ENGLISH III HONORS COURSE SYLLABUS

Captain Samantha K. Serra Sarasota Military Academy (941) 926-1700 Samantha.serra@sarasotacountyschools.net COURSE DESCRIPTION: In English III Honors, students will develop confidence and proficiency in close reading and textual analysis, th th formal and informal writing, speaking, listening, and viewing skills based on the 11 -12 grade Language Arts Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Complex texts will be studied, including classical American literature, historical documents, and present day news articles. Emphasis will be placed on encouraging students to become college and career ready in terms of their reading, writing, and speaking abilities. As this class is an honors course, students will be expected to engage in higher levels of critical thinking during discussions and demonstrate more advanced critical analysis skills in their writing and commentary in class. English III Honors will be a fast paced, reading and writing intensive course where students will be expected to remain focused and self-disciplined in order to keep up with our curriculum. COURSE OBJECTIVE: The prima ry objective of this course is to sharpen students reading, writing, and speaking skills in accordance th th with the Common Core State Standards for 11 -12 grade Language Arts via the analysis of American literature, historical documents, and various informational texts, at a pace that coordinates with the caliber of an honors level curriculum. CURRICULUM: Our curriculum will be based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as initiated by the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and implemented by the th th State of Florida. 11 -12 grade Language Arts standards fall into the following categories. Reading: Literature Reading: Informational Text Writing Speaking and Listening Language *Please see supplemental handout for a complete list of standards.

Specific content is unique to this course and will include the following focus areas: Close reading of eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century American literature, including an analysis of at least one novel: Beloved by Toni Morrison and/or The Awakening by Kate Chopin Writing formal papers (including a literary analysis paper and/or a research paper) and writing for varied purposes Current events in order to develop essential informational text analys is skills SAT preparation centered around effective reading and writing skills and test taking skills Effective participation in and observation of discussions and debates

GRADING POLICY: My grading policy is as follows:

20% Employability : This category is determined by classroom behavior. It includes but is not limited to attendance, adherence to class policies, preparedness, participation and being on task. You will begin every week with 100 points. Points are deducted or added based on student behavior . 20% Classwork and Homework : This category includes but is not limited to vocabulary, graphic organizers, short essays, group discussions, group weekly recap videos, and worksheets. 25% Formal Writing, Projects & Tests : This category includes but is not limited to a Literary Analysis Paper, a Final Review Game Project, essay exams, research papers, multiple choice tests, speeches, formal debates, individual and group projects and/or presentations. 25% Reading Journal : Your reading journals will include reading reflections, Newsday Tuesday responses, lesson reflections, etc. 10% Quizzes : Quizzes will be administered weekly on Fridays. Content will include vocabulary comprehension and reading check quizzes. Grades will be based on the following scale : 90%-100% A 80%-89% B 70%-79% C 60%-69% D Below 60% F

MATERIALS: The following materials will be provided to you for this course: The Language of Literature: American Literature by McDougal Littell (textbook) Beloved by Toni Morrison and The Awakening by Kate Chopin The Official SAT Study Guide by College Board (*yours to keep) Grammar and Writing for Standardized Tests by Sadlier-Oxford How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster

You will need the following supplies for our class by Thursday, August 22d : 1 or 1 three -ring binder Red pen 1 pack of standard lined index cards Composition notebook (to be used as a reading journal) Post-It stick on Durable Filing Tabs Pens or pencils, highlighters for daily class use College ruled loose leaf paper Pack of 100 sheet protectors $20 check made out to Sarasota Military Academy for The Official SAT Study Guide DISCIPLINE PLAN: Our discipline plan is simple. Students are expected to act maturely and respectfully. When rude or inappropriate behavior occurs, the following will apply:

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1 time: Verbal warning nd 2 time: (Name on the board ) 10 point employability deduction rd 3 time: (Check next to name) Additional 10 point employability deduction & Behavior Reflection Form a. Must be filled out in class & turned in th 4 time: (cross out name) Referral

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Employability Essays: In order to simultaneously improve persistent inappropriate behavior and your writing skills, you may be asked to turn in an additional essay assignment as opposed to a Disciplinary Referral. Specific prompts will be assigned. Prompts and lengths will be determined by the teacher based on your infraction. Your grade on the assignment will be your employability grade for the month. Accordingly, if you do not turn it in, you will receive a zero for the week. Parents will be required to sign a notification of the assignment.

IMPORTANT PROCEDURES: Late Work : Late work will be accepted with a consequence of a 5 point deduction per day that it is late. There is a maximum 25 point deduction. Absences: If you are absent, YOU and only YOU are responsible for getting your make-up work from me. See me during class the FIRST day after your absence to ensure that you stay on track. You must turn in your make-up work within the number of days you were absent. Any work submitted after that will be considered late work and penalized accordingly. Tardiness: Showing up late is unacceptable in the workplace and it therefore unacceptable in our class. 5 employability points will be deducted for every unexcused tardy. Make-up Work : You may make up any assignment that you have failed to turn in at any time before the grading period ends. For example, you could not make up a 1st quarter assignment during 2nd quarter. The policy outlined for late work applies equally to all make-up work. This is a valuable policy considering the maximum points deducted from an assignment is 25! Accepting a 0 on any assignment is, therefore, unacceptable ! Restroom Procedures: You may use the restroom at any time during class, provided you obtain teacher permission first. I will approve or delay restroom requests based on the importance of current classroom activities and the frequency of restroom requests. In order to leave the classroom, you must sign out and place your cell phone into the container on my desk. If you claim to not have a cell phone that day and I catch you with one, it will result in an automatic 0 for your employability grade that week.

Employability : Employability constitutes 20% of your grade. Employability grades are based on classroom behavior and will be entered on a weekly basis. You are expected to behave respectfully and politely toward your classmates and your teacher in class every day. A bad attitude, rude or disrespectful behavior, bullying/taunting, inappropriate language, off-task behavior, etc. will not be tolerated. Frequent bathroom breaks or other excuses to leave the classroom will be reflected in your employability grade as well. Be nice and do your best! :) 3

Cheating and/or Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism is absolutely, unquestionably 100% UNACCEPTABLE. If you are caught cheating on a test, assignment or a quiz or plagiarizing (even a few sentences!) an essay or other writing assignment/project, you will not only receive a 0 on the assignment and be unable to make it up but you will also receive a 0 for your employability grade for the week. In addition, pending consideration of severity of the offense and the weight of the assignment, you will more than likely be referred to the SMA Honor Board. Extra Credit: Extra credit is an opportunity to be taken advantage of when and if it is offered. I will not give one person extra credit work just so that they can bring up their grade. When I offer extra credit, it will be class-wide and cannot be turned in late or made-up.