Course Outline 2019 – 2020 for English 10 HonorsMrs. Martino

CRISTI.MARTINO@marlboroschools.org

This course is for students who have academic integrity and a strong work ethic, who attend school regularly, and who would like a challenging, rigorous curriculum. The curriculum throughout the year is driven by the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards (http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/nys-next-generation-ela-standards.pdf) with a focus on the 11th Grade Regents Exam, the SAT, and presenting students with higher-level texts and assignments that foster critical thinking. Students will be required to read, write, listen, and speak on an advanced, independent level. In addition, students must be organized, for they will be working on various tasks simultaneously.

Course Requirements & Expectations:▪ Students must maintain an overall class average of 87 to remain in the Honors program; students must

maintain a 90% attendance rate.▪ No late work will be accepted for credit. Students who are absent must submit their assignments and

take any missed quizzes/tests on the day of their return.▪ Students will not receive credit for copied or plagiarized work.▪ Class assignments and agendas will be posted in Google Classroom. Students and parents can also check

my Teacher Webpage for important dates and class information.▪ Students should have their Chromebooks charged and ready for use in class every day. Students will be

expected to use their MHS Google account for email, and use of Google Drive/Classroom throughout the year.

▪ Students should be in their seats and prepared to learn when the bell rings.▪ Students should be respectful to others.▪ Students should assume responsibility for their own learning.

Reading: “The book to read is not the one which thinks for you, but the one which makes you think.” ~ Harper LeeStudents will be required to read, comprehend, analyze, and respond to texts on an independent and advanced level. While we read one major work as a class, students will often be required to read a work independently as well. Students will read either the entire text or passages from any/all of the texts listed below.

▪ Frankenstein by Mary Shelley▪ Lord of the Flies by William Golding▪ A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens ▪ Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton▪ The Crucible by Arthur Miller▪ Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare▪ Animal Farm by George Orwell▪ Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose▪ To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

▪ Short Selections from Holt Elements of Literature textbook

▪ Various nonfiction articles from The New York Times

▪ Historical speeches▪ Texts for Independent Reading: Flowers for

Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers, Black and White by Paul Volponi, A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks, Bleachers by John Grisham, A Time to Kill by John Grisham

*In addition to the teacher-selected texts, students will also complete two independent reading assignments in order to improve reading comprehension as well as to incorporate student interest into the class discussions.

Mid-Term and Final Exam (20% of students’ grade for the year): ● The Mid-Term for 10th grade will be administered before or during January Regents week and will consist of the

following tasks: Common Task #1 (Text-Analysis Response), Reading Comprehension, and Word of the Week. ● The Final Exam for 10th grade will be administered before June Regents week and will consist of the following tasks:

Emulation of Author’s Style Project, Reading Comprehension and Word of the Week, and Text-Analysis Response.Writing: This course is writing intensive; students will write for a variety of purposes on a regular basis. Honors students will complete all departmental writing requirements in addition to class assignments that foster critical thinking and analytical skills.

▪ Departmental Requirements: Students will complete for Departmental Common Tasks throughout the course of the year: Text Analysis Response (fiction), Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary (Word of the Week), Emulation of Author’s Style Project, Text Analysis Response (nonfiction). The grades attained on these four tasks will count towards students’ mid-term and final exam grades for the year.

▪ In addition to Common Tasks, students will also complete writing assignments that foster critical thinking/analysis in order to prepare them for SAT, AP, and college-level writing.

▪ Writer’s Notebook: Each student will be required to keep a Writer’s Notebook. The purpose of these notebooks is to keep students writing consistently and continuously throughout the year. This notebook should be in class every day, and students should be writing in their notebooks continuously for a variety of purposes. Students will be required to complete 15 full pages of writing in their Writer’s Notebooks every five weeks; notebooks will be collected and graded every five weeks.

Speaking: In order to improve and hone their speaking skills, students will participate effectively in a range of discussions and present their knowledge and ideas in a variety of ways:

▪ Students will be required to complete an extensive argumentative research paper and presentation. Students’ products will incorporate the use of appropriate technology and will demonstrate an understanding and proper use of MLA style formatting. Students will share their research in both a written assignment and in a presentation.

▪ Students will share their ideas and insights through class discussions, small group discussions, Literature Circles, work stations and Socratic Seminars

Vocabulary, Grammar, and SAT Prep: ▪ Vocabulary will be studied in the context of our literature units. The vocabulary words will be chosen

with the SAT in mind, and special emphasis will be placed on preparing students for this exam in terms of vocabulary. Students will also complete weekly vocabulary journal assignments in their Writer’s Notebooks which will require them to use the words properly, see the words in a variety of contexts, and use the MHS Words of the Week.

▪ Students will complete a comprehensive grammar unit at the commencement of the school year and will incorporate the use of proper grammar in their writing throughout the year. Grammar skills will also be reinforced and reviewed through the SAT preparation assignments (WDP).

▪ Wilson Daily Prep (www.wilsonprep.com): Students will complete daily online activities to help them prepare for the SAT exam using Wilson Daily Prep. These assignments will be counted as a homework grade every five weeks. *Please see the attached letter for more information about Wilson Daily Prep.

▪ Extra-Credit: Several extra-credit assignments are available for those students who would like to challenge themselves:

o Students are encouraged to use the College Board or the Khan Academy websites for additional SAT prep. Students can submit printed or digital proof of completion every five weeks.

o Independent reading poster (assignment available on my website)o Annotations and non-required days for Wilson Daily Prep (printed).

Extra Help: In order for students to truly improve their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, individualized extra help will most likely be necessary at some point in the year. Extra help is always available upon student request. I can meet with students during my free periods as well as before (7:15 – 7:35 am) and after school. I will be available for extra help after school until 3:45 on Wednesdays.

Required Supplies Suggested Supplies★ Composition Notebook to use as a Writer’s Notebook ★ A 3-ring binder OR Two-Pocket Folder for Handouts★ Chromebook

Loose-Leaf Paper Highlighters Small Post-It

Parent & Student Acknowledgement of the 2019 – 2020 Course Outline

for Mrs. Martino’s English 10 Honors Class

*I have read the above information and understand the requirements and expectations for this class.

Student’s Name (Printed) Parent/Guardian Name (Printed)

___________________________________ _____________________________________

Student’s Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

___________________________________ _____________________________________

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ Mrs. Martino will make you do Wilson Daily Prep and

write 15 pages every 5 weeks - DO IT!★ You will read a lot of books - READ THEM!★ It isn’t bad at all!★ Be ready for Mrs. Martino to tell you stories about her life

that relate to the Words of the Week.Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:

★ Don’t disrespect and be quiet!★ On the first day, tell her you love Bon Jovi.★ Don’t complain because it’s just annoying.

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ Don’t look up summaries - she will know!★ Do all of the Wilson Daily Preps!★ Study every day.

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ Annotate! All writing is so much easier when the text is

annotated.★ Use all of the graphic organizers; they are life savers!★ She loves Bon Jovi, so become fluent in “Livin’ on a

Prayer”!★ Have a great year and try not to overstress because it

gets you nowhere.Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:

★ 15 Pages for Writer’s Notebook is not that hard.★ Keep up with Wilson Daily Prep, and if you have time, do the

math and science ones.★ Don’t copy! Pushing yourself will help in the long run and you

will feel prepared.

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ She will be hard on you, but it really is for your own good.★ Don’t stress out so much. Your writing will be better if you

don’t.★ She hates contractions and excuses, so just do your work

and do not use “don’t”.

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ Do Wilson Daily Prep!★ At the end of the year, she selects people for a

scholarship to work 1 on 1 with Mrs. Wilson to prepare for the SAT!

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ She may give you a lot of assignments, but don’t freak

out - just do them!★ The 15 pages for the Writer’s Notebook seems like a lot,

but it really isn’t.Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:

★ Don’t wait until the last few days to finish work!★ The Wilson Daily Prep and Writer’s Notebook are not that

bad.★ Try to have fun with the class.

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ Read every book! Shmoop does not help you understand

the text.★ Put your full effort into your writing assignments.★ Get Mrs. Martino a life-size Bon Jovi cutout.

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ There is a lot of work, but as long as you budget your time, you

will be fine.★ Wilson Daily Prep is tedious but helpful - don’t save it for the last

minute!★ Don’t hesitate to ask when something is due because there may

be a lot of dates that can get confusing.★ Don’t be afraid to get something wrong and always put yourself

out there!

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ She’s going to assign you 15 pages of writing every 5

weeks, but don’t worry because it’s not that bad!★ Be proactive! It is not fun to have to make up 5 weeks

worth of Wilson Daily Preps!

★ Don’t ever argue with Mrs. Martino!!Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:

★ Don’t leave all of your Wilson Daily Preps for the night before!

★ Study the Words of the Week throughout the year.★ Participate in Socratic Seminars - don’t be shy!★ DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!★ Write and read for fun (it’s an easy way to fill pages in

your Writer’s Notebook, and book reviews are a great way to earn extra credit).

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ Do your Wilson Daily Preps, Word of the Week, and

Writer’s Notebook assignments early instead of later. They are easy grades, so just do them.

★ Use Mrs. Martino’s essays as reference and strive to match her structure in your writing.

★ Have fun! It’s honestly not that bad!Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:

★ Get ahead in your Writer’s Notebook entries early and you’ll be chilling all year!

★ Don’t argue with Mrs. Martino!★ The work is not as bad as it seems. ★ Plan ahead and don’t wait for the last minute to

complete your work.Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:

★ Always do your work and do not wait until the last minute.

★ Be creative with Writer’s Notebook entries.★ Wilson Daily Prep will actually help you.★ Turn things in on time and you will be fine.

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ Do not wait until the last minute for essays.★ Have fun with Writer’s Notebook.★ Wilson Daily Prep is useful for the SAT.

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ Mrs. Martino’s class has a lot of work, but you will

improve throughout the year.★ She is a good teacher and will explain things very well.★ Just prepare for the homework, kids! If you do your work,

it will help.Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:

★ Get your assignments done on time.★ Do not procrastinate on assignments.★ Gain insight - Mrs. Martino appreciates that.

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ It’s a lot of work, so staying on top of things is really

important. ★ Take your time on each assignment and do everything to

the best of your ability because it will pay off.★ Most importantly, work hard!

Advice from a former English 10 Honors student:★ Wilson Daily Prep helps more than you think.★ If you procrastinate on your essay and she yells at you,

just grind it out!★ Don’t let days off distract you! It will catch up with you!