Course Syllabus

English IV/English IV Honors

Mrs. Balazs                                                                                                                                    ebalazs@wcpss.net

Room 1407 (Tutoring: Tu/Th 2:30-3:30)

REMIND: Text @eng4balazs to 81010                                          

Twitter: @MrsBLovesLit                                                                                                                        

"It amazes me how 26 letters can be comprised into hundreds of words and arranged into thousands of sentences that speak to our souls in millions of ways." - Ayden Foster

 Welcome to English IV! I am very excited about beginning this new year with you. English IV is a challenging academic and honors course designed to foster and encourage deeper understanding within the academically advanced and motivated student. We will concentrate on developing critical reading, writing and thinking skill through an intensive study of select British literature, informational text and oral and written responses. 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

Course Units:  We will be organizing our learning into four thematic units featuring one or two major texts.  We will also use poems, short stories, essays, videos, and film clips to focus our learning and challenge our thinking.  

Unit 1:  The Nature of Evil: Beowulf & Anglo-Saxon Literature

Unit Questions: What is the nature of evil?  What is the role of society and the individual in opposing evil?    

Unit 2:  Class and Social Change:  The Canterbury Tales & Opposing Viewpoints Project

Unit Question: How can we use language to create social change?

Unit 3:  Power and Human Nature:  Macbeth & Literary Analysis

Unit Question:  How can we deal with conflict in our lives?

Unit 4:  Memory and the Mind:  “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” & 1984 OR Brave New World

Unit Question:  How does memory function for both the individual and his/her society?  Why might   outside forces seek to manipulate the mind?

During each thematic unit we will also support our learning with activities to strengthen and develop our vocabulary and writing skills.  Our writing will consist of both informal, reflective writing and polished formal writings with an informational, narrative, or argumentative focus.  We will also complete a major research project, paper, and presentation.  

Course Expectations: English IV is designed for seniors who are willing to learn to thoughtfully engage, discuss, and write about literature and life at a rigorous level.  The more willing you are to work and to stay engaged, the richer your experience and the more fun we will have.  

Being successful in this class requires you to:

• Read both inside and outside of class.  Our class time will focus on discussion and enrichment texts; therefore, you will do most of the reading outside of class.
• Read closely and analytically, responding to your reading in a thoughtful way.  
• Participate in thoughtful discussion conducted in an atmosphere of open acceptance of alternative views.
• Write intelligent, insightful, and thoughtful responses to text and discussion in both in-class and prepared essays.
• Submit honest and original work.  NEVER PLAGIARIZE. Plagiarism demeans our academic pursuits, undermines our working relationship, and disrespects your peers.  Penalties will be swift and substantial.  

Grading Policies for the MHS English Department

          1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 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.

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.)

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.

A Final Note

I am very excited to have you in class, and I am looking forward to a great year in English IV! Your senior year marks the culmination of all your hard work and dedication. 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. Let’s end the year with all the verve, panache and moxie that we each are capable of and I promise to meet you with my own enthusiasm!

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!

Missing Work Form letter.docx