Course Overview

Honors English 10 builds upon those reading skills developed during the previous year as students continue to interact with a variety of sophisticated texts appropriate to the high school curriculum. Practicing a variety of strategies, students read beyond the literal level to arrive at deeper understandings of author purpose and meaning in the four genres of literature: short story, novel, poetry, and drama. In nonfiction selections (persuasive, informational, and practical/workplace), students explore audience, purpose, supporting details, organizational patterns, rhetorical devices, and persuasive techniques in practical, real-world situations.

Class instruction will also focus on helping students to better communicate the depth of ideas found in the materials they read. Such focused communication skills are essential to the college-bound student who will be required to answer many open-ended responses, write many essays, and communicate learning in a variety of ways during his or her college years.

Honors English 10 students will continue to develop writing skills this year with a focus on writing to learn, writing to demonstrate learning, and writing for authentic purposes. Additionally, students will work on vocabulary development and review the correct use of capitalization, punctuation, and usage.

Course Texts

Reading selections and class work will be drawn from a variety of sources including

MacDougal-Littell’s The Language of Literature Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

State release items A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

Vocabulary Power Plus for the New SAT Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury

assorted newspaper & magazine articles assorted research articles and essays

REQUESTED SUPPLIES

Due to the importance and number of supplemental handouts and the need to practice reading and writing skills frequently, students will need the following:

1. 3-ring binder (They may use a thin one for my class only, or they may purchase a thicker one for several subjects.)

2. composition notebook or wireless notebook (This will be used as a learning log/journal.)

3. paper, pencils, blue or black ink pens

HONORS ENGLISH 10 SYLLABUS CONT.... School Year 2011-2012

HOMEWORK

Time outside of class is required for completion of course work. Honors English students are expected to show maturity in completion of assigned tasks. Students should come to class prepared each day with assigned work and other needed materials.

A standing vocabulary assignment exists. Students will work each week on a vocabulary unit. Every Friday there will be a vocabulary quiz. (This schedule may be varied from time to time due to holidays, assemblies, etc.)

EVALUATION

Students are evaluated through a variety of methods including objective tests, open-response questions, in-class on-demand writings, writing for authentic purposes, projects, vocabulary and reading quizzes, worksheets, study guides, and participation (i.e. having needed materials, completing study guides and learning log entries, maintaining a class binder, making responsible contributions to group tasks).

Ø Each item evaluated is assigned a point value depending on the length and complexity of the assignment: daily and quiz grades usually range between 10 and 50 points while test grades and major projects are usually 100-point tasks.

Ø Obviously failure to complete assignments results in a zero on that assignment.

Ø Grades are taken and weighted according to the following categories:

o Participation and Completion – 10%

o Vocabulary Development – 20%

o Reading Goals – 35%

o Writing and Language Goals – 35%

Ø Parents and students may access current grades by logging onto Infinite Campus. A student’s login name is the last 6 digits of his/her school ID# and his/her six-digit birthday is his/her password.

Ø The percentage of points earned will determine a student’s grade: 92%-100% earns an A, 83%-91% earns a B, 74%-82% earns a C, 68%-73% earns a D, and 68% and below earns an F.

Late Work: Because completing assigned tasks promptly is so important in the workplace, punctuality is stressed.

Ø Points will be deducted for assignments turned in past the time due.

Ø Generally speaking, daily assignments will be given half credit if turned in late; on 100-point assignments, 10 points will be deducted for each day late.

Ø Daily assignments that are more than one week late may NOT be accepted.

Absences: When absent, students are responsible for requesting make-up work at an appropriate time either before or after class, and they should follow the make-up policy outlined in the CHHS Student Handbook in determining when this make-up work is due. Much of the learning process occurs in the classroom; therefore, good attendance is essential for maximizing student learning and performance.