English II Syllabus - Policies and Guidelines

 

Course Description:

Students in English II read, discuss, and write about both classical and contemporary world literature through which students will identify cultural significance. They will examine pieces of world literature in a cultural context to appreciate the diversity and complexity of world issues and to connect global ideas to their own experiences. Students will continue to explore language for expressive, informational/explanatory, critical, argumentative and literary purposes.

In addition to literature study, students will:

• Examine non-literary texts related to cultural studies.
• Research material to use primarily in clarifying their own explanatory responses to situations and literary-based issues.
• Critically interpret and evaluate experiences, literature, language, and ideas.
• Use standard grammatical conventions and select features of language appropriate to purpose, audience, and context of the work.                                                                                 ~ North Carolina Standard Course of Study

 

Core Class Readings and Assessments:

 

Heroes in Ancient Myths	The Epic of Gilgamesh, unknown	Test
Fate vs. Flaw/The Tragic Hero	Oedipus, Rex by Sophocles	Literary Analysis
The Price of Indifference	Night, by Elie Wiesel	Project
A Woman’s Choice	A Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen	Test
Modern Day Hero	Research	Research paper
Tragedy and Fate	Julius Caesar, selected portions	Minor assessments

*In addition to the major assessments above, students will all create an ACES Portfolio and will take two reading comprehension exams that will count towards their final grade.

• Audio texts: Audio texts should be used as companions to print version, not substitutes.

 

Grammar and Vocabulary:

• Concepts of grammar based on North Carolina Common Core Standards will be covered, including: agreement, structure, punctuation, style, and MLA citation.
• Vocabulary in context will be utilized as an essential part of the English II curriculum as well.
• Students will be given various assignments and regular assessments as a part of each unit.

 

End-of-Course Test Preparation and Writing Preparation:

All sophomores are required to focus on and learn guidelines for formal academic writing that will help them to prepare for writing assessments and college entrance tests.  English II students will take an end-of-course test designed by state officials testing grammar, reading comprehension, and writing skills.  All assignments throughout the course of the semester are designed to successfully prepare them for this test.

 

Homework:                              

Homework will be assigned on a regular basis. Most homework involves reading and/or writing. All homework is meaningful and of value and is expected to be completed before scheduled class time.

 

Grading Practices:                 

Academic                                                                                              Semester Average:

        Major assignments = 50% per quarter                                                                   First Quarter: 40%

        Minor assignments = 25% per quarter                                                                    Second Quarter: 40%

        Homework/Classwork = 15% per quarter                                                            EOC II Exam: 20%

        Student Engagement = 10% per quarter       

      

• Major assignments consist of tests, papers, and unit projects, while minor assignments consist of quizzes and other teacher -determined assignments.
• Participation and Student Engagement includes daily class activities and SMART lunch attendance.
• Grades are updated weekly in Power School. The parent portal is available at https://wcpss.powerschool.com/public/.

 

 

 

Attendance:

• Each student will benefit from and is expected to participate in classroom activities and/or discussions.
• Excessive absences (above 10, both excused and unexcused) will affect the benefits each student gains from this class, and can result in serious academic consequences, such as class and grade-level failure.
• After three consecutive absences in an individual class, parents will be contacted by the teacher; in addition, the teacher will contact the student’s counselor and administrator.
• Also, after five absences that are not consecutive, the teacher will contact the student’s counselor and administrator.

 

Make-up Work/Missing Assignments and Tests:

• When absent, please check Canvas for missed classwork and homework. Students are expected to complete the work listed on Canvas that was missed while absent and return to school on pace with the class.
• Homework is due at the beginning of class– there is no make-up for homework.
• When students are absent, they are still expected to turn major and minor assessments in on the due dates. This may require students to email the assignment to the teacher before the start of that school day or hand deliver the assignment to the front office before the start of the student’s class period.
• If a student is absent when an assignment is given, he/she will have one day for each day absent to complete the assignment.
• Students absent on TEST DAYS are expected to set a time to make up the test with the teacher upon returning to school.
• All students are encouraged to utilize SMART lunch for make-up work and remediation.
• Major assignments will be accepted up to five days after the due date, but will received a ten-percentage deduction for each day the assignment is late. After five days, the major assignment will not be accepted.
• Students should talk to their teacher if absent for three or more days in a row to create a schedule for making up the work.

 

Tardy Policy:

Since Panther Creek values learning, students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings working on the assigned task. An unexcused tardy will be addressed per the Panther Creek High School Tardy Policy. When tardy, the student should sign the tardy notebook and go to his/her seat quietly.

 

Catamount Consequences:

Students who do not adhere to the school and classroom basic expectations will be handled as follows:

1. Student/Teacher Conference
2. Parent Contact/Teacher-determined Consequence
3. Lunch Detention
4. Referral to Administration

 

SMART Lunch-Tuesday B half and Friday A half

English department classrooms will be open for SMART lunch on Tuesday, B half and Friday, A half.  At these times, students may meet with group members to complete classwork, work independently on homework/classwork/makeup work, conference with me for questions or request early feedback on writing assignments, and read independently.  Student engagement credit is awarded only when students participate in these approved course/literacy-related activities. Student Engagement grade incentives for SL attendance:  A student who earns 4 SL credits will receive an extra 100% engagement grade per interim AND an extra 100% minor assessment grade per quarter.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is not permitted at Panther Creek High School. Students and parents should read the student/parent handbook’s section on integrity found on the Panther Creek website (http://panthercreekhs.wcpss.net). Students must use MLA format to prevent plagiarism.

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Black’s Classroom Expectations

 

Daily Classroom Materials:

• 3-ring binder with loose leaf paper and dividers – five sections.
• Pens and/or Pencils and highlighters

 

General Expectations:

• Be PROMPT in arriving to class and be in your seat when the bell rings.
• Be PREPARED to learn by having supplies and materials with you each day and on your desk, ready to use, when the bell rings.
• Be RESPONSIBLE by keeping up with assignments and turning in all work on time.
• Be RESPECTFUL of your teacher and your fellow students. Disrespect of any sort will not be tolerated.
• Be CONSCIENTIOUS of how you use your class time.  Restroom Policy = 5 minute rule
• Be PURPOSEFUL in how you use technology.  In terms of cell phone/electronic use, these should be used for academic purposes only with teacher permission.  Failure to adhere to this rule will result in parent communication and teacher-given lunch detention.

• Be PATIENT by staying seated until the bell rings. Do not congregate by the door (this is my pet peeve!)

• Be POSITIVE and be EXCITED about World Literature. 

 

Restroom Policy:

On the first day of class students will receive 3 bathroom passes to use for the quarter. When it is necessary, the student will bring me the pass, at a time when I am not directly speaking to the whole class, to sign and use the restroom (5 minute policy). Students will only receive 3 passes per quarter.

 

Electronic Resources Available:

1. Canvas
   1. Please log on to my Canvas course ASAP – here you will have access to important information about our class such as lesson plans, class notes, handouts, assignments, and other useful information.

• Note: If you are absent you are responsible for keeping up with classwork on Canvas.  You will have the number of days missed to make up work. 

2. com

• com– all major writing assignments and essays will be submitted to Turnitin.com to check for plagiarism AND handed in as a printed copy in class. Both actions must be done in order to receive credit for the assignment to be considered on time.

 

SMART Lunch – Room 3624

• Tuesday – B Lunch
• Friday – A Lunch
• 2 before interims, 2 after interims for incentive.