English III: British Literature Syllabus

One who would learn to fly one day must first learn to walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into
flying.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Instructor Information:
Mr. Locke
Email address: nlocke@cps.edu
Room: 254/256
Website: http://mrlockeenglish.weebly.com
Course Overview:
Welcome to British Literature! I am so excited to meet you all and work with you this year. Throughout the course of
the year, we will be discussing and dissecting monsters and heroes via British Literature. Not only that, but we will
focus on satire, society, class, race, and gender across time. We will work together to answer big questions as you
grow as a student, person, and community member this year. We will sharpen our skills in writing and grammar
through a variety of forms, focusing on argumentative, rhetorical, narrative, and literary analysis essays. Our studies
will encompass a variety of novels, short stories, poetry, Shakespeare, and nonfiction. Each unit will be assessed
with a quarter exam with additional assessments throughout the year. All of the assessments, assignments, and texts
we will utilize will help you strengthen your ability to read critically, write persuasively, and speak deliberately.
Required Materials: three-subject notebook, loose-leaf paper, pen, pencil, flash drive, and one (consistent) place to
write your assignments down.
Online Resources:
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): www.owl.english.purdue.com
Assessment:
Each assignment will have its own point-value. The assignment-specific information will be available to you when
the assignment is introduced. The final percentage is determined by the total points youve earned, divided by the
total points available. Larger assignments such as tests, projects, or presentations will be worth more points than
smaller assignments such as quizzes, homework assignments, and in-class work. Your grade will be based on:
- Teacher and self-evaluation of skills
- Formal and informal reading/writing assignments
o Assignments: blogging, annotations of text, in-class presentations, peer editing, etc.
o Essays: cold-reads, take-home writing assignments
o Projects: research paper
- Participation
Grade scale:
100-90 = A
89-80 = B
79-70 = C
69-60 = D
59-0 = F
Late Assignment Acceptance Policy: I expect you to complete your work in a timely manner. You will receive 1
letter grade off for every day the assignment is late. After 5 days, you will receive 50% of the grade. Depending on
the circumstance, revision of work for a revised grade can be an option after discussing with me in person. For
smaller assignments like bell ringers and short writing pieces, I will accept late work the next day for half credit.
Any time afterwards, I will give you no credit.
Attendance Policy: Please come to class every day on time. Attending class every day is the only way to succeed.
Cutting class results in a zero on any work for that day and a contact home to parents. In the event of illness, the
student should follow school policy and present a signed excuse upon return to class. You are responsible for any
assignments you may have missed while absent.
Student Conduct Expectations:

Together we will cultivate an atmosphere of respect and a safe environment for learning. Please:

Be respectful at all timesto yourself, your classmates, your teacher, and your school.

Come to class prepared: homework done; book and supplies at the ready.

Do not speak when a classmate or a teacher is speaking. Listen carefully.

Be an active participant. SPEAK UP. TAKE NOTES. ASK QUESTIONS.

Refrain from eating in class; drinking water is fine. Please clean up any mess you make!

Leave your iPods off and away while in class.

Please, please, please, keep your phone away if we are not using them in class.
Academic Plagiarism Policy: Students who cheat on any assignment, in or out of class, will fail the given
assignment. Plagiarism is one form of cheating. Plagiarism is the taking of another persons words, phrasing, or ideas
without giving the appropriate credit in writing through such means as using parenthetical citations, quotation marks,
and works cited information. Please refer to Lanes handbook about more extensive definitions of plagiarism. It is
your responsibility to ask for clarification on citing material if you are unsure about how to do so. You will be
required to make an account at turnitin.com.
Contacting Me: Speaking to me directly will usually be the quickest solution to any question/concern you might
have. I am available to reach during the school day; I also am available after school on most days. The best way to
contact me is through email at nlocke@cps.edu. I will usually get back to you within 24 hours. I am not likely to get
back to emails sent after 8PM within the same day.
Remind: Include your first and last name. Text so that we can contact each other. I will not have your number and
you will not have my number. If you do not have a phone, make sure to do this process with an email account.
No Red Ink: In order to improve grammar, you will be responsible for completing roughly :30 of No Red Ink each
week. You will be responsible for signing up and completing No Red Ink on your own. Go to NoRedink.com and I
will give you a confirmation code.
Khan Academy SAT Prep: You will be required to sign up for Khan Academys SAT Preparation. Go to
khanacademy.org and put my email in as your coach. Practicing this weekly will make the SAT reading/writing
section much easier.
Computer Labs: There are many computers throughout the school that you can use. Locations include: the library,
255, 135, 132, and I will schedule time for us in other computer labs.
Bathroom/Water Pass: There are two bathroom/water passes. Please be respectful of the privilege.
Eating in Classroom: Only water is allowed. Other food and drinks should be in your backpack.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Student and Parent/Guardian Agreement
English I: Survey of Literature Mr. Locke
I have read this syllabus and understand the policies, procedures, and expectations for English III: British Literature.
As a student of this class, I accept my responsibilities as a coopering member of this class. As a parent/guardian, I
am aware of the attendance policies and late work policies and will support the expectations placed upon my child in
order to help him/her achieve his/her academic goals.

Student Signature: ______________________________________________________

Date: ____________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________

Date: ____________