Ignorance is the curse of God, Knowledge the wing Wherewith we fly to heaven.

William Shakespeare Henry VI, I 2:3-4

English 11 Syllabus Attitude Is A Choice! A Good Attitude Is A Good Choice! The above Shakespearan quote seems appropriate since this is a class that delves into the world of British literaturethat unknown entity that makes the most courageous student quiver. While we will study the literature of England primarily in this class, we will also work hard at acquiring the tools needed to become great researchers and writers of research papers. Together I know we can accomplish this goal. Every mans work is a portrait of himself so DO HARD THINGS and AIM HIGH! The only limitations we have are the ones we place on ourselves. As juniors, you should take on a more serious role in your learning. I cant learn for you. Therefore, I am expecting this class to be a high priority in your life at this time by thinking, learning, and working harder than you ever have in the past. You must bring a positive attitude to class in order to make a positive contribution to the class, so leave your whining and negativity at the door and pick it up when you leave. Those sad attributes will only prevent learning from occurring. Class Syllabus I write to understand as much as to be understood. Literature is an act of conscience. It is up to us to rebuild with memories, with ruins, and with moments of grace. Elie Wiesel Literature: You will be required to gain an understanding of British literature through works written during the time periods of English history. Through these texts and classroom discussions, you will also gain an understanding of the history of the

English language. You will be reading novels, a Shakespearean play, short stories, essays, and poetry. Writing: You will be required to complete at least two major writing assignments consisting of multiple pages, approximately ten to twelve pages long. Just kidding! I dont anticipate any papers longer than four or five pages. These papers will require research, outside reading, collaborative groups, and other requirements. These assignments will be a substantial part of your overall grade in the class. You will be producing at least one traditional research paper. ***These writings will be produced through the Do Hard Things writing project. Most of these writings will be written outside of class. You will also be required to complete several minor writing assignments including paragraphs, short essays, poetry, and in-class writings. Classroom Procedures Respect each other and their opinions. There will be no hunting in this classroom. Listen honestly to what your classmates have to say, and they will listen to you. Participate in classroom discussions. The opinions and ideas of all students are valid and deserve thought. Participation will constitute a portion of your grade, including the writing workshop days set aside for the Do Hard Things writing project. All assignments are due on the scheduled date at the beginning of the class period. I do not accept late work! Really, I dont. I also do not evaluate incomplete work. If you did not work hard enough to complete the assignment, I see no reason why I should evaluate it. **There is no extra credit available in this class unless the teacher provides opportunities throughout the term. Student Behavior Responsibilities One easy rule: Do not talk while Im talking. Everything I have to say has relevance to what were doing in class, and you need to hear it. More importantly, your classmates who want to hear it should be able to hear it.

Ill stay quiet when you have the floor if what youre saying is relevant to our discussion. Be in your seat when the bell rings. If not, you will be counted tardy, and the administration will take care of it. **Do not make it a habit of meeting me at my door right before the bell rings and ask to go to the restroom. I will honor that request ONLY SPARINGLY! Do your own work. I know, I know; its so easy to steal someone elses ideas face to face or on the internet. However, those are not your ideas, and if you get caught plagiarizing, that assignment will receive a zero. Once youre in the classroom, youre here to stay. I will not permit you to leave unless it is an emergency, and IM the one who will decide if it is. Foul language will not be tolerated in this classroom, and anything that offends me will be considered foul. Consequences will be dealt out if you choose to speak in this fashion. Do not use any foul language or references to sex or references to things that are considered illegal in your writing. BOR----ING! Gum and certain kinds of candy will be allowed, but dont take advantage of this privilege. Privileges can and will be revoked if you abuse this privilege Respect my space, and Ill respect yours. You are required to work on assignments for this class ONLY while you are here. Always be prepared to work on on-going, long-term assignments or have a book to read if you finish with the daily task. IF you choose to work on other class work during this English class, you will receive a warning on your first offense. You will spend a thirty-minute detention with me AFTER school on the DAY of the second offense. IF you do not think you are disciplined enough to work on English only, I would suggest that you leave all other textbooks and notebooks in your locker. You are responsible for bringing all of your supplies and books to class. You will not be allowed to go back to your locker or borrow something from meeven if you see extra books sitting on my shelf.

You will need a three-ring binder, several dividers, notebook paper, blue or black pens, a red pen, a highlighter, colored sticky notes, and I highly recommend a flash drive or a pen drive because technological excuses will not be accepted the day projects or writing assignments are due. You may want to also have a separate notebook for your Do Hard Things project. All rules listed in the student handbook also apply to this classroom. It is your responsibility to be familiar with all school policies. Do not be discourteous or insubordinate to substitute teachers. If you are, you will receive an automatic discipline notice when I return to class. Actions Taken for Behavioral Infractions: First Infraction: I will have a one to one conference with the student. Second Infraction: I will contact the students parents or guardians. Third Infraction: I will allow Mr. Harrell to handle the situation. **Please be informed that in some cases, students will be sent to Mr. Harrell before the first and second steps have been taken. Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit. Elbert Hubbard **Cell Phone Policy** Students will place their cell phones on their desks at Mrs. Fleskes request. Students will turn their cell phones off or place them on the silent modeNOT the vibrate modefor the entire class period until Mrs. Fleske permits the students to use them for instructional or academic reasons. Cell phones will remain on the students desks during tests. **If the student uses a cell phone for any reason during class without permission from Mrs. Fleske, the following consequences will occur: 1. First Offense: 2. Second Offense: 3. Third Offense: a verbal warning confiscation of the phone; will return at the end of the block confiscation of the phone and a 30-minute detention

4. Fourth Offense: The student will receive a discipline notice and will be sent to Mr. Harrells office. The device will be confiscated and given to Mr. Harrell. **Music Device Policy** Music devices of any kind will NOT be allowed in this class without Mrs. Fleskes permission. Listening to music or searching you tube items will NOT be permitted while doing research unless it is relevant to the assignment and with Mrs. Fleske's permission only. Consequences: First Offense: Second Offense: Third Offense: Fourth Offense: a verbal warning confiscation of the device; will return at the end of the block confiscation of the device and a 30-minute detention Student will receive a discipline notice and will be sent to Mr. Harrell's office. The device will be confiscated and given to Mr. Harrell. Grading Scale (It is the students responsibility for knowing his or her grade in this class. Please visit power school often.) 95-100 = A 90-94 = A87-89 = B+ 84-86 = B 80-83 = B77-79 = C+ 74-76 = C 70-73 = C67-69 = D+ 64-66 = D 60-63 = D59-below = F

**Your assignments are weighted in this class: Your assessed writing assignments are worth 40 percent of your grade. Your tests and quizzes are worth 40 percent of your grade. Your daily assignments are worth 20 percent of your grade.

**Students who fail major tests may have the opportunity to re-take a test that covers the same objectives. While some questions may be the same, it will not be the same test, but it will cover the same concepts and material. Students will receive no higher than a 59.4 percent on a retaken test. Again, extra credit is not usually offered in this class; however, the teacher may offer the opportunity for extra credit throughout the term. **VERY IMPORTANT** In order to pass this English 11 class, you must complete all of the required writing and project in the Do Hard Things project. You must complete an argumentative editorial, a research paper, a literary analysis, and a self-reflection paper which is based on an approved project. If you fail to complete any of these assignments on by the assigned date, you will not pass this class. Its not enough to go to the plateyou have to have hits. In order to achieve the kind of success you want in this class, you must come to the plate with a positive attitude and then produce. I cannot evaluate what you dont complete, and you cant grow or succeed if you dont work at it. Commit to this class, DO HARD THINGS, and AIM HGH!

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