English IV Syllabus Room: B-5

Mrs. Meaghan Axel Planning Pd: 5th A/B Days, 4th C Days
Email: axelm@dcpsmd.org
Gmail: mrsaxelnd@gmail.com

Course Description
This twelfth grade course is the last in a series of accelerated courses designed to refine and enhance reading,
writing, and critical thinking skills. It addresses the Maryland Common Core Curriculum Frameworks for
English and is intended for students who have demonstrated the highest levels of knowledge and skill in
previous courses. Honors English IV promotes the competencies students need to succeed in careers that
demand strong language skills and in the most selective post-secondary institutions. The course includes critical
reading and analysis of literature, college level essays, and an analytical research paper presented in MLA
Format.

Course Requirements
Work hard, be kind (This also works outside the classroom)
You will be required to read, write, and participate in discussions. I ask that you try your best every day. I
expect you to make mature decisions. Be present, take notes, ask questionsthe time will go by faster if
you are actively participating!
This course will be heavily based on comprehending and responding to British literature from the 400s to
the present.
You will be required to respond both verbally and in writing in individual and group settings. It is
imperative that you take the time to closely read all assigned materials. By completing the reading, you will
be able to fully participate in all classroom activities and should have no trouble gaining valuable
information from the material.

Textbooks and Resources

Holt McDougal British Literature

Required Materials
Flashdrive (can be the same one you use with all classes)
Several pencils
Many pens
At least 1 highlighter
Lots of notebook paper
A binder (or section of a larger binder) for just English IV

*Consider creating a Google Drive account to share files with me for feedback. You only need a gmail address
to sign up.

Grading Policy
As per the county policy, all classwork and homework grades are 30% of the overall final grade. Tests, quizzes,
major projects, and essays are 70% of the overall final grade. Please refer to your agenda for the full
explanation of the grading policy.
Guidelines for Success
The #1 way to succeed in English IVcommunicate with me! Let me know what you need to succeed!
Be prepared for class.
Take care of your business (bathroom, sharpening your pencil, passing in late work, etc.) before the bell
rings.
When the bell rings you should be in your seat working on the warm-up.
Complete your daily assignments to the best of your ability and meet all deadlines.
Be engaged in class discussions and contribute when working in groups.
Listen to others when they are sharing.
Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before contributing to class discussions. (Unless otherwise
stated.)
Stay in your assigned seat unless you have permission to move.
Challenge yourself!
Limit distractions by leaving food, drinks, toys, cell phones, and other electronics in your locker (or at
home).
In the event that you are absent, please check the make-up work binder and/or the classroom assistance
website www.ndaxel.weebly.com upon your return to class.
Be organized. Keep your English IV notes together. You will need them to study for assessments!
BE RESPECTFUL
Have a positive attitude.

Textbook
You will be assigned a textbook. It must be covered. You are responsible for taking care of this book.
You will be assigned a username and pin number to access the textbook online at home if you need it for an
assignment.

Writing Format
For all paper assignments, unless otherwise noted, you will need to use this heading:
Name, date, and assignment name must be written or typed in the upper LEFT hand corner.
Paragraphs must be indented.
All writing assignments must be edited for spelling and other corrections before they are turned in
All writing assignments that are handwritten should be legible and written in ink.

Consequences
Consequences depend of the severity of the offense, but all will result in a phone call or email home.
1. Lunch detention
2. After school detention
3. Office referral
4. Conference with parent/guardian

Units of Study
Unit Description Quarter
Units Q1
The Origin of a Nation: The Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods 449-1485 (September 6
A Celebration of Human Achievement: The English Renaissance 1485-1660 November 8)

Skills and Concepts of Focus Epic, Historical Context, Authors Purpose, Inference, Conflict, Figurative
Language, Connotative Meaning, Tone, Imagery, Kenning, Alliteration, Hyperbole, Shift, Slant Rhyme,
Irony, Verbal Irony, Dramatic Irony, Epic Hero, Universal Theme, Character Traits

Summative Assessments
Essays
Quizzes
Quarter 1 Summative Assessment

Units Q2
Tradition and Reason: The Restoration and the 18th Century 1660-1798 (November 9
Emotion and Experimentation: The Flowering of Romanticism 1798-1832 January 25)
Research

Skills and Concepts of Focus Authors Purpose, Verbal Irony, Ironic, Satirical, Claim, Counterargument,
Controlling Idea, Synthesize, Credit Sources, Formal Tone, Research Tool, Evaluate Reliability, Revise
Documentation, Exaggeration, Inference, Speaker, Metaphor, Tone, Assonance, Theme

Summative Assessments
Essays
Quizzes
Quarter 2 Summative Assessment
Research Paper
Units Q3
The Era of Rapid Change: The Victorians 1832-1901 (January 26
New Ideas, New Voices: Modern and Contemporary Literature 1901-present April 3)

Skills and Concepts of Focus Infer, Plot Complication, Figurative Language, Tone, Authors Choice,
Authors Attitude, Symbol, Theme, Emotional Appeal, Assertion, Fact vs. Opinion, Main Idea, Imagery, Point
of View, Dialogue, Realism, Victorianism

Summative Assessments
Essays
Quizzes
Quarter 3 Summative Assessment
Units Q4
New Ideas, New Voices: Modern and Contemporary Literature 1901-present (April 4 May
22)
Skills and Concepts of Focus Setting, Point of View, Cultural Background, Plot, Dialogue, Drawing
Conclusions, Theme, Characterization, Central Idea, Context Clues

Summative Assessments
Essays
Quizzes
Quarter 4 Summative Assessment

North Dorchester Learner Commitment:

We are the North Dorchester Eagles. We are becoming college, career, and community ready by demonstrating
integrity, honor, and ethics through our voices and our choices.