Sophomore Pre-AP English Ms. Shaughnessy (jennifershaughnessy@u-46.

org)

This class is designed to develop and reinforce the skills you will need to prepare you for the Advanced Placement courses offered junior and senior year. To meet these standards you will: Develop writing skills intended to reflect your personal voice through journal reflections and essay writing. Scholarly writing will be done in the form of essays and research papers. Achieve a sharp, critical focus for reading and analyzing literature. This will include structure, character(s), development, conflict, point of view, setting, irony, figurative language, symbolism, theme and much more. Formal and informal speaking activities to enhance meaningful class discussions, individual and group presentations/speeches. Prepare for the ACT exam through extensive reading, vocabulary, and writing practices.

The literature studied this year will represent a variety of cultures around the world, different time periods and genres. Students are expected to work in small groups, partnerships, and individually throughout the course of this year. Some reading assignments will be studied in class while others will be the students responsibility to read through and decipher. These assignments must be completed to allow for discussions, assessments, and assignments to be completed. Each text will require you to reflect on this theme and analyze its effect on the culture, time, individual characters, and yourself. Supplies needed for this class: Either a binder with tabs divided into sections or a five subject notebook where sections can be labeled: Vocabulary, Reading Journal, Notes, Writing Journal Blue or black pens Pencils Loose-leaf paper Post its Highlighter Red pens

Grading Scale:

90-100 80-89 B

70-79 60-69

C D E/F

59 and below

*In a Pre-AP course extra credit is rarely given. *Grading is done on a quarterly basis and the end of a quarter marks the end of a grading term. GRADES CANNOT BE CHANGED FROM A QUARTER THAT HAS ALREADY PASSED. *Grades are not rounded to a higher grade level.

Breakdown of Grades: ***Writing 35%

All formal writing assignments must be typed (using 1.5 spacing) Papers turned in late will receive a letter grade off (deduction of 10%/ per day late) ***Participation 20%

Failure to have books, remember when speaking, interrupting others, or refusing to participate will result in the loss of points. These points cannot be earned back once they are lost. ***Projects 20%

Some are done in a group setting while others are individual- regardless of setup each student is graded on an individual basis. Quarterly independent reading will be counted in the projects section. ***Tests/Timed Writing ***Homework 15% 10%

Late homework assignments will not be accepted.

Independent Reading: Students are required to read each quarter-this assignment will be be counted in the project section of their overall grade. The books can be selected by the student, but the genre will be selected by me. Every quarter marks a different genre. Books selected must fall within the designated genre- if they do not they will not be counted. Assignments are given at the start of every quarter and students are responsible for turning in the book assignments in a timely fashion. A personal

dictionary will be kept of 45 words per quarter and turned in at the end. This is to be kept in the vocabulary section of their notebook. Other assignments- character sketches, character growth and analysis, etc will be done in the form of journals and essays. STUDENTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE READING!!!

Please sign below stating that you understand the rules and expectations. Return this form by: _______ __________________________________________ (Student) ______________________ _________________________________________ (Parent) (Date)