2010-2011 Dundee-Crown High School World Literature Course Syllabus

Push the Pride: be responsible, be respectful, be positive!

Course Title and Number: Honors English 10 (1413 and 1414)Textbook Title for Course: Elements of Literature: World LiteratureLearning Materials Needed: Literature textbook or novel being studied (this will be supplied.), notebook

paper for assignments, dark ink pens or standard pencils, spiral notebook for class notes, note cards

Instructor: Ms. Michelle MarconiInstructor Office Phone: 224-484-5209Instructor Email: michelle.marconi@d300.orgCourse WIKI: http://dchsenglishmarconi.wikispaces.comConference Block: Third

Course Description: Tenth grade English offers students the opportunity to study World Literature in an effort to foster a new understanding and appreciation of others.

Major Works to be Covered:Edith Hamilton’s Mythology The Iliad Oedipus RexA Midsummer Night’s Dream Things Fall Apart The Kite Runner

Major Themes to be Explored:Unconditional love The “haves” and the “have nots” Culture shockWomen vs. men Redemption ForgivenessPrejudice Shame GuiltFate Bullies Betrayal

Essential Questions to be Explored:How are people transformed through their relationships with others?How might it feel to live through a conflict that disrupts your way of life?What creates prejudice and what can an individual do to overcome it?How do we define who we are?What can you learn about yourself by studying the lives of others?What does it mean to be an insider or an outsider?What is the relevance of studying multicultural texts?Are there certain truths that can be considered universal or absolute?How does an individual’s point of view affect the way they deal with conflict? Do we have choices concerning fairness and justice? How does literature reveal the values of a given culture or time period? Do you believe that things are fated no matter what, or do you believe that your actions can change thecourse of your life?

The following is a part of the course: ACT preparation, response papers / literary analysis, speeches, research papers and projects, reading quizzes (both announced and unannounced), exams, journals, Word within the Word vocabulary, grammar, a study of fiction and non-fiction selections, small and large group discussions, daily preparation, daily participation, anything additional from the InstructorThese components will be taught in such a way as to align with both District and State goals.

Course Objectives: “Tenth-grade students will use knowledge of cultural context and common myths, themes and allusions to make connections between different cultures and literatures, and use

sophisticated and varied clauses to provide elaboration in their writing.”

Classroom Expectations: Students are expected to adhere to all District 300 guidelines. Please refer to your student handbook for these guidelines.

Behavior ExpectationsBe Positive Be Responsible Be RespectfulHomework / Grade ExpectationsPart of the learning process involved with high school is figuring out how to manage your time and how to advocate for yourself. Both of these skills are important for your future. Therefore, it is up to you to see me in a timely manner in regard to concerns about class work, absent work, what we are reading, your grade, etc. Timely means that you see me with questions about homework before the assignment is due or immediately after returning from an absence. Please be aware that I generally will not discuss grades during class time. I do care very much about your success but am not able to halt what we are doing in class to discuss grades, late assignments, etc. Policy on Tardies You are considered late to class if you are not in the room and ready to learn by the time the bell has rung. If you arrive late to class without a pass from a teacher or administrator you will be marked tardy—regardless of your reason for being late. If you arrive in class without your materials, you will be sent back to your locker and will either lose a hallway pass or will receive a tardy.

If you are tardy (with or without a pass): Enter class quietly! If you have a pass, hand it to me before taking your seat. Approach me before, after,

or outside of class if you foresee a problem with or see the need to explain a tardy or attendance issue.

Makeup or Late Work:Please be aware that all regular assignments must be completed in order to receive class extra credit. I offer a variety of ways to help you achieve this requirement and have detailed them in this section. MAKEUP WORK (absent work)*If you are absent, you will be allowed to take up to 2 class periods to makeup work that was missed without penalty. After two class periods, homework that was missed while absent will follow normal late work rules.*If an assignment was due on the day that you were absent, it needs to be turned in at the beginning of the next class session that you attend.*MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS NEED TO BE TURNED IN ON TIME—EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT AT SCHOOL THAT DAY! If something extenuating occurs, please let me know.

Late Work:MINOR ASSIGNMENTS*Late work will be accepted the class period after it was due for HALF CREDIT. After that, assignments will not count for credit, BUT WILL COUNT TOWARD YOUR PARTICIPATION GRADE. MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS*Major assignments will lose 10% for EVERY DAY that they are late. If an assignment is due on Monday and it is turned in on Tuesday the highest grade that may be earned is a 90%. If that same assignment is not turned in until Wednesday the highest grade that may be earned is an 80%. Taking advantage of an extra weekend will result in a 15% reduction to the grade. You will have more than enough time to complete major assignments, please plan accordingly and use your time wisely.

Missed Quizzes or Tests:*Must be made up within ONE WEEK’S TIME before school, during CUP, or after school. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to make up this work.

Tutoring Center:*You are encouraged to use the tutoring center to aid in your learning and to recoup some lost class credit by making up missed assignments. Work MUST BE COMPLETED AT THE TUTORING CENTER with the help of peer tutors during CUP or after school. That is, you may not bring in already completed work and attempt to get a signature on it. You are responsible for having the work signed off by the tutor and then for turning the work in to me. You may receive HALF CREDIT for LATE WORK completed at the tutoring center. (For

example: an assignment that was originally worth 20 points would be worth 10 points if completed late at the tutoring center.) Any late work completed at the tutoring center for partial credit needs to be turned in before the end of the term in which the work was assigned.

Late Work Passes:*At the beginning of each eighteen week term, students will receive 2 late work passes that may be used on any minor assignments throughout the term. (Two passes for terms 1 / 2 and two passes for terms 3 /4 will be issued.) The passes will enable a student to turn in an assignment anytime during the quarter for the possibility of full credit. Lost passes WILL NOT be replaced. **If a student does not use a pass, they may turn it in at the end of the term for 5 points of extra credit—provided that all outstanding work has been completed.

Passes Out of Class:*As class time is valuable, students will be allowed only ONE pass out of class per nine week term. This may be used either as a locker or a washroom pass. Once the pass is gone, students will not be allowed to leave without consequences. Please plan accordingly for this policy.

Food and Drink:*Students are allowed to have something to drink in my classroom as long as it does not disrupt the learning

environment. If a student abuses this privilege, it may be taken away.*I do not allow food in my classroom unless it is for a project or in special circumstances.

Class WIKIOur class WIKI is located at http://dchsenglishmarconi.wikispaces.com. Here you will find copies of assignments, a class calendar, supplements for your learning, links to resources, and the like. I EXPECT you to make use of this web site and to take advantage of the opportunities it will offer you.

Student Evaluation: *Everyone begins the semester with an “A”.*Assignments are based on a point system; every assignment is worth a set number of points.*Semester Work equals 80% of the grade. Semester Exam equals 20% of the grade.

GRADE WEIGHTINGGrades are weighted as follows:

Assessments: 40%Writing: 30%Daily work: 10%Final Exam: 20%

*Assignments that are not turned in on time will be entered as zeroes until the student resolves the grade.*Students are to keep every assignment that is returned to them as it is their “proof” that the work was done.

(We use an internet based grade system and sometimes grades do not save as they should.)*If a student is caught with “copied” work—whether they were the copier or the person who allowed the

copying—they will receive no credit for the assignment.*Students may be asked to redo work in order to receive more credit. This is an opportunity, not a punishment.

EVALUATION ELABORATION

In the world of academia, grades tend to be over-inflated. Let me just quickly remind you of what grades mean. Grades are simply an evaluation of where you are in regard to a skill set. As such, it would be unrealistic to expect “A’s” with everything—as none of us are perfect in everything! Grades are based on skill mastery and not effort! For me, the letter grades represent the following:

A Work completed is above and beyond what was expected. Student demonstrates a mastery of the assessed skill.

B Work completed is of great quality. Student demonstrates a high proficiency of the assessed skill.

C Work completed is of good quality. Student demonstrates proficiency of the assessed skill.

D Work completed is of okay quality. Student is working toward meeting the requirements of the assessed skill.

F Work completed is of poor quality. Student needs to begin working toward meeting the requirements of the assessed skill.

o I view grades as being fluid. They are never fixed and students always have the chance to improve upon them. o Students who do not earn the grade they wished to have on assignments are encouraged to retry the work for

mastery of the skill. o All redone work must be in by the end of a unit of instruction for additional credit.o Any questions about a grade should be addressed to me so you can have a full understanding of where you are

in any given skill set.

√+ Work receiving this mark will exhibit higher levels of thinking, analysis, and synthesis. It will push an issue further and will show meaningful connections to other work.

√ Work receiving this mark will exhibit attempts at higher level thinking, analysis, and synthesis. Issues will be nudged forward and some connections will be obvious.

√- Work receiving this mark will not really display higher levels of thinking, analysis, and synthesis. The reply is very literal and non-challenging.

This course will be challenging and will push you to become a more insightful reader and writer. We will read some complex material and will rigorously analyze it. We will work on your skills of persuasion in your writing. While the expectations are high, I am also very well aware that this may be your first “honors” course experience and it is your first straight-block experience with a high school English course. I am here to help you and to push you. I expect a lot but will help you find success. All I ask is that you have an open mind, stay positive, and seek help as needed.

So….fasten your seatbelts! This course moves fast and will be one of the most meaningful English courses you will take as we really explore the idea of “The Human Experience”. You are about to visit ancient Greece, Elizabethan England, Pre and Post Colonial Nigeria, and Afghanistan in a literary and cultural adventure that will open your eyes more fully to the world around you. The final destination of our adventure will be to the realization that “People are People”.

I am very excited to work with you this year!

Ms. Marconi

PLEASE SEPARATE THIS SHEET AND RETURN TO MS. MARCONI BY THE END OF THE WEEK

Honors Sophomore English Syllabus Acknowledgement Form

Please complete this form with your contact information. Then sign where indicated to acknowledge that you have read and understand the expectations for English class this year. This sheet is to be returned to Ms. Marconi within the week for credit—THIS IS YOUR FIRST ASSIGNMENT! The contact information will enable me to contact you as needed throughout the year as well as provide you with access to our Wiki and web pages.

PLEASE PRINT YOUR INFORMATION:

Student Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Student Email Address (if applicable): __________________________________________________________________

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name(s): _______________________________________________________________________

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Email Address(es): _______________________________________________________________

Phone number where parents may be reached during the school day: _________________________________________

WIKI AGREEMENT (PARENTS PLEASE COMPLETE)

I ________________________________________________ hereby give my son / daughter permission to post on the class WIKI website. I understand that they will create an account with Ms. Marconi for the WIKI and will need access to an email address. He or she will be responsible for what they post on the WIKI. Anything that is not school appropriate will be removed and my son or daughter will face disciplinary action from the school.

I give my son / daughter permission to join the WIKI for the purposes of class discussion and posting.

The email address to be used for his / her account is: ____________________________________

He or she may create a new GMAIL account

I DO NOT give my son / daughter permission to post on the class WIKI. I understand that he / she will still be responsible and required to check out the website weekly in order to continue his / her

learning at home.

Student Signature:___________________________________________________________________________

Parent Signature:____________________________________________________________________________