Student Syllabus English II- Sophomore World Literature, HONORS ...

clarification, and stay current on reading will find this class surprisinglyeasy and enjoyable. Those who do not may become overwhelmed.Literature Response Journals: A major component of this class will beyour response journal. On a regular basis, you will be assigned a readingand asked to respond to that reading in your journal. We will use a rubricto evaluate the journal entries and a grade will be assigned that reflects thecompleteness and depth of each entry. The journals will serve as a bank ofideas and information for future papers, a dialogue between teacher andstudent, and a vehicle for class discussions. It is possible that not alljournal entries will be graded by me, but each should be written with theassumption that it will be.*No journal entries will be accepted unless they are in your journal. Youmay not use your journal for class notes for this or any other class. It isonly for responses to literature and class ideas.Vocabulary and Grammar: Approximately once per month, you will beassigned two lessons in your vocabulary workbook. You will be given a duedate each month and we will discuss the lessons and correct yourworkbook in class on that day. Everyone who has completed ALL of theassignment will receive 50 points. Failure to bring your workbook or tocomplete all sections in both lessons will result in a zero. THERE ARE NOEXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.Once we have corrected the workbooks and discussed the lessons, you willbe given a date for the vocabulary test. Vocabulary tests are challengingand cumulative in nature. It is important that you study the workbookssystematically and over the weeks that you are given. Cramming forvocabulary will not work.Grammar will be addressed in context, through reading and writing andwill be specific to individual and class needs.Formal Writing Assignments: There will be writing assignmentsthroughout the year that will be taken through the writing process, frombrainstorming through drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Pointswill be awarded for process, ie: competing each step on time andparticipating in related group work. The grade for the finalessay/assignment will be awarded according to the criteria given in therubric and the instruction you will receive before you begin theassignment.Literacy Portfolios: You are expected to keep all your work, includingjournal writing, in-class essays, essay tests, and formal writing (all stagesand copies) in your writing portfolio. You will be given a grade at the end

compared to the total points offered during the term. The following is theOttawa Hills official grading scale:Grading Scale—percentage of total points100-92 A91-82 B81-72 C71-64 D63 & below FAcademic Integrity: This class adheres to the rules set forth inthe student handbook with regard to academic dishonesty and plagiarism.Sophomore English focuses on teaching students how to present theirideas and how to integrate the ideas of others into their work. Everystudent in this class will be aware of what constitutes academicdishonesty.Additional Assistance and Resources: Students areencouraged to see me if the feel that they may need additional help,clarification, or regular tutoring. I have regular hours each day when I canwork with students. I can help find other resources, such as books on tape,videos, etc. I can also partner students with peer tutors, eithersophomores or upperclassmen. Peer tutors’ wages are paid by the parentsand the school system. Please see me for information to receive peertutoring or to express interest in becoming a peer tutor.Please detach, sign, and return the bottom portion--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sophomore English II- World Literature, HonorsI have read and understand this document—the focus of the course, thebehavioral expectations, the nature of work that will be assigned, and theway in which final grades will be calculated.Student name (please print) __________________________________________Student signature _________________________________________date ______Parent signature __________________________________________ date ______*No grade will be recorded for this class until this document is received.Any questions, please call James Kinkaid at OHHS, extension #425.