Course Syllabus

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CLASSROOM SYLLABUS & EXPECTATIONS

 ENGLISH II

Mr. La Bianca

Office Hours/Tutoring:

  • By Appointment
  • 3-3:30PM

Contact Information:

  • 704-292-7662
  • E-Mail-thomas.labianca@ucps.k12.nc.us
  • Room G107 & G211

Students in English II will examine a range of literary works to enhance their interpretive and critical thinking skills for success as a 21st century student in a globally-based world of relationships and information.   The course will include literature and strategies for reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, grammar, and research; components to facilitate student learning.  The state of NC has adopted Common Core Standards.  The standards focus on reading literature and informational texts, writing, language, speaking, and listening.  These skills will be developed throughout the class.  The works we will use as a basis for this skill development are: Short Fiction Stories, Night, Antigone, and House on Mango Street
Expectations:

Be Prompt: Students are expected to be in class on time and begin bell work once the bell has rung.

Be Prepared: Students are expected to bring all needed materials to class; this includes pens, papers, notebooks and homework.

Be Polite: Students are expected to respect all members of the faculty and fellow students.

Be Engaged: Students are expected to be engaged in the subject matter, complete all work in a timely and efficient manner, and display a positive attitude that will enhance learning for everyone in the classroom.

Follow all school rules in the student handbook.

Failure to comply with the above rules will result in warnings, parent contacts, and administrative contacts.

Materials:

Students are expected to come prepared to class daily; the following items are needed for this class, this semester:

 

  1. Chrome Book
  2. Highlighters
  3. Notebook paper
  4. Index Cards
  5. Pens/Pencils
  6. 3 Ring Binder

 

If one of the following items cannot be provided, please contact me as soon as possible, so that I may make proper arrangements.

 

Texts used:

 

  • Holt Grade 10
  • Night
  • Antigone
  • House on Mango Street
  • Nonfiction Texts

 

 

 

A Note about Texts

A note about reading material:  Students will critically analyze representative print materials from world cultures and time periods as they explore such genre as epics, novels, short stories, essays, and poetry and understanding of cultures and societies from a global perspective. Novels are chosen that will allow students to analyze the culture and compare the literature of certain regions to novels and other texts from other regions around the world. Texts used are part of the purpose of using these particular texts in the above-named class is based in the following Common Core State Standards:  RL.9-10. 1-10 Reading Standards for Literature

  1. Please note: some of the texts contain adult content, such as serious themes, abstract language, graphic descriptions, and other adult situations. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns regarding the selections. Also, please preview any of the texts as well. Each of the books has been approved by Union County Schools as well. There will be alternate readings available if you opt your child out of any of the selections listed,
  2. The purpose of using these particular texts in the above-named class is based in the following Common Core State Standards:  RL.9-10. 1-10 Reading Standards for Literature.

Unit Outlook:

UNIT OF STUDY

TIME FRAME

Short Fiction

Weeks 1-4

Poetry

Weeks 5-6

Night

Weeks 6-8

Antigone

Weeks 9-11

House on Mango Street

Weeks 12-14

Nonfiction/Speech

Weeks 15-16

Review

Weeks 17-18

Procedures:

For beginning of the class:

  • Arrive to class on time, sit in assigned seat
  • Have materials ready at the start of class and begin bell work.
  • Failure to be on task at the start of the class, may result in a zero for the assignment.

During Class:

  • Raise your hand before speaking
  • If you need to leave the class for any reason, you MUST raise your hand and ask permission. Please avoid raising your hand during instructional time, unless it is an emergency. Sign out and take a pass, with you, no exceptions. This includes going to (bathroom, water fountain, health office, front office, guidance office, media center.) Students must also sign out when leaving and sign in when returning.

At the end of class:                                                                                                    

  • Clean up you area.
  • Straighten desks.
  • Place any and all text books back under the desk.
  • Do not line up at the door, Remember, the bell does not dismiss you the teacher does.

 

Laptops

 

Bring laptops to class daily, unless otherwise directed.  When laptops are brought to class, they should be charged and ready to use.  When every student needs to plug in their laptops, it causes a tripping hazard.  During times when the whole class is using laptops, students should remain on task and only on appropriate websites.  If the teacher asks students to lower their screens or shut computers, students should save their work and do so immediately.  If a student does not have their laptop in class, for whatever reason, they are still responsible for the work.  Most assignments can easily be done on paper.      

Extra Credit/Test Corrections/Office Hours:

All students have the opportunity to see me before/after school for extra help at any time. However, students must tell me in advance when they need to come in so I can be available. For some tests, students also have the opportunity to make “test corrections” if they fail a test in English (60% or below). The process would be as follows: When the student earns a failing grade on a test they may come in before/after school and correct their wrong answers up to a maximum grade of a 70 (D).  Test corrections will be decided by the teacher. Extra credit will be offered at the end of each grading period.

Grading:

Grading is based on a percentage system.  The final grade every six weeks will be comprised of the following three items:

  1. Tests/Projects/Papers- 40%
  2. Quizzes-20%
  3. Homework/Class work-30%
  4. Warm Ups/Participation – 10%

 

 

The final grade for the semester will be comprised of the following four items:

  1. First six weeks final average-25%
  2. Second six weeks final average-25%
  3. Third six weeks final average-25%
  4. EOC-25%

 

Classwork and Homework:

At the beginning of every unit, students will have an overview of expectations and content. Students will be expected to turn in homework and classwork in a timely manner. Failure to do this could result in a zero for the assignment as a placeholder until the student turns it in.

Personal Reading

There will be a heavy emphasis on personal reading in order to help students grow in reading stamina, vocabulary, and literacy. For the semester, students will be asked to read two to three books of their choice. We will go to the library in the first week of school to choose a book. Students will be asked to complete several journals, activities, and projects for this book. The purpose of these personal reading books is to help students grow in their reading stamina, vocabulary, and gain a genuine interest in reading.

Phone Policy

Phone use will not be tolerated during class time. Students listening to music or having headphones in during class time will not be tolerated. If phones are seen during class, they will be turned in to the office for a parent to pick up. There is a strict policy against taking pictures and recording videos in class. Consequences include turning phone in to the office and writing a referral to administration. 

Late Work and Makeup Work:

Late work will not be accepted for full credit unless there is a documented absence. If absent you will have three days from the day of absence to make up the assigned work for the opportunity to receive full credit. However, students may turn in late work at any point in the semester for partial credit. For makeups of tests/quizzes please schedule a time with me before or after school to complete the missed assignment. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain make-up assignments from their teacher.

Plagiarism and Academic Code of Conduct:

Porter Ridge High School has adopted an Honor Code.  Students will refrain from copying, using, or otherwise claiming work of others to be their own.  Students shall not cheat on tests/examinations, copy the work of another, or complete any type of academic assignment in a dishonest or deceptive manner.  Students shall not forge parents/ guardians/teachers signatures or make fraudulent use of official school documents. Forgery, cheating or plagiarism will result in an academic consequence assigned by the student’s teacher, and may result in the removal from honor or recognition based groups on campus (ie. NHS, NEHS, NAHS, etc.)  Additionally, students may be referred to the administration for Cheating or Plagiarism

 

Final Note: This is going to be a great semester! I am really looking forward to working together with all of you. If we follow these rules and procedures and expectations we will all have a great class where learning, positivity and fun are present. Please keep this syllabus in your notebook and return the bottom portion of this page signed to Mr. La Bianca.

 

Parent Signature ________________________________________________

Student Signature _______________________________________________

Date________________________________________

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due