Name of Course: English 2
Name of Teacher: Dan Tracy
E-Mail Address: dtracy@aptoshs.net
Voice Mail #		Room # E-201	Prep Period: 5th
I	Course Description; English 2 is a college preparatory course designed to increase the students’ proficiency in the Language Arts and will build upon the skills learned in English 1.  In this class, students will think critically, analyze and discuss literature, write and revise essays, creative pieces and research papers, prepare individual and group projects and presentations and hopefully contribute to the class in a meaningful and productive way.  The primary purpose of this class is to empower students to enrich their lives through intensive literature study, extensive writing and reflective thinking.  We will use these texts as a springboard to examine the world and ourselves.
II	Materials Provided Textbook:  The language of literature   adventures in reading Supplementary books:  The pearl of mice and men julius caesar antigone The Bean Trees Night farewell to manzanar where coyotes howl and the wind blows free
III	Materials Required 1. A three ringed binder with lined paper, 2 pens, and a pencil 2. An actively engaged brain, and basic social manners
IV	Goals (knowledge to be acquired, technical skills, etc., ESLRs must be referenced, standards alignment) 1.Students will learn, identify and apply literary terms essential to understanding the literature they are reading . (ESLERS A,B,C) 2. Students will study, learn, use and be tested on new vocabulary words encountered in the literature study. (ESLERS A,B,C) 3. Students will practice and improve their writing skills by utilizing a variety of writing strategies and writing types (from short answer to multi-paragraph essays), including pre-writing, peer editing and evaluation, writing portfolios, and in class journal activities. (ESLERS A,B,C,D,E0 4. Students will utilize speaking and listening skills to participate in the following activities: class discussions, small group discussions, oral reading and oral presentations. (ESLERS A,B,C,D,E) 5. Students will improve upon and demonstrate research, study and computer skills by utilizing library and computer lab resources for a variety of assignments. (ESLERS A,B,C 6. Students will demonstrate responsibility and accountability by being a supportive, productive member of the classroom community. (ESLERS A,B,C,D,E) State standards for Language arts are addressed and met in the above goals and in the following units of study. Aptos High School Expected Schoolwide Learning Results are available at. www.aptoshs.net and Ca Content Standards for Language Arts are available at: http://goldmine.cde.ca.gov/ci/reading.html
V	Units of Study (activities) The Pearl: Required literature with a thematic focus on symbolism, imagery, figurative language, tone and theme (SIFTT) This approach to literary criticism will be used throughout the year in our discussions and writing. Of Mice and Men: Required literature with a thematic focus on being outsiders, friendship, loneliness the American dream, and prejudice. Julius Caesar: Required literature with a thematic focus on power, loyalty, betrayal and language. Antigone: Recommended literature with a thematic focus on values, decision-making and the consequences of our actions. The Bean Trees: Recommended literature with a thematic focus on family, coming of age, prejudice. Short story unit: Students will read, study and discuss a variety of short stories. Poetry Unit: Students will examine a variety of poetry forms and functions and will create original works.
VII	Class Procedures (missed assignments, make up work assignment format): 1. It is the students responsibility to come to me for assignments that are missed due to absence. Makeup work is accepted for excused absences only. Unexcused = cut = no makeup for the day. Late work is docked one full grade level for every day that it is late. All missing work is due within one week after the assignment date. Extra Credit I offer only one extra credit assignment. Please do not ask for massive extra credit at the end of the quarter to make up for missing assignments. The answer is, “NO”. Assignment. Once each week you may bring in a newspaper, magazine, or book that contains an error in spelling, grammar or punctuation. Junk mail, school bulletins, or a letter from your friend do not count. If you turn in extra credit each week you may accumulate up to 5% extra credit for each quarter.
VIII	Behavioral Expectations (and consequences): RESPECT for: Teacher, peers, classroom, and self; requiring listening when speaker has the floor, insult abstinence, properly utilizing trash receptacles and writing surfaces, and doing your best. Consequences: warning, private conference, phone call home, referral
IX	Grading policy: daily homework-35%, Tests-35%, Projects, 25%, Journals 5%, Extra Credit-5% Semester grades – each quarter grade = 40% of the semester grade: the final exam is worth 20% of the semester grade.
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