English 1 Pre-Advanced Placement/ MYP Language A 2013-2014 Course Syllabus Instructor: Ms. Darby Dyer E-Mail Address: ddyer@dentonisd.

.org Conference Periods: 4A and 4B Room: 212 Phone: 940-369-2170 Tutorials: Thursday 4:15-5:30 & Mornings 8:00-8:30 Additional tutorials by appointment Website: www.dentonisd.org/ddyer

COURSE DESCRIPTION: English I Pre-Advanced Placement integrates the study of literature, grammar, vocabulary, and composition in classical literature as well as popular literature, plays, and movies. A significant focus in the Pre-AP/MYP course is to refine the students ability to analyze an authors craft and techniques and make and defend an analytical claim. In addition to the class reading, students may have outside reading each six weeks and produce reports, projects, and presentations as well as prepare for oral quizzes and examinations over readings. Students taking English 1 Pre-AP/MYP are motivated and take pride in their work. A love (or at least respect) for reading, a desire to learn, and a willingness to work at home nightly are characteristics we want to encourage. This course, with its emphasis on critical thinking skills, is important to the student who is later successful in AP English or IB English. The instruction is also important to a student who does not choose to take a higher level course because thinking, analyzing and problem solving are fundamental skills for every career. The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for English I can be found at the following website: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter110/ch110c.html TEXTBOOK: Holt McDougal Literature Grade 9 EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENT LEARNING (TEKS): Are available online at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/ CLASS MATERIALS: You will bring the following to class EVERYDAY: Blue or black pens, paper, and your SAT Vocab book CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT/ RULES: All District Policies and Procedures will be adhered to. Consequences for tardies, disruption of class, etc. can be found in the District Handbook Be respectful at all times. GRADING PROCEDURES: 60% Major Grades tests, papers, and projects 40% Minor Grades daily work (vocabulary, grammar, reading), discussion, homework, and participation Expect to have English homework on a nightly basis.

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Technical Problems: Problems with a disk, flash drive, or printer do not excuse late work. Always save your documents to the hard drive (or network) AND another source (flash drive, email, etc.). MAKE-UP WORK: You will have the number of days absent plus one to make up any work missed because of an excused absence. This policy does not allow you any additional days to turn in an assignment that was due on the day of your absence. If you miss class because of an extracurricular activity, please make arrangements for your work during tutoring before you leave. Come in personally and speak with me (do not expect your coach to notify me that you will be absent from class) and take care of any work that you will miss. METHODS OF ASSESSMENT: Classroom assessment methods in Pre-AP English 1 will cover a range of assessment methodologies, including essays, short answer responses, oral responses, presentations, projects, and traditional testing formats. COURSE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES: 1. Class Participation: You are expected to participate in class discussions. Please stay on topic and be respectful. 2. Group Work: Some of our activities will be completed in groups. You will not receive a group grade, so it is important to complete your part of the group work. Each student is responsible for his or her grade. 3. Daily Work/Homework: While some assignments can be completed in class, expect to have English assignments (predominantly reading) nightly for homework. 4. Projects and Presentations: Throughout the school year, projects, papers, and presentations will be assigned. These can be rather lengthy, so please do not procrastinate, as these assignments are major grades. 5. Assignment Tray: Each class will have a tray to turn in assignments. Do not put assignments on my desk or in my hands. I am not responsible for lost work that is not placed in the tray. Always put assignments in the designated tray for your class. 6. Academic Integrity Policy Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a violation of the Denton ISD Academic Integrity Policy. Plagiarism, by definition, is to use and pass off (the ideas or writings of another) as ones own. Plagiarizing a paper will result in the following: PARENT CONTACT, ISS, and STUDENTS FILE DOCUMENTED. If you are going to use something that someone else has said, put it in quotes and cite the source it came from. MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME AIMS AND OBJECTIVES MYP Mission Statement: The MYP (Middle Years Program) covers the 9th and 10th Grade portion of the International Baccalaureate Program. The IB program aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national origins in its educational programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.

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This course satisfies the Aims of MYP by encouraging students to: use the language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning and self-expression. use language as a tool for personal growth, social interaction and for developing relationships within the international community. comprehend more clearly aspects of their own culture and those of other cultures by exploring the interdependence of human beings through a variety of works. explore the many facets of the language through the use of media and information technology. develop the skills involved in speaking, listening, reading, writing and viewing in a variety of contexts. respond appropriately to a variety of texts. read widely to promote a lifelong interest in language and literature. develop a critical and creative approach to studying and analyzing literature. develop language skills through interdisciplinary work. consider the role of literature both culturally and historically. reflect on the learning process in various ways and at various stages. empathize with real people and fictional characters as and when appropriate. This course satisfies the Objectives of MYP by expecting students to: understand and comment on the language, content, structure, meaning and significance of both familiar and previously unseen pieces of writing. demonstrate a critical awareness of a range of written and visual texts. use language to narrate, describe, analyze, explain, argue, persuade, inform, entertain and express feelings. compare texts and connect themes to show similarities or differences across genres. express an informed personal response to literary and non-literary texts. demonstrate the ability to approach works independently. understand connotations within a language in order to interpret the authors or speakers intentions. express ideas with clarity and coherence in both oral and written communication. structure ideas and arguments, both orally and in writing, in a sustained and logical way, and support them with relevant examples. distinguish the main ideas in a text from the secondary ideas. use and understand an appropriate and varied range of vocabulary and idiom. use correct grammar with appropriate and varied sentence structure. show awareness of the need for an effective choice of register suited to the audience in both oral and written communication.

The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national origins in its educational programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.

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Pre AP Signature Sheet Directions: Please tear off this sheet, fill it out, and return it to the teacher on the second day of class. Students Name (Please Print): Parent or Guardians Name (Please Print): If you agree to receive emails from me regarding your childs progress in my class, please provide your email address. Also feel free to email me at ddyer@dentonisd.org or call 940-369-2170. Parent or Guardians Email address: Phone numbers (day and evening / cell) Teacher Oath: I, Ms. Darby Dyer, promise to challenge your child while making every effort to help him or her to be successful in Pre-AP English. I will share with your child my knowledge, experience, passion, and dedication. I will contact you if I have any concerns about your childs progress and/or attendance. If you call or email me, I promise to respond promptly (by the next business day). Signed_____________________________________ Darby Dyer Please read and check or initial that you have read each item: Student Parent/Guardian ______ I will regularly check my childs grades on HAC online so that I may help my child to be successful. (See Denton ISD home page- Parents tab for information on how to access HAC.) Copying words or ideas from any source without complete and accurate documentation is plagiarism and will result in a ISS and parent notification. Even if you put the information in your own words, it is still plagiarism (and cheating) unless you document and cite your source. Knowing that good attendance is important to success in class, I / we will try to avoid scheduling outside appointments during Pre-AP when possible. Cell phones are to be turned off and put away during class. There is a $15 fee to get a phone back if it is taken up and turned in to the office. Late work is not acceptable. Late work will result in behavioral consequences such as: Detentions, ISS, and Saturday School. Work that was assigned well in advance of an absence should be sent via a sibling, classmate, or parent, or via email. Tests given during the absence should be made up the day the student returns. Class work missed due to a legitimate absence is due the class day after the return from absence. This is an advanced English class and the rigor of the class will require homework each night. I understand that it is my responsibility to contact my teacher if I do not understand a concept or need additional help with a learning target.

I have read the syllabus for Pre-AP English course and am aware of the policies, procedures, and content for the class. Students Signature ___________________________________ Parent or Guardians Signature

The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national origins in its educational programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.