Course Syllabus

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CLASSROOM SYLLABUS & EXPECTATIONS

 ENGLISH I HONORS

Mr. La Bianca

Office Hours/Tutoring:

  • Monday-Thursday 3:00PM-3:25PM

Contact Information:

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

Students in English I 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: The Odyssey, Romeo and Juliet, and Short Fiction.
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. Notebook paper
  3. Highlighter
  4. Notebook/Folder
  5. Pens/Pencils

 

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 9
  • The Odyssey
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • Short Stories

 

 

 

 

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: This could be subject to change based on semester scheduling.

UNIT OF STUDY

TIME FRAME

Short Fiction

Weeks 1-4

Poetry

Weeks 5-6

The Odyssey

Weeks 6-8

Romeo and Juliet

Weeks 9-11

Short Fiction II

Weeks 12-14

Non-Fiction

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.

 

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.      

 

Tutoring/Extra Credit/Test Corrections:

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. Students also have the opportunity to make “test corrections” if they fail a test in English (70% or below). The process is 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).  This will help the student’s overall average.

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- 40%
  2. Quizzes-20%
  3. Homework/Class work-30%
  4. Warm-Ups – 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. Exam-25%

 

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.

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. To help students engage in classroom instruction and not be distracted, students must keep their phones zipped up in a backpack, bag, or purse for the entire class period. Failure to do this will first result in a warning. After the first warning, students will receive an office referral, parent contact, and an administrator will be called to take the student’s phone. Remember, this is a policy that is intended to help make the classroom the best environment possible for nurturing critical thinking and healthy relationships.

Late Work and Makeup Work:

Late work from the term will be accepted for half credit. If a student is absent, they will have up to three days from the absence to turn in the work they are making up. To help with organization in grading, students that are absent might receive a zero for a graded assignment as a placeholder. This will be changed once the student turns in the work. 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 his/her 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

 

Honors Course Expectations

This is an honors level course. This course is also available in the Program of Studies at the College Preparatory level. Students earning credit for an Honors level course receive an elevated number of Quality Points for their Grade Point Average. Students choosing the Honors level course should be aware that this Honors level course will include:

  • Required extension opportunities that are directly related to the Standard Course of Study. This includes additional content beyond that covered in the College Preparatory level.
  • More challenging coursework and assessments. Students will be expected to demonstrate higher levels of understanding for grades.
  • Projects and presentations will be more in depth.
  • Students will have to focus and study regularly to master the content.
  • The expectation that students can move through the coursework at an accelerated pace and students experiencing difficulty should quickly seek guidance from their teacher on how they can be more successful.

 

 

 

 

 

I have read and understand the requirements, expectations and procedures for this course.

To be completed by the parent/guardian

Student Name (Print) _________________________________________________________________                                                                      

Student Signature

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Parent Signature

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due