Malden High School Academic Year 2011-2012 Course Syllabus Name of Course: English 10 CP Instructor: Ms. Y. Mrquez (ymarquez@malden.mec.

edu) Course Number: 00223 Room: J282

Student Supplies: 3-ring binder with five sections (Class Notes, G-U-M, Vocabulary, Homework, DJs) Writing Implements Highlighters Post-Its Thumbdrive* Texts: Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger; Night by Elie Weisel; Antigone by Sophocles; Feed by M. T. Anderson; A Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespeare; additional supplementary texts; at least three independent reading books of the students choice over the course of the year. Course Description: This course continues the study of literature, focusing on allegory, symbolism, style, and pre-dominant universal themes. The historical context of novels is examined in works such as The Catcher in the Rye and Night. Grammar and vocabulary study continue. In writing, students sharpen their skills of organization, precise expression, and sentence structure. The expository and persuasive essays are studied, with both short and long papers assigned, including a focus on research/documentation. Instructional Philosophy: I believe that all students have the ability to learn if they are challenged and provided with the right tools. My goal is to help students become active participants in their own educationto help them question, make connections, and analyze literature in a way that will make it meaningful for them. Ultimately, my goal as a teacher is to help students recognize the potential within themselves, and for them to understand the importance of working towards becoming an independent, self-directed, motivated learner when it comes to both literature and life. Heres a look at some of the work well be doing this year: Writing First Semester Skills Refining the critical essay about literature Emphasis Introductions, thesis statements, body paragraphs using textual evidence, conclusions Adding insight Editing and Revising Grammar Fundamentals Assessments 4-5 revised long compositions 6-8 MCAS style open responses/writing for understanding Activities Peer Editing Overhead Editing Grammar Exercises Using Graphic Organizers Anchor Paper Scoring

Second Semester Continue work on the critical essay Developing individual topics/theses Introduce persuasive essay Elements of rhetoric Using sources 4-5 revised essays, either long composition style or persuasive 6-8 open responses Peer/Overhead Editing Grammar analysis Using MLA-style citations Reading model essays

Reading Skills Emphasis

Assessments

First Semester Active reading strategies for comprehension, interpretation, and analysis of literature of whole class and independent reading texts Define and identify literary techniques, with emphasis on interpreting poetry and short passages Learn genre-based terminology Learning vocabulary from context Comprehension tests and quizzes Literature Circle presentations Reading strategy assessment (i.e. collecting student notes, literature circle handouts, etc.) Use of interpretation techniques such as SOAPStone A variety of reading strategies such as post-it notes, dialectical journals, and literature circle role sheets Library orientation/visits Literature Circles First Semester Asking/answering open-ended questions Rules of discourse for small and large groups Note-taking Oral reading Student-run discussions & Socratic seminars Presentations Small and large group discussions Practice of skills First Semester Using agenda book Organization Time Management Study strategies/techniques Homework Long range assignments Participation Identifying and implementing study strategies Taking notes

Second Semester Continue active reading techniques Literary techniques with an emphasis on MCAS preparation Strategies for reading Shakespeare; emphasis on dramatic form Learning vocabulary from context

Comprehension tests and quizzes Performance assessment on Shakespeare Student-directed reading strategies Project-based assessments on reading Examining elements of performance Continue and refine use of reading strategies Close reading and writing for understanding. Literature Circles

Activities

Speaking & Listening Skills Emphasis

Second Semester Public speaking/recitation Elementary acting

Assessments

Activities

Shakespeare performance Poetry performance Student-run discussion & Socratic seminars Presentations Listening to poetry reading Practice of skills Second Semester Continue all

Study Skills Skills Emphasis Assessments Activities

Homework Long range assignments Participation Identifying and implementing a personal study strategy

Research Skills Emphasis Assessments Activities

First Semester Use and integration of direct textual evidence MLA citations Plagiarism Assessed through writing projects Examining writing models to understand textual evidence

Second Semester Continue to refine use of textual evidence Finding and evaluating sources Paraphrasing/summarizing MLA Works Cited Research project using multiple sources Library and computer lab visits

Distribution of quarterly grading components: Major Writing Assignments and Assessments= 40% Homework (may include readers notebook entries= 15% Daily participation (graded discussions and Socratic seminars, daily participation = 15% Quizzes and open responses = 15% Readers Notebook: 15% Total = 100% Grade A B C D E Scale 90-100 80-89 70-79 60-69 Below 60 Description of work Work consistently demonstrates an exceptional level of quality and effort. All work is in on time and completed to exceed expectations. Work demonstrates mastery of many of the skills of the course. Work consistently demonstrates good quality and effort. All work is in on time and complete. Work demonstrates progression towards mastery of the skills of the course. Work demonstrates average quality and effort. Work demonstrates some progression towards mastery of the skills of the course. Work demonstrates minimal quality and effort. Some assignments may be late. Work demonstrates minimal progression towards mastery of the skills of the course. Work demonstrates poor quality and effort. Work demonstrates little progression towards mastery of the skills of the course.

Class participation improves your grade! Participation in the class is vital and will be reflected in your class grade. This includes positively contributing to the class by way of discussion, writing, answering/asking questions, showing of an effort, actively listening to others when speaking, engaging with other students when appropriate, and maintenance of your class notebook (clearly written notes, handouts, etc). Notebook checks will occur randomly throughout the year; therefore, maintain your notebook adequately organized and complete. Always label the tops of your pages with your name, class, and date. For classwork, always copy the days objectives (and Word of the Week at the beginning of the week), and be sure to immediately begin and complete the Do Now assignment. [Note: NO other business is to be conducted during the Do Now portion of class until directed to do so.] If it is a homework assignment, also include the homework # and assignment title on the top of the page. Assignments that are to be collected will NOT be accepted if the format is incorrect. So please remember to take your time to do it right! Lateness is blatant disrespect! Prompt arrival and readiness are essential to success. Any lateness must be accompanied by a pass; if you do not have a pass, you are to immediately leave your agenda book at the front table and be prepared to make up any missed time with me after school. Additional consequences for tardies will be followed as per school rules. **Remember: 3 tardies = 1 class absence**

Absences will hinder your learning! Whenever possible, let me know of an absence in advance. If not, cover yourself with an absence note. Without a valid absence note, you will not be allowed to make up any work. Assignments that are known in advance are expected upon your immediate return *It is your responsibility to find out what you missed and make up the work!* Become very familiar with the Extra Handouts basket because chances are that we DID do SOMETHING while you were out! However, do not interrupt class instruction to try and determine make-up assignments. Assigned Work (homework, writing assignments, presentations, projects, etc)is NOT optional! You will know of your assignments well in advance. I expect that anything I assign will be completed to the best of your ability and handed in on time...it is a reflection of you! Late daily homework assignments will not be accepted at allwe move on. Longer assignments/special projects will be marked down an entire grade for each day it is late (2 days will usually be the cut-off). *All formal assignments must be TYPED: double-spaced, Times New Roman, font 12, 1 margins. Hand-written work is to be neat, legible, and must include a heading (your name, date, class, assignment # and title). Any work that is illegible will NOT be graded.
*Cheating or Plagiarism results in an automatic zero!

Homework assignments are graded as follows:

= = = =

100 (A+) 85 75 (B) (C)

No Credit (55/E) *may be resubmitted the next day upon approval*

Golden Marquez Rules read them, know them, love them. o If it is food or a drink other than water, DO NOT bring it into the room. Im not a fan of rodents! o If it doesnt belong to you, dont touch itwithout permission. o If it does belong to you, remember to take it with you when you leave! Finally, I expect everyone to show RESPECT for each other, the teacher, and the resources in the classroom. Also, always rememberIf you work hard and try your best, youll go far!

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Contract Signatures
I have carefully read and reviewed the course policies and procedures. I understand that I am now responsible for familiarizing myself with the information delineated above, and I know what is expected of me in this English 10 CP class. __________________________________________________ Students Name (print) __________________________________________________ Students Signature __________ Date

I have carefully read and reviewed the course policies and procedures, and I know what is expected of my son/daughter in this English 10 CP class. __________________________________________________ Parents Name

__________________________________________________ Parents Email Address

________________________ Parents Phone #

_________________________________________________ Parents Signature

__________ Date