Honors English II Syllabus - Policies and Guidelines

 

Course Description

 

English II is a rigorous course with an emphasis on composition and world literature.  As defined in the NC Standard Course of Study:

"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."                                                                                

 

Books to purchase per course unit.

 

Unit Title	Core Text with ISBN #	ISBN #	Major Assessments
The Journey	Night by Elie Wiesel	9780374500016	ACES Writing & Presentation; Discussion
Inhumanity to Man	The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini	9781594480003	Research Project; Discussion

 

Students are expected to purchase copies of the bolded texts.  The books are due by Tuesday, February 11^th.  Please ensure that you order the correct version of each book using the ISBN numbers provided. 

 

Grading Procedures

 

Grades are updated weekly in Power School. The parent portal is available at https://wcpss.powerschool.com/public/.

 

Category Weights:

• Major assignments = 60% per quarter
• Minor assignments = 25% per quarter
• Classwork assignments = 10% per quarter
• Homework assignments = 5% per quarter

 

Category Descriptions:

• Major assignments consist of tests, papers, and unit projects.
• Minor assignments consist of quizzes and other teacher-determined assignments.
• Classroom assignments consist of discussions, questioning, and practices designated by the teacher.
• Homework assignments will be graded on a 4-0 scale based on completion, and, at times, accuracy.

 

Semester Breakdown: 

• Quarter 1 = 50%, Quarter 2 = 50

 

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

ents throughout the course of the semester are designed to

successfully prepare them for this test.  The exam will not be included in students’ grade but will appear on their final transcript.

 

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 minor assessments as a part of each unit.

 

 

Attendance and Absence Procedures

• Each student will benefit from and is expected to attend, AND participate in classroom activities and discussions.
• After three absences, parents will be contacted by the teacher; ten (10) absences in a course are considered excessive.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

 

 

Late Work

• 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.
• Late Classwork can be submitted for partial credit. Students will receive 60% if completed to the teacher’s satisfaction

 

 

 

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: Wednesday, A; Friday, B.

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.  SMART Lunch 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).

 

Note:  The syllabus is subject to change based upon PLT discretion.

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Black’s Classroom Expectations

 

 

Daily Classroom Materials:

• 3-ring binder with loose leaf paper and 8 dividers – suggested sections: Writing, Grammar, Vocabulary, Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, EOC Practice.
• Unit Texts:  Night, Oedipus Rex, The Kite Runner, and World Literature Text.
• Pens/Pencils/Highlighters

 

General Expectations

• Be seated when the bell rings.
• Check the television for the day’s warm-up.         Note:  This may require you to pick up or turn in classwork or homework items. 
• Participate actively in learning.        
• Adhere to the restroom guidelines.  You may not use the restroom the first 10 minutes of class or the last 10 minutes of class (unless it is an emergency).
• Use technology in a purposeful manner when directed by the teacher to enhance learning.
• Maintain accountability by keeping a calendar of assignments and due dates.

• Avoid lining up at the door prior to the bell; stay seated until it rings (this is my pet peeve!).

• Strive to be a person of character by demonstrating respect to your teacher, your classmates, and yourself.
• Be positive.

Electronic Resources Available:

1. Canvas

• Please make sure you can log on ASAP – here you will have access to lesson plans, class notes, handouts, and assignments.
• If you are absent you are responsible for keeping up with classwork on Canvas.

 

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.

 

SMART Lunch – Room 3622

• Wednesdays, B half; Fridays, A half
• Incentives Available to English II Students:

 

• 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. 

 

Individual Assignments:

• Cell Phone Slot # _____

 

 

I believe communication is the key to success. I encourage both students and parents to contact me with any questions or concerns throughout the 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 3624.

 

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. Black

cblack@wcpss.net