Course+Syllabus

Ms. Jami Wray	Room 206 Sophomore Honors English	Prep: A1 (rm. 211), B5 (rm. 206) Course Syllabus: 2014-2015	wrayj@loswego.k12.or.us

Introduction

Welcome to Sophomore Honors English and your second year of high school! In this class you will be asked to participate in a multitude of activities, assuming a very active role in your learning. Rather than stand at the front of the classroom and infuse you with my knowledge, I intend to lead you to make your own discoveries. We will be exploring works of literature together as you develop and utilize various approaches to literary understanding. Classroom activities will vary; we will engage in in-class reading, discussion, group activities and projects, journal writing, role plays, and of course tests and formal writing. You are enrolled in this class with the expectation that you are willing to meet the rigorous demands of the honors curriculum, and coming prepared to discuss the day’s reading in depth is essential.

Course Description

The Sophomore Honors English curriculum focuses on our cultural heritage. We will explore the themes of accepting individual responsibility and making ethical choices in the context of the literature we read and write about, as well as in our own lives. We will study the foundations of Western culture as illustrated in Greek mythology and Biblical literature, as well as examine our place in the world through more contemporary pieces of literature. Throughout the year we will utilize short stories, novels, drama, poetry and nonfiction to explore the ultimate quest: the human search for self from ancient times through modern day.

Units of Study (subject to change) First Quarter: The Odyssey; Greek Mythology; Personal Odyssey Project Biblical Literature; compare/contrast piece Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck; argument piece various short stories and poetry; shorter analyses Second Quarter: Tale of Two Cities, Dickens; expository piece Antigone, Sophocles; “Whale Rider”; synthesis piece Third Quarter: Formal Research Paper Macbeth, Shakespeare; argument piece Arthurian Legends; compare/contrast piece Fourth Quarter: World Literature Circles Contemporary Piece, tba; argument piece Final Reflective Project

Attendance

Regular attendance is critical for your success in this class. Enrollment in honors level courses both implies and requires consistent participation. Please avoid missing class.

Office Hours

I am available during my prep periods – A1 and B5 – as well as before and after school. During A1, I am located in the Publications Lab, room 211. During B5, I can be found in my classroom. I usually arrive at school by 6:30 and stay until at least 3:30 in the afternoon. Your success depends upon open communication between you and me; if you foresee difficulty with deadlines, are struggling with a concept or materials, or just need some guidance, come see me. I am here to help you achieve your goals and realize your fullest potential.

Grading Policies

Your primary motivation in this class should be the desire to learn and grow intellectually; however, I recognize that we exist in a larger system that utilizes extrinsic means (grades) to reward success. Therefore, the following system – which I have found to be both fair and manageable – is in place:

Learning Logs (20%) A vast majority of our daily written work and much of our written work at home will be completed in Learning Logs, which give you the opportunity to reflect, extend, gather, summarize, and otherwise process the content of the course.

Formative Assessments (15%) Shorter assignments such as class worksheets, vocabulary sentences, quizzes, and daily homework go into this category and are used to build skills that will help students succeed on summative assessments.

Summative Assessments (30%) Longer assignments such as essays, projects, and unit tests fit in this category and are used to show student growth and mastery of standards.

Semester Final Exams (20%) Final exams are given during finals week in January and June.

Participation and Attendance (15%) This is a discussion-based class, and you will receive a periodic (usually weekly or bi-weekly) grade that reflects participation in class discussion and in-class work. you must participate in class discussions to receive full credit. A variety of discussion formats will allow students who are not as comfortable with large group discussion to participate as well. The participation grade drops with absences, whether excused or unexcused. It is also lowered if you come to class unprepared, e.g., no paper, no book.

Materials

You need to provide (and bring with you each day) the following materials specifically for this class. A three-ringed binder (1”-1 ½”), with four divided sections (one for each quarter), for learning log Notebook paper (loose leaf or clean-tear notebook; no spirals, please) Another binder or folder for class handouts, homework, etc. (a section in your A-day binder is fine) Pens, pencils, highlighters Planner – electronic, paper, or other format Post-It tabs to mark pages

Classroom Rules and Expectations

1. Be here and be on time. This means you need to be in the room when the tardy bell rings. I take tardies seriously, and apply the following consequences: 1-3 tardies: Verbal Warning 4 tardies: Referral and Call Home

2. Come to class prepared. This not only means you should have pen, paper, books, homework and journal, but also means you need to come ready and willing to participate. (See participation grade, above.)

3. No late homework I will not take any late homework assignments for credit. Assignments are due AT THE START OF CLASS, so come prepared. If you have an excused absence, you will have as many days as you were absent, plus one, to make up the work. That said, it is in your absolute best interest to prearrange absences and have work completed upon arrival. This course moves at a brisk pace, and staying on top of the workload is essential to your success. It is your responsibility to get work and to make up tests and quizzes on your own time. If you are unexcused, you may not make up any missed work, and this includes tests and quizzes. Major Assignments: If you are absent, a major assignment is still due the day of your absence, as due dates are provided well in advance. Major assignments (essays, projects, etc) will be accepted up to one week late, at the penalty of one letter grade per class day late.

4. No food or drink. Please keep food out of the classroom, as it is disruptive and messy.

5. Respect yourself and others. This should go without saying, but must be addressed. This classroom (and anywhere, for that matter) is no place for disparaging remarks, cruelty, teasing, or disrespect in any form. Furthermore, all students have the right to express themselves. Feel free to disagree, but show respect for other opinions/points of view. How boring class would be if we all agreed! Only in a respectful environment, however, can we share opinions and enjoy challenging, interesting discussions. Above all, be nice. So many problems can be avoided if this simple dictum is followed. I will be nice to you, and I expect the same from you, both towards me and your classmates.

In addition to Classroom Expectations, all school rules and regulations will be enforced. Please read and understand the LOHS Student/Parent Handbook.