Course Syllabus

English 10 Honors  Course Syllabus

 

Instructor:                   Heidi Lewis    

Academic Year:           2016 - 2017                                                                     

Email:                         heidi.lewis@shorelineschools.org

Phone:                         206-393-6845 ext. 6846

Website:                     Accessed via Canvas: https://shorelineschools.instructure.com

 

Welcome to 10^th Grade Honors English! I’m excited to have you be a part of our learning community. In addition to the Shorewood Student Handbook, this document contains information that is essential to your success in this class. Please read it carefully with your guardian, and sign and date the last page to indicate your understanding.

Please return only the last page by Friday, September 16, 2016.

This document may also be accessed on the class Canvas website.

 

 

Class Objectives:

In keeping with the state-adopted Common Core Standards, the objectives for this course include the following:

• Explore humans’ relationship to a supreme being, society, nature, and self
• Become critical, analytical readers and thinkers
• Become intentional learners
• Identify, understand, and use elements of literature, such as setting, plot, character, conflict, and theme
• Interpret literature (including film) by looking beyond the literal meaning
• Learn and implement different reading strategies
• Develop skills and practice writing in many forms and for diverse purposes
• Understand and apply the writing process
• Examine and increase vocabulary by learning about the roots and history of language
• Increase communication and social skills by joining in group projects and discussions
• Prepare for State Testing

 

Major Texts:

The following texts will be provided to students and will be used as resources in much of our learning:

            Cry, The Beloved Country, by Alan Paton

            The Bible, selected stories (to be considered from an academic perspective)

            The Epic of Gilgamesh

            The Truman Show (film)

            Life of Pi, by Yann Martel

            The Inferno, by Dante Aligheri

            Antigone, by Sophocles

            Macbeth, by William Shakespeare

            Various short stories and poetry

 

In addition to these major texts, students are expected to read outside of class. This reading may occasionally be the source material for writing tasks and projects, and should be selected to enhance students’ interest and understanding of course themes. While we will occasionally have the opportunity to visit the school library during class to select books, students are encouraged to make use of the King county library system. If you don’t have a library card, start here: https://w3.kcls.org/get-a-library-card

 

Grading Policy:

Grades in this class are calculated as a percentage of total possible points. Assignments in different categories are not weighted by any means other than their point value; a 100-point essay is worth 10 times more than a 10-point homework assignment.

 

The percentages break down into letter grades following the Shorewood policy:

 

      93%-100%   -----A                                  83%-87%     -------B               72%-77%    -------C

     90%-92%     -----A-                                 80%-82%     -------B-              70%-71%     -------C-

     88%-89%     -----B+                                78%-79%     -------C+             55%-69%     -------D  

                                                                                                                       0%- 54%     -------F

I do not generally offer opportunities for extra credit, especially near the end of the quarter/semester. If you find yourself struggling to attain the grade you would like, please reach out to me early – as soon as you realize you need help. I am available before school, after school, and during SAS to help you, or you may reach me by email.

 

Absences:

If you have an excused absence, you have one week from the date of the absence to turn in all work assigned while you were out and to complete any tests or quizzes you may have missed. Any assignment that was due when you were absent (of which you had prior knowledge) is due on the day you return. For example, if an essay is assigned on Monday and is due on Thursday, and you miss class on Thursday, the essay is due at the beginning of class when you return on Friday.

 

 It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ask me what you missed when you were absent and to ask me for copies of any handouts/notes/assignments. Do this as soon as you return to school, bearing in mind the policy on absences (see above) and late work (see below). While I try to post most assignments and due dates on Canvas, do not assume that nothing was assigned if you do not see it on Canvas. 

 

In keeping with Shorewood’s policy, you will not be allowed to turn in work that was due or makeup tests or quizzes that were missed due to an unexcused absence. Additionally, more than nine unexcused absences in a semester may result in loss of credit for the course.

 

Late work:

Homework is generally due the next time that class meets, unless another due date is given. Work should be turned in to the IN box on my desk when I ask you to hand it in, or to Canvas, on the due date specified. If work is turned in after then, it is considered LATE.

I will accept late work up to a week after the assignment is due, and will give 50% of the value earned. For example, if you turned in a homework assignment 3 days late and it would have earned an 8 out of 10 based on its correctness and completeness, I will give it 4 points out of 10 in the grade book. Please note that this is still a failing grade, but it is far better for your overall grade than a zero. Late work should be turned into the LATE bin on my desk, or to Canvas, as specified.

 

After a week has passed, no late work will be accepted.

 

Tardiness:

Being late to class disrupts lessons already in session and takes away valuable learning time. I record tardies, which are then dealt with by the school administration. Students are expected to be in the classroom, in their assigned seat when the bell rings. Students who are not will be marked tardy. If you must come to class late, come in quietly, hand me your pass (if you have one), take your seat and join the lesson in progress.

 

Academic Ethics and Honesty:

You must properly cite, or give credit, for any ideas or content you take from anyone other than yourself. Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses and will not be tolerated. ANY instance of academic dishonesty in my class will be referred to the school administration. Please note that online applications, including Canvas and Turnitin.com, will be frequently used to check student work.

 

Electronics:

Technology can be used to help academic inquiry, but it can also be a distraction from learning. iPads should be kept with the cover closed until you are directed to use them. Personal electronics, such as cell phones, laptops, and portable gaming consoles, must be stowed away out of sight and with all sound turned off during class. If I see you using your electronics when you have not been instructed to do so, I will remind you of the policy. If I see your device again, I will take the device from you and you may retrieve it from the office at the end of the day (per Shorewood policy).

 

We will frequently use technology as a classroom resource, so please make sure that you bring your charged iPad to class, along with your charger. Make sure to back up all of your work on another device, on a cloud application (such as Drive or Dropbox), or on a disk.

 

Community:

Our classroom is a community space in which everyone should feel safe and valued. You will be frequently asked to work in small and large groups, to contribute to whole-class discussions, and to speak in front of the class. Much of our learning comes from listening to and working with others. In order for everyone to succeed in this way, we must all feel safe and respected. Derogatory remarks and foul language will not be tolerated. Please be respectful of me and respectful of each other, and help maintain a gracious space.

 

Miscellaneous:

Food and Beverages: Drinks are allowed in covered containers only. Small snacks are ok, but please be respectful of the space and the people around you. Please wait to eat meals until Nutrition break or Lunch.

 

Restroom breaks: Restroom needs should be taken care of between classes to allow for minimum disruption of class. Of course, emergencies do occur, so please notify me if you need to leave to use the restroom. If you frequently leave class to use the restroom, we may have to meet to discuss how you can better plan your day so that you can remain in class.

 

Class Materials: In addition to paper, pencils, and blue or black pens, I also require all students to have a bound composition book (please no spiral notebooks). This will be used in class daily. If you are unable to acquire a notebook, please speak with me.

 

 

I’m looking forward to a wonderful year with all of you. Let’s make it great!

 

Sincerely,

Heidi Lewis

English

Shorewood High School