English 4
SENIORS
What to Expect in Your Last Year of English
Senior English is a capstone course designed to prepare students for life beyond high school—whether that path leads to college, a trade, the military, or the workforce. Through a rich variety of literature, nonfiction, and multimedia texts, students will explore essential questions about identity, purpose, legacy, and the human experience. Writing, speaking, and critical thinking are at the heart of this course, with an emphasis on real-world communication and reflective thinking.
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Students will read diverse voices, analyze universal themes, and craft personal and academic writing that showcases both skill and authenticity. Projects, discussions, and texts will challenge students to examine their beliefs, values, and goals—encouraging them to leave high school not only more literate, but more self-aware and prepared for the future.
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We will be studying World Literature, which encompasses a wide range of genres, including poetry, plays, stories, memoirs, songs, art, and pop culture. I will also be showing films and film clips. Some of these films are rated G/PG/PG-13/R. As with all my curriculum I have chosen to show these based on their value in the classroom. Not only the main themes of the films will be important, but also the music, language, sights, clothing, customs, and culture of the time we are studying. I want to encourage students to read critically, write consciously, speak clearly, and tell their truth. With that I want them to be critical viewers of media, including print, internet, television, video, social media, and other digital spaces. Our classroom is a safe place to develop these skills.
Some of the Books We Will Be Reading:
Born a Crime
Long Way Down
One of Us Is Lying
Tuesdays With Morrie
WHY CAN'T I JUST READ WHATEVER I WANT?
YOU CAN and you WILL!
READING POLICY
I will not place a tight filter on what is read in this class and I’m asking for your support. I hope you will talk to your child about what he/she is reading this semester. I suggest you get a copy of a book and read it if you’re concerned about the content. If you want to know more about a book your child is reading, please try the School Library Journal website (http://www.slj.com/), the American Library Association website (http://www.ala.org/), or even Amazon.com. Or call me—I’ll tell you what I know.
When you sign your name to the syllabus, you understand books won’t be banned in my classroom and your child can choose what he/she reads.
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There is absolutely no stopping you when it comes to independent reading. In fact, we will be reading independently for 30 minutes at the beginning of English class on block days. You will also be reading an additional 30 minutes a day outside of English class. It doesn't have to be in one 30-minute period. It can be broken down into smaller increments. Maybe you have 10 minutes on the bus ride home or 15 minutes in study hall, or maybe you want to read before you go to bed. Whatever works best for you as long as you are reading. Reading whole class novels DOES NOT MEAN YOU STOP READING OTHER THINGS! The books we are reading serve a specific academic purpose for us - your reading for fun and enjoyment should never stop.
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REQUIRED MATERIALS
You will need the following list of materials for your English class this year. You are required to bring these materials with you to class every day.
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Fully charged MacBook (supplied by the school)
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Computer charger (supplied by the school)
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Current novel or text (provided by the school)
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One 3-ring binder (1 to 2 inches)
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Three dividers for the binder labeled Vocabulary, Reading, and Writing
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College-ruled notebook paper for the binder
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Composition Notebook or Single-Subject Spiral Notebook
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A pen or pencil
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Four highlighters of different colors. For example, yellow, green, blue, and pink. You choose the colors you want to use.
Be on Time
Classroom Expectations Modeled After the Workplace
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Just like in a job, punctuality matters. Arrive on time, ready to start.
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Late arrivals disrupt the workflow.
Dress and Act Appropriately
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Present yourself in a way that shows respect for the environment and others.
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Follow school guidelines for dress and personal conduct.
Use Technology Professionally
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Phones and devices are used for learning tasks, not personal distractions.
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Stay off social media and games during “work hours.”
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Phones must be kept in the caddy, and computers must be stored in bags.
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Headphones or earbuds are to be removed unless permission is given.
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Communicate Respectfully
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Speak and listen as you would with coworkers or supervisors.
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Use professional, courteous language—no sarcasm, insults, or side conversations.
Take Responsibility
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Own your actions and your work—no excuses.
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If you're absent, it’s your job to find out what you missed and make it up.
Meet Deadlines
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Turn in assignments on time; employers expect work to be completed when it’s due.
Stay on Task
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Use your time wisely. Off-task behavior is like slacking on the job.
Work as a Team
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Support your classmates like coworkers. Be reliable, respectful, and cooperative.
Ask for Help When Needed
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Just like in a job, asking questions is a strength, not a weakness.
Keep the Space Clean and Professional
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Respect shared workspaces. Clean up after yourself; no one wants a messy breakroom or desk area at work.
Consequences
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warning
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conference with teacher and detention
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detention, parent contact, and administration referral
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removal from class
Defiance, arguing, fighting, vandalism, or stopping class from functioning will result in IMMEDIATE CLASSROOM REMOVAL.
Grading Policy
This class uses a STANDARDS-BASED GRADING procedure. This means that you will be graded on a rubric for every major assessment and directly linked to each skill that you are attempting to master. The grade book categories can be seen below:
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40% Formative Assignments
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40% Summative Assessments
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20% Participation/Practice Assignments
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Grade Set-Up
Formative Assignments: reading quizzes, close reads, class activities, one-pagers, MLA, vocabulary quizzes, writing quizzes, blackout poetry, small group work, partner work, class discussion, presentations, etc.
Participation/Practice: practice assignments, turn in assignments on time, bring required materials to class, answer and ask questions in class or group discussions, follow class expectations, maintain a Brave Space, be in class, etc. If you are absent you may make up participation points either before school or after school. See Mrs. Wallace to make arrangements.
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Summative Assignments: vocabulary unit tests, literature unit tests, presentations, essays, etc.
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Academic Dishonesty
ll forms of academic dishonesty are considered serious offenses.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
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Obtaining or accepting a copy of tests
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Copying another student’s answers
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Providing another student answers
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Representing as one’s own work the product of someone else’s creativity
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Using notes or other material not permitted during a test
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Duplicating another student’s project and or your own from previous classes
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Having someone, other than the student, prepare the work
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Permitting another student to copy
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Assisting another student in such an attempt or otherwise obtaining answers illicitly or illegally
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The administration reserves the right to add and/or change disciplinary actions and violations not listed above, as needed.
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First offense - student who commits such an offense shall receive an “F” grade (0%) for the work being done and parents will be notified. The teacher will have a conference with the student and ask the student to complete a written statement about the incident. The student will receive no credit for the assignment and/or test as applicable. The teacher will contact student parent or guardian to discuss the incident and inform the parent or guardian about the student’s loss of credit. Written documentation will be forwarded to administration. The administrator will meet with the student and give notice that subsequent offenses will result in disciplinary action.
Second offense - within the same course shall cause an “F” grade (0%) for the immediate grading period, parents will be notified, and failure for semester. The teacher will have a conference with the student and ask the student to complete a written statement about the incident. The student will receive no credit for the assignment and/or test as applicable. The teacher will contact student parent or guardian to discuss the incident and inform the parent or guardian about the student’s loss of credit. Written documentation will be forwarded to administration. The administrator will meet with the student and give notice that subsequent offenses will result in disciplinary action.
The third offense - within the same course shall cause the student’s removal from the class with a grade “W/F” (withdrawn failing) on the student’s permanent transcript. The teacher will have a conference with the student and ask the student to complete a written statement about the incident. The student will receive no credit for the assignment and/or test as applicable. The teacher will contact student parent or guardian to discuss the incident and inform the parent or guardian about the student’s loss of credit. Written documentation will be forwarded to the administration. The administrator will meet with the student and give notice that subsequent offenses will result in disciplinary action.
Teachers will notify the student’s parents, counselor, and assistant principal in all cases of academic dishonesty. Counseling shall be provided for students involved in a cheating incident.
Late Work and Absent Work
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Homework will NOT be accepted late.
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Late work is only accepted up to 3 days after the due date for a grade no higher than 80%. After the 3 days, late assignments are 0%. A ZERO will be put in the grade book and will stay there until I can look at your late work. All work turned in on time has first priority, so just a heads up, your zero might stay there for a while. Avoid this by simply turning your work in on time.
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When ABSENT, please check CANVAS for your make-up work. You have the same number of days to make up your work as you were absent. If your work is not completed within that time, it will result in a zero for each assignment. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESCHEDULE MISSED ASSESSMENTS.
Classroom Procedures
Classtime
Be KIND, stay ENGAGED, and work HARD. At the beginning of class, place your phone in the caddy, take a seat by the time the bell rings, and work quietly on the assignment from the board. During class, listen, participate, and ask questions. At the end of the class, stay in your seat until dismissed. Do not line up at the door.
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Hall Passes
Students may NOT ask to use the hall pass during teacher-directed instruction, which includes presentations by other students or guest speakers, and instructional videos. Students may ask to use the hall pass during independent work time. Cell phones must remain in the caddy and not travel with the student into the hall. Students must sign out with the computer in the front of the room, and return to class within the allotted time. Only one person at a time may be out of the classroom.
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Food and Drinks
Students may have a sealable water bottle in class. If students use the water bottle for anything other than drinking, they will lose the privilege of having it. There is absolutely no food in class.
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Technology
CELL PHONES are to be placed in the caddy at the front of the room. NO EXCEPTIONS. Cell phones should be silent. Do NOT touch phones that do not belong to you. Headphones or earbuds are to be removed unless permission is given.
COMPUTERS should remain in your computer bag until directed by your teacher to take it out. Computer bags should hang from the hook on the side of your desk.
CANVAS is used every day for this class. You should check it regularly. This is where all classroom communication will take place and you are responsible for knowing the latest announcements and assignments. Everything is clearly dated in Canvas, so be sure to keep track of those dates on the calendar on your phone or in your planner. Assignments will be collected by hand in class as well as submitted on Canvas - it will be clearly noted on the assignment and in Canvas.
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Our room is a BRAVE SPACE.
And the rules are simple.
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We are here to learn. To take risks. To engage in hard conversations. To make suggestions about improving the world we live in. To read. To ask more questions. To grow. To experience other cultures. To reflect on our society's good and bad decisions. To figure out where we fit in.
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My one rule: keep our room a BRAVE SPACE.
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When students come to class and have their ideas shut down, it's no longer a BRAVE SPACE. When we are having a discussion and there are side conversations going on, it's no longer a BRAVE SPACE. When students are trying something new for the first time and we're not supportive, it's no longer a BRAVE SPACE. Your job is to check yourself and your behavior. Ask yourself, "Is what I'm doing SUPPORTING the kind of classroom we want to have? Am I taking away someone else's chance to learn?" When the answer is yes, we will have a problem, and I will address the issue and we will work to resolve it.