SYLLABUS: ENGLISH III / ENGLISH III HONORS         Instructor:  Mary Beth Putnam Email: mputnam@wcpss.net Meet Mrs. Putnam: GOOGLE SITE Office Hours: During the independent work time of your class period, and 2:30-3:00pm Monday-Friday.  Class Google Meet URL: https://meet.google.com/oxt-cxnf-icd Class Remind:  1st period: Text @putnam1b  to 81010. 4th period: Text @putnam4b  to 81010. Instructor Communication Policy:  Please email me your concerns and questions. I will respond within 24 hours Monday-Friday, most of the time within the hour.  I may not be available to respond on a weekend, but please leave a message, and I will respond on Monday.

Are you ready to learn online?

English III will be delivered in both synchronous learning and asynchronous learning as we work through the content. We will follow the MHS live instruction schedule.

Synchronous Learning: We will engage in a live Google Meet where, as a class or in groups, I will offer direct instruction, discussion, or exploration of content.

Asynchronous Learning: This is learning that is recorded or offered in a format other than face-to-face with the teacher.

How to Access our Course and Get Started:

• Log into our Canvas Course using your Wake ID portal.
• The continuing link for our Google Meet live classroom instruction is https://meet.google.com/oxt-cxnf-icd

Required Materials:

1. If we are in the classroom, I strongly encourage students to have a three-ring binder for class notes.
2. While we are not in the classroom, I will require students to create a Google Folder for English that they will share with me.

What I Expect of You:

• Please attend all live sessions when possible. If there is an emergency and you cannot attend, take the initiative to catch up on lost information PRIOR to our next live session. Do this by checking Canvas to see what we completed during live instruction, as well as any homework assignments. I WILL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN CANVAS EVERY DAY THAT TELLS WHAT WE DID IN CLASS AND WHAT YOU SHOULD COMPLETE. This is a great resource if you are absent, but also if you need to remind yourself what to work on before our next class.
• Please maintain communication with me if you have any technical issues, conflicts with the schedule, or problems. I am here to help!
• Please do your best!

Online Etiquette:

• During Google Meet sessions, please mute your mic unless you have a specific question. You may choose to have your video turned on or off.
• If you lose connection or are “dropped” from the Google Meet, sign back in as soon as possible.
• Please be respectful and school appropriate in the chat. Chat is monitored and any inappropriate discussions will be reported. 
• Remember, I can see a history of all edits and comments on Google Docs and Slides! 
• Please make sure that your Google profile picture is an actual picture of yourself so that I can get to know you as individuals.

Course Description:

Through reading primarily American Literature, students in English III focus on the NC Essential standards for  reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. Students should expect homework assignments and/or compositions that reinforce classroom instruction. Students will be required to do some outside reading as part of this course, Writing instruction at this level focuses on mechanical correctness, fluency, and structure. Students will focus on writing literary analysis, argumentative and narrative writing, with an emphasis on narrative and argumentative. The student is expected to function at grade level in communication and thinking skills, and these skills will be reinforced through students participating in a debate and digital publication.

Student Learning Outcomes (Course Standards):

By the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Use specific details to support claims.
2. State a central theme in works of literature 
3. Explain how an author develops a story or drama
4. Understand how authors use words in their writing to create meaning or relay a tone.
5. Analyze the structural elements that the author uses in developing their writing.
6. Understand different perspectives in literature
7. Analyze different interpretations of a story
8. Analyze an argument, focusing on influential US documents
9. Analyze an influential US document for theme and rhetorical elements
10. Write an argumentative essay using details and reasoning along with correct grammar and language usage appropriate for 11th grade.
11. Write a comprehensive narrative.
12. Appropriately use primary and secondary sources effectively in writing.
13. Use digital media effectively in speaking and writing.
14. Use speaking and listening skills to participate in a wide range of discussions about literature and other relevant topics.
15. Use grammatical structures effectively to relate ideas in writing.

Course Structure/Campus Requirements:

• Until further notice, all of our instruction in Transition Plan B will be done remotely via Google Meets. 
• When we transition to in-person instruction, I will communicate the structures that we will use for the transition back to classroom instruction. 
• If you are a Virtual Academy class, we will continue our instruction via Google Meet for the duration of the course.

Technology Requirements and Support:

1. A computer with a webcam and access to the internet.
2. If you have issues with technology or need assistance, please visit Guides to Technology / Homepage or let me know and I can help get you support.

Course Policies:

Honors Sections

This college preparatory course focuses on the development of complex thought processes, independence in learning, and creative expression through discussion and frequent writing assignments. Homework is a reinforcement and extension of classroom instruction. Expect extension activities, independent reading, and projects throughout the course. 

Late Work 

Millbrook High School late work policy states that homework and out of class assignments will be accepted through the unit end date without point penalty. Please be aware that alternative assignments may be used in place of the original to assure assignment integrity. The English Department adheres to this policy at all times; however, major assignments may mark the end of units and interim assignments are mini-skill based units. Turning in assignments past the due date may detract from expected mastery of skills. This may make the acquisition of the next level of skills that much more difficult. Attention to due dates is a necessary skill for life-time success - and expected in college and beyond.  If you ever have a problem with a due date, contact me as soon as you realize this, and we will come up with the best solution for your continued success and understanding. IF YOU SUBMIT AN ASSIGNMENT LATE, PLEASE EMAIL ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT YOU SUBMITTED IT. THIS WILL ALLOW ME TO UPDATE YOUR GRADE ASAP!

Missed work due to absences: Please check Canvas for your make-up work on the day that you are absent. When possible, so that you do not fall behind in the course, attempt to do the assignment before the next live session.

***Please note that the late work policy DOES NOT apply to in-class work. In-class assignments are expected to be submitted on time and may not be accepted late.

Grading Percentages 

• 1x - Minor Assessments (Quizzes, Homework, in-class assignments)
• 4x - Major Assessments (Major Papers, Projects, Unit Tests, etc.)
• 20% of the Final Course Grade =Teacher-made Final Exam

Cheating and Plagiarism

Each student, parent, family and staff member has a responsibility to promote a culture that respects and fosters integrity and honesty.  Academic integrity and honesty requires that all stakeholders share responsibility in the fulfillment of this policy.

In fulfilling these responsibilities:

• students will collaborate with their peers to foster a culture of academic integrity; refrain from participating, either directly or indirectly, in any form of cheating or plagiarism; and adhere to the honor code;
• parents and family will actively support the honor code by encouraging their child(ren) to foster and uphold a culture of academic integrity;
• staff will establish and annually teach expectations regarding academic integrity and honesty; and promote the honor code.

Attendance

A student is considered present for daily attendance during a remote learning day if either of these statements are true:

• If a student is present during synchronous (live) instruction.
• If a student completes their daily assignments and submits/shares with the teacher.

• If a student has a daily check-in, a two-way communication, with the teacher. Email or office hour attendance are common 2-way communication methods.

Remediation

If a student is struggling, the following procedures are in place to help.

• Attend office hours. These are the last 15 minutes of live instruction and 10:30-11:00 by appointment. Other arrangements can be made if needed.
• If a failing grade  is made on a quiz, a retake is allowed to raise the grade to passing.
• If a student is unhappy with a MAJOR grade (test/paper/project), corrections may be completed to earn back 1/2 of the credit lost.

Overview of Units

Unit 1: Conformity and Rebellion 

Anchor Text - The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald

Unit 2: Tradition and Progress

Anchor Text - Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck

Unit 3: Home and Family

Anchor Text - Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston and/or Black Boy by Richard Wright

Unit 4:

Culture and Identity

Anchor Text - The Crucible, Arthur Miller

Acknowledgment of Syllabus and Parent Homework Assignment:

Please visit the appropriate link below for a brief survey to acknowledge that you and your parent read and understood the syllabus. It does ask for a current phone number and email address so that contact can be made if necessary. This information will be kept confidential!

PARENT SURVEY : Click the link to the left or go to tinyurl.com/ParentsPutnam