English III Syllabus

Mrs. Natalie Wilson & Ms. Laura Drew Holmes

Room 301

 

Course Objectives

Junior English is a study of American literature. Throughout this course, students will study works from major American authors from different writing genres. Students will become more familiar with literary elements and their usage in American literature from the Colonial Period to Post-Modernism. This course also requires students to write in various forms using analysis, persuasion, and explanation. We will be preparing for the Writing Assessment that will take place on February 2nd and the ACT that will take place on March 9th. Students will also have weekly MUG (mechanics, usage, and grammar) work and vocabulary words. We will go over a general course overview in class. Students can view this on our classroom websites. We recommend that you print off a copy to keep in your notebook.

 

Classroom Rules

  1. Be respectful to others, yourself, teachers, and the classroom environment.
  2. Be responsible.
  3. Follow and obey all school policies and procedures.

 

Discipline Procedure                                                 

            1.  Verbal warning                                           

            2.  Conference with me/Call to parents             

            3.  Conference with me and/or administrator/Call to parents/Possible extra work

            4.  Office referral

 

Rewards: verbal praise, happy pass, positive call to parents

 

Course Materials                              

  • 3-ring binder                                                    
  • Notebook paper                                                          
  • Blue or black pens ONLY and a pencil                                                            
  • 5 dividers        
  • The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom                                               

 

Grade Breakdown

            40%     Tests and Special Projects       

            30%     Classwork and homework

            20%     Quizzes

            10%     Participation

 

Grading Scale

A         93-100

B          85-92

C         75-84

D         70-74

F          0-69

 

Course Policies and Procedures

 

Absences and Make-up Work: Attending class regularly is integral to your success. We want you to succeed, and we want you to be here. When you do miss class, you and you alone are responsible to turn in any missed work in the time given you according to the school handbook. There will be an assignment book in the classroom that will contain all work done in class each day. You don’t even have to ask us! Furthermore, these assignments can also be found on our websites; therefore, you can even check it, complete your work, and turn it in the next day you are back in class. Generally, test dates are given in advance; in this case, you are expected to take the test even if you miss the day before the test. Tests can be made up after school, or time may be found during school in the case that you cannot stay after school. Special projects will be given throughout the course. For every day that you are late on these assignments, there will be a 10% deduction on your grade.

 

Leaving during class: The time allotted for your English III class is for learning the objectives for English III. You may go to the restroom only if it is an emergency and if you have bathroom passes available. Remember you only get 6 per semester—NO exceptions. You may not leave the room for the first and last 15 minutes of class. Also, if you are tardy or have been absent, you must show us your stamped agenda.

 

Quizzes: Some quizzes may be announced and some may not be. There is no need to stress over quizzes if you are doing all work that is assigned. You can expect quizzes while reading novels to ensure that you are keeping up with the assigned reading.

 

Independent Reading: For a large part of the year, there will be time set aside during the class for independent reading. You will be reading three novels this year: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. While we are reading these novels, you will be given 20 minutes of class to read independently. By certain dates, you will be expected to have read certain chapters. You may not be able to finish these during the time allowed in class, but you will still be responsible for the reading. Therefore, you may have to do some reading at home.

 

Extra Credit: There will be opportunities for extra credit throughout the year, so please take advantage of these opportunities.

 

Happy Passes: Happy Passes are given to students to reward them for their behavior, performance, participation, or just for doing something that makes us or the students happy. These are good for one point on any assignment. All you have to do is attach it to your work when you turn it in. In fact, returning this syllabus signed will earn you 1 Happy Pass. You can also earn 1 per item that you bring for the class: box of Kleenex, Germ-X, ream of paper, bag of black/blue pens. You can earn a maximum of 5 passes for returning this syllabus signed and bringing in classroom items.

 

 

Dear parents,

 

            We are looking forward to getting to know you and your student this year. We expect this to be a successful year. Your child will be reading pieces from major American authors. We want you to be aware of the major titles that we will be reading, which include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. A more detailed list of readings can be found on our class websites. If you have any concerns about these readings or anything on this syllabus, please call either of us at 901-837-5800 or email us at nwilson@tipton-county.com or lholmes@tipton-county.com.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Parent/Guardian Signature:______________________________________

 

Student’s Signature:___________________________________________