Course Syllabus

Name of Course: English 1

Name of Teacher: Heidi Story

E-Mail Address: hstory@APTOSHS.NET

Voice Mail # 680@ 688-6565

Room # E-204

Preparation Period: 6 TH

Course Description/Outline (reflects needed skills)

English1 is a freshman college preparatory course designed to increase the students’ proficiency in the Language Arts. 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 as well as 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.

Materials Provided (name of textbook, other resources, video used, etc.)

Textbooks: THE LANGUAGE OF LITERATURE,

LANGUAGE NETWORK, & tHE iNTERACTIVE rEADER (WORKBOOK)

SUPPLEMENTARY READING: heroes, gods, and monsters

ROMEO AND JULIET

to kill a mockingbird

the house on mango street

VIDEOS: west side story

to kill a mockingbird

III

Materials Required

· 3 Subject Notebook for journal and class notes

· A highlighter pen

· Binder with plenty of paper, pencils, erasers, and pens

Goals (knowledge to be acquired, technical skills, etc., specific reference to ESLRs and state standards

1. Students will learn, identify and apply literary terms essential to understanding the literature they are reading. (ESLRs A,B,C)

2. Students will study, learn, use and be tested on new vocabulary words encountered in the literature study. (ESLRs 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. (ESLRs A,B,C,D,E)

4. Students will utilize speaking and listening skills to participate in the following activities: class discussions, small group discussion, oral reading and oral presentations. (ESLRs 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. (ESLRs A,B,C)

6. Students will demonstrate responsibility and accountability by being a supportive, productive member of the classroom community. (ESLRs A,B,C,D,E)

Based on the California Language Arts Content Standards and Aptos High Expected School Wide Learning Results. Aptos High ESLRs available @ www.aptoshs.net

7. Students will develop the ability to:

§ Analyze and assess a variety of literary works in a variety of literary genres including short story, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama.

§ Organize and synthesize their analyses in cogent, cohesive, and concise responses and essays.

§ Demonstrate the depth of their comprehension by summarizing and paraphrasing the content of a variety of literary works.

§ Formulate and write intelligent, well-structured responses to course assignments.

§ Defend their conclusions and ideas through relevant references and quotations from text.

§ Relate concepts that arise from class assignments and discussions with elements of their own life and society.

§ Present classroom projects comfortably before their peers, individually and in cooperative study groups.

§ Cooperate with others in meaningful projects where the goals of the group take priority over the desires of its individual members.

The following California State Language Arts Content Standards for Writing are addressed:

1.0; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 1.5

The following California State Language Arts Content Standards for Listening/ Speaking are addressed:

1.0; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3;1.4; 1.5; 1.7; 1.10; 1.11; 1.14; 2.0; 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5; 2.6

The following California State Language Arts for Reading are addressed:

1.0; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3; 2.0; 2.1; 2.2; 2.3; 2.4; 2.6; 2.7; 2.8; 3.0; 3.1; 3.2; 3.3; 3.4; 3.5; 3.6; 3.7;3.8; 3.; 3.10; 3.11; 3.12

CA Content standards are available @ http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/enggrades9-10.asp

Units of Study (activities)

1. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

2. THE AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY

3. SHORT STORIES

4. THE OBSERVATIONAL ESSAY

5. HEROES, GODS, AND MONSTERS, AND GREEK MYTHOLOGY

6. POETRY

7. RESEARCH PAPER

8. ROMEO AND JULIET

Methods of Assessment (may include tests, portfolios, projects, essays, etc.)

1. Essays

2. Journals/notebooks/portfolios/literature packets

3. Individual and group projects

4. Exams

5. In class assignments

6. Homework

7. Quizzes

8. Participation

VII

Methods to accommodate language learners and other target populations

Reciprocal Teaching

Collaborative Learning

Teacher Modeling

Scaffolding

Use of visuals and graphic organizers

Audio cassette w/ printed materials

Think/Pair Share

Strategic Grouping

VIII

Class Procedures (missed assignments, make up work assignment format)

Make Up Work
If you were absent, you will have as many days as you were absent to turn in missing work without losing points. After that, it is considered late work and will be accepted for reduced credit. The class will keep a binder where notes on the daily agenda, class assignments and homework will be recorded. Handouts will also be placed there. Students who have been absent are responsible for checking the “Class Notes” binder, collecting the appropriate handouts and making up their work.

Extra Credit

Opportunities for extra credit will be announced periodically.

Behavioral Expectations (and consequences)

The overall guideline to behavior in this class is that everyone has the right to learn in a positive environment, and no one has the right to interrupt the teaching/learning process.

Classroom Rules:

1. Respect people: Treat others as you want to be treated. There are to be absolutely no put downs or derogatory comments of any kind.

2. Respect property: Do not touch or take things that do not belong to you.

3. Come to class prepared to work: Bring your pencil, pen, notebook, books, etc.

4. Do not disturb the learning process. Class work begins as the bell rings. Do not talk or disrupt when the teacher is giving instructions or when anyone else is speaking.

Consequences for disruptive behavior (consequences depend on type of behavior and how many times student has engaged in disruptive behavior in the past):

1. Warning

2. A brief conference with the teacher at lunch or after school

3. Detention with the teacher (15 to 30 minutes)

4. A call or letter to the parent(s) or guardian(s)

5. A referral to the vice-principal: consequences such as in-house detention, suspension, or Saturday School may be assigned.

6. A behavior contract

7. A parent conference

8. Possible removal from class

Grading policy:

Points will be given for graded assignments. Each student’s points are divided by the total number of points possible to calculate a percentage score. A small assignment might receive 10-20 points, a small written work 75 points, a multi-paragraph essay 50-100 points, two-page essays 200 points a major project 100-500 points, unit tests 50-100 points, homework 100-200 points (total) and final exams 200 points. Depending upon the assignment:

q Approximately 50% of a student’s grade is based on written work, quizzes, and tests.

q Approximately 20% of a student’s grade is based on class work.

q Approximately 20% of a student’s grade is based on homework.

q Approximately 10% of a student’s grade is based on participation. Disruptive behavior can hurt your participation grade. Please act accordingly.

Final Exams are 20% of the semester grade.

A = 100-90% B = 89-80% C = 79-70% D = 69-60% F = 59% or lower

I also try to look at effort, perseverance and improvement throughout each semester as well.

I have read & understand the “Course Syllabus” for eNGLISH 1

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Parent/Guardian Signature:________________________________________________________

PARENT’S EMAIL: _____________________________________________________________________

Student Signature:_________________________________________________________________

Date:________________________________________________________________________________