Ms. Finns English 1 Prep/Adv.

Syllabus
Contact Information:
Email: ms.scfinn@gmail.com
Website: http://msfinnhomepage.weebly.com
Below you will find a brief overview of the course that will give you an idea of where
we are headed. In general, my goal for this semester is that we come together each
day to read and make meaning of what we read. If you are prepared each day, if
you respect the learning environment in the classroom, and if you are willing to take
risks (answering a question when you are not sure about the answer; talking to
someone you do not know) then we will all learn a lot.
Do not expect me to give you all the answers--I see this as your job. Sometimes
students want to know that they got the right answer, but as long as your answer
makes sense and you can support it, your answer is right. In fact, think of it not as
your answer [for this denotes right and wrong] but your interpretation [there can be
many possibilities]. Ill step in when youve gone too far adrift, but you all have as
much to bring to discussion as I do. Trust yourselves!
READING
I use six literary theories as the framework for reading fiction in this class: ReaderResponse, New, Marxist, Feminist, African-American, and Post-Colonial. Each novelbased unit is attached to a type of literary criticism that will be your lens for the
entire unit. We will read Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, as well
as short stories, selected poetry, and non-fiction with the analysis technique
SOAPSTONE.
WRITING
You will write every day. In addition to daily warm-ups and in class free-writes, you
will complete three essays: argumentative, literary analysis, and the I-Search. These
essays will be done in multiple drafts. For each essay you will have an opportunity
to get feedback from your peers in a read-around and to work with Writer Coaches
on refining your skills. One of the foundations of writing we focus on in ninth grade
is making a claim and backing it up with evidence. You will also study punctuation
and its impact on the meaning and clarity of your writing.
GRADES
Your grade is comprised of the total points you earn per term. The points breakdown is as follows:

HOMEWORK/CLASSWORK: 10 points

QUIZZES/WARM UPS/SHORT PAPERS: 50 points

EXAMS/ESSAYS: 100 points

Ms. Finns English 1 Prep/Adv. Syllabus

I collect and read quite a bit of classwork, but (listen closely now) you do not get
points for everything you do. Why do it, you ask, if you dont get credit? Well, it is
preparing you to write an essay or take an exam. Consider Stephen Curry--how
much he had to practice so he could win games. Homework and classwork is
practice; essays and exams are games. In this analogy, your grades are like your
payment. (Athletes need to win games to get paid.)
EVERYTHING I put in power school will get an actual grade. Points awarded for
completion (credit/no credit) do not actually reflect what you are learning. When I
return work, the feedback is meant to help you get better at that particular skill,
whether its on a 100 point essay or a 10 point movie-notes assignment. Some
feedback is delivered entirely on a rubric and some comes in the form of written
comments.
Most of your homework will be reading or working on your essays. I expect quite a
bit of reading and writing during class, and I think youll find the homework load
very manageable. Students in Advanced English will have more reading.
LATE WORK/MAKE-UP WORK

Late work in this class is defined as assignments turned in after the due date,
and will not be accepted as per English Department policy. However, life
happens! Late work will only be accepted under the following circumstances:
1. The student has made arrangements prior to an extended absence or
student specific situation.
2. There is an excused absence, in which case the student will have as
many days as they were absent to make-up the missing assignments.
You can always email me, check the website, or talk to a classmate if
you are absent to keep updated.
3. You have filled out a Homework Slip, and have agreed to turn in the
work by a specific date for partial credit.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism can come in many forms: copying something off the internet or
from a fellow classmate, claiming an idea you found else where as your own,
or failing to cite your sources. Plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form. If
a student is discovered to have plagiarized, the student will receive a zero
and will not be given the opportunity to redo the assignment. If two students
are found to have copied off of each other, both students will receive the
zero.