CHAPIN HIGH SCHOOL

http://www.lexrich5.org/ChapinHS.cfm Course: English 4 Instructor: Amy Carter E-mail: acarter@lexrich5.org Web site: www.lexrich5.org/webpages/acarter or www.carterclasschs.weebly.com Twitter: @gocarterclass Voice Mail: 803.575.5400 ex.5513 Fee: $8.50 Length of Course: year Number of Credits: 1 Type: College Preparatory South Carolina Uniform Grading Scale A= 93-100 B= 85-92 C= 84-77 D= 70-76 F= Below 70

A course in reading and writing whose goal is to empower students must begin with silence, a silence students must fill. It cannot begin by telling students what to say. (David Bartholomae and Anthony Petrosky) I. II. Academic Course Standards: ELA Common Core standards are outlined by the South Carolina Department of Education. Please refer to the following website to read the standards in detail: http://ed.sc.gov/agency/programsservices/190/ Learning and Developmental Goals / Overall Objective: English 4 is a course emphasizing speaking, listening, writing, and higher order thinking skills through the reading and study of British literature. Additional reading assignments will include supplemental novels, which will be provided for each student, as well as the READ 365 program. This class will provide many opportunities for students to become proficient in the state standards for 12th grade, as well as prepare them for post-secondary institutions. Textbooks and Supplemental Materials a. Primary text: The British Tradition b. Supplemental Novels (see Instructional Organization) c. Occasionally there will be videos of literary works (e.g. Pride & Prejudice) that will be shown or excerpted in class according to district policy. d. Daily Class Materials: For each class meeting, you should have i. Your (charged) mobile device ii. the appropriate textbook or novel iii. blue or black pen and pencil iv. loose-leaf notebook paper v. a notebook solely for English 4 vi. a positive attitude Fees and Explanations: Fees are charged for most courses in School District 5 of Lexington & Richland Counties to provide classroom experiences that go well beyond the minimum required program of the State of South Carolina. Fees are used for a variety of purchases, some of which are used directly by students (such as novels, journals, classroom supplies) and some are used for equipment to enrich the classroom experience for a particular course (such as video equipment and the binding machine for student portfolios). The English Department at Chapin High School is careful to use student fee money for items which will enrich the educational experience for the student. Instructional Organization: We will study a variety of texts and media this year. Be prepared to read both short and long fiction and non-fiction and to listen to and produce various kinds of writing and media. While the emphasis will be British literature, we will supplement some of the classics with more modern world and American literature. Each quarter will involve extended reading and writing assignments, as well as shorter practice assignments. Specific content and due dates can be found on the class calendar. I will update it every few weeks so that you can plan ahead. The calendar can always be found on my website here: http://carterclasschs.weebly.com/coursedocuments--resources2.html . Please remember that the calendar is subject to change depending on student needs; however, I will never move an assignment forward. If I must change/adjust the calendar, I will always give

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you MORE time to complete something, not less.

VI. READ 365 (Outside Reading Project): In addition to the work done in and for class, students will be required to read books outside of class to fulfill Chapin High Schools READ 365 program. You will be expected to track your reading using www.goodreads.com or www.shelfari.com . Anything you read counts, as long as you fulfill two requirements: a. You must read for a sustained amount of time (at least 20 minutes). b. You must read material that is on your level.
VII. Academic Policies and Procedures a. Assessment: Students will be evaluated using a variety of assessments, including quizzes, tests, projects, compositions, class work and homework. b. Grading Policy: Grades will be determined by a weighted system. Major assignments will be weighted 60% of a students average; minor assignments will be weighted 40% of a students average. Major assignments include timed writings, formal essays, objective and timed tests, projects, and presentations. Minor assignments include quizzes, responses, class work, and homework. c. Writing Expectations: As this is a literature and composition course, students will be expected to use every assignment that involves writing to practice their best composition skills. Compositions will include statements, paragraphs, timed writing, and formal essays (personal, expository, and argumentative). The course will include various composition constructions in standard written English, emphasizing sentence variety and word choice.
i. Writing Rubric: All assignments for formal papers will include a specific grading rubric (adapted from the SAT and AP writing rubrics) which will be distributed at the beginning of the year. Students will have the opportunity to edit and revise papers after teacher and peer evaluation and feedback in accordance with these rubrics on several writing assignments. ii. Timed Writings: Throughout the year students will be required to respond to selected passages of prose, poetry, and nonfiction for close analysis in class. iii. Creative writing: Students creative writing will be evaluated according to project-specific criteria that include a consideration of voice, style, conventions, and effectiveness. iv. Out-Of-Class Writing Requirements: Please remember that all out-of-class writing assignments, unless otherwise specified, must be typed (double-spaced, 12-point Times Roman font, 1-inch margins, MLA format). They may only be handwritten in ink (still double-spaced) in the event of a last minute computer emergency, and in this case, you must also bring a parent/guardian note verifying this computer problem. Without a parent note in this situation, you will automatically earn a 10% deduction. There will be standard deductions for these requirements as well as for stylistic elements, organizational expectations, and grammatical errors. In addition, remember you are taking an advanced class assignments look more professional if they are typed, so get in the habit of making your work look professional. v. Grammar and usage: As a senior in an advanced English 4 Literature and Composition course, you should have a good command of standard written English. There will be mini lessons throughout the course as needed dealing with grammar and usage issues, sentence constructions, and diction. Individual writing conferences with the instructor may be required for additional help.

d. Handouts: I will not run extra copies of handouts, so students are responsible for keeping up with all papers and for having them ready for class. Students who lose copies of notes or handouts must print them from my website listed at the beginning of the syllabus. e. Homework (including late work policy): Because this course is a senior level course, students will be expected to read and write a great deal. Homework assignments will include both reading and writing. Students can expect homework (either on-going or nightly assignments) regularly. As stated, the nature of the assignment will determine whether it is counted as a major or minor assignment, and will be weighted 60% or 40% of a students average, respectively. For major assignments that are turned in late, students generally will be penalized 10% per day late, so please plan ahead to make sure that you turn things in on time. Minor assignments turned in late will receive a 0. As in college classes, late work is not acceptable. f. Deadlines and Due Dates: Please note that a traditional assignment is due at the beginning of class, and it must be submitted in the format specified by the instructor. Coming into class and asking to print a paper or an assignment is unacceptable, and the assignment will be counted as late. You are responsible for having your assignment in class on time. Digital assignments may be due by a certain time and date, and it is your responsibility to submit those before that time. I will consistently be providing you with updated long-term calendars, also posted on the teacher web site, which will list tests, major assignments, and topics for the month. Thus, it is your responsibility to keep up with all assignments and to complete your work on time; I will accept no excuses for late work. However, an assignment is finished when I determine you have submitted

satisfactory work. If a student hands in an assignment I deem unacceptable, I may require several revisions before accepting the assignment. Do it right the first time! i. Incentive For Promptness: As a major incentive, students who have turned in all work on time for the semester will be rewarded extra points (three to five) on the exam. Other liberties may be awarded to these students during second semester (i.e. extended deadlines). g. Technology Expectations: Please be certain to have your mobile device with you and charged for every class. All course information, including your class calendar with assignment due dates, will be housed on my website. You will need to reference this site frequently. The web address is www.carterclasschs.weebly.com . All papers will be submitted via Turn It In. It is your responsibility to sign up for your class account. The web address is www.turnitin.com. The course code and password will be provided to you in class. You will also be expected to interact in a digital medium. Details will be provided to you in class. You will also be expected to follow the technology classroom use guidelines. I will attach this to my website with my syllabus. i. Your First Assignment Your first assignment for the year is to email me from a professional email address. This is due by the end of the first week of school, no later than Friday, 8/22 at 4pm. Use the subject line ClassBlockLastNameFirstName_Introduction. (For example: 2APotterHarry_Introduction.) In the body of the email, write an introductory letter so that I can get to know you a little better. Please answer the following: a. Restate your name (yes, this is redundant, but most introductory letters begin with a variation of Hi. My name is) b. Tell me what your post-secondary plans are. College? Military? Workforce? Travel? What do you want to be when you grow up/what you would like to major in? Even if you are undecided, tell me what interests you. c. Describe your past school self. What are you like as a student? What are your strengths and weaknesses? d. Describe your non-school self. What do you like to do outside the walls of CHS? What makes you unique? e. Attach a headshot of yourself. A professional headshot is just that a picture of your head and neck. It does not include pets, other people, or anything that would not be considered professional. f. Write appropriately for your audience. Your audience is most definitely your instructor; however, you should also write in a way that you would be comfortable with anyone in the class reading your letter. g. Make me laugh or gasp or sigh. I do not want to be bored reading your letter. I want to have some kind of emotional response so that I can more easily remember something about you. h. Proofread what you write. I want to see that you are a competent writer. i. Do not be too wordy. Keep your letter between 500-600 words. To give you an idea, the word count of this Technology Expectations section is 447 words to this point. If you do not follow the guidelines, I will return your email with Please Resubmit as the subject line. You should resubmit your letter, but you will lose 7 points for each resubmission. Please make sure you read the submission guidelines carefully so that you do not lose points on this assignment. VIII. Absences and Make-up Policies: Students are encouraged to attend school regularly. If, however, a student must be absent from school for any reason, it is his/her responsibility to make up all work missed. Since it in the students best interest to make up all missed work as quickly as possible, the following guidelines have been established for make-up work.
a. When a student misses one A day (or B day) class meeting, all previously assigned work, due the day of the absence is due no later than the beginning of the next class meeting in which the student is present. All work missed as a result of the A absence, work done in class, and/or assignments to be done outside of class are to be completed by the beginning of the second class meeting from the absence. When a student misses two consecutive A day class meetings, all previously assigned work due while the student was absent, and all work missed as a result of the absence is due no later than the beginning of the second class meeting from the absence. When a student misses three or more consecutive A day class meetings, he/she must make specific arrangements for

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make-up work with each teacher the day he/she returns to class. The amount of time given for completion of work will be up to the teachers discretion based on the amount of work missed and level of difficulty of the material. Long term projects are due when the teacher says they are due. Staying home on a day that a project is due is not a valid excuse for turning it in late. TESTS and QUIZZES: Students who are in class the block before a test or quiz must take that assessment when it is given; thus, if you have been out previously, you are responsible for getting those notes and any other information in a timely fashion to prepare accordingly. Students have five business days to make up tests and quizzes. Finally, please note three other important rules regarding turning in work i. If a student misses a test or quiz for any reason, he/she may take an alternate (possibly all essay) make-up test after school within five calendar days of the absence. ii. If you are going to miss class because of a field trip, your assignment is due to Mrs. Carter before you leave. If it is not handed in before the planned absence, it will count as late (see VI.e). iii. If you are going to miss a test or quiz because of a field trip or other planned absence, you may take the original version of the test during Enrichment time prior to being gone. If you do not take the test prior to your absence, you must take the alternate make-up test.

IX.

Suggestions for Study Skills: This course requires extensive reading, writing, research and oral work. Regular attendance and attentiveness in class are essential for success. A regular review of class notes, timely completion of assignments, and careful attention to all assignments are also important elements for success. WITH THE LONG TERM PROJECTS, UPCOMING ASSESMENTS, ESSAYS AND READ 365, YOU HAVE HOMEWORK EVERY NIGHT. Enrichment is held by appointment before school from 7:55-8:20. Please notify me 24 hours in advance and get an Enrichment pass if you plan on attending so that I can prepare appropriately to address your concerns. This allows me to notify you if I am involved in a parent conference or have a review scheduled for another class during that particular time.

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XI. Classroom Management a. Discipline Philosophy: Students will be intimately involved in the development and maintenance of the classroom community. From rules to responsibilities to issues of respect, students will help me create the best possible learning environment. Basically, discipline for me involves making sure that no student takes away the rights of any others to learn. Your behavior governs mine! b. Respectful Debate: We will be engaging in many debates and discussions on controversial issues throughout the year, and you will most certainly disagree with some comments that are made. Yet, above all, the teacher and students are responsible for maintaining a community of respect in which everyone feels free to express his/her ideas openly and without restraint. When engaged in class discussions, please refrain from calling fellow students by name and personalizing your comments; your disagreement should be with the idea and not the person. Ex. The idea that _____ was brought up earlier c. Integrity: "Honesty is the best policy!" I promise! Character and integrity are extremely important to me, and I expect honesty on all assignments and in all discussions. When I write college recommendations for students, integrity shares a place with work ethic as the most important factors in my comments, even outweighing any particular grade that you earn. d. Classroom Rules: In addition to those rules enumerated in the Chapin High School Handbook, all students will please obey these "Ten Commandments

Thou Shalt...

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Protect and preserve the property of the teacher, school, and fellow students. Always respect and listen to the teacher or other students when they are talking. ( This includes working on assignments for other classes while in English!) Always ask first: a) if you would like to borrow any books, magazines, or other materials, b) if you would like to use a computer, or 3) if you need to enter her desk or podium areas. Be in your seats with the proper materials (notebook/notes, pen/pencil, assignments that are due, and any other materials that I request) when the bell rings. Keep working and remain in your seats until I dismiss you not the bell ( This includes not packing up your notebooks and book bags until I indicate that class is over!). Follow the Lexington/Richland District 5 Honor Code: The Academic Honesty Policy is being implemented to ensure that students
submit credible work that is evident of their content mastery. Students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon its originality. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.

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Try to use the restroom only before or after class. It is not acceptable to ask to go to the restroom right before the bell rings and miss the first few minutes of class. Prioritize between bodily functions and your social life. Be responsible for making up work missed due to absences. Be alert, pay attention, and participate in all class activities. This includes staying awake in class at all times and avoiding personal grooming. (Note: Periodically, students will be asked to dress professionally when conducting a formal
presentation. While this does not mean that ladies and gentlemen in the class need to invest in a business suit, it does mean that they should dress as they would for a job interview. Gentlemen should wear slacks and a collared shirt tucked in at the waist with a belt (ties are recommended but not required), and ladies should either wear nice pants and a blouse, a skirt (no shorter than an inch above the knee) and blouse, or a dress (also of appropriate length). Students will always be given notice about the professional dress requirement.)

10. Always be respectful (This includes NO TALKING while any student is working on a test or timed writing! ).

e. Disciplinary Options: Classroom sanctions for misbehavior and rule/policy violations may include (but are not limited to):
i. a progressive series of consequences (including after-school detention and/or written referrals to the office) for rude/disruptive behavior or other rule violations ii. having to stand for the remainder of class and/or be the subject of a creative awakening game if you are caught sleeping in class iii. leaving your book bag at the front of the room until the bell for any number of days (or weeks) if you pack up early iv. working with the custodians should you deface or damage school or personal property v. sitting on "the island" -- you'll find out what this is!

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Contact with Parents: I always send e-mails and make phone calls home, but you ultimately determine the nature of these conversations. g. Expectations for All Students: Finally and most importantly, I expect the best from each and every one of you! While I will do my best to assist each of you every step of the way, you are ultimately responsible for making the grade; you must earn it! Remember that each letter grade carries a descriptor: A indicates excellent work, B indicates good work, C indicates average work, D indicates fair work, and F indicates poor or unacceptable work. How many times do we submit average level work expecting an excellent label? Each of you can be successful and reap both tangible and intrinsic rewards through diligent work, creative and analytical thought, and a willingness to accept serious academic challenges. h. My Objective: I want very much for you to leave my classroom a better reader, writer, listener, and speaker. I am here to help you improve. I am very serious about the job I have been given, and I expect you to feel the same. Your behavior governs mine. I look forward to the year ahead and getting to know each of you. Welcome to English 4! Take a deep breath and SMILE! Lets begin "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
from Marianne Williamson's A Return to Love - featured in the movie Coach Carter

District 5 of Lexington and Honor Code

Richland Counties High School

Belief: In order to foster an environment of mutual trust and respect, we believe, within the community of School District 5 of Lexington and Richland Counties, each individual should accept the personal responsibility to exhibit and promote academic and social integrity. Pledge: I will not cheat, plagiarize, steal, misrepresent the truth, and/or treat others in a disrespectful manner. I accept the

personal responsibility that all work I submit is my own and I will neither give nor receive unauthorized assistance. Code: We expect all students to: use electronic devices such as calculators, computers, cell phones, and PDA's in a legal and appropriate manner as directed by the school or teacher. work independently and without assistance from others and avoid giving assistance to others unless specific permission is given by the teacher with regard to that particular assignment. prepare properly for a test or graded assignment without accepting information in advance from others who have already completed this work and without disseminating information to someone who has not yet taken a test or worked on a graded assignment. follow teacher directions for the taking of tests or graded assignments without the use of notes or other sources of information unless specifically allowed to do so. be forthright in properly acknowledging the source(s) of all non-original words, phrases, and ideas by using standard rules of documentation or other appropriate stylistic formats approved by a teacher. Definitions: Cheating is defined as giving or receiving unauthorized assistance. Plagiarism is defined as presenting as ones own the words, phrases, and ideas of another, either on purpose or through carelessness. It also relates to borrowing the sequence of ideas, the arrangement of material, and the pattern of thought of someone else without proper acknowledgement. Academic consequences: Teachers may assign a grade of "0" for the assignment. Consequences: Consequences will include, but are not limited to, First Offense Referral to guidance or administration Teacher call to parent Second Offense Loss of exam exemption for the course per district policy Conference with teacher(s), parent/guardian, student, and counselor and/or administrator Third Offense Administrator call to parent Loss of exam exemptions (any and all exams possible to exempt) Fourth Offense Meeting with parent/guardian, student and principal to discuss behavioral consequences Guidelines for students: View a presentation with examples of plagiarism and cheating to be shown at all high schools during the first week of school. Sign the Honor Code signature sheet agreeing to abide by the Belief, Pledge and Code. This may be done on all courses or in one class at the beginning of the year. Write the word PLEDGE followed by a student signature on every major test/assignment turned in for all classes.

Once you have reviewed the course syllabus, please sign the syllabus acknowledgement letter, which I will distribute in class. Please take it home, and have your parents sign it as well. Bring the signed letter to class by the end of the first week of school. Thank you.