English IV/English IV Honors Syllabus

Dear Young Adults,

Please read this syllabus carefully. It is important that you know what you will be doing in your English class.
You must also know the supplies you will need and your responsibilities while in class or when you have to be
absent.
The English IV curriculum is designed to prepare you for life after high school. Whether you plan to attend
college, join the military, work in a family business, or open a business of your own, you will be required to
read, write, and think critically, and that is what we will focus on this year.
You may see a course overview by logging onto http://haddenj.weebly.com or you may email me at
haddenj@columbiak12.com. Another way to contact me is to call the front office (755-8080) and leave me a
message. I will return your call as quickly as possible.
Please have your parent/guardian sign this syllabus after reading it to indicate they have gone over it with you
and return the signed portion by Friday for your first grade.
Grading Policy: Grades will be determined using a percentile function. Daily work will account for 40% of
your grade. Tests, projects, final drafts of written assignments will be worth 50%, and each nine weeks test will
be worth 10% of your grade. The student must be mindful of attendance where the nine weeks test is
concerned. If unexcused absences exceed four days, the student must pass the nine weeks test in order to pass
the nine weeks (59 Rule). Work assigned during an absence must be made up in a timely manner in order to
earn full credit.

Objectives for English IV and English IV Honors include but are not limited to:
Activities to foster critical thinking, reading, and writing
Exposure to increased vocabulary through literature and an understanding/reinforcement of literary terms
Practice in public speaking through projects and reports presented to the class
Practice using the computer for word processing, research, and presentation techniques
Preparation for success on SAT and ACT tests and college application
Suggested Reading:
Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt Collections
Thought provoking Fiction and Nonfiction that foster evaluation and debate
Fiction and Nonfiction that exemplify elements of creative, narrative, and rhetorical writing such as voice,
analysis, and criticism
Fiction, Drama, and Poetry to reinforce literary devices and techniques
Writing: research, personal narrative, technical, grammar and sentence structure review
Vocabulary: literary terms and vocabulary contained in reading selections
Course Pacing: Pacing timeline is subject to change
Semester 1: Weeks 1-4 - Chasing Success prompts us determine what success means on personal, academic,
and societal levels. During this unit a personal narrative will be required as well as analysis of texts about the
pursuit of success. This unit will also consist of students creating a vision board. Texts included in this unit
will include Maritas Bargain by Malcolm Gladwell and other selections from Florida Collections.
Weeks 5-10 - Voices of Protest takes a look at purposes for protest and methods of protest. Students will
explore the use of satire as a method of protest and will practice writing satire, as well as creating satirical
images. This unit will also consist of students evaluating the use rhetoric by viewing this years presidential
debates, as well as participating in argumentative discussions, such as philosophical chairs and a debate.
Students will also view excerpts from the film The Great Debaters. Texts included in this unit will be Martin

Luther King Jrs Speech on the War in Vietnam, 1967 and Jonathan Swifts A Modest Proposal*. English IV
classes will begin a novel study of Kathryn Stocketts The Help.
Weeks 11-18 - Seeking Justice, Seeking Peace will find us exploring Shakespeare's Hamlet. Along with
exposure to Elizabethan English, this selection offers us the opportunity to delve ever deeper into
Shakespeare's poetry and structure. We will examine the universality and origins of the themes present in
Hamlet. We will also look for similarities in today's popular literature and culture.
Semester 2: Weeks 1-6 - Gender Roles explores the roles of men and women throughout the history of
Western Civilization. Chaucer's The Wife of Bath's Tale presents stereotyping in a humorous light allowing us
to again compare attitudes throughout history. Honors classes will begin study and analysis of Emily Brontes
Wuthering Heights. Students will also do a film study of the movie Whale Rider.
Weeks 7-12 - Taking Risks presents the ancient epic poem Beowulf and asks readers to weigh the risk in
seeking justice. Who are our modern day heroes? Film versions of Beowulf will be excerpted as part of our
study.
Weeks 13-18 - Finding Ourselves in Nature encourages us to explore our creativity with words. This last unit
will consist of students analyzing, writing, and performing poetry. Students will explore several forms of poetry
including but not limited to: blackout, lyric, ballad, ode, free form, and participating in a poetry slam. A
reflective Letter to Self will be the last piece of writing for students. Poetry selections will be varied.
Asterisk (*) denotes Honors material
Classroom Expectations:
Treat others as you wish to be treated
Keep an open mind and a positive attitude about broadening your horizons
Classroom Rules:

Arrive to class on time and prepared with supplies every day.

Your cell phone is not to be used in class unless you have permission from your teacher.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get your make-up work from the teacher. Make-up work for
unexcused absences will be graded, but under the 59 Rule guidelines**.
Snacks and drinks are allowed in class, but you are responsible for cleaning up your mess. Abuse of this
privilege will result in revocation.
**Refer to the county website (columbia.k12.fl.us) for campus tardy and absence policies.
Supplies: blue or black pens, pencils, an eraser, highlighters, and college-ruled notebook paper
Also, a donation of a box of tissue, a ream of printer paper, hand sanitizer, or a package of notebook paper
would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to a great year!
Detach and return the below portion by Friday (10 points)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Students name: ________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature: ________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian preferred method of contact: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(Please include necessary contact information, such as phone number or email address)