ENGLISH I Pre - AP

2017-2018
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: ajones@hp-schools.org
Phone: 512.465.8333 ext. 2220
Conference Period: 4th
www.amyjoneshp.weebly.com
*You are also welcome to call me during my fourth period conference at 512-465-8333, extension 2220.
If you would like additional practice or instruction, you may meet with me on Monday, Tuesday or
Thursday before school or any day after school until 4:00 pm. Know that I am here to help you. I want
to see you thrive in this course and in life, so please do not hesitate to ask for additional support and/or
clarification.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course focuses on the improvement of understanding and analyzing literature, while building upon
the grammar and writing skills developed in eighth grade English. Also, the course is an overview of
excellent literature across the major genres (short story, novel, poetry, drama, epic poetry, and literary
nonfiction). In addition, the students will analyze literature from various angles, to view literature in
historical context, and to observe connections between literature and the arts.

The course will address the following overarching questions:

1st Quarter: How and why does society pressure the individual to conform? How and why does
the individual choose to defy and/or separate himself from society?
nd
2 Quarter: How do the obstacles encountered on a journey shape ones character?
3rd Quarter: What is human nature at its core and what keeps people from becoming savages?
Why does society shun certain individuals and groups, and how can he/they
overcome the outcast stigma?
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4 Quarter: What motivates sacrifice and sacrificial loveheroism, cowardice, self-
centeredness, and/or self-forgetfulness?

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND COURSE FORMAT
In this course, students will read a variety of literature and will complete varied assignments, helping to
develop and refine their skills in writing. As a student involved in this course of learning, you should be
able to:
1) Develop and support a thesis using logical organization, concrete statements and supporting details.
2) Apply correct syntax, diction, usage, and mechanics when writing.
3) Communicate information through interpersonal, group, and public speaking activities.
4) Understand and evaluate various literary elements in the given readings.
5) Expand knowledge of vocabulary.

The course involves a series of lectures and presentations in order to communicate the high volume of
content. The student is encouraged to engage the instructor via questions and comments. Due to the
nature of the content of this course and the volume of the material to be covered, it is necessary for
students to participate in all class sessions.

MAJOR WORKS (Prospective List Subject to change at instructors discretion)

The Odyssey by Homer
Anthem by Ayn Rand
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Note: We will also read a variety of literary works, some of which are included in the textbook,
Advanced Language and Literature: For Honors and Pre-AP English Courses.

WRITING PROJECTS
Fall 2017: Spring 2018:
Narrative Writing Rhetorical Analysis
Literary Analysis Persuasive Essay/Speech
Expository Writing Research Essay

REQUIRED READINGS AND RESOURCES

The majority of our readings will be in the Prentice Hall Literature book; however, we will also be
reading handouts and novels throughout the year. The given texts and resources are required reading
for class discussions and are to be read in their entirety unless otherwise indicated.

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Required supplies:
1. Binder with sections for the following: agenda, handouts, notes, quizzes/exams, and papers.
2. Journal (college-ruled): composition notebook or spiral journal for notes and warm-ups (remains
in the classroom).
3. Blue or black ink pens, but pencils are preferred.
4. Highlighters
5. Red pens for editing.
6. Laptop or device (excluding phone) is recommended
7. College-Ruled loose-leaf paper*

*This is collected for a CATASTROPHE PASS* This is not a requirement, but will result in the student
receiving a one-day forgiveness pass to use at their discretion throughout the course of the year.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Please remember to follow the school-mandated rules in my classroom. Disciplinewhich includes
warnings, emails or phone calls to parents, and referrals to administrationwill be handled on a case-
by-case basis.

A. Cell Phones/Electronic Devices: Electronic devices, including laptops, tablets and cell phones, may
only be used during specified writing and research-related activities. At all other times, devices
should be stowed away and cell phones should be placed in your assigned shoe pocket on the front
door. If I find a student using a device other than for specified learning purposes, I will collect the
device and return it to the student at the end of the school day. If the offense continues I will consult
the administration.

B. Food/Drinks: The only permissible, consumable item allowed in the class is bottled water.

C. Turning in Work: Homework is due at the BEGINNING of the class period in the specified bin.
Students will not receive credit if they turn in homework at the end of the period or the end of the
day. Please note that NO late homework or projects will be accepted. The no late work policy is an
English department policy, and it is intended to optimize the learning experience and ensure that
students are prepared for class. In addition to printed hard copies of typed papers and essays, essays
will be submitted through Turnitin.com and/or Google Classrooms as specified. Note: students may
not resort to merely emailing the assignment to the teacher. Hard copies and electronically
submitted copies of the paper are due at 4:00 p.m. on the specified due date; plan ahead and come
to class with your work and your supplies as indicated. Major papers may be turned in one day late
for a twenty-point deduction (maximum score of an 80), but they will receive a zero after that.

D. Time Management: Time management includes using time wisely within the classroom as well as at
home when completing assignments. Success in this class relies on proper time management.
Assignments should be completed and turned in on the assigned days in order to receive credit on
the assignment and optimize the learning experience. Expect homework every day.

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CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
Beginning:
1) Place your cell phone in the designated door pocket before you enter the classroom.
2) Please be in the classroom and constructing the writing prompt into your journal when the bell rings
with all required supplies.
3) If there is homework to hand in, please put it in the designated class period tray before class begins.
4) Once your writing prompt is completed, please place it on the designated shelf.

End of Class:
1) Clean up your area. Put books, composition book, and other supplies up where they belong. Throw
trash away and recycle any unwanted paper.
2) Remain seated in your assigned seat until the bell rings.
3) Push in your chair before you leave.
4) Remain seated until properly dismissed.

COURSE POLICIES
A. Grading Policy: All grading will be based a 100-point scale. The average for each grading period will
consist of the following percentage breakdown:

Major Assignments (tests, major papers and essays, projects, large quizzes): 70%
Minor Assignments (daily work, written reflections, homework, small quizzes): 30%

Note: The teacher reserves the right to drop one daily grade per grading term.

B. Re-Write Policy: For processed papers, students will be given a rubric with clear expectations for the
assignment. Students will be expected to turn in the finished product along with all parts of the
writing process (prewriting, rough draft, revision and editing) on the day the final product is due.
Students may choose to re-write a major paper for a maximum score of an 80. If you are interested
in re-writing a paper, notify me within 24-hours so that we can schedule a conference. The revised
paper is due two days after the conference.

C. Headings: ALL papers, assignments, and daily grades must include the following heading on the top
left-hand side of the paper: NAME, PERIOD, DATE.

D. Absences: When a student misses class, he/she is responsible for arranging to make up missed work
and tests with the teacher. Students will be allowed the number of days missed, plus one, to
complete missed assignments or tests. Students who miss a test because of an excused absence
must see the teacher to arrange for a makeup.

E. Make-up Work: It is the students responsibility to find out what he/she misses during an absence.
The teacher will post reading assignments and homework for the whole week at the beginning of each
week. Students are responsible for any work missed for that day. For example, if a student is absent
Monday and comes to class Tuesday when there is a reading quiz over last nights reading, a student is
NOT excused from taking the test because the assignment was posted on NetClassroom and on the
board at the beginning of the week.

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 F. Late Assignments: Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Students will
have the opportunity to earn credit for late assignments only when the student has an excused
absence. Otherwise, late homework and project assignments will not be accepted, and the student
will receive a zero for the assignment. The only exception to the zero tolerance late work policy
includes major papers and essays which may be turned in one day late and receive a maximum score
of an 80. Thus, the deductions for late papers and essays are as follows:

1 day late = -20 points 2 days late or more = NOT accepted

Hard copies and electronically-submitted copies of major essays and papers are due at 4:00 p.m. on
the specified due date. DO NOT come to class with excuses of broken printers, empty ink cartridges,
corrupted drives, etc. Plan appropriately and use your time wisely.

G. Catastrophe Pass
This is a pass intended to give each student ONE extra day of grace on any assignment, excluding
final exams. This passed is earned and personalized so its the students responsibility to keep up
with this pass throughout the school year, there will be no duplications. For example, my classroom
is in need of college-ruled, loose leaf paper. If a student were to bring a package, that would earn
them a Catastrophe Pass. I will communicate ahead of time if the item/work is being considered for a
Catastrophe Pass.

H. Plagiarism
There is a no-tolerance plagiarism policy in the HP English Department. Students who pass off ideas
or words of another person as their own without crediting the source are guilty of intellectual theft or
literary theft better known as plagiarism. If students are caught plagiarizing, their papers will be sent
to the office for administration consideration, and the students will receive automatic zeros for the
assignments. The Hyde Park High School Student Handbook states: "Cheating is the giving or receiving
of information or help on a test or prior to a test, possession of any unauthorized material during a
test, or having someone else falsely complete or submit an assignment. Plagiarism, the use of
anothers ideas or products as ones own, is a type of cheating. Student(s) involved in instances of
cheating will have their papers/products confiscated immediately and will be sent to the principal for
disciplinary action. Parents will be notified" (14).

I. Testing Center
Hyde Parks Testing Center is available for all students to book a time to make up exams and/or to use
any approved test accommodations (extended time, small group setting, reader, etc.). The Testing
Center is open from 7:00am 5:00pm and located in Room 139 of the High School. All students must
sign up through the Testing Center link 12 hours in advance. Students will not be allowed to schedule
a time past the 12-hour deadline and will need to sign up for an alternate time. All students can book
a time before school, study hall, off period, lunch or after school. Only students approved through the
LEAP Program may schedule an exam during their academic class period the test is given. However, no
students are permitted to book a time during an academic class to take a different teacher's exam.

HP Testing Center Link: hptestingcenter.youcanbook.me

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J. Grading Scale
The final grade is based on the total accumulations of points as indicated under Learning Activities
and Assessments converted into a percentage. The following grading scale will be used to assign the
final letter grade:

PERCENTAGE GRADE LETTER GRADE

90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
Less than 60 points F

Class participation is assessed as part of a weekly participation grade (minor assignment); the following
items will ensure full participation in English I Pre-AP:

Arriving to class on time

Cell phone placed in door pocket
Using chairs and desks properly (e.g. not leaning back)
Bringing required materials to class (homework, book, etc.)
Computer closed and away unless the teacher gives permission for use
Actively engaging in the lesson (taking notes, asking questions, offering commentary)
Questions and comments are pertinent to the class discussion

K. Potty Break Pass

Each student is given three (3) passes at the beginning of the year. The student must place the pass
on my desk, and they may then be briefly excused to visit the restroom. It is the students
responsibility to keep up with this passes throughout the school year, there will be no duplications.

COURSE VALUES AND ETIQUETTE

The following values and etiquette are to be observed in this course.

Classroom Rules
Be respectful, prepared, prompt, and be ready to listen and learn. Students are expected to be in their
seats working on the writing prompt when the bell rings. Students are to come prepared with the
materials required for class.

Respect for Divergent Viewpoints

Students and faculty are to show appropriate respect for each other even when divergent viewpoints
are expressed in the classroom. Such respect does not require agreement with or acceptance of
divergent viewpoints.

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Cheating
Students who conduct or participate in a fraudulent or deceptive manner are guilty of cheating.
Students caught in this act of academic misconduct will be reported to the Principal, resulting in
disciplinary action up to and including failing the course and academic dismissal.

The Simplified FOUR

In order to ensure an excellent learning experience, Mrs. Jones expects the following behaviors:

1) On Time: By the time the bell rings you should be in your assigned seat with your cell phone placed
in your assigned door pocket. Anything else is considered tardy. If you do not show in the
class within the first 15 minutes, you will be marked absent.
2) On Task: Commit to doing your best on every assignment and to creating work that you are proud
of. Actively engage in class discussions by taking notes, asking questions, offering
commentary, etc. There will not be an opportunity for you to complete
assignments/homework from other classes during this class, nor will there be an
opportunity for you to sleep. Come to class ready to produce your best work.

3) Prepared: Come to class with all required materials and an attitude conducive for learning. All
homework is due at the beginning of the period and papers must be turned in by 4:00
p.m. on the specified due date. Plan accordingly. Also, plan to use the restroom and visit
your locker during passing periods.

4) Polite: In addition to respecting the teacher, you are expected to respect all classmates as well as the
classroom and everything in it. Lets be more than just polite though; lets build each other up
and create a safe place for learning; lets strive to be Christ-like in everything we say and do.

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English I Pre AP - Mrs. Jones

Classroom Policies, Procedures & Agreements

Outlined below are Rules, Policies & Procedures for a safe, productive, creative environment. All
students will read, sign, and keep the following in their binder:

Rules:
1. Be respectful of the teacher, your fellow classmates, and all visitors to the classroom.
2. Be prepared for class. When you arrive, you will get your work out, get any materials listed on
the board and be in your seat working at the bell.
3. Be prompt in getting to class and during class.
4. Be ready to listen and learn.
5. Take care of our classroom and materials.

Consequences for lack of cooperation or disrespect:

1. Warning
2. Stay after class
3. Student Conference
4. Parent Contact/Office Referral
*All severe offenses will automatically receive an office referral.

Assignments:
All work to be turned in should be typed unless otherwise directed. Plan ahead to print your papers and
assignments prior to the class. All work should be labeled with the students name/class period.

Cleanup and Closure

I will dismiss only when the bell rings and ALL tables and floor area have been completely cleaned.
Please push all chairs in. Absolutely NO lining up at the door!

Substitute Teachers
They are a GUEST at Hyde Park. Show them you know what to do and how to behave. The assignment
that is left for you will be completed and always due for a grade. Focus your time wisely and follow all
rules/procedures. Substitute teachers are a GUEST at our schoolbe kind.

Computer Use
Computers and other such devices are only to be used for approved academic purposes.

I have read the entire syllabus and will follow the above guidelines and procedures:

Student Signature Date