Freshmen Enrichment English
Instructor: Mr. Guilford
Year: 2009-2010
“Come to the Cross"
Romans 3:22-24
Course Description:
Welcome to Freshmen Enrichment English! This class is designed in the art of actively interpreting English and effectively increasing writing prowess. The integration of basic reading, speaking, listening, studying, and writing skills are the focus for this initial English course at Milwaukee Lutheran High School. Students will ascertain tips for note-taking and reading techniques, depending on the genre. Students will review grammar skills and how it pertains to writing proficiency. In addition, students will actively identify, analyze, interpret, and evaluate literary devices found within novels, short stories, poetry, plays, and other genres. Ultimately, this course will challenge students to think critically. After successfully completing this full-year course, students will have the skills necessary to continue their further study of English throughout high school.
Required Materials For Class:
· 2-inch (minimal) 3-ring binder with pockets and loose leaf paper inside
o must have division tabs to separate section: 1.)Course Information (2.) Vocabulary/Literary Terms (3.) Literature (4.) Grammar (5.) Writing
· The novel/short story/poem being read
· Blue or black ink pen (pencil may be used for note-taking)
· Colored Pen (red) for editing
Grade Composition:
Percentage Basis Grade Scale
Participation = 5% A (93-100) C (73-77)
Homework = 20% A- (90,92) C- (70-72)
Quiz = 30% B (88,89) D (68,69)
Test = 35% B (83-87) D (63-67)
Final Exam = 10% B- (80-82) D- (60-62)
----------------- C (78,79) F (0-59)
Total = 100%
Participation:
Participation by students is important. Record will be kept on how often a student participates in class. Every time a student actively participates in class, the student will be given a check. Every student will start with a “C” for participation. It is up to each student to help increase this score by being part of class discussions, coming to class prepared and ready to learn, showing respect to his/her fellow classmates.
Homework:
Homework will be given throughout every six-week grading period, and it will consist of free-response essays, vocabulary assignments, study guide questions regarding assigned reading, and other various assignments. These assignments will be given the 20% weight.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given throughout every six-week grading period. The weighted percentage value of 30% will be given to assignments like essays, speeches, pop-reading quizzes, or projects
Tests:
Tests will be given at various times throughout the year, at least once per six-week grading period to help assess student knowledge. There is ample review in the forms of review sheets and class discussion prior to any test. These tests could also appear in the form of essays or projects.
Retake Policy:
1.) Homework—Any homework that is not turned in at the requested time on the requested date will be considered late. For each day that a homework assignment is late, it will be docked 10 percentage points. Therefore, after 10 days a zero will be added to the grade book. However, depending on the assignment, I will allow the homework to be submitted for at least half credit (50%) Please note that some homework assignments that are turned in later during the period or later during the day will still be docked 10 points. Therefore, the “I left it in my locker” excuse will not be permissible.
2.) Quizzes—Any quiz can be retaken at a later date. It is up to the student to ask for a retake date and period. Before a retake is commenced, I will need to talk with the student to see if further aid is needed so that he/she is better equipped for the retake. Once the student and I feel that the material is better understood, the student will sign up for a retake date on the calendar in the room. It must be noted that the student will take a more challenging quiz. For example, the vocabulary quizzes consist of matching and fill in the blank. The vocabulary retake quizzes consist of writing out the complete definition.
3.) Tests— There are no retakes for tests. If the need arises, a student may request ways to add points to a test. This will require added work from the student. If a student would like to increase his/her test score, he/she would need to set up a conference with the teacher to decide what this added work would encompass.
Projects:
There will different ways to assess students’ progress throughout the year. There will be various projects throughout the course of the semester that will be weighted either as a quiz, test, or final. It is my belief that students shouldn’t simply be assessed in the form of tests. These projects could come in the form of speeches, media presentations, dioramas, etc. Ample time will be given for such projects along with expectations in the form of a rubric. These projects will be assessed as group or individual projects.
Extra Credit:
There will be some opportunities for extra credit in my classroom. These opportunities will be given to all students. I do not give individual extra-credit. I will inform the class of any extra-credit opportunities as they arise.
Borrowing Supplies:
It is my hope that everyone can come to class prepared with writing utensils, books, and paper(paper in a binder). However, I understand that mishaps might occur: forgetting a pen, picking up the wrong binder, leaving a book at home, etc. If one needs to borrow a pen or pencil or paper, he/she should ask a fellow classmate before class starts. Disruption of class by asking for forgotten class supplies will not be tolerated.
If one gets to class early enough, a pass may be given to his/her locker at an appropriate time. If these mishaps continue to happen, they will unfortunately affect his/her participation score.
In-Class Library:
I have managed to collect numerous books that I will allow students to borrow. If one would like to borrow a book, I will require students to sign the book out. If he/she does lose any books, I ask that one replace what is missing.
Essay/Report/Research Paper Format:
Students will be studying and using MLA Style formatting for ALL major writing assignments in my class. I will cover the details of this style at the start of the year.
Content:
Semester 1
Unit 1-“The American Dream”
o Study Skills and Note-Taking Skills
o Literary Terms
o MLA Style Format
o Short Stories
§ Conventions of a short story
§ “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
§ “Winter Dreams” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
§ “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” by Katherine Ann Porter
.
o Poetry
§ Conventions of poetry
§ “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman
§ “Burning the Christmas Greens” by William Carlos Williams
§ “Let America Be America Again” by Langston Hughes
§ “Did you Ever Dream Lucky?” by Ralph Ellison
§ “Dream of Rebirth” by Roberta Hill
§ Conventions of the Novel
§ Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
§ Parts of speech review
§ Paragraph structure, thesis statements, and narrative prompt response writing
§ Basic speech techniques including verbal and non-verbal communication
§ “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr.
Unit 2-“Revenge and Forgiveness”
o Short Stories
§ “The Cast of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe
§ “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
§ “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde
§ Stories of vengeance and revenge from the Bible (Ex. David and Saul)
.
o Poetry
§ How to approach poetry
§ Poems taken from the anthology, Revenge and Forgiveness by Patrice Vecchione
§ Epic Poem- “The Iliad” by Homer
§ “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
§ Subject/Verb
§ Complements
§ Subject/Verb Agreement
§ Phrases
§ Paragraph structure, literary analysis, and descriptive prompt response writing
§ Mini-research project/paper
§ Basic speech techniques including interpretation, inflection, movement, eye-contact
Semester 2
Unit 4-Dystopian Society
§ 1984 by George Orwell
§ Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
§ Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Note: Each student will read one of the three novels listed above. There will ultimately be three groups. Each group will present at various times throughout the course of the unit; they will present aspects of plot, literary elements, character development, and other noteworthy items.
§ Pronoun - Antecedent
§ Clauses
§ Punctuation
§ Paragraph structure, persuasion essay, and vivid verbs.
§ Group Media-Presentations of 3 Dystopian Novels, one novel per group.
Unit 5-Love Lost/Love Found
.
o Poetry
§ Poetry from various literary movements: Renaissance, Romanticism, Realism, and Naturalism—to name a few.
§ Independent Read
§ Descriptive prompt response writing in the genres of poetry and essays.
§ Persuasive Speaking
§ Final Presentation of Book and Author
When Does Class Begin?
Once the second bell (tardy bell) rings, every student should be through the door and on his/her way to his/her desk and finishing any conversation. If there is any violation of these guidelines, a tardy will be given.
How Can Parents/Guardians Check-up on a child’s status?
Milwaukee Lutheran now has on-line grading. Now, parents can check status of their child’s grade whenever they want. It is my intention to make sure that students’ grades are updated within a 2-3 day window of time from the due date. However, some assignments like essays and projects may take longer.
Even though MLHS has on-line grading, teachers will still provide progress reports. Every six-week grading period a progress report will come home with the student. On the progress report, the parent(s) will see assignments and the culminating six-week average. The following is a list of those days that progress reports will be going home:
1st = October 15th
2nd = December 2nd
3rd = March 3rd
4th = April 21st
When progress reports go home, it is important that a parent/guardian sign the report and return it with the child. A 100% will be given for a homework grade. After the grade is recorded, the child can bring the report back home so as to post it on the refrigerator for all to see!
It is understandable that parents/guardians lead busy lives and that they may want to be more aware of their child’s grades. Calling me or e-mailing me is a great way to stay current of all that is going on. Actually, the e-mail option is preferred, but phone calls are welcomed, too.
School Phone: (414) 461-6000 x. 268
E-Mail: jguilford@milwaukeelutheranhs.org
Classroom Management: Consequences For Being Disruptive:
*Know the handbook *Talk with teacher
*Respect all fellow classmates *Phone call /Meeting with parents
*Respect all school personnel *Referral to office
*Come to class prepared, on time,
and ready to learn
Specific Policies
Absences:
o A student who is absent from class has the responsibility of finding out the assignments, handouts, notes, etc from the teacher or from another student.
o Assignments due the day of the absence, which were previously understood as being assigned, are due when the student returns to class.
o All students who participate in a school-sanctioned field trip will be responsible for all work in the classes for that day. The student is also responsible for the requirements of work given on that day and any other deadlines for projects, quizzes, and tests as established by the teacher in this class.
o Assignments given during the days of absence (including quizzes and tests) will be allowed a days extension per each day of absence.
o Unexcused absences will result in a failure (a “0”) for any assignment (including quizzes and tests) and/or in-class participation points that are scheduled for that day. NO EXCEPTIONS.
o In the instance of snow days and unpredictable school cancellations, if a major deadline is set for the day school is closed, the deadline will be moved to the day classes resume. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!
Tardiness:
o This class adheres to the school policy stating that 3 unexcused tardies during a six-week period will result in a tardy referral and Saturday morning detention.
o Tardiness is defined as late entry into the classroom after the sounding of the 2nd bell and/or any action inside of the classroom that disrupts the class from starting on time.
School Cheating Policy:
o “Cheating is the deliberate or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, technology, study aids, or unauthorized group work on assignments, projects, tests, or other academic exercises during class or outside of class. The student is responsible for consulting with the teacher concerning whether group work may be permissible. Any attempt to give or receive improper assistance is cheating. Also, Representing or attempting to represent oneself as another or having or attempting to have oneself represented by another in the taking of a test, preparation of an assignment, or any other similar activity is deemed as cheating.
o Examples include the following:
§ Forging a signature for the purpose of credit in a class;
§ Providing access to materials or information so that credit may be dishonestly claimed by others;
§ Creating and distributing copies of one’s own work so that credit may be dishonestly claimed by others;
§ Giving or receiving unauthorized assistance on an assessment (homework, quizzes, tests.);
§ And Falsifying or altering grade related documents, programs, or information.
o Disciplinary measures will be taken as noted in the school policy handbook.
Free Periods:
Semester I – 3rd, 5th, and 6th
Semester II – 2nd , 5th, and 8th
Thoughts From The teacher:
First of all, it is a joy and a privilege to have you in my English class. I am looking forward to getting to know you. This is going to be an exciting year. I want to help you appreciate the potential strengths of literature and writing…and have some fun along the way!
Things To Know About Me:
· I am a very approachable person. If you ever need ANY help, please talk to me-- in class, in the halls, or even at lunch.
· Serving Jesus is my mission. It’s amazing-- the wonders of his work!
· Respect is something very important to me. I will respect each and every one of you as literary scholars and as children of God. Likewise, I would hope that you would respect me.
· I like to challenge people to think…be prepared!
· What else would you like to know?
Freshmen Enrichment
Classroom Syllabus Student Agreement
I, ______________________, have read and understood the above listed classroom rules and procedures. I am aware that I will be held responsible for any violations of these rules and procedures. By signing my name below, I am indicating that I will follow the classroom rules and procedures to the best of my ability.
______________________________________ __________________
Student Signature Date
Classroom Syllabus Parent/Guardian Agreement
I, ______________________, the parent of _____________________________, have reviewed the entire syllabus with the student listed above. I understand the above listed classroom rules and procedures. By signing my name below, I am indicating I am aware that he/she will be held responsible for any violations of these rules and procedures.
______________________________________ __________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date