course syllabus
Name of Course: English 2 ACC
Name of Teacher: stacy aronovici
E-Mail Address: saronovi@aptoshs.net
Voice Mail # 604		Room # E-100	Preparation Period: 1
I	Course Description English 2 Accelerated is a fast-paced college prep sophomore course. Students read, study, and discuss fiction and non-fiction in the genres of the novel, short story, drama, essay, poetry, and memoir. Each unit of study includes activities which align with the California State Language Arts Standards, including Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Students are required to use high level thinking skills such as logic, reasoning, evaluation, and synthesis. Writing assignments foster students’ growth in the skills of organization, development and expression of ideas, voice and style, and conventions (grammar usage, spelling, etc.). Tied to the literature is also the study of Literary terms, Vocabulary, Study, Listening and Speaking skills. Because this course moves at a faster pace than the regular college prep course, students are expected to do the majority of their reading outside of class, and at a higher volume. Although writing skills will be reviewed, it is also expected that students already come to the course with an understanding of how to write a formal essay. Students are expected to have completed summer reading upon entering the class – a minimum of 2 novels on the summer reading list – and complete a written and oral presentation on each book. For a detailed listing of the California State CONTENT STANDARDS for Language Arts Grades Nine & Ten, please visit www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/enggrades9-10.asp.
II	Materials Provided 1. TEXTBOOK: The Language Of Literature (Including SHORT STORY, NON FICTION, POETRY, AND DRAMA (ANTIGONE AND JULIUS CAESAR); The interactive Reader plus 2. ADDITONAL reading WILL BE SELECTED FROM: OF MICE AND MEN, the curious incident of the dog at night, THE BEAN TREES, FAREWELL TO MANZANAR, NIGHT, the pearl, A SEPARETE PEACE, the alchemist, aNNE fRANK, dIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL 3. VIDEOS MAY INCLUDE: “OF MICE AND MEN, “ “DEAD POET’S SOCIETY,” “JULIUS CAESAR,” DOCUMENTARIES RELATED TO JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT, DRAMA AND sHAKESPEARE; and one or two science fiction films to correspond with short story unit.
III	Materials Required 1. NOTEBOOK (spiral, 70 - 100 pages, to keep in classroom) 2. Pencil with eraser; pen, paper; Highlighter recommended
IV	Goals 1. Students will learn and apply the following Literary Terms to discussion and writing about literature: Plot, Theme, Character, Imagery, Irony, Style, Tone, Dramatic Structure, and others. 2. Students will learn and utilize new Vocabulary, taken directly from the literature and from SAT preparation lists. 3. Students will develop and use skills in Speaking and Listening through a variety of activities including reading, oral presentation, group discussion, and note taking. 4. Students will learn and improve Research, Study, and Computer skills by utilizing library and computer lab resources for a variety of assignments; and will demonstrate Responsibility and Accountability by being a supportive, productive member of the classroom community. Students will practice and improve their Writing by utilizing a variety of writing strategies and writing types (from short answer to multi-paragraph essays), including pre-writing, peer edit and evaluation, writing portfolios, and in-class notebook activities.
VI	Methods of Assessment (may include tests, portfolios, projects, essays, etc.) 1. In class assignments: quizzes, quick writes, worksheets, class work (individual & group) 2. Homework: reading, quick writes, pre-writing assignments 3. Formal essays 4. Timed writings, tests 5. Projects (individual and group; written, oral, visual) 6. Class participation
VII	Grading Policy Points are awarded based on the above assessment methods. Missed classes, tardiness, coming ill-prepared, incomplete assignments, negative or disruptive behavior, will adversely affect a student’s grade. Grades are determined by dividing the number of points a student earns by the number of points possible (for example 940 points out of 1000 = 94%, or an “A”). I do not grade on a “curve”. The grading rubric is as follows (subject to small changes depending on the quarter): 50% writing assignments (in class activities & essays), homework, quizzes 30% projects and/or tests 20% class participation (including daily writing, grammar, and/or vocabulary activities, class discussion, and group and individual activities)
VIII	Class Procedures (missed assignments, make up work assignment format) 1.Missed Assignments: It is the responsibility of the student to find out what work was missed, first by asking another student, then, if unclear, by checking with me. An appropriate time to do so would be at the end of class, at break, lunch, or after school (not during class). Students will generally have 1 day to complete missed work for each day of an excused absence. 2. Late Work: Late work will have points taken off for each day late. Work that is more than one week late will not be accepted. Students may be granted additional time to complete assignments, but they MUST consult with teacher before the due date of the assignment. 3. Work Quality (READ CAREFULLY!): All homework assignments must be typed, double spaced, in a simple 12 point font or hand written in blue or black ink. All essays must be typed in MLA format, in a simple 12-point font, unless otherwise indicated. All formal essays must be turned in with an edited rough draft attached to the back of the final draft, regardless of whether or not essay is edited in class, by teacher, family member or other students, or by student. For information and how to’s for MLA formatting visit the following link: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/ 4.Extra Credit: Students may do extra credit work each quarter, but it is only accepted when all or most of the assigned work is turned in. Extra credit work may raise a student’s grade no more than one letter grade. Possibilities for assignments will be announced periodically. Students who do independent reading may always ask for a book review assignment toward extra credit (no more than 2 per semester). 5. Checking Progress/Grades: Grades will be posted on the web and updated every other week. Grades can be accessed via my web page - http://www.aptoshs.net/~saronovi/ Students and parents will need a student password and must enter student name as follows: Last, First. Please e-mail me if you have trouble accessing grade or any other links from my web page.
IX	Behavioral Expectations (and consequences) All rules of THE MARINER CODE apply to my. In addition, the following is expected of all students: 1. Attend class regularly and on time and to participate daily in class; 2. Be prepared with required materials (pencil, pen, paper, text); 3. Leave gum, food and beverages outside the classroom; Water OK; 4. Raise hands when wishing to make a comment or ask a question; 5. Be in seat when starting bell rings and remain in seat until dismissal bell rings. 6. Treat oneself, others, property, and the learning process with respect. Failure to adhere to these expectations will result in the following: 1) Verbal warning/discussion with me; 2) Lunch time detention with me; 3) Call home and referral to office; 4) 1-2 day suspension from my class
I have read & understand the “Course Syllabus” for ENGLISH 2 ACCELERATED / 2007-2008 Parent/Guardian Signature................................................................................................................. PARENT E-MAIL ADDRESS…………………………………………………………………………………….. Student Signature................................................................................................................. PRINT NAME OF STUDENT ..............................................................…………………………………. Please return this form with BOTH signatures by Friday, August 24, 2007. cc: Teacher Student 8/14/07