Sheryl L. Miller Hosey
English Department
Council Rock High School South
Accelerated English 12 Syllabus (2008-2009)
In this class you will be constantly working on marketable skills of
writing, reading, and higher-order thinking, as well as developing
strategies for decision making, time management and studying. By
working together I hope this can be the best English class you’ve
ever had. Beyond that, I hope to help you develop your success as a
student and as an individual.
A note to your parents from administration: Council Rock School
District strongly encourages parents to survey the outstanding
collection of challenging literature contained within our program.
Much of the content presents important and complex ideas that
encourage critical thinking. Any connection discussed in class is
made that much stronger by the conversation and connections that are
made at home. We invite you to discuss any of the elements of our
courses with your child’s teacher.
Do not seek perfection, for you will surely fail; seek to better
yourself each day.
I am here to help you achieve your best.
Curriculum
I reserve the right to alter this slightly according to class needs
and requirements.
Literature
The Canterbury Tales Chaucer (selected tales)
“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” author unknown
“Metamorphosis” Kafka
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Kesey
Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare
Hamlet Shakespeare
Short stories (non-American authors)
Poetry (non-American authors)
Composition
A. Critical Research Paper
1. Non-American author
2. Six typed pages (minimum)
3. MLA format
4. More information will be given later
B. Expository essays (In-class and out-of-class)
C. Personal/narrative essays
1. College essay
2. One or two others
D. Creative writing (optional)
Vocabulary and Spelling
Vocabulary Level H. There will usually be a weekly vocabulary quiz.
Vocabulary will be reinforced through composition. You can earn
bonus points for finding your vocabulary words in your daily reading
(school assignments, books, newspapers, magazines, etc.) Each
sentence you find with a vocabulary word in it must be either copied
by hand or photocopied; the name of the author and source must be
recorded. I will periodically ask you for your list of vocabulary
words found in outside sources and record your bonus points. There
is a limit of fifteen bonus points for this activity per marking
period.
Grammar
Grammar emphasis is on usage and mechanics. We shall review several
sections of the textbook and relate them to our writing assignments.
Guidelines for Success
What you will need every day:
1. Notebook(s) in which you can take notes, keep handouts, record
grades, etc.
2. A pen or pencil and paper.
3. Textbooks: I will tell you what to bring for the next class or
you may check the Web site.
4. A cooperative attitude
What you should do:
1. Complete all assignments and turn them in on time.
2. Write down in your notes anything I put on the board or on an
overhead.
3. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up all of
your work. You are to check the Web site for assignments and what we
did while you were gone and ask your class partners for further
information and interpretation of notes and assignments. Come to me
only as a last resort for this type of information. You have five
school days from the due date of the assignment to make up work
missed while you were absent. An exception to this is vocabulary
quizzes, which are given each Friday. If you are present on Friday,
regardless of whether you were out during that week, you will be
expected to take the quiz. Also excluded from this rule is the
research paper, which is due on the date regardless of illness (more
information will follow). Serious long-term illness will be handled
on a case-by-case basis.
Partner #1 ___________________________________
Phone ______________________
Partner #2 ___________________________________
Phone ______________________
Partner #3 ___________________________________
Phone ______________________
4. If you are having difficulty in this class, it is your
responsibility to seek help. I am available Monday through Thursday
after school in room 280 until 3 PM, unless otherwise noted on the
board. You can also request an appointment at another time if you
need it. You can e-mail me at any time (mh@millerhosey.com). I
usually respond to e-mail Monday through Friday between 7 PM and 10
PM; I have no set times during the weekend, but I will check it
before Sunday evening whenever possible. Check my Web site
www.millerhosey.com for other help.
5. Participate in class. There will be many opportunities to respond
to writing and reading in the class. Take advantage of this.
Grading:
Grades will be based on points earned. All points earned for tests,
quizzes, blue book exams, writing assignments, and homework will be
added to together for the marking period. Any bonus points earned
will then be added to your total. The points earned versus the total
points possible will determine your grade. I do not round up; please
do not ask. I offer many opportunities for earning extra points.
Take advantage of this whenever possible.
A+ = 97-100
A = 93-96 C = 73-77
A- = 90-92 C- = 70-72
B+ = 88-89 D+ = 68-69
B = 83-87 D = 63-67
B- = 80-82 D- = 60-62
C+ = 78-79 F = 59 and below
Rules:
1. All South and school district rules will be followed in this
class.
2. Be in your seat and ready to begin when the bell rings. All late
arrivals will be recorded; you get two “free” lates each marking
period (within one minute of the bell). The third and subsequent
late arrivals will result in detentions. If you are late but have a
pass, come in quickly and quietly, and give me your late pass.
3. All materials from other classes must be put away. I am very
sensitive about this; I work very hard to make the class interesting
and fun while we learn, and I refuse to be ignored while you are
doing other work. All materials for this class should be out and/or
readily available.
4. Cell phones are NOT to be used during class for ANY reason. To be
clear: NO TEXTING during class.
5. Cheating will not be tolerated. Many efforts will be made to
thwart any attempts; do not try your luck. Penalties will be swift
and severe.
6. Be polite. It will get you much farther in life than being rude.
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