Course Syllabus

English I Honors

Mr. Clodfelter

Room 2311

sclodfelter@wcpss.net

 

Welcome to Mr. Clodfelter's English I Honors course.  This class will follow a PBL (or Project-based Learning) model for this semester.  This means that traditional tests (outside of school-wide, district-wide or statewide common assessments), quizzes and homework assignments will be replaced by projects and checkpoints.  Each 'unit' will have a PROJECT that students design, create, complete, revise and present in order to receive full credit.  The details of each unit project are outlined below.

 

Class Rules/Expectations

1) Be on time. 

2) Be respectful.

3) Be prepared.

4) Be diligent.

 

Grading Procedures/Scales

Classwork/Homework/Checkpoints -- 20% These include daily work, weekly checks on project progress, and smaller reading, writing, vocabulary assignments.

Minor Assignments/Project Elements -- 35% These include individual pieces of project assignments: i.e. research assignments, revised compositions, products for presentations, digital assignments, plus classroom quizzes, formative assessments, etc.

Major Assignments/Presentations/Assessments -- 45% These include rubric-based presentations, rubric-based projects, and common assessments.

 

Cell Phones/Headphones

Cell phones and headphones are allowed in class; HOWEVER, the teacher reserves the right to limit, restrict or ban usage for particular students or the class as a whole if cell phone distractions are negatively affecting student progress/output.  

 

 

Projects/Units

1st Unit – Home/Family

What does home really mean? What is a family? Timeline: 5-6 weeks

2nd Unit -- Identity/Culture

Who am I? What is my culture? Timeline: 3-4 weeks

3rd Unit -- Comformity/Rebellion

Why do I have to conform? What does it mean to a rebel? Timeline: 4-5 weeks

4th Unit -- Tradition/Progress

How have things changed? What traditions are worth saving/honoring? Timeline: 3-4 weeks

 

Each project will entail many smaller components which comprise various elements of learning (across the curriculum and subject-areas).  There will be lots of opportunities to make critical decisions about your projects, including one selection that is VITAL to your success -- choosing your judging panel.  Each project has its own judging panel comprised of FOUR people, one of which YOU WILL CHOOSE.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Students need the following materials for class:

1) A working internet-capable device (i.e. cell phone, tablet, laptop)

2) An ability to interact with other students frequently and professionally

3) An inquisitive mind for learning and exploring

4) Additional items for projects/products as needed (per request to teacher if applicable)

 

 

Students are responsible for complying with and are expected to be familiar with the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct and School Board policies governing student behavior and conduct.  All Code of Student Conduct policies are contained in the WCPSS Student Handbook and the East Wake High School Handbook, which is distributed to all students and parents at the beginning of each school year.  If there is a conflict between the rules expressed in this syllabus, the WCPSS Code of Student Conduct policies shall take precedence.   Any violation in the code of student conduct will result in disciplinary actions outlined in your student agenda.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Good attendance is essential for student achievement and success.

 

It is the responsibility of the student on the first day of his/her return to school following an absence to arrange for make-up time and/or work.  All assigned make-up work will be completed outside of regular class time within 3 school days (except in the case of consecutive multiple absences).

 

Students are expected to be in class when the bell sounds.  Arriving to class late may result in disciplinary actions from the teacher and/or administration.  Excessive tardiness will result in an administrative referral.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Any student who engages in or attempts to engage in plagiarism, falsification, violation of software copyright laws, or violations of computer access may be subject to disciplinary action and will receive zero on the assignment.  Cheating includes giving or receiving any unauthorized assistance of academic work.  Plagiarism includes copying the language, structure, or idea of another and representing it as one’s own work. 

 

NORTH CAROLINA FINAL EXAM

The English I course has a North Carolina Final Exam for its final exam/assessment of the semester.  A passing score on this exam must be earned in order to receive full credit for the course.  The exam will be given at the end of the Spring Semester in June of 2019.