English II Syllabus 2014-2015

Ms. Rhodebeck
Room 107
Work Phone: 303-536-2123 Email: sarahrhodebeck@re3j.com
Course Description
Welcome to Weld Central High School and English II! This course is designed to build
your repertoire of literature, both classic and contemporary, and to provide you with an
opportunity to improve your writing and communicating skills. We will be writing in a variety of
styles for various audiences as well as conducting research and creating presentations. Im
excited to have each one of you in my class, and I look forward to an exciting year!
Textbooks/Materials
Our primary textbook is Prentice Hall Literature (Platinum Level) and it will be
supplemented by Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar and Write Source. The novels and major
works well be reading over the course of the year include: The Metamorphosis (Kafka), To Kill
a Mockingbird (Harper Lee), Latino Literature (Various authors), Antigone (Sophocles), Animal
Farm (Orwell), and Julius Caesar (Shakespeare). These larger works will be supplemented with
a variety of poems, articles, and short stories from various sources.
Standards Met
1. Oral Expression and Listening
1) Content that is gathered carefully and organized well successfully influences an audience.
2) Effectively operating in small and large groups to accomplish a goal requires active listening.
2. Reading for all Purposes
1) Literary and historical influences determine the meaning of traditional and contemporary literary
texts.
2) The development of new ideas and concepts within informational and persuasive manuscripts.
3) Context, parts of speech, grammar, and word choice influence the understanding of literary,
persuasive, and informational texts.
3. Writing and Composition
1) Literary or narrative genres feature a variety of stylistic devices to engage or entertain an
audience.
2) Organizational writing patterns inform or persuade an audience.
3) Grammar, language usage, mechanics, and clarity are the basis of ongoing refinements and
revisions within the writing process.
4. Research and Reasoning
1) Collect, analyze, and evaluate information obtained from multiple sources to answer a question,
propose solutions, or share findings and conclusions.
2) An authors reasoning is the essence of legitimate writing and requires evaluating text for validity
and accuracy.
Website
This class will have a website containing all assignments, homework, and
handouts given in class. It will be updated periodically, so if something is not
available immediately it should be uploaded within a reasonable amount of time.
Both students and parents/guardians are encouraged to visit the website to see
some of the exciting things were doing in class! The website can be found at
www.msrhodebecksclasses.weebly.com .
Expectations
1. Students will be respectful of themselves, of others, and of classroom policies. Bullying and
discrimination of any kind are unacceptable. Be kind.
2. Students will be in class on time and prepared to learn.
3. Students will participate in class and prepare work which reflects effort and thought.
4. Students will take pride and ownership in their work and perform to the best of their abilities.
I have high expectations for all of my students, but my students may also have high expectations
of me. I will be kind and respectful toward my students and I will be prepared to teach every day.
I take pride in what I do and will always put forth my best to ensure that you are receiving a high
quality education.
Policies
Late Assignments:
All assignments are expected to be handed in on time. Upon entering the classroom,
students will place the work which is due in the designated turn-in tray.
Any assignments turned in after the due date will receive a deduction of 10% per day
until the assignment is received. Any assignments later than ten days will not receive
credit.
Make Up Work:
Students will receive two days per day of absence to make up the work they have missed.
Tests or quizzes missed need to be made up before or after school or during lunch, not
during class time. These make up times may be scheduled with the teacher.
Copies of all class work and all homework will be filed in the back of the classroom.
Students are responsible for retrieving any work they have missed.
Electronics:
All electronics are prohibited unless specifically allowed by the teacher for the course of
a lesson. Electronics are to be kept out of sight and not in use unless explicitly stated by
the teacher.
All unauthorized use of an electronic device will result in confiscation of the device. The
first offense will result in the loss of the device to the teacher for the remainder of the
day, and the second offense will result in the device being given to the administration.
Plagiarism:
A zero tolerance policy will be in place for plagiarism. Any work which is not a students
own work is considered plagiarism. Any student found copying or allowing another
student to copy will receive a zero on the assignment and a score of cheating will be
recorded in Infinite Campus.
Bathroom/Hall Passes:
Students will receive four bathroom/hall passes per semester. They may be used at the
students discretion but must be approved by the teacher.
Grading
Weld Central High Schools grading policy operates on an A-F scale as follows:
A- 90%-100%
B- 80%-89%
C- 70%-79%
D- 60%-69%
F- 0%-59%
All student writing and projects will be filed throughout the school year. These folders will be
used to monitor students growth throughout the year and they will be used at parent/teacher
conferences to demonstrate and drive student improvement.
Materials
Students will need a binder for English II containing four sections:
1. Daily Journal
2. Notes
3. Vocabulary
4. Handouts/References
Also Required: Recommended:
Loose leaf paper Post it notes
Blue or black pens Highlighters
#2 pencils Kleenex
Please return this sheet to me with the appropriate signatures.

Student Name:________________________________________________________
Period:____________
Class:________________________

This paper serves as an agreement between students, parents/guardians, and myself to
adhere to the policies and expectations presented in the syllabus.

Student Section

I, _________________________(print name), agree to adhere to the expectations set forth by
Ms. Rhodebeck in the syllabus. I understand that these expectations are set in place so that all
students have a safe and productive classroom environment in which to learn. I also understand
that if any concerns or issues arise, I need to speak with Ms. Rhodebeck about these issues so
that I am able to be a respectful and productive student.

Student Signature:_____________________________________________Date:_____________



Parent/Guardian Section

I, _________________________(print name), acknowledge receipt of the syllabus and have
read and understood the expectations set by Ms. Rhodebeck for my son(s)/daughter(s). I
understand that if I have any concerns about my student in Ms. Rhodebecks class that I may
contact Ms. Rhodebeck either by phone or by email to resolve the issue and ensure that my child
is able to be a respectful and productive student.

Parent/Guardian Signature:_______________________________________Date:____________