Syllabus for English II and
Pre-AP English II

My Objectives
To finish high school, to continue your education, and to work successfully in the career you choose, you must read and write well. Since these sequential, cumulative skills build one upon the other, it is important for you to keep up with assignments.
Writing well requires rewriting. You will draft some pieces several times, with attention to audience, thoughtful content, and acceptable mechanics. Some pieces may remain rough drafts. Your writing portfolio is the best evidence of your progress as a writer.
Reading well emphasizes comprehension, not just what happened, but what it means. Reflection and interpretation show me how well you understand what you have read
You will succeed in this class if you do your work. If you need help, ask questions during class and see me during Tutorial.

Grading System
Letter grades are based on a percentage of total points, approximately 300 points each six weeks, or about 50 points per week (A 90%, B 80%, C 70%, D 65%, and F < 65%). Keep track of returned papers and check grades against posted grade information. The Final Exam will be worth approximately 20%, or 200 points (out of a possible 1000 points per semester).
Point values for specific assignments show their relative importance. Exams or essays may be worth 50 points; a project, perhaps 100 points. Assignments worth only 10 points add up. Aim for an "A"!

Homework. Yes.

Late Work. No.

Hall Passes?
Is one worth 15 minutes detention to you?

No-No's
NO violations of dress code, electronic devices, text messages, food, drink, or gum.

Classroom Behavior
I will not allow any student to behave in any way which interferes with the learning of others. I will enforce the following rules:

• Be in your seat when the bell rings at the beginning of the period.
• Be quiet and listen whenever the teacher is talking.
• Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
• Bring all books and materials to class.
• Remain in your seat at the end of the hour until the teacher dismisses you.

Penalties
If you choose to break a rule, these steps will be followed:

• First Time Warning
• Second Time Teacher Consequence
• Third Time Parent Contact
• Fourth Time Referral to Principa

Rewards
If you choose to follow the rules, rewards will include such things as Praise, a Day-Late Coupon, a Homework-Free Night . . .

Attendance
Tardiness is disrespectful to your class and to me, and I will treat it as a serious behavior problem. Be on time. Poor attendance is a warning sign. If you are not here, you will not pass this course. Even if you make up assignments, you can never make up discussion we had when you weren't here. As you fall out of step with your classmates, you may fall so far behind that you give up.

Tutorial
I will be available for help before school on Monday through Thursday. I will maintain online office hours on Sunday evenings, from 6:00-8:00 pm. You may also make an appointment if posted times are not workable. If you email me, I will respond promptly.

Make-up Work
Please see me during Tutorial as soon as you return. You and I need to negotiate a reasonable schedule for make-up work.
One Exception: Since you know about major long-term projects in advance, you are expected to send your work to school even if you are absent. If that is impossible, contact me and I will come by and pick up your project.

Daily Agendas
The purpose of the agenda is to help you manage the work for this class. If you are absent, copy a classmate's agendas (or mine) before you ask me, "What did we do?" If I am absent and the substitute does not post an agenda, write your own summary of the work done in class. You will not be allowed to do any extra credit unless you have all agendas.

Extra Credit
If you do the work assigned, you won't need extra credit. To provide a safety net -- just in case -- I will post a list of approved extra credit works. Extension activities, such as attending and reviewing an approved play, recital, movie, or other event are usually worth 15 points.
A Timed Essay written about a selected work each semester is worth 50 points (approximately half of a letter grade). I will post the approved list in my room and on my web page and assign a date for a timed writing about those works. During Tutorial on that day, usually during the last week of the semester, you can earn up to 100 extra credit points. Bring the book with you.

Supplies Needed (examples will be shown in class)

• Jump or flash drive (may be used for other classes)
• Yellow highlighter (other colors optional)
• Two dark ink pens (preferably blue or black)
• Red pen
• Stenographer's notebook for dialectical journals
• Standard notebook paper
• Small Post-its for annotations
• General art supplies for projects
• One-inch three-ring notebook for handouts and returned papers
• Four twin-pocket notebooks with brad fasteners for unit reports
• I also strongly encourage you to purchase your own copy of the major works we study so that you may learn to make your own notes in your own books,

Preparation of Assignments

• Head your papers correctly (first and last names, hour, date, and assignment in the upper right corner).
• Rough drafts may be in pencil, any color ink, front and back.
• Regular assignments should be in blue or black ink, on the front side of fresh white unfringed notebook paper.
• Final drafts of major writing assignments must conform to conventional manuscript standards and be typed double-spaced in 10 or 12 point Times font.
• Avoid receiving a zero because you violated a Taboo. If in doubt, ask.

Plagiarism

• Deliberate plagiarism is claiming, indicating, or implying that the ideas, sentences, or words of another are one's own. It includes copying the work of another, or following the work of another as a guide to ideas and expression that are then presented as one's own.
• Accidental plagiarism is the improper handling of quotations and paraphrases without a deliberate attempt to deceive. If the plagiarism is accidental, the student may correct and rewrite the paper, but will be penalized at least a letter grade.
• You are required to attach a signed and dated copy of the Bishop McGuinness Statement of Integrity to all major exams, essays, and projects.

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Overview by Six Weeks for Each Course
English II	Pre-AP English II