English I Honors
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Course Description
Objectives:
Ø To explore and to question self and the world through literature
Ø To be able to state accurately what a text is saying
Ø To identify the assumptions made in a text and to draw inferences
Ø To distinguish fact from assumption and opinion
Ø To write clearly and effectively for a variety of purposes (An effective writer is guided by ideas, organization, voice, diction (word choice), sentence fluency, and conventions)
Ø To engage the reader through words that dance on the page with beauty, precision, and control.
Ø To learn the essentials of an essay on literature (summary, substantiating detail, proper documentation, and analysis), with an emphasis on analysis
Ø To habitually use substantiating detail to communicate ideas clearly
Ø To develop skills necessary for an academic discussion
Ø To perform with poise and skill
Ø To strengthen critical thinking
Ø To provide students with a model and a rationale for note-taking as they read
Ø To recognize the multiple themes discernible in their reading
Text: An Introduction to Fiction, X.J. Kennedy, Ed. (New York, Harper Collins) and handouts
A. Standing notebook assignment: For each story assigned students should compose separately a one or two sentence summary of the
plot and a comment (of no more than one hundred words) which reveals and explains their reaction to the story or its theme(s).
B. Elements of the short story
C. Library Assignment/short story analysis
Great Expectations
The Catcher in the Rye
A Separate Peace
The Bean Trees
Lord of the Flies
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
III. Drama
Much Ado about Nothing
Romeo and Juliet
Piano Lesson
Our Town
IV. Poetry
Selected poetry, including excerpts from The Odyssey.
A. Introduction
1. Figures of speech
2. Sound effects
3. Rhythm and meter
4. Common line lengths
5. Poetic forms
B. Poetic Analysis
C. Writing Poetry
Text: Vocabulary Workshop, Levels E and F, Jerome Shostak, (New York, Sadlier-Oxford, 1988)
VI. Mechanics
A. Writing Skills
B. Grammar
C. Usage
VII. The Adolescence Paper
This is a yearlong project. A handout concerning this is forthcoming and we will discuss it at length.
--Assignments
All assignments should be dated according to the date that the assignment is due and should include a proper heading (Name, Date, Block, and the Assignment).
--Notebook
You must have a loose-leaf, 3-ring binder notebook to be used for your journal assignments completed in class and to store those outside of class. It will also be used for notes in class. Folders made for loose- leaf notebooks are helpful for storing handouts and returned quizzes. You need a three-hole paper punch in your notebook. The loose- leaf notebook should be divided into four sections: one for literary analysis and notes on literature, one for grammar, one for journal entries, and one for handouts.
--Preparation
I expect you to be prepared for class. Keeping up with your reading assignments and bringing in your homework are essential. Bring your homework, a pen, your English notebook, and texts needed for class daily. Pen (blue, black or purple ink only) is to be used on all tests, quizzes, and in-class writings (unless we are using the lap tops or the computer lab). All outside writing assignments must be typed.
See guidelines below.
--Writing Assignments
ALL assignments must be dated (according to date due on homework assignments), and have a proper heading, indicating your name, the block, the date assignment is due and the assignment reference. All outside writing assignments must be typed, double-spaced, size 10 or 12 font, Times New Roman with standard margins.
Writing should be stored in your writing folder.
Work that is not your own should be properly documented. Plagiarism of any kind, will result in serious consequences (See your student handbook). When in doubt, document! We will be reviewing the process of proper documentation.
PLEASE NOTE:
-About writing assignments completed on the computer-----Broken printers, computers are not an excuse for not having an assignment completed. If the computer fails, hand write the assignment, or bring in a disk to run off in school before you come to class, not during class! If the disk needs to be printed in class or cannot be printed from the disk, the assignment will be considered late.
No paper will be accepted if it is more than two days late. A paper that is not handed in on time, but is less than two days late, will lose credit. Each day, whether the class meets that day or not, counts as a late day. If you are going to be absent on the day that the assignment is due, please email me the assignment to show that you have completed it, but bring in a hard copy the following day. If you are absent on the day that a long range paper or project is due, the paper should be emailed; otherwise, it will be considered late.
--Writing Folder--You will need to keep track of your writing assignments and keep a writing folder in the classroom to log your assignments and identify things that you do well as a writer and areas that need work. Once an error in your writing has been corrected, you will be responsible for making sure that you don't make the same type of error again. If unsure of how to prevent the error, come after school to learn.
--Assessments
We will have both formative and summative assessments. The formative assessments will not be graded, and you will have the opportunity for improvement. The summative assessments will be final evaluations of your work. Grading is on a point system, with writing assignments and projects weighted more heavily (40, 80, 100, 200). Literature quizzes (20 pts unannounced or 40pts announced). Vocabulary quizzes (10 pts).
--Absence--It is the student's responsibility to see the teacher to obtain assignments, make up work, and seek extra help following absence from school. You will be provided with a "While you were absent sheet” completed by one of your classmates to update you on things that you missed. Please check the web site for assignments if you are absent.
--Please check you email, as I will be in touch with you from time to time.
--Extra Help--English opportunity days are generally Mondays and Wednesdays after school or as announced (Room #227). Please feel free to stop by so I can get to know you or if you need extra help.
It is my hope that each of you will be touched with the joy of learning and discovery, and
I look forward to getting to know each of you throughout the school year. Have a wonderful year!