Course Syllabus

Honors English II Syllabus - Policies and Guidelines

Course Description

English II is a rigorous course with an emphasis on composition and world literature.

"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

Overview of Course Units

Unit Title	Core Text	Major Assessments
Archetypes in Mythology	Epic of Gilgamesh	Unit Test
Fate Versus Flaw	Julius Caesar*	Rhetorical Analysis Essay; Unit Test
Man’s Inhumanity to Man	Night*	Research Project; Unit Test
Establishing Identity	World Literature Novel*	Book Talk Project

*Honors students are expected to purchase copies of the texts bolded above.  The first two are due by Monday, September 10^th.  Please ensure that you order the correct version of each book using the following ISBN numbers:  

• Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (ISBN-10: 0743482743 OR ISBN-13: 978-0743482745)
• Night by Elie Wiesel (ISBN-10:0374500010 OR ISBN-13: 978-0374500016)
• World Literature Novel (TBD).

Note:  In addition to the major assessments listed above, students will be taking three skills-based Reading Comprehension Exams throughout the semester; these will count towards their final grade for the course.

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 good 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 Procedures

Major assignments = 60% per quarter

Minor assignments = 25% per quarter

Homework/Classwork = 10% per quarter

Student Engagement = 5% 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/.
• Semester grade is determined as follows: Quarter 1 = 40%, Quarter 2 = 40%, EOC Exam = 20%.

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 five absences, parents will be contacted by the teacher; ten (10) absences in a course are considered excessive.

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 QUIZ or TEST DAYS are expected to report to the next available English SMART Lunch upon returning to school. If there is a conflict, students must communicate this with the teacher and set up an alternative make-up date.
• 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, which can be found in the Student Handbook and will be displayed in the classroom.

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

English department classrooms will be open for SMART lunch twice a week.  At these times, students may meet with group members to complete classwork, work independently on homework/classwork/makeup work, conference with the teacher, or read independently.  Student engagement credit is awarded only when students participate in these approved course/literacy-related activities. 

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).

Mrs. Bougher’s Classroom Expectations

Daily Classroom Materials:

• 3-ring binder with loose leaf paper and  8 dividers – suggested sections: Course Information, Honoring Heroes, Fate Versus Flaw, Literature of Love, Man’s Inhumanity to Man, Establishing Identity, Vocabulary, and Grammar.
• Unit Text:  Julius Caesar, Night, and World Literature Book.
• Pens/Pencils/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.

Don’t Mrs. Merriweather Me! (think To Kill a Mockingbird)

• Be CONSCIENTIOUS of how you use your class time.  Restroom Policy = 10 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 student permission. 

• 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. 

Electronic Resources Available:

1. Canvas

• 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. Turnitin.com

• Turnitin.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 3622

• Tuesday – B Lunch;  Friday  – A Lunch
• You are expected to go to 2 sessions before and two sessions after interims.
• Incentives Available to English II Students:
  • 4 SMART Lunches = 100% SE Grade

• Please keep track of your SMART Lunch Visits.
• Note: Students may schedule an appointment during SMART Lunch to work individually with the teacher, this must be done 24 hours in advance. 

I believe communication is the key to success. I encourage both students and parents to contact me with any questions or concerns about this semester. You can check progress online or through email communication with me. Parents can also access our Canvas site as a Guest User. Students are expected to check this site when absent and complete assigned work. I am also available during SMART Lunch and after school in Room 3622. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to working together to help you grow as a writer, reader and learner during Honors English II.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Bougher

abougher@wcpss.net