Course Outline:  ENG I

Mrs. Kari Farmer

 

Course Description:  This course is an integrated approach to the language arts designed to help the student refine and develop his/her ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to think independently, and to read perceptively. 

 

Objectives:  The student will:

 

• Read, evaluate, and discuss a variety of literature, identifying the important elements of each piece.
• Develop written fluency by writing regularly about personal feelings or experiences and by responding frequently to literature in formal and informal essays.
• Increase his/her working vocabulary.
• Become a better listener and speaker.
• Recognize many sources of information available for research and become more proficient in the research process, using library resources and documenting them properly.
• Write original expository essays in standard edited English.

 

Text:            Adventures in Reading

 

Areas of Study:

 

• Short Story
• Poetry
• Epic:  The Odyssey
• Nonfiction:  Hiroshima
• The Novel:  Great Expectations, Ellen Foster, Ordinary People, To Kill A Mockingbird, 47, Of Mice and Men
• Drama:  Oedipus The King, Romeo and Juliet
• Research
• The Writing Process
• Review of Grammar, Usage, Sentence Structure, and Punctuation as Necessary

 

Required Materials:

 

• Three-ring binder
• Loose-leaf paper
• Pens (black or blue only please)
• Library access
• Access to a typewriter or computer and printer (The computers in the library may be used after school.)

** If you have difficulty in obtaining any of these materials, please see me after class by the

     end of this week.

 

Reading:  The course will include a variety of reading material.  Most of the reading will be assigned as homework.  It is essential to keep up with reading assignments, so that you will be able to complete other assignments at home or in class.

 

Class Work:  As we study various works, and work on writing skills, there will be a wide variety of class work and activities.  Our work during class periods is meant to increase your understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of everything we do.  As mentioned above, the first and most important step in this process is for you to keep up with assigned reading.  In addition to the reading, there are other elements that lead to successful use of class time.

 

• Punctuality:  arrive on time, and be ready to work when class begins.  Be in your assigned seat when the class begins. Remain in your seat until the end of class.

 

• Preparation:  every day, you need to bring the following:

 

1.      Your copy of the text we’re studying

2.      Your English notebook/folder, containing notes, handouts, assignments

3.      Pens and notebook paper

 

• Participation:  you need to be a part of what’s happening in class, whether working alone or with other students.  Your best effort is expected at all times, both for your own benefit and for the class as a whole.

 

• Productivity:  your full participation should ensure that the class period is productive.  Other conditions that help productivity include:

 

1.      Safety (rules relating to safety are part of school wide policy)

2.      A comfortable, clean environment (no food, drinks, or gum)

3.      A respectful, friendly atmosphere, based on trust, free of negativity

4.      Attentiveness to classmates and the teacher

 

• Substitute Teacher:  When I am absent, I expect the best behavior from my students.  In the event that the class is taught by a substitute, your responsibility is to help make things run as smoothly as possible.  That means you still need to turn in work that is due, and you need to help ensure that the class period is as productive as usual. A substitute’s report can influence your class participation grade for better or for worse.

 

• Disrespect:  Disrespect is NOT tolerated at any time.  Disrespect includes:  interrupting the teacher while she is speaking; interrupting another student while he or she is speaking; yelling across the room while the class is settling down, during group work, or during the last five minutes of the period, sleeping in class, talking over the announcements, criticizing another student, and making another student feel uncomfortable.

 

If I feel that you are being disrespectful in class, I will give you a verbal warning.  The second time I need to speak to you, you will attend a detention with me after school.  You will have one day to arrange a ride.  If you fail to make detention, Mr. Goyette will be immediately notified.

 

Papers, Projects, Long-Term Assignments:  Throughout the year there will be assignments that accompany our reading and class work.  As often as possible, you will have the opportunity to choose from among various options.  Most of this work will include multiple steps and drafts.  The best thing you can do to help your grade is to get the work completed on time.  Late work will be penalized one grade (or 10%) each day that the assignment is overdue.

 

Now, the good news… you will receive two coupons that may be used throughout the year.  These coupons will allow you to turn in a writing assignment or homework assignment one day late.  These coupons are NOT to be used with group projects, rough drafts (when you will be peer-editing in class) or oral presentations.  So, plan ahead!  Save your coupons for when you really need them (when the computer breaks, your printer runs out of ink, etc.). 

 

Tests & Quizzes:  Tests and quizzes will be a regular part of the class. Think of tests as an opportunity to show what you know, and to be rewarded for keeping up with your work.  Quizzes may be unannounced (“pop” quizzes), so always be sure to keep up with assigned reading.

 

Personal Integrity:  Ultimately, your personal integrity and honor matter much more than your grade on a paper or a test.  Realizing this fact, you would not even consider cheating.  But, even if you cheated and avoided detection, you would know that you had taken a short cut, cheating yourself and your classmates.  And if you did get caught… let’s not even consider the consequences!  (But since someone will ask… a zero credit and parental notification are only the first steps for a first offense).

 

Absences and Grading:

 

• If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed, and to do any necessary make-up work.  You are also responsible for remembering to turn in work that may have been collected when you were absent.   
• Tests must be made up within five (5) days.  If a test has been announced and you are absent on the test day, it is best to make it up on the day you return.
• Homework and pop quizzes must be completed and turned in the first day following an absence.
• If homework is assigned on the day of your absence, the homework must be made up within two (2) days after your return to class.
• NO assignment will be accepted late!  Work will not be accepted after I have taken up the assignment.
• All grades count:  compositions, tests, projects, group work, and homework.
• Checking in and out of school does not excuse you from turning in an assignment.  If you have been on the school campus, it is your responsibility to turn in the assignment to me.  Failure to turn work in on the due date will result in a zero on the assignment.
• No extra credit work is accepted; if you care, do your best today.

 

Be careful about getting all your work in.  If you’re missing even a small assignment, it can have a big impact on your grade.  Even if the make up work is difficult or rushed, get it done!  A zero is much worse than an F.  Consider…

 

If student X forgot a 10-point assignment, but earned 10/10 points on the next two assignments, the average of those grades is a D (20/30 – 67%).  Even if student X earns perfect marks on the next two assignments, the average of four A’s and a zero is a B- (40/50 = 80%).  Student Z struggled with the same first assignment, earning only 6/10 points.  Z can earn a better grade than X, without ever earning 10/10 on an assignment.