Honors English IV

Mrs. Rodriguez

jennifer.rodriguez@ucps.k12.nc.us

Weddington High School

2019-2020 Honors English IV Course Syllabus and Information

Course Description:

This year’s approach to English IV British literature is a thematic one. Various texts from the Anglo-Saxon Era to the present will be examined.  While learning to appreciate the literature through representative authors and connecting themes, students will further develop their skills in composing critical, analytic essays.  Additionally, oral presentation and the research process are included within this class during the course of the year.

Texts:

Grendel by John Gardner (summer reading)

Beowulf by Unknown

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

1984 by Georgy Orwell

 Required Materials:

• A 1 ½ ’’ binder or greater with loose-leaf paper and five section dividers. No other subjects should be in this binder.

• A pen or pencil.
• Post-it notes.

Classroom Expectations:

• Students are expected to be in the classroom at the proper time.
• Students are expected to follow the directions of the teacher.
• Students are expected to come to class prepared for instruction.
• Students are expected to be courteous to everyone in the school.

Consequences:

If for any reason you do not comply with the classroom expectations, there will be the following consequences:

• 1^st offense: Warning
• 2^nd offense: Parent/guardian contact
• 3^rd offense: Administrative referral

Daily Assignments:

Assignments and tests will be posted on the board as well as the student syllabus, which is posted on the teacher’s school site.  It is the student’s responsibility to check the board and/or syllabus and plan accordingly.  You will also be expected to complete all in-class work, participate in class discussions, and complete work with others in cooperative peer groups.

Attendance Expectations:

If absent from class, students are responsible for all work, including assignments missed, notes needed, or homework collected.  In accordance with county guidelines, a student who is lawfully absent has two days to complete make-up work upon return.  If a student has prior knowledge of a test or quiz and he/she misses it, the teacher may require the student to make it up upon return.  Please contact me via e-mail if a student is absent for more than a day or two so that I can help the student stay on track.

Late Work Policy:

It will be critical for students to turn work in on time or on the specified due date.  If a student has an excused absence, the assignment is expected upon their class return.  Late homework (this includes turning in an assignment 10 minutes after it is collected) will only be accepted up to one day late for half credit. Any work later than one day will NOT be accepted.  Failure to turn in assignments will result in a zero.  However, late written essays and projects will lose a deduction of ten points for each day late since the point value is higher in these cases. 

2019-2020 Grading Breakdown:

                           Tests/projects/essays                        50% of total

                           Quizzes *                                                   30% of total

                           Dailyy work/participation              20% of total

*Socratic seminars will count as a quiz grade.

Honor Code:

Weddington High School has a zero-tolerance policy for cheating and plagiarism.  A student who cheats or plagiarizes earns no credit for his/her product regardless of how much time was spent on the product or how attractive the appearance of the product.  Furthermore, points will be deducted for any quiz, test, essay, or project which does not have the Honor Code Pledge and signature.