St. Joseph High School Syllabus: English I

Teacher: Mrs. Jena Ring Department: English

Course Objectives:

The High School English Curriculum at St. Joseph High School will comply to the Diocesan guidelines and will build on the foundations of skills and knowledge gained in students’ K-8. Students will be able to (SWBAT) read and discuss literature including short stories, Poetry, Non-Fiction, and Drama. Write essays, poetry, and respond to literature. Understand and apply vocabulary through meaning, origin, parts of speech, and literary terms. Students will use correct grammar in various lessons throughout the text chapters. Unit Concept and Unit Goal performance descriptions will include understanding and using concepts, practices, and skills that can be applied across multiple disciplines. The course will be instructed through teacher lectures, global and peer learning, technology, film, audio, visual, hands-on assignments, individual responsibilities, and group collaboration.

Course Outline:

Freshman English Curriculum – Unit Planning

Reading Units:

1. Rhetorical elements in non-fiction genre: SWBAT analyze author’s use of diction, syntax, tone, and style to convey theme.

Anchor Text: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer Suggested Supplemental Texts: “The New Frontier” by JFK, “The Wash Woman” by

Isaac Bashevis Singer, “On Summer” by Lorraine Hansberry, “Arthur Ashe Remembered” by John McPhee, “Georgia O’Keefe” by Joan Didion

2. Literary elements in the short story genre: SWBAT determine how plot, conflict, theme, characterization, setting, and point of view interact to fulfill the author’s purpose as developed through short stories.

Anchor Text: “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” by Leslie Marmon Silko & “The Invalid’s Story” by Mark Twain

Suggested Supplemental Texts: “The Gift of the Magi” by O’Henry, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Husrt, “Sonata for Heart and Bicycle” by Joan Aiken, “Blues Ain’t No Mockinbird” by Toni Kade Bambara

3. Human experience reflected in poetry and drama: SWBAT analyze the theme of poetry and drama by identifying and explaining a poet’s use of sound and form, and a playwright’s use of dialogue and stage directions.

Anchor Text: “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare Suggested Supplemental Texts: “If” by Rudyard Kipling, “The Raven” by Edgar Allen

Poe, “The Seven Ages of Man” by William Shakespeare, “On the Grasshopper and the Cricket” by John Keats, “The Road Not Taken” by Frost, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth

4. Human experience reflected in the novel: SWBAT analyze the author’s development of multiple themes and complex characters within a single, lengthy narrative.

Anchor Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee Suggested Supplemental Texts: “The Red Pony” by John Steinbeck, “Something Wicked

this way Comes” by Ray Bradbury

Writing and Language Units:

1. Narrative: Change and transitions: SWBAT draft a personal narrative that describes how they overcame a significant obstacle or managed an important transition in their lives.

2. Expository: Comparing and contrasting genres: SWBAT develop a well-organized essay that compares and contrasts two texts on the same topic from different genres.

3. Argument: Defending a position: SWBAT compose an argument that defends a given thesis by synthesizing and citing evidence from a text and at least one well-vetted, reliable outside source.

4. Research: Establishing credibility: SWBAT write a well-organized paper that synthesizes multiple authoritative sources in response to a research prompt provided or developed in collaboration with the teacher.

Grading Assessments and Breakdown:

Class involvement, homework, studying, quizzes, tests, and projects will all weigh in the grading process.Studying DAILY is expected! (Please check power school https://stjoek12.powerschool.com/public/home.html regularly)

Drills will be given weekly or bi-weekly. These will be given at any time. They will be on any concept or lesson taught that week. This is for measurement of study.

When writing any papers, they must be typed and in MLA format. An excellent site is the Perdue Online Writing Lab (Owl): https://owl.english.purdue.edu/

All journal entries and assignments are to be kept in a SEPARATE notebook and will be graded at the end of each marking period.

All tests/quizzes, assignments, homework, are to be kept in your binder as to create a portfolio and it will be graded at the end of each semester.

Oral or verbal tests will count the same as a written test.

Tests (written and verbal): 30% Studying/Quizzes/Drills: 25% Writing Assignments: 25% Notes/Portfolio: 10% Dialogues/Involvement: 10%

Necessary Materials:

Textbook Literature and Grammar Workbook* Vocabulary workbook**

-Wordly Wise 3000 (9) Binder 3 subject notebook

Loose Leaf Folder Highlighters Pen/Pencil Index cards Student Assignment/Agenda

book***

*This will be provided by the school as needed throughout the school year.**This can be found on the School store Follett book store on the St. Joseph web site.*** St. Joseph provides one to each student. This needs to be read and signed.

Procedures and Policies:

Come to class prepared with a pen/pencil, binder, notebook, loose leaf, books, and assignments every class! Write upcoming assignments/homework and study plans in assignment book. Complete the Word/Phrase of the Day or journal entry in a separate section of your notebooks or

binder. Respect. Begin work quietly right away. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak. Stay seated unless told to get up. Complete all assignments on time. No Late assignments or projects will be accepted!

It will be a 0. Students are responsible to make up any missed assignments/tests or quizzes due to

absences on the very next day they return to school. Student MUST study a minimum of 10 minutes every day. This is your daily homework!! All assignment descriptions, with the exception of tests, quizzes, and drills, will be

posted in power school. Simply click on the assignment and it will either have it in the description box or direct you where you need to go. I recommend you check it daily.

Personal Technology in the Classroom:

Cell phones, computers, tablets, or any other electronic devices, are not to be used during class time without the permission of the teacher. Students may not record any audio or any visual element of class without the teacher’s permission. Doing so without permission will result in disciplinary action. Any infraction of the “Acceptable Use Policy,” as explained in the student handbook will be reported to the administration.

Contact Information:

Mrs. Jena Ringjring@stjoek12.org(609) 561-8700 ext. 152Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns, my door is always open.

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St. Joseph High School Syllabus: English I

Teacher: Mrs. Jena Ring Department: English

Signatures:

I have read and understand the information in the syllabus for this class. I accept all of the responsibilities and conditions outlined within:

Parent or Guardian: ___________________________________ Date: ____________

Student: ____________________________________________ Date: ____________