English 3/4

Mr. Floyd

mkfloyd@tuhsd.edu

This course is for sophomore English students and will be following the theme of Authority in Society.
Students will use class readings to identify how different culture define and derive authority.
Additionally, they will use these developed discussion skills to analyze their own society and what role
youth plays in changing it.

A big component of this class is structured discussion about mature topics brought up in the literature.
Students are expected to be mature participants in these discussions and to always speak of them in
relation to the classs texts. Here are some of the topics that may be discussed:

Genocide Gender Identity

War Sexuality
Oppression Race

Students that are unable to maturely discuss these topics risk not being successful in this class.

Class Rules/Expectations

Students need to be on time every day; class work begins immediately when the bell rings for
the beginning of my class so that I never to have to hold students after the bell rings for the next
class. A late student is a student that is missing work.
The homework component of this class involves keeping up with readings and occasionally
completing reading guides. These assignments are given as homework to maximize the time for
other, related assignments in class. A student that doesnt complete the homework will suffer
during class discussion.
Since discussion is a major component of our class, all students are expected to maturely
partake in discussions and abide by proper discussion etiquette- as taught in class. In all other
cases in the classroom, students need to continue to be respectful to their peers and myself.
I hold the right to organize my classroom however I see fit and expect students to abide by
these decisions.
All other rules are as stated and consistent with the Districts and Schools Code of Conduct.

Materials

A binder for notes and assignments

Pen and pencils
One package of college ruled paper (120pgs)
Any additional materials will be upon teacher request

Readings
During each semester-quarter students will have a primary text (usually novel, or play) and a series of
secondary texts to read and use in assignments and discussion.
For Quarter 1 students will be reading The Giver by Lois Lowry as their primary text. Secondary texts
will include a number of short stories and current news articles that relate to the classs overall theme of
Authority in Society.
Future readings will be updated in detail on the classs website.

Grade scale:
A = 90% - 100%

B = 80% - 89%

C = 70% - 79%

D = 60% - 69%

F = 59% or below

Late Work

I do not accept late work. For all major assignments, I allow a period (one to two weeks) for students to
submit their work instead of a flat deadline. I accept digital and printed submissions, taking faulty
printers out of the equation, and offer more than enough lab time to complete assignments for students
that do not have access to a computer at home. I will, by request, also come to Saturday School and
monitor a computer lab if a student needs additional lab time to work on an assignment before it is due.
I reserve the right to amend or alter these rules as I please.

Absences

Students must abide by the schools rules for absences. More than eight absences during a semester
requires the administration to consider the option of nullifying the credits they would have received
during the semester. While there are ways to appeal this process, missing days will significantly impact
your success in my classroom.

Students are responsible for all work done in my class while they were absent. They can access the
days agenda from our online classroom and be prepared by the time the next class begins. If they are
not prepared, they have a number of days to catch up equal to their absence; however, in regard to
major assignments, due dates are not affected by absences.

Contact Information

My preferred contact method is email. I will try to respond to emails as soon as possible after they are
received. You may contact me by phone during school hours through the schools system; however, if I
am in a class or meeting it may be a while before I am able to respond to you. As always, I encourage the
parents of my students to read the biweekly newsletter that I send out and to stay updated by following
the classrooms website.
Class website http://www.Eng3-4.tuhsd.edu

My Email mkfloyd@tuhsd.edu