College Preparatory (CP) English 11 Course Syllabus

Mrs. Boyle alissa.boyle@mhu.k12.ca.us www.boyleclassroom.weebly.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION: What is this class? The English 11 Course at Sobrato High School is designed to build upon the literature, composition, vocabulary, and other communications skills addressed in sophomore English classes. Students engage in a variety of learning experiences: writing, research, oral presentations, reading of various genres, group work, and independent study. Through these experiences, students will explore the development of rhetoric as part of American history and thought. Students will also strive to improve competence in writing well-developed essays and participating in engaging and questioning discussions. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: What will we be trying to answer throughout the year? How and why is argument an important skill in society (throughout history and in modern times)? Does advertising promote propaganda or promote free trade and wealth? What is the relationship between society and nature? What roles do philosophy and religion play in society? What are our responsibilities in regards to language? How does language change over time? How and why is satire an important tool in bringing about societal change?

COMMON CORE STANDARDS: What skills will we gain as a result of success in this class? Through this course, students will Employ active reading strategies to understand text. Deepen their understanding of a literary or informational work by relating it to its contemporary context, historical background or critical response. Identify, analyze, and apply knowledge of theme in a literary work and provide evidence from the text to support their understanding. Identify, analyze, and apply knowledge of structure, and elements of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama and provide evidence from the text to support their understanding. Identify and analyze an authors diction and syntax and provide evidence from the text to support their understanding. Write with a clear focus, coherent organization and sufficient detail for a variety of purposes. Apply knowledge of style, tone, and word choice in writing for different audiences. Gather information from a variety of sources, analyze and evaluate the quality of the information they obtain, and incorporate the research in their compositions and projects. Pose questions, listen to the ideas of others, and synthesize information with their own experiences in a variety of classroom settings. Study the nuances of vocabulary, applying their knowledge to reading, writing and speaking. TEXTS: What will we be reading and analyzing throughout the year? Students will read a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts including, but not limited to: newspaper articles Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer advertisements, music, and artwork The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain literary criticisms The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald foundational American documents Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller All students will also be required to read independent texts outside of the classroom. Students will be required to select, read, and respond to multiple independent texts in order to obtain credit throughout the year. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: How will we write in response to what weve read and discussed? Rhetorical Analysis Journal Entries/ Creative Writing Short responses & discussion preps Synthesis Essay Personal Essay Group and self-reflections Literature-based expository writing

Classroom Policies
1. Be on time! A student will be marked tardy if he/she is not in his/her assigned seat by the time the bell rings. The only way to avoid being marked late is to have a pass from the office or from another teacher indicating the reason for your tardiness. Experiencing traffic in the morning, forgetting things in your locker, the weather, etc. are not acceptable reasons to be late.
*Bonus: Consult your student handbook to find out 1) How many tardies create one unexcused absence? _____________ 2) How many unexcused absences are allowed per semester? _______________ 3) What action can a teacher take when a student goes beyond the allowed number of unexcused absences? ________________________

2. Homework policy: Homework is most effective when it is completed on time! In order to receive full credit for your homework, it must be presented on time in class on the date that it is due (not at home, in your locker, etc.). I will always take late work up to 1 week after the original due date unless the assignment has already been reviewed or is no longer relevant.
For example: You may turn in a writing assignment or large individual project up to a week late, but you may only submit vocabulary homework until the date of the vocabulary quiz. This is because the writing or project would still be important for your own studies, but the vocabulary practice is irrelevant after the quiz has been taken.

Acceptable late homework will not count for full credit, but it will always count for passing credit: Homework turned in 1 class day late = 80% credit possible Homework 2 days or more late = 60% credit possible

3. Be NORM-al: You are all intelligent people with a lot to contribute to this classroom! Always following the norms will ensure that everyone feels comfortable and respected and lives up to their full potential. *List the norms that are displayed in our room: ________________________________, _____________________________, ______________________________, ____________________________. 4. Bathroom/hall pass policy: All students MUST have their agendas with them in order to leave the classroom. Each student will receive 3 passes per quarter in their agendas. In order to leave the room, you must raise your hand, fill out ALL parts of the sign out sheet at the back of the agenda, and have the pass signed by Mrs. Boyle.
*Bonus: 1) How many minutes do students have between classes at Mrs. Boyles old school, Natick High School in Natick, MA? _________ (Hint: Look up the school website and then find the student block schedule on the site.) 2) How many minutes do you have between classes as a student of Sobrato High School? _________

5. Be an advocate for your education, NOT your grade! Sometimes, students get lost in the competition for the highest GPA or the passing grade, and forget to be sure that they are actually learning something in school. Be sure to always ask for help understanding concepts or ideas rather than for help raising your grade. 6. Be professional! Corresponding with a teacher or peer online is NOT like texting your friend. Be sure to always include 1) a greeting (Dear Mrs. Boyle) and 2) a signature (your full name at the end of the message) in any email you send. Be sure to proofread any online message or email and make sure youve fully and respectfully explained the problem, question, or issue at hand. Any unprofessional emails (ur such a gr8 teacher, did u enter my grade yet!!!???!??! what wuz the homework?) will not be returned.
*Bonus info: One of Mrs. Boyles pet peeves is when students use the beginning of class to ask a million questions about what theyve missed or give explanations about why their homework isnt done. Be sure to use your peers as resources, see me during an appropriate break, or email me at a more appropriate time!

How is YOUR GRADE determined?

Homework: 20% Writing: 30% Quizzes/Projects/ Tests: 30% Citizenship: 20%

*Bonus info: Citizenship = any points given for a students class participation, attitude, and overall effort in the classroom. ***Mrs. Boyle reserves the right to change or add to any of these policies throughout the academic year.