English III

American Literature
Course Information

Ms. Cohen | Room LC 18 | Garinger High School

Office Hours on Mon., Tues., and Thurs 2:30 4:30 PM in 114 or Media Ctr.

www.englishwithmscohen.weebly.com
Join our Remind: Send a text message to the number: 81010 with the
message @msc-eng3

Theres something about Americans. People envy us; people hate us; people madeand will makeenormous
sacrifices to come here and be like us. In English III, we look at the development of American writing. From the
earliest colonists to the 21st century, American writers have sent messages about America to the world. Well pay
particular attention to the concept of the American Dream, as well as the attributes that make America both
sweet and sour. Well explore Americas past through the literature we read. Meanwhile, well explore America
in the present through the writing of research essays as part of the CMS Graduation Project.
Vision
In a word, my expectations for this class are HIGH. Each student is expected to be in class and contribute at a
high level. Each student is expected to bring a positive attitude, his or her best effort, and his or her
created/developed material to the table. Each student is expected to produce his or her best quality work and
to avoid the path of least resistance.
Amid these expectations is an understanding that each student must also develop the ability to accept a
challenge and the ability to accept constructive criticism. This is one of the many difficult lessons to be learned
this year. In this class, your learning curve will be stretched; you will feel the need to take a chance by offering a
response to a question that you speculate could be wrong.
This class will prepare you to be confident readers and writers, so that you will accumulate the tools to actively
contribute to our cultural societyand succeed in higher education. Through all of this, you will demonstrate
laughter, curiosity, and candid self-expression. This is what education is all about. This process will also
prepare you for the CMS Graduation Project. By reading a variety of informational texts and works of literature,
you will develop your critical thinking skills to analyze how a text works.
This class will be inspired by the philosophy that education is a journey in which you must embrace possibilities
and difficulties in preparation for future success. If you are diligent and focused in your work, you will be
prepared for success both in English III and in your life after high school graduation. Students will earn their
academic success in this classroom, and together we will work towards our big goal:
We will be advocates for our community by embracing this journey.
We will be college ready and college bound students.

Classroom Expectations
Materials

All students are required to have a three-ring binder (at least 1 inch) with six dividers. This
syllabus should always be the first item in your binder. Binders will be checked at the
conclusion of each unit for a quiz grade.. Class notes can be taken on loose leaf in your
binder.. All materials must be brought to class every day. If you are unable to get the
required supplies, please see me privately and we will make sure that you get what you
need to be successful.

Homework

Homework will be posted on the board daily. The purpose of homework is to prepare for
or expand upon what is happening in class. Always expect homework. Homework can also
be accessed from our class website.

Late Work

Good attendance is essential for success in this class. Being late or missing class can make
it difficult to succeed. Like college courses, it is the student responsibility to find out
what you missed during your absence. Students who are absent legitimately the day a test
is given or assignment/project is due must make up the test/turn in the assignment on the
day that they return to class. An equivalent, alternate test will be given in the case of makeup tests. If a student is absent for an extended period (e.g., more than a few days), an
appointment for making-up the test must be made the day the student returns to class.
Complete loss of credit for an exam/assignment will result if it is not completed in five
school days. You have five days for an excused absence to make arrangements for making
up work. All class work and homework can be found in the Make-Up Work section of the
classroom and on our class website. Any assignment turned in late will result in an
automatic 10 point deduction. Any late homework is accepted for half credit. Late work will
not be permitted after three days. All late work must be submitted with a late work form
in order to be graded.

Writing Utensils Bring a pen or pencil and highlighter to class each day. All tests, quizzes, and minor papers
will be submitted in pen (blue or black onlyglitter pens hurt my eyes) or pencil. Any
assignment typed must be in Times New Roman font, size 12, black. (Time in class will be
granted for major assignments with typing required.)
Grading

Overall letter grades follow the Garinger school-wide scale (A 100-93, B 92-85, C 84-77, D
76-70, F below 70). The weight breakdown in our class is as follows:
Tests, Major Written Work .................................. 70%
Quizzes, Minor Written Work,
Classwork Assignments ....................................... 20%
Homework and Participation ............................... 10%

Timing

Class will start on time and end on time. The teacher will dismiss the students. Students
will not pack their belongings until the teacher provides that direction.

Honesty

All class work, unless otherwise specified, should be completed without outside help.
Plagiarism (borrowing the words, facts, ideas, and/or opinions of someone else without
proper acknowledgement) is a very serious offense. A ZERO will be given for any work that
does not uphold the standards of this academic honesty policy.

Retakes

Failure is not an option. Simply put, your mastery of the material we cover is the primary
focus for us as teachers in the English department. As such, any student who scores below
a 80% on a test has the option to retake that test with a qualifier. To do this, you must
spend a total of one hour in a remediation/re-teaching session conducted by the teacher or

his department designee before taking the re-test. You will be held accountable for your
work during a re-teaching session, and this must all happen (re-teaching session, associated
work, and re-test) within five days of the original test date.
Extra Help

I will work hard to help you learn, and I expect you to take charge of your own learning and
understanding. I will always make time outside of class to help you; I am available for afterschool
tutoring on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:30. You can also email me. We can
set up other times on a case-by-case basisbe mindful that Wednesdays are staff meeting days.
Students are encouraged to seek help if they are having difficulty with understanding a concept, an
assignment, want me to review a draft, or if you have a question about something (and there are no
dumb questionsif its bothering you, its important!). Finally, if the question is about how to do
an assignment, come and see me for help BEFORE the assignment is due.

Home Contact

Expect me to call or email home and discuss your progress with your parents/ guardians.
They are a key part of the learning process. Information on class happenings will be sent
home on a regular basis, in addition to being available on a classroom website. Beyond
that, students and their supporters can contact me via the following:
Email:
cohen.garinger@gmail.com
Phone:
(305) 301-7749 [cellphonecall or text]

Expectations

Come to class with a commitment to learn. Paying attention, doing homework, studying,
and asking questions demonstrates this. This is what you expect from school. What you
might not expect is that I believe education should be a combination of the following:
laughter, curiosity, and candid self-expression. Our time together will be productive and
goal-oriented.

Finally

English class is a process, not an event. Each piece of work that you do prepares you for
the Graduation Project, for senior year, and for the world beyond Garinger.
Behavioral Expectations

1. Make Responsible Choices:

a.

Follow directions and do your homework and success will follow.

b. Hall passes will be used in the rare event that you need to leave the room (e.g. restroom, nurse,
office). You are encouraged to use the restroom prior to the bell, at lunch, or during non-class time.
What we cover is too important to miss. Emergencies will be handled on an individual basis. Mature
behavior and judgment is expected in these cases.
c.

I am available to you throughout the day: before, during, and after school. Issues of any nature will
be kept between the student and the teacher but will not be discussed during class (especially
grades). Class time is for class work; any issues will only be discussed outside of our time together
as a group.

2. Be Prompt, Professional, and Prepared:

a.

Students will be in their seats and ready to work when the bell rings. We have the opportunity to
expand our learning horizons and will take advantage of every minute. Our time is precious.

b. Tardiness is unacceptable. Class attendance is mandatory. If you are not in class, you are absent.
You are responsible for the work you miss while you are not in class.
c.

Concerning iPods, cell phones, electronic devices, etc.: turn them off and do not have them out in
class. I see it/hear it once, and I will ask you to put it away. I see/it hear it twice, and I will take it for
the day. If it becomes a chronic problem or you refuse to give it to me for the class period, the
problem will be brought to the attention of an administrator.

3. Treat Yourself and Others with Respect:

a.

There will be more than two people in the room at all times. As such, this means that we will have to
be very considerate of others. Therefore, you will have to raise your hand to be recognized. When
you speak, others will listen and demonstrate mutual respect for your opinion. Everyone will have
the opportunity to contribute.

b. Appropriate language will be used at all times. When in doubt, dont say it.
4. Be Positive! Embrace The Journey:
a.

There will be a time when you do not know what a word means, or do not know the answer to a
question. There will be times when the work seems very difficult and time consuming. In order to be
great reader and writers and make the growth we need to- we will all have to embrace the journey
that is education. In school, we learn- we are not supposed to know everything; otherwise we
wouldnt be here. We will learn and discover together.

b. Make the most of your timeit goes too fast. Enjoy the process and learn.

NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES
1. First verbal warning
2. Second verbal warning
3. Removal from room and parent contact
4. Administrative referral

Major infractions may result in more severe

consequences being used immediately at the
discretion of the teacher.

The CMS Graduation Project

The CMS Graduation Project is a primary focus of our course and required to graduate from any high school
in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. It consists of four parts: a research paper, a product, a portfolio, and an
oral presentation. Only the research paper is completed in English III, but the topic students select carries over
to the entire project. The paper must be six-to-eight pages in length and draw from at least five primary and
secondary academic sources. The due dates for the paper will be strictly enforced. I will be available to assist
students with the project after school every Tuesday, Thursday, and most Fridays, as well as on the weekends at
a public library by advance appointment. The paper is worth 20% of the total grade in the class. You will receive
additional guidelines for the paper in the coming weeks.
Final Word
We have a lot to cover this year: a research project, three major texts, several short stories and articles, and
along the way well take a look at the entire development of the United States and the American spirit. We are
interacting with what makes our country great and what causes our country to strugglepast and present. Our
goal is not simply to absorb but to contribute to this discussion, understanding the society to which we wake up
every day. Get ready.