & Classwork (Examples: Journal Entries, Grammar Checks, Discussion, Projects, Presentations , etc.)

Course Syllabus

Honors English 10 Sussex Academy

2014-2015

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Assignments: Assignments may consist of those which help students:

• promote attainment of positive work habits and study skills • practice material / skills already taught • prepare for upcoming lessons • study for upcoming assessments • assessment of concept attainment • extend student understanding of concepts

Late work and Re-do Policy

• No late work on minor assignments accepted • Late work penalties on larger assignments will be a letter grade for each day an assignment has not

been turned in. If an assignment is turned in on the 5th day, the maximum percentage given will be 50%.

• After five days if no effort has been made to turn in missing assignments, students will earn a 0%. • If an assignment is turned in after the assigned due date, students will not be allowed to redo the

assignment to improve the grade. Therefore, it is highly encouraged that students who turn in late work meet with the instructor to ensure that the work turned in is of high quality.

• Students are encouraged to be responsible and discuss any issues that cause assignments to not be turned in on time, and on occasion, extensions will be allowed for extenuating circumstances. Students must inform the instructor via email or schedule a conference before or after school to explain the reasons why the deadline was not met.

• The instructor will contact parents or guardians when work is not being submitted in a timely manner. If the behavior continues, guidance and administration will be informed.

Since the objective of the course is to master the standards, there will be occasions to redo assignments. It is important to maintain the integrity of this policy. Having the ability to redo assignments should not lead to not studying for assessments and turning in halfhearted attempts at work with the specific intention of redoing it later. This policy is to support the development of mastery of standards. If the spirit of this is violated, this privilege will be denied to any students violating the intent of the redo policy. Opportunit i es for redos are done at t eacher discre t ion. Students, please note:

• If you want to redo an assignment, you must have a conference with me within two days of when an assignment is returned with feedback.

• Before a redo will even be considered, you must have completed any formative assessments related to that assignment and any missing summative assessments.

• Next, you will be expected to receive additional instruction after school before redoing the assignment.

• Depending on the nature of the assignment, you may receive an alternative assignment that assesses the same standards rather than merely revising the work previously submitted.

• Finally, we will set a due date for the new assignment. You must turn in the assignment by the agreed upon date in order to have the assignment re-graded.

WARNING: There are no opportunities to redo reading checks. This being stated, you should come prepared each day.

Course Syllabus

Honors English 10 Sussex Academy

2014-2015

4

Academic Integrity

In order to promote the pursuit of academic excellence and learning, Sussex Academy expects its students to conform to specific standards of academic integrity. Academic integrity is an integral part of promoting self-respect, trust, student achievement, and positive relationships among all stakeholders in our school community. Academic integrity means exhibiting honesty in all academic exercises and assignments. Academic dishonesty refers to any form of misconduct that occurs in relation to all formal academic exercises.

The academic integrity policy will be strictly enforced. Plagiarism, depending on the degree and case, may result in a zero without the ability to redo the work. Always cite all sources used and consulted while completing assignments. Cheating on any assignment will result in a zero. This includes “helping” another student by giving him or her one’s own work to copy. This is academically dishonest and will not be tolerated. The student who lends his or her work and the student who is copying it will receive zeroes on the assignment. Neither will be able to redo the work. Respect: Sussex Academy students, staff, and visitors will make a pledge and commitment to their school and its mission. In doing so, students show respect for themselves, learning, others, and property.

Self Be prepared Use appropriate school language Try your best! Have a “Can Do” Attitude!

Others Listen when others are talking Participate in class activities Use language appropriate for school Avoid conflict in class Offer and accept constructive criticism

Property Keep an organized notebook complete with quality notes Keep your space clean Stay in your seat and keep the desk clean

Learning Ask for help when needed Follow instructions and stay on task Complete all assignments on time Study for tests and quizzes by doing practice problems Participate in class Come to class on time Bring all required materials

Behavioral Expectations: Follow the reasonable request of an adult. Keep hands and feet to yourself. Use positive language

Course Syllabus

Honors English 10 Sussex Academy

2014-2015

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Online Connections In Honors English 10, you will be using the school website as well as Edmodo. Students will have the ability to communicate easily with the instructor, access lessons and assignments, and turn in work. Please return the completed section below to the teacher. I have reviewed the course expectations (as aligned with the Delaware CCSS), and I understand its goals, content, and expectations. A Note on Parent Contact/Involvement: As educators, we believe our work to enlighten our students cannot be done alone. Therefore, we rely on and value the involvement and dedication of our parents to help us truly

reach our students. We ask that you take full advantage of touch base conferences, email/phone contact with us as well as visiting our classroom to observe our learning environment and help with the progress of

your child.

Student Name (printed): ______________________________________________

Student Signature: ________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name (printed): ______________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Best Phone # to Contact: ( ) _________ - _______________

Parent/Guardian Email: ___________________________________