Introductory English

2017-2018 Syllabus
Veritas High School
General Class Information
Teacher: Shentel Manresa Email: smanresa@mysohi.org
Class Location: B05
Meeting Times: Google Classroom Code:

Office Hours/Tutorial Times: M-F 8am-8:15am T-F 3:15pm-3:45pm (or longer if needed)

Main Units This Year: Classroom Supply List:

Semester 1:
1. Reading & Responding to Narrative Texts
a. Finding Deeper Meaning in Simple Text
i. Mini Thematic Analysis
b. Legend by Marie Lu
i. Thematic Collage
2. Drama’s Tragic Works
a. The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet
by William Shakespeare
i. Mini Thematic Analysis
ii. Formal Comparative Analysis
Semester 2:
3. Classic Themes in Literature
a. Differentiated Literature Circles
i. Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters, The
Adventures of Ulysses, or The Odyssey
A. Formal Thematic Analysis
4. Realistic Fiction
a. Differentiated Literature Circles
i. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time
Indian, Water for Elephants, or The Great
Gatsby
A. Mind Map
B. Formal Thematic Analysis
Required:
→ Spiral Notebook (one just for this class)
→ Pocket Folder (one just for this class)
Suggested:
→ Post-it notes
→ Variety Pack of highlighters
Absences:
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to
check Google Classroom and talk with me
about what you’ve missed. You will receive one
additional day on assignments per day you
were gone. Any assessments due on the day of
your absence will be due the day you return,
unless otherwise discussed with me.
Again, it is YOUR responsibility to see me about
missed class time. If you miss a due date or an
assignment because you did not see me, it will
be considered late.
 Grades & Skyward
Grades: Most daily/weekly assignments are out of 4 points. Summative are out of 10 points, however
on your rubrics, they will read on a 4-point scale.This means your rubrics should read as follows:

Rubrics will read: Skyward would read: Which translates to:

4 = 9.5 = A

3 = 8.5 = B

2 = 7.5 = C

1 = 6.5 = D

0 = 5.5 = U

Skyward: Your grades in skyward will be divided into three main categories. One of them will be
reserved for the final exam at the end of each semester. The other two are as follows:

Formative Assessment: Summative Assessment:

Think of Formative Assessments like practice
and check-ins so I know how you are
progressing with the standards. These include,
but are not limited to, nightly/weekly
assignments, in class assignments, quizzes,
reading assignments.
Total Percentage =25%
Think of Summative Assessments like final
showcasing of knowledge and skill. These will
be entered in on the 10-point scale described
above. Summative Assessments include, but
are not limited to, essays, projects, tests, and
final showcasing of standards.
Total Percentage = 60%

Due Dates & Extensions

Every assignment will have a very specific deadline. Late
daily/weekly assignments will not be accepted.

That being said, I do understand that you have lives

outside of my classroom and sometimes life gets in the
way of your education. If you come to talk with me,
explaining why you need an extension, generally I will
allow it. HOWEVER, extensions are not guaranteed, they
are only given at my discretion.
 Reassessments & “Retakes”
Students are allowed to ¨retake¨ or ¨reassess¨ on certain things, at teacher’s discretion. Reassessments will
be allowed UP UNTIL THE LAST WEEK OF THE GRADING PERIOD (quarter or semester). If after
speaking with me and setting up a plan to reassess, you do not follow through-- YOU CANNOT REASSESS.
The requirements are as follows:

“Retakes” on Quizzes Reassessment of Standards

Quizzes are given to check if you’ve read, however
it is imperative that you read the material. Therefore
if you are unhappy with your score, you can make
corrections on that quiz AFTER YOU’VE READ the
material, you will earn ½ credit per correctly
answered question.
1. Decide you want to reassess, then take the
assignment home and get it signed by a guardian,
explaining to them why you want to reassess.
2. Bring it to school and complete the “Self Assess for
Assistance” form as well as the “Letter of Intention”

Quiz corrections will only be accepted if ALL
questions have been attempted. A parent signature
on the original quiz is required before quiz
corrections will be accepted. The following must be
answered on your quiz corrections:
1. The first few words of the question
2. What is the correct answer?
3. Why is that the correct answer?
4. Where can the correct answer be found?
This is not a punishment; it is to create dialogue
between you and your parents about your grades
and effort in English class.
3. Have a brief meeting with me where we discuss: your
new deadline, when will you have the
reassessment completed by, and what steps will you
take to better the assessment?
4. Before or on the day of your deadline you will
complete the “Reassessment Self Evaluation” form,
explaining what steps you made to improve your
learning and product.
5. If you do not complete the reassessment by your
deadline without conferencing with me prior, you
can no longer reassess those standards unless it is
on a different assignment.

Late Work Policy

Not all assignments can be turned in late. Again, most daily/weekly assignments will not be accepted late. Late Essays will
be accepted; however there will be a penalty. The process for turning in late work is as follows:

1. Any late assignment will not be accepted without a guardian signature on the assignment. Again, this is not meant to be
a punishment; it is meant to create dialogue between you and your guardian(s) about your work in English class.
2. If necessary, meet with me about what your new deadline will be. We will discuss whether or not you will be able to turn it
in, and potentially discuss a plan to ensure you complete the assignment by your new deadline.
3. Either on or before your New Deadline, your essay is due. If you do not have it completed by that date, you
will not be able to submit the essay.

Penalty for Late Essays (Rough or Final Drafts): NO REVISIONS/REASSESSING on that essay
& minimal to no commentary on essay.
 Academic Dishonesty
● Cheating: Cheating of any kind (copying on a test or copying
homework, for my class or someone else’s) will not be tolerated.
○ Test/quiz: Your test/quiz will be taken away from you and
you will be required to take a retake, where the highest
grade you can earn is a C (75%) with NO quiz corrections.
○ Homework (my class or another): Your homework and the
homework you are copying from will be taken away and
given to the teacher it belongs to. If you are copying for my
class, both you and the person who gave you permission
to copy their work will have to choose your consequence.
You have two options: split the points earned on the
assignment or both receive a zero.
● Plagiarism: Plagiarizing (turning in work that has been copied
from the internet, a book, or someone else’s work even if it has
been modified or changed in any way) is unacceptable. In either
case, you will be written up, have a meeting with administration,
● and must redo the assignment from scratch (meaning you must
pick a new topic/stance).
○ If you make the decision to plagiarize, your consequence will be that you are no longer be
eligible to exempt the final and the highest grade you can earn on the assignment is a C
(75%).

Google Drive & Classroom

Most of your teachers will be using Google Docs for assignments and handouts. It is helpful if you create folders for
each class to help keep yourself organized throughout the year.

Alos, each hour will have their own Google Classroom. On that website, I will post weekly agendas, assignments,
reminders, and any other information needed for the class.

I have read this syllabus with my parent/guardian and have explained what will be expected of
me this year in Introductory English. I know that my decisions have consequences and my
education is important.

By signing this, I agree to all the terms and consequences laid out in the syllabus.

Student Signature Guardian Signature Date