English II Syllabus 2020-2021

Course Description

Students in English II Honors 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 units of study. 
• 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.

~ adapted from North Carolina Standard Course of Study 

Literature Unit Overview

Unit	Core Text(s)	Major Assessments
Conformity and Rebellion	Oedipus Rex	Reading Analysis Test & Oral Argument/Presentation
Identity and Culture	TBD by WCPSS	TBD by WCPSS
Home and Family	TBD by WCPSS	TBD by WCPSS
Tradition and Progress	TBD by WCPSS	TBD by WCPSS

               

Daily Assignments

Individual work will be assigned on a daily basis and can be used to determine attendance in a remote setting. Most assignments involve reading and/or writing.  All assignments are directly related to assessments for each unit.  A collection of daily assignments can count towards minor assessment grades.

Grading

 

	Category Weights		Semester Average
Major assessments	60%		Quarter 1    40%
Minor assessments	40%		Quarter 2    40%
			Exam/EOC   20%

 

*Major assignments consist of unit and reading comprehension tests, papers, and unit projects, while minor assignments consist of quizzes and other teacher-determined assignments.

*Daily assignments posted on the Canvas calendar/syllabus will include discussions, questioning, and practice determined by the teacher. 

 

Standardized Test Preparation and Writing Preparation                                                                                                                           

All sophomores are required to focus on and learn guidelines for structured academic writing that will help them to prepare for writing assessments and college entrance tests. All reading assignments and related classwork throughout the course of the semester are designed to successfully prepare them for these kinds of tests.

 

Attendance 

In order to achieve at his/her highest level in the classroom, each student will benefit from and is expected to participate in classroom activities and/or discussions.  Excessive absences will affect the benefits each student gains from this class.  After three absences, parents will be contacted by the teacher.  After five absences, students are referred to the counselor/administrator.  

 

Catamount Consequences

Students who do not adhere to Panther Creek and classroom expectations will receive a ...

1. Courtesy Warning (first offense)
2. Parent contact (second offense)
3. Parent Contact/Referral to Administration (all following offenses)

 

Missing/Late Assignments 

• A parent contact will be made for students who do not submit daily assignments.
• A student must email the teacher and cc a parent if he/she is unable to complete coursework on time. 

 

Honor Code

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 (https://www.wcpss.net/panthercreekhs).  Keep in mind that plagiarism includes incorrect citation of sources as well as using another’s words or ideas without giving credit to the original source.  Academic integrity is essential to demonstrate mastery of our curriculum standards, and cases of plagiarism and cheating will require completion of an alternate assignment and a referral to the administrator for disciplinary consequences.

 

Power School

Power School gives parents and students access to real-time information including attendance, grades, and assignments.  I update grades in Power School at least once a week.  The parent portal is available at https://wcpss.powerschool.com/public/.

 

Remind Texts-Essential Communication

Students and parents should sign up to receive texts with assignments reminders and due dates for major assessments. 3rd Period  students/parents text @76c9h2  to the number 81010. 4th Period  students/parents text @6ac222  to the number 81010.

General Expectations

• Be PROMPT in arriving to class  – this way you can immediately start PARTICIPATING in the reading/displayed warm-up activity.  
• DRESS APPROPRIATELY for the virtual classroom! 
• REFRAIN from bringing pets, props, or other people to online classes.  
• Be PREPARED to PARTICIPATE by responding to teacher-prompted questions and in-class discussion, whether remotely or in-person.
• Be A PERSON OF CHARACTER by keeping up with assignments and turning in all work when due.

• DEMONSTRATE CHARACTER by being respectful of your teacher and your fellow students. CELEBRATE DIVERSITY by seeking to understand as much as to be understood.

• Be POSITIVE and don’t forget to be AWESOME!  Communicate your expectations of me as well – that’s awesome.

 

 

Electronic Resources:

 

• Canvas -  Please log on to my Canvas course ASAP – here you will have access to important information about our class such as modules, lesson plans, class notes, handouts, assignments, and other useful information.

• Turnitin.com - All major writing assignments and essays will be submitted to Turnitin.com to check for plagiarism.

 

1. CommonLit.org - Practice reading selections and questions will be provided through this resource.

 

• ActivelyLearn.com - Additional practice reading selections and questions will be provided through this resource.

• NoRedInk.com - Practice grammar skills and quizzes will be available via this platform.

• Remind.  See instructions above to join.  Benefits to joining Remind include text/app notifications of homework and due dates as well as easy one-on-one communication with me.

 

 

This syllabus is subject to change based upon PLT discretion.