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ENGLISH 10
SOPHOM0RES

What We are Studying in English

We read whole-class novels so that we may have a common experience together. When we can experience a story together, we can discuss the big life questions that the story prompts us to think about, we can debate the decisions made by the characters, and we can share the surprises, thrills, and tragedies together as a community.

These books have brought discussion, debate, and controversy; these books teach lessons across the generations who have read them.

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:

Paper Towns

I Must Betray You

Just Mercy

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.

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.

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.

Fully charged MacBook (supplied by the school)
Computer charger (supplied by the school)
Current novel or text (provided by the school)
One 3-ring binder (1to1.5 inches)
Five dividers for the binder labeled Bell Work, Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading, and Writing
College-ruled notebook paper for the binder
A pen or pencil
Four highlighters of different colors. For example, yellow, green, blue, and pink. You choose the colors you want to use.

Classroom Expectations

Be Respectful

Treat everyone with kindness.
Listen while others speak.
Respect different ideas, opinions, and experiences.

Be Prepared

Come to class on time.
Bring your materials and be ready to learn.
Complete assignments on time

Be Engaged

Participate in discussions and activities.
Ask questions and share your thinking.
Challenge yourself to think critically and grow.

Be Responsible

Stay on task and use class time wisely.
Take ownership of your learning.
Check Canvas regularly.

Be Present

Put away computers and limit distractions.
Be mentally and physically present.
Your attention shows respect for your self and others.

Be Your Best

Do your best work and take pride in it.
Learn from mistakes and keep improving.
We are all growing - support yourself and others.

Be Positive

Encourage your classmates.
Help create a safe space where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas.
Leave the classroom cleaner than you found it.

Consequences

warning
conference with teacher and detention
detention, parent contact, and administration referral
removal from class

Defiance, arguing, fighting, vandalism, or stopping class from functioning will result in IMMEDIATE CLASSROOM REMOVAL.

Classroom Procedures

Entering the class and Bell Work

Enter quietly and go directly to your assigned seat.
Have your assignment and writing utensil ready.
Begin the posted bell work immediately.
Attendance and announcements will occur while you are working.

Classroom Supplies and Sharpening Pencils

Pick up handouts and supplies as you enter the classroom.
Sharpen pencils before class or during independent work time.
Do not interrupt instruction to get supplies or sharpen pencils.
Return borrowed materials before leaving class.

Hall Passes and Restroom

Use the restroom before class whenever possible.
Hall passes are for emergencies or approved reasons.
You may use the hall pass during independent work time.
Only one student may leave the classroom at a time.
Sign out on the computer.
Return promptly and quietly.

Food and Drinks

Water bottles with lids are permitted.
Snacks are allowed only with teacher permission.
Clean up all wrappers, crumbs, and spills.
No sharing food or drinks.

Being Out of Your Seat

Remain seated unless you have permission or the lesson requires movement.
Move quietly and return promptly.
Respect others by minimizing distractions.

Technology

Bring a charged computer every day.
Leave the computer in the computer bag until prompted by the teacher to remove it.
Use technology only for class-related activities.
Phones are in Yonder pouches and no earbuds.
Follow all school technology policies.

Class Discussions

Listen respectfully while others are speaking.
Raise your hand or follow the discussion format.
Support your ideas with evidence from the text.
Respect differing opinions and participate thoughtfully.

Group Work

Stay with your assigned group.
Contribute to the task and complete your responsibilities.
Use appropriate voices.
Include everyone and remain focused on the assignment.

Turning in Assignments

Submit assignments before the deadline.
Turn in paper assignments to the designated location.
Submit digital work through Canvas.
Write your MLA heading on all assignments.

Absences and Missing Work

Check Canvas and absent work bin when you return.
It is your responsibility to make up missed work.
Ask questions after reviewing the posted materials.
Complete missed assignments within the allotted time.

Throw Away Trash

Keep trash at your desk until an appropriate transition.
Dispose of trash as you leave class or when given permission.
Leave your workspace clean for the next class.

Early Finishers

Read independently.
Work on missing assignments or homework.
Remain quietly engaged without distracting others.

End of Class

Stay seated until dismissed by the teacher.
Return all classroom materials.
Clean your workspace.
Take all personal belongings with you.
Exit quietly and respectfully.

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:

40% Formative Assignments
50% Summative Assessments
10% Participation/Practice Assignments

Grade Set-up

Formative Assignments: reading activities, close reads, class activities, vocabulary practice, blackout poetry, small group work, partner work, etc.

Participation/Practice: practice assignments, MLA heading, turn in assignments on time, bring required materials to class, answer and ask questions in class or group discussions, follow class expectations, 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.

Summative Assignments: reading quizzes, writing quizzes, one pagers, vocabulary unit quizzes, literature unit tests, presentations, essays, etc.

Academic Dishonesty

ll forms of academic dishonesty are considered serious offenses.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

Obtaining or accepting a copy of tests
Copying another student’s answers
Providing another student answers
Representing as one’s own work the product of someone else’s creativity
Using notes or other material not permitted during a test
Duplicating another student’s project and or your own from previous classes
Having someone, other than the student, prepare the work
Permitting another student to copy
Assisting another student in such an attempt or otherwise obtaining answers illicitly or illegally
The administration reserves the right to add and/or change disciplinary actions and violations not listed above, as needed.

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 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 & Absent Work

Homework will NOT be accepted late.
Late work is only accepted up to 3 days after the due date for a grade no higher than 80%. Saturdays and Sundays count as a part of the 3 days. 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.

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 made up within that time it will result in a zero for each assignment. Saturdays and Sundays count in the number of days. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESCHEDULE MISSED ASSESSMENTS.

ENGLISH 10 SOPHOM0RES