Sheryl L. Miller Hosey

English Department

Council Rock High School South

Honors English 11 Syllabus (2006-2007)

In this class you will be constantly working on the 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 one of the best English classes 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 Scarlet Letter    Hawthorne

The Crucible    Miller and/or Death of a Salesman     Miller

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn     Twain

A Farewell to Arms    Hemingway

The Great Gatsby    Fitzgerald

The Grapes of Wrath    Steinbeck

Their Eyes Were Watching God  Hurston (summer reading selection)

Othello    Shakespeare

Short stories (American authors)

Poetry (American authors)

Composition

A.        Literary research paper (more information will be given later)

B.         Expository essays (in-class and out-of-class)

C.        Personal/narrative essays

            1.   Name essay

            2.   One or two others

D.        Creative writing (time permitting)

Vocabulary and Spelling

Vocabulary Level G.   Many weeks there will be a vocabulary and spelling quiz.  Vocabulary will be reinforced through composition.  You can earn bonus points for finding 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 shall periodically ask you for your list of vocabulary words found in outside sources and record your bonus points (usually two weeks before the end of the marking period).  There is a limit of fifteen bonus points per marking period for this activity.

Grammar

Grammar emphasis is on usage and mechanics.  We shall review several sections of the textbook and relate them to our writing assignments.

SAT Preparation

Practice exercises for the SAT/PSAT and PSSA, as well as strategies for successful completion, will be reviewed in class.

Guidelines for Success

What you will need every day:

1.   Notebook 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.   Any information I write on the board or show via an overhead should be copied into your notes.

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.  Written work due while you are absent must be submitted the day you return to be considered on time.  You have five school days from the date of a test/quiz to make up the 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/absence 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 ask for a special appointment outside of these times should 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, reading and other students 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 the 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.   No food or drink in class as per Mr. Holland’s request.

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.   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.

5.   Be polite. It will get you much farther in life than being rude.