English I Mr.

Grigas
Neuqua Valley High School English Department
2014-2015 Course Syllabus

Instructor Contact Information

Instructor: Mr. Matt Grigas
Phone: 630-428-6000 Ext. 4757
E-mail: matt_grigas@ipsd.org
Office Hours: Before school, after school, and by
appointment





Course Overview & Description
Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year! The English I College Preparatory curriculum is based on various themes throughout World
Literature. The material provides a strong basis for understanding and appreciating the richness of various cultures. The course is designed
to provide a general overview of specific literary genrespoetry, drama, short stories, movies, and novelswhile engaging students in the
four disciplines of reading, writing, speaking and listening, and visual literacy. The course is divided into four units with a major work of
literature being the focal point in the thematic study. Various short stories, nonfiction, poetry, research, lecture, etc. will be used as
introductory material to the major work. The units and the accompanying major works are listed sequentially below:

First Semester

Unit 1: Decisions and their Outcomes
Of Beetles and Angels by Mawi Asgedom

Unit 2: The Journey
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Second Semester

Unit 3: The Search for Justice
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Unit 4: Complicated Relationships
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Grade Updates
Grades will be updated in the eSchoolPlus
system every 3 weeks. Students and
parents are encouraged to monitor
student progress and contact the
instructor with any questions or concerns.
Grading Categories:
Speaking and Listening: 20%
Writing: 30%
Assessment: 20%
Preparation: 10%
Final Exam: 20%
IPSD 204 Grade Scale
100 90 A
89 - 80 B
79 70 C
69 60 D
59 and below F

Final Exam Information
Each semester will end in a comprehensive exam that will count for 20% of the students semester grade; thus, all other preparation
activities, speaking/listening activities, writing assignments, and assessments will count for 80% of the students semester grade.

Task 1: Multiple choice assessment that measures knowledge of reading skills and major grammar
concepts of the semester
Task 2: Brainstorming activity/graphic organizer completion
Task 3: In-class essay
Task 4: Research component
Task 5: Academic discussion/presentation ***in-school attendance is required for this portion***
Final Grades
You EARN your grade. Understand that the work you do (or dont do) determines the grade earned in this class. Asking me to
change or round your final grade is unethical and puts us both in an uncomfortable position. Grades round up from .5 and will not
be altered.

Extra Credit/Abe Lincoln Program
The Abe Lincoln reading program will be the only extra credit opportunities offered in this course. Details will be explained early in the first
semester. Students with missing work or extreme absence issues are ineligible for extra credit. Extra credit may not exceed 5% of
the semester points, will be added to the preparation category unless otherwise specified by the teacher

Class Policies
LATE WORK
All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Anything
submitted after the requested time will be considered late and
will be graded appropriately.

MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS 1 second to 5 days late: One letter
grade lost per day late; more than 5 days late will result in zero
credit.

MINOR ASSIGNMENTS 1 second to 24 hours late: Half credit
(50%) on the next day; more than one day late will result in zero
credit.

NOVELS
It is highly recommended that students purchase their own
novels for annotation purposes. Novels may be purchased at
the Book Fair or at any local bookstore. Book Fair prices are
listed below. Book fair will start on Wednesday, August 27th.
Payment must be cash or check. Please make checks payable
to NVHS, and checks must include student ID number and a
phone number.

It is highly recommended that students purchase their own
novels for annotation purposes. Novels may be purchased at
the Book Fair or at any local bookstore. Book Fair prices are
listed below.

Of Beetles and Angels $10

Fahrenheit 451 $10

To Kill a Mockingbird $9

Romeo and Juliet $6

TOTAL: $35


ATTENDANCE
When students are absent they miss important class
discussions for which they may be responsible for on a test.
Excused absences are allotted an equal amount of time for
make-up work. For example, if a student is absent for three
days (excused) then that student has three days to make up
that work. Make-up work and assessments not completed
within a week of the absence will not be accepted for any
points. Students and parents are to communicate during
extended absences, and plan will be made to complete
assignments.

Unexcused absences have no privileges. Students cannot
make up work, take tests, quizzes, or turn in any assignments.
Students are responsible for turning in absent work within the
make-up time period and with the title ABSENT written on top
or it will be assumed late.
* Some activities, such as socratic seminars, will not allow for
students to make-up listening points when absent.

ONLINE RESOURCES
All materials will be accessible through links on Edline, the class
Google Drive folder, and the class website. Students are
responsible to check the daily agenda and calendar when
absent.