Sophomore College Prep. English Syllabus: 2004–2005
Westhill High School
M. Handrinos
English Office: 977-4490
mhandrinos@yahoo.com

Course Description: Instruction includes the persuasive essay, literary response, and a variety of other modes of written and oral expression. Special attention is given to interpretation of literature through the short story, novel, and expository articles with a view toward understanding the scope of world literature. Attention is paid to developing interpretative skills and encouraging fluent written responses to literature in preparation for the CAPT. Research skills are emphasized. Instruction includes a focus on the richness of language in all its varieties and its appropriate use in formal and informal situations. Editing skills are addressed.

Course Objectives: Students will know and be able to:

· Organize clear, logical, persuasive, literary, narrative, and other modes of written and oral expression;
· Analyze, interpret, and identify salient literary themes;
· Enhance close reading skills;
· Incorporate and cite text for support and ability to elaborate on a topic;
· Question inconsistencies in logic, separate fact from opinion, demonstrate problem-solving skills, determine realistic, compelling arguments, and substantiate controlling ideas with essential text references;
· Strategically apply knowledge of CAPT reflection, interpretation, connection, and evaluation exam techniques in simulated test scenarios;
· Engage actively in classroom discussions as both speaker and listener to create a highly committed, focused, and collaborative community of learners.

Types of Assessment

Tests: Tests are designed to demonstrate significant thematic as well as technical skill mastery. While test formats vary, their consistent aim is to integrate specific content detail with high-level analysis. Test dates will always be communicated in advance.

Essays: Essays are formal written assessments that measure grammatical, structural, organizational, and mechanical proficiency. Essay assignments are always submitted to students in writing. Essay rubrics are carefully patterned to reflect The College Board's as well as the revised Westhill English Department’s core writing standards.

Quizzes: Quizzes are less formal approaches to demonstrating content mastery. To ensure the highest level of reading rigor, quizzes are typically spontaneous and unannounced. While quiz formats vary widely, the best preparation, in every case, is close, concentrated reading.

Classwork: Classwork is critical to ensuring accurate concept application. While classwork assignments rarely take longer than twenty minutes to complete, they enhance learning by reinforcing key points featured in previous teaching presentations. Because classwork is also designed to measure use of designated class time, classwork is always due at the end of the period it is assigned. Informal writing prompts, spontaneous quotation analyses, and thesis statement modifications are some examples of routine classwork assignments. Classwork is assessed in accordance with the following general schedule:

plus (+) 9.5 points; excellent. Thoughts are clear, detailed, articulate, well substantiated, and insightful. These submissions thoroughly and accurately address salient lesson topics.

check plus(v+) 8.5 points; very good. Ideas are well-developed, substantiated with text references, and neatly explained. Care and thought have clearly been considered. Additional elaboration and deeper analysis are likely to elevate this response rating in future drafts.

check(v) 7.5 points; adequate. While work submitted reflects some task commitment, actual content shows deficient elaborations with respect to salient lesson directives. Some conceptual inaccuracies prevent this submission from earning a "very good" appointment. Technical clarification is likely to increase achievement on similar future assignments.

check minus(v-) 6.5 points; deficient. Work submitted is either incomplete, inaccurate, lacks sufficient evidence of concept mastery, or significantly compounds two or more of these problems in another way. In any case, content submitted barely satisfies minimum assignment parameters. Additional teacher feedback should be solicited.

zero(0) zero points; no credit. Assignment is either not submitted or, in the event of an absence, is not made up within an appropriate time frame. Any possible credit is denied.

Homework: Homework includes any assignment completed outside of the classroom without the direct support of the teacher. The purpose of homework is to review previous learning, prepare for future lessons, and foster independent initiative. Missed homework assignments constitute a one-point deduction off final quarter grades, and all homework assignments are subject to spontaneous quiz assessment. In our course, homework takes the form of reading, essay revision, isolated sentence construction, and CAPT test preparation practice. Homework content always connects to major grade deliverables like tests and essays.

Grading Policy

Grades are determined as follows:

Tests, Essays, and Projects 45%

Quizzes 35%

Classwork 20%

Participation Bonus a 5-point maximum
Opportunity*

*Participation Bonus: Excellent reading, writing, and critical thinking skills depend in large part on excellent oral and listening sensibilities. One goal of this course is to establish a supportive, encouraging classroom community in which students can demonstrate a personal commitment to such a collegial culture. Lively discussions, task-oriented small group interactions, strong individual initiatives, sustained Learning Partner rapport, organized notebook maintenance, high general engagement (all of which are explained further in the Classroom Culture Participation Opportunities section of this syllabus)—these devices function as vehicles through which in-class participation merit can be earned. Bonus points are awarded on a 1 to 5 scale, and are added onto final quarter averages commensurate with the scope and quality of individual participation methods practiced. Essentially, these points are designed to reward students whose high interest in the classroom community promotes intellectual leadership among their peers.

Classroom Policies and Procedures

Make-up Work: All missed tests and quizzes need to be made up within five school days of an absence. If, for example, a student is absent on a Tuesday, the last day to make up his or her missed test or quiz is the following Tuesday. Makeup work sessions need to be scheduled through me in person; the initiative for scheduling the makeup appointment rests with the student. Tests and quizzes not made up within five school days of an absence receive an automatic zero.

Class Commencement: Class begins when the bell rings; students should be seated at the onset of the period.

Passes: Passes are not distributed in this class.

Blue and Black Pen: All hand-written assignments need to be completed with blue or black ink. Type-written assignments should consist of Times New Roman, size-12 font with 1-inch top, bottom, left, and right margins unless otherwise specified.

Hats, Jackets, Drinks, and Food: These items are not permitted.

Candy Sales: Candy sales are strictly prohibited.

Profanity: Students should refrain from using profane language at all times.

Test Conduct: Students are asked to maintain silence during all testing situations. Once tests are distributed, approximately 4-5 minutes will be allotted for total class clarification concerns. After this time, no additional test content will be discussed until after the exam. Students unwilling to maintain silence throughout the entire exam (as well as refrain from any other interpersonal exchange) subject themselves to the suspicion of cheating.

Additional Notes

Writing: While creative and other personal writing will comprise a small portion of this course’s focus, students should consider illegal activity disclosures inappropriate for me to read.

Plagiarism
Technically defined, plagiarism entails:

(1) failure to cite quotations and borrowed ideas;
(2) failure to enclose borrowed language in quotation marks; and,
(3) failure to put summaries and paraphrases in one’s own words.

As would be expected, plagiarism subjects students to a range of consequences including automatic credit denial. It is strictly prohibited.

Test Conduct: Students are asked to maintain silence during all testing situations. Once tests are distributed, approximately 4-5 minutes will be allotted for total class clarification concerns. After this time, no additional test content will be discussed until after the exam. Students unwilling to maintain silence throughout the entire exam (as well as refrain from any other interpersonal exchange) subject themselves to the suspicion of cheating.

Contact Information
English Office: 977-4490, or mhandrinos@yahoo.com