English IV CP I

Required Reading: Novels: Texts:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest English Grammar Siddhartha

The Shawshank Redemption The Shining

“Hamlet” “Titus Andronicus,” “The Taming of the Shrew” or “King Lear” Catcher in the Rye

The Beach (There will most likely be additions to this list as the year goes on)

Writing: Over the course of the year, there will be at least 10 multi-paragraph essays that you

will write. The majority of these will be multi-draft essays; some will be based on reading assignments and others on more practical activities. We will do free writing

exercises called journals on a bi-weekly basis.

Reading: You will read at least five novels this year (listed above), as well as a two

Shakespeare plays. You will also be expected to read short stories and poems from different internet resources.

Presentation Skills:

During the third quarter, a large portion of your grade will be devoted to an oral presentation that you will deliver in front of class. This will be completed in tandem with a research paper.

Laptop Work: In order to put your laptop to good use in this class, there will be consistent journal

assignments that will be done on your computer. Also, there will be a great deal of group assignments that will involve internet research as well as presentations.

Throughout the year, there will be electronic worksheets that will be available in my online folder. Practically all of your assignments this year will be turned in through

DyKnow, NetMoeller, or the X-Drive.

SAT and ACT/ College Prep work: This year, we will devote a set amount of days to work exclusively on preparing you for the SAT/ ACT. Also, we will spend a great deal of time on some of the more practical aspects of your college acceptance journey.

Guidelines and Expectations Course Goals This Year:

1. To come to a greater understanding of culture and the world around you through the use of literature. In addition, you will be able to articulate that understanding through your writing.

2. You will be able to analyze works and formulate unique individual interpretations.

3. Read at least five novels throughout the year (including one Shakespeare play).

4. Write several final draft essays in 5-paragraph form. 5. To have lively daily discussion concerning the works we cover.

Materials Needed for Every Class:

1. Notebook 4. Loose leaf paper

2. Pens, pencils 5. A pair of earphones

3. Laptop Class Rules:

1. Once you enter class and the bell rings, unless you are called on, there will be no talking. You will receive a class participation grade that will reflect your adherence to this policy. Continued distractions will lead to you being

temporarily dismissed from class, sent down to Mr. Kremer’s office, or an extra writing assignment (The Rime of the Ancient Mariner).

2. No eating or drinking (except for bottled water). If you violate this, you will lose CP points.

3. Rules on dress code will be followed accordingly. 4. No sleeping. 5. No cheating or plagiarizing.

6. Be prepared at all times. Have homework ready at the beginning of class.

Late homework (anything turned in after the beginning of class) will be

accepted at the beginning of the next class at ½ credit. Anything turned in

after that will not be accepted. If you miss a day due to sickness or any

other excused absence, the homework that was due the day you missed will

be due immediately. The homework that was assigned the day that you missed

will be due the very next class after you return. If you have missed multiple

classes, the assignments will be due each class concurrent to the classes you

missed. Also, you will be expected to turn in the assignments that are due

on the days that you are in class. This includes tests and quizzes.

7. Assignments will be posted on the board and on Net Moeller. However,

there may be situations where, for whatever reason, assignments may be

changed or added during class and the online sites may not be updated (this

year changes will be updated on Twitter and Facebook as well). If this is

the case and the assignment is on the board, you will be responsible for it even

if it is not online. It will be important for you to copy the assignments down

in your notebook every day. If you miss a class due to illness or any other

excused absence, it is your responsibility to communicate with me to see

what work was missed and to take any missed tests or quizzes.

8. All written assignments will be done using proper language and it will be done in complete sentences in order to get full credit.

9. Everyone’s opinion and their right to express it will be crucial to an interesting learning environment. Disrespect, in any form, will not be

tolerated. 10. Laptops will be used appropriately. Everyone will be logged on to DyKnow.

Those who choose not to do so will not get any credit for anything done that day.

11. When school begins, cell phones are to be turned off and in your bag. If one is

taken out during class (whether to talk, text, or to find the time) you will be

given a school detention. If a cell phone is ever used during a test or quiz

(whether you have handed yours in or not), you will receive a “0” no

matter what your explanation is.

12. When class ends, you are to remain in your seat until the bell rings. Failure to do so will result in a loss of class participation points and/ or a detention.

13. Each class you will be expected to have completed the assignment given from the class before. You should be prepared to answer questions or even possibly

take a pop quiz on any given day. 14. Homework must be typewritten, unless you are otherwise instructed. If you

are instructed to turn in handwritten work, it must be legible to receive full

credit. 15. Class participation will be determined by your conduct in class and how

much you contribute. Every class there will be 2 possible points to get for CP. If you participate and contribute positively to the class atmosphere and

conversation, then you will receive both points. If your contribution is negligible, but you do not provide a distraction, then you will receive one

point. If you are a distraction (talking, gaming, sleeping, texting, eating,

surfing, any other inappropriate behavior), then you will not receive any points for that day.

Grades will be determined by an accumulation of points:

1. Tests-100 points each

2. Essays- 100 points 3. Journals/Blogs (number to be determined through the quarter)-100 points

4. Class participation- 50 points (based on amount of classes in quarter) 5. Homework -5-10 points

Please sign below to indicate that you understand these rules and have no objections to

them. In addition, review this with one or both of your parents and have them sign it as

well.

Your Signature: ____________________________________________________

Parent’s Signature: _________________________________________________