Course Syllabus
English III/English III Honors
Mrs. Balazs ebalazs@wcpss.net
Room 1407 (Tutoring: Tu/Th 2:30 - 3:30) (919) 850-8787
REMIND: Text @eng3balazs to 81010 Twitter: @MrsBLovesLit Canvas Login: Students will be able to login in with their WCPSS information.
Welcome to English III! I am very excited about beginning this new year with you. Students in English III will develop reading, writing and critical thinking skills while examining a wide variety of texts that focus on mechanics and content. Students will examine classic and modern literature, as well as original documents, essays, short stories and poetry. I have high expectations for this class, but that is only because I know that every one of you can meet them! All I ask is that we all (myself included) stay focused and work hard. Individual ideas, opinions, and efforts are vital to the success of each student and the class as a whole. If there is anything I can do to help in that achievement, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Class Supplies
Required
A three ring binder with lined paper w/dividers
Black pens/pencils
Highlighters
*Appreciated: We are always in need of Kleenex, hand sanitizer, printer paper, notecards and markers.
Suggested:
Markers
Notecards
Flashdrive
Course Overview
We will be using a thematic approach to our literature and skills study and will use a different perspective lens each quarter. Students will read, write and discuss multiple topics about home, family, education, politics and historical context in order to understand the way ideas have evolved over time. Students will research and gather evidence, synthesize from multiple sources and learn MLA citation guidelines. There will be larger cornerstone novels and texts as well as many short works, poetry, music and visual texts to guide students to a larger understanding of their world. Students will be expected to read and write outside of class when necessary. Our focus is on deepening the understanding of information, the mechanics of writing and critical and creative thinking skills.
Grading Policies for the MHS English Department
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Quarter Averages
Major Assignments (tests, compositions, projects) (x4) Minor Assignments (homework, class work, quizzes) (x1)
It is the student's responsibility to submit all work when due in order for the purpose of the assignment to help the student to achieve success and to aid the teacher in determining next steps to help the student. Late work will be accepted, but it will not aid the student in the learning process as effectively as submitting work on time. Assignments are made with a connected alignment, and when a student alters this alignment with late or missing assignments, the overall learning for the unit is highly affected. Do not expect the teacher to take the original assignment late. Depending on the nature of the assignment, a different assignment may be required. When work (typically a project or essay) is the unit's major assessment, it is imperative that the student submit this work on time to avoid a deduction or a zero since, in order to receive full credit, all work must be received by the end of the unit.
Remediation Plan to Improve Grades
- Test Corrections will be allowed for 1/2 credit.
- In certain situations, a retest may be allowed for full credit.
- Students may submit revisions to major papers in order to earn up to 10 points back on the original grade.
Extension requests for Major Assignments: Group presentations, because we have a schedule to keep, will NOT be accepted/completed late. Major assignments (papers, projects without presentations, etc.) will NOT be accepted late, UNLESS students request an extension. You may request an extension for up to 2 major assignments per semester (group projects and presentations do not count). Extension requests do not “roll-over,” meaning you cannot use one extension request in the first semester and three in the second semester. To request an extension, students will need to see Mrs. Balazs (or Google Classroom) for an Extension Request Form. Forms should be submitted no less than 3 class periods prior to a due date. The Extension Request Form does require a signature from a teacher, coach, and/or club advisor, as well as a parent, so plan accordingly. Extension Request Forms should be discussed with AND handed directly to Mrs. Balazs. If no Extension Request Form is submitted, the late work will fall under the Millbrook High School late work acceptance policy. (FYI: Most major assignments mark the end of units and therefore no further extensions can be offered.)
Academic Honesty:
*Plagiarism -According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to “plagiarize” means to steal and pass off ideas or words of another as one’s own or to use another’s words/work without crediting the source. All of the following are considered plagiarism: turning in someone else’s work as your own, copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit, failing to put a quotation in quotation marks, changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit, and/or copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not. Plagiarized work will receive no credit—period. Parents will be contacted and disciplinary action may be taken. Don’t sell yourself short! Maintain academic integrity.
A Final Note
I am very excited to have you in class, and I am looking forward to a great year in English III! Junior year is one that provides you with a plethora of reading, writing and practical experience. Learning to think, write and discuss critically are skills that are necessary in our global society and I am looking forward to exploring literature from a variety of authors, analyzing nonfiction and working together to become more aware of the world around us. I have an open-door policy and am excited to try new ways to meet our standards this year. If you have a great idea for class activities, projects, papers or more, please bring these to my attention. Student choice is something that I seriously encourage and am always open to suggestions. I cannot promise to say yes to every request, but I do promise to approach such ideas with an open mind.
If you need assistance, please remember I am available at lunch and after school. I am more than happy to do what I can to help you. If you have any concerns, please email me at ebalazs@wcpss.net. Thank you!
Course Summary:
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