Renaissance High School

English 10 Honors English Literature Course Syllabus

Instructor: Ahna Felix-Brown, Rm. 222, Sarah Semroc, Student Teacher Term: Fall 2014 Spring 2015
Email: [email protected],

[email protected]
[email protected]
Website: www.schoology.com
Username: Your Email Address Password: Your Email PW

COURSE DESCRIPTION
English 3/4 is an advanced integrated language arts course in which students are asked to reflect upon and
respond to themes in literature and art from an African-centered perspective. Students will also begin cultivating
and sharpening the skills they must master in order to earn favorable scores on the PSAT, the ACT and other
standardized or advanced placement tests.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Scholars should be able to demonstrate the following objectives upon completion of this course:
To write five different types of essays (narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive, etc.)
To effectively respond in writing in three ways: quick write, extended and constructive response
To respond reflectively in writing
To effectively peer edit written pieces
To recognize and create common poetic forms (free verse, sonnet, lyric, epic, etc.)
To deliver a 3-5 minute informational and/or persuasive speech

TEXTBOOK/ NOVELS
McDougal Little Literature (Blue), Antigone by Sophocles

Independent Novels
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

CLASSROOM RULES
The classroom is a learning community; thus the following expectations are in place:
1. Come to class on time, with a good attitude and with your supplies.
2. Sleep and groom yourself at home; eat and drink in the cafeteria, not in the classroom.
3. Respect yourself and others. Profanity and insults intended to belittle others will not be tolerated. Likewise, dress in the
Renaissance dress code.
4. All school rules will be enforced. Outerwear must be in lockers and electronic devices are not permitted.

MATERIALS
Scholars are expected to bring their supplies daily. PLEASE NOTE that students will be required to complete outside projects
and/or assignments that may require the purchase of additional supplies, paperback novels, and attending the public library.

Notebook (with pockets)

 Flash Drive
Composition Notebook (Journals)
College Rule Loose-leaf Paper
Access to a computer/Internet or any local public library

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT
You will need access to a computer and the Internet to retrieve/complete class work, projects, and to access schoology.com. If
you do not have access to a computer or the Internet, you may use a computer in the schools library, the computer lab (if
available) or public library.

GRADING SCALE/WEIGHT
Keep in mind that EFFORT does not determine your grade in this class. Making consistent effort should help you do well on
assignments, but only the quality of your work determines your grade. To earn the highest grade, your assignment submission
must demonstrate superior quality. Extra credit will not be given. You must earn your class grade through the percentage score
of all graded work. Final grades adhere to the following scale. I do not add extra points to bump up your numerical score at
the end of the semester, so make sure you take advantage of opportunities to raise your grade throughout the semester.

A = 90 100
B = 89 90
C = 70 79
D = 60 69
F = 00 59

Projects/Papers 30%
Tests/Quizzes 20%
Class work 20%
Homework 20%
Class Participation 10%


POLICY AND PROCEUDRES:
1. CELL PHONE USAGE: Scholars should refrain from sending text messages, sending and receiving cell phone calls, surfing social
media sites, and taking pictures during class time. Such activity is distracting, disrespectful to the educational process, and put
your academic standing in jeopardy. If for any reason, you need to contact your parent, or vise versa, please visit the counselor
center prior to class.
2. PASSES: Scholars are expected to take care of all personal business prior to class. Only in cases of extreme emergency will
students be issued a pass to the lavatory. If you have a medical condition that recommends that you have restroom privileges,
please bring in a note. No passes will be issued to lockers.
3. Class work/Homework: Scholars will be assigned work to complete during the class period. Unless otherwise specified, all
assignments will be worth 100 points. Homework will be assigned at least three times a week. The point value of the homework
will vary, depending upon the length and difficulty of the assignment. Most homework assignments will be either 50 or 100
points. Please keep all work until the end of the semester as it serves as your insurance policy.

4. Paper Format: All written and typed work should follow the MLA format. Typed: a) Papers should be doubled-spaced
with one-inch margins, and use Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri font at 12 points. b) Students name, class/hour, and
date should be double-spaced, and appear in the upper left-hand corner. c) Next, skip a line after the date, and center
the title of the assignment. e) Then skip another line after the title to begin the assignment. d) For multiple pages, type
your name in the header: last name first, first initial, and page number. e) Staple your papers in the upper left-hand
corner. Do not use paper clips, folders, or plastic covers.

5. Late Assignments: Late assignments will not be accepted. This means you must pay attention to deadlines!
6. Make-Up Work: There is a direct connection between absences and grades. An absent student is one who is not learning.
Only students returning from an absence with a note will be allowed to make-up missed assignments. Missed assignments can
be found on schoology.com or issued by the teacher. It is highly recommended that students use schoology.com, All missed
assignments must be submitted by the end of the week. No carryovers.
7. Academic Integrity/Plagiarism: education. If you are caught violating my rules on plagiarism, you and the person you copied
from will receive an automatic zero (0) on the assignment. Make sure your work is your own!
8. Class Participation This includes group and class discussions on a variety of topics and read aloud. Your thoughtful and
informal participation demonstrates that you feel you have a stake in the class. I, therefore, strongly encourage you to become
an active member of the class as it forms over the course of the semester/year.



ASSIGNMENTS
Earn your overall grade for this course through the quality of your work on the following assignments:
1. ACT Prep/Do Now: (10 points per entry) Scholars will be required to write daily journals in their journal notebooks.
Students will complete the journal during the first 10 minutes of class. Each journal is worth 10 points, and must be at least a
page in length (college rule). All entries must be in chronological order and pages should be numbered in the upper-right-hand
corner. Journals will be graded at the end of each card-marking period.
2. Student-Led Projects and Presentations (100-500 points): Each semester scholars are required to complete at least one or
two projects/presentation per card-marking period.
3. Writing Assignments (100 points each): Throughout the semester, students will be assigned a number of short and long
writing pieces (reflection papers, how-to papers, speeches, etc.). These will be informal pieces designed to help you master
various forms of writing, and practice crucial skills needed to pass the ACT Writing test.
4. As well as various other assignments.


________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I,



the student, have read and understand the course syllabus. I will
finish all projects, papers, course work, and study to increase my knowledge base. I will be
respectful at all times. I will adhere to all information listed in this course syllabus.


I,



the parent, have read and understand the course syllabus. I will
assist and encourage my child to study, complete all assignments to ensure success. I can be
reached at phone number__________________________________________ or Email
address__________________________________________________________________ should
any questions or concerns arise.

I, the teacher, will be prepared to assist your child to successfully complete the objectives of
this course. I will give individual help and encouragement as needed and will diligently attempt
to prepare your child for college and beyond.