11Th Grade British Literature

11 th grade English 106 - British Literature Course Descriptions/Requirements/Expectations Mrs. Richter – Rm. 203 2012 - 2013

This is a survey course that is based in literature, with a focus on writing as well. The literary part deals with different genres found in British literature, beginning with the Anglo-Saxon period. Students will learn how the history of England directly and indirectly influenced sources which formed a basis for our literature today. Besides the textbooks, students will read, as a class, from a selection of novels including, but not limited to A Tale of Two Cities, and All Quiet on the Western Front. Students will also be expected to read a selection of novels independently. The writing part will deal with in-class and out-of-class essays that will be assigned and reviewed at different times throughout the year. Through these various activities, students will strengthen their skills in reading – understanding and responding to both informational text and pieces of literature. Students will also be expected to strengthen their writing skills directed to different purposes and audiences. These outcomes are based on the current version of the PA Common Core Standards.

A portfolio system will be used throughout the year, as well, to showcase the various assignments completed. These assignments will come from all classes the student has taken. Finally each student will be required to complete part of the Graduation project.

Progress throughout the year within the class will be determined by, but not limited to, tests, research, projects, and presentations. Both a midterm and final exam will be administered.

Notebooks A three-ring binder is required for this class. This binder is to be divided into four sections: “Important Handouts”, “Vocabulary”, “Grammar”, and “Notes/Homework packets”. A composition book is to be used as a journal this year and must be kept with the binder. This notebook is worth 50 points per marking period. This grade will be kept throughout the marking period with periodic notebook checks.

Independent Book Reports As mentioned earlier, students are expected to read a total of three novels independently. They will be required to answer questions regarding these novels and eventually write an essay on one of the novels. This essay will be part of their portfolio. More specific information will be given later. All three novels and accompanying questions are to be completed by March 22nd.

Graduation Project Beginning with the students’ 9th grade year, they start work on a graduation project, which will continue through their senior year as necessary. Millville High School’s graduation project focuses on career exploration. Students research a potential career field and complete job shadowing activities in line with that particular career field. Further information regarding the continuation of the project during the students’ junior year will be forth coming. One particular fact is important to note regarding the graduation project: if a student does not complete the required culminating project and presentation, he or she will not graduate. Presently, the presentation part of the project is scheduled for May 17th this year.

Portfolio At the conclusion of each year in senior high school, students are required to hand in a portfolio which becomes a major grade of the fourth marking period. The portfolio is a compilation of work the student has completed during the preceding years. A handout will be given to each student and discussed in length at the beginning of the school year. Once again, it is a collection of work from the student, which includes pieces from 9th through 12th grade. It is vitally important NOT to throw away graded work that can be included in the portfolio. It is also vitally important to SAVE ALL ESSAYS TO THUMBDRIVE. In fact, students should make a habit of saving work to no less than 3 places: i.e. a hard drive and 2 back up thumb drives.

Grading Policy A student’s English grade will come from, but is not limited to, a variety of sources listed below: - Homework assignments –usually 5 to 30 points, dependent upon the assignment Please note: Home work is due on whatever date is given at the time of the assignment. If you do not have your homework with you when it is due, it is a zero. I also do not give 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc copies of work sheets/review sheets project assignments etc. The copy you get on the day of the assignment is the only copy you will get from me. - Tests/Quizzes – points and amount of tests vary per marking period - Essays: In-class and Out-of-Class, 30/60 (80) points Please note: essays are due at the beginning of the class period. If it is handed in after class, 5 points are subtracted; 1 day late – 10 points are subtracted; 2 days late – 20 points are subtracted. Essays must be printed out before class. You will not be able to use my printer at the start of the class on the day the essay is due. Essays are ALWAYS typed. When essays are to be turned in, three items are to be handed in at all times: a legitimate graphic organizer, a rough draft that has been proofread with accompanying marks and the final copy of the assignment. Students are also given the opportunity to rewrite essays in order to better both their grade and their overall writing ability - Class Participation – 50 points - Notebook – 50 points - Projects/Presentations – points and projects vary per marking period

Test/quiz grades are determined on a point system: the total # of correct answer points over the test points total. Example: If a test is worth 60 points and the student has a total of 49 points worth of correct answers, the student’s grade would be 49/60 or 82%. (Divide the top number by the bottom number to get the % grade) An approximate breakdown, percentage-wise, of a student’s grade is as follows: - Test/quizzes ….. 30% - Projects/Presentations/Essays.....30% - Homework/Classwork …… 30% - Class Participation ….. 10%

Loss of Class Participation Points At the beginning of each marking period, a student is given 50 class participation points. Listed below are possible reasons for a loss of points. - * Enter class without literature book and notebook (-5 points) - * Late to class (-1 point) - * Sleeping in class (-2 points) - Book w/o cover (-1 point) - Sent to office (varies on offense)

* after the 2nd infraction, the problem will be discussed with parents/guardians because of concerns that may arise. If the problem continues, the school administration will notified. (While points are deducted for various reasons, extra credit points are offered at various times throughout marking period, usually in the form of questions on tests or if you “over the top” on a project. Please note that I do not offer extra credit assignments to “save” your grade, if you are failing.)

Classroom Expectations It is the expectation of the instructor that students are to arrive to class (1) on time, (2) prepared, and (3) work to the best of their ability. In cases where this does not take place, the problem will be discussed with the student and a seating change may take place. If a problem continues to arise, the parent will be contacted and the matter will be discussed. Once the parent(s)/guardians have been contacted, if the difficulty continues either the student will be placed in a tutoring session (if the problem deals with grades) or the administration will be notified (if the problem deals with classroom disruptions).

Contact If there are ever questions or problems that arise in class which are not able to be dealt with in class, it is ALWAYS possible to meet with me before or after school as well as during homeroom period or 1st period. I do ask that you give me “fair warning” because I am not always able to deal with issues on an immediate basis. ALSO, in dealing with essays that are due: there is NO excuse for late essays. If, for some strange and unexplained reason, your printer breaks down or runs out of ink on the night before an essay is due – E-MAIL it to me: [email protected] . It is then your responsibility to notify me in the morning after you have e-mailed me so that I will have time to print out the essay. I will not print out an essay at the beginning of class; therefore, it won’t be printed out until later, which will cause the essay to be late, -5 points. Also – I now use the school wikispace for a variety of purposes. Many of the important handouts you receive in class are located there, as are links to sites that we will be using throughout the year. At different times, we will also be completing assignments through my page. To access this site, go to http://cffquakers.wikispaces.com/ , Scroll down the left margin until you see “English”, click on the word or the English image found in the middle of the page. At the top of the next page, click on my name. It will then direct you to my school wikipage. There is also a discussion tab here that you may use for contact.

Items to Keep in Mind Class preparation It is the student’s responsibility to arrive at the beginning of class with the appropriate books. If the student neglects to bring those books, he or she will lose 3 pts off of their Class Participation grade. If he or she neglects to inform the instructor about the missing books until the middle of class, the student will lose 5 pts. After the second time, parents will be notified and a referral to the office will be written.

Labeling of Work All tests and essays are to incorporate the MLA format regarding labeling. This formal method of labeling is to be in the top left corner of first page: Student’s name Mrs. Richter grade/(Acad./Honors)/Period Day/Month/Year

Please label and date all journal/vocabulary/grammar entries and notes. (ie: Journal entry 1/6)

Passes Restroom passes will be allowed approximately during the first 5 minutes of class, the last 5 minutes of class, or if there is no lecture in progress. (Ultimately though, it is at the instructor’s discretion).

If the student enters class late w/o a pass, it will be noted in the attendance book and a point is deducted from Class Participation. If this occurs more than twice, parents may be notified and a referral is sent to the office

Make-up Work Policy If work is due on the day a student is absent (and the student was in attendance when the assignment was originally given), the assignment is due on the student’s first day back to class. It is the student’s responsibility to hand it in. If the student neglects to turn it in, it is a “0”.

If the work was assigned while the student was absent, it is the student’s responsibility; upon the return to class, to obtain the assignment. The number of days that student has to make up that assignment will depend, roughly, on the number of days the student was absent. (Please note: certain exceptions to this may be necessary)

Make-up Test Policy If the student is absent on the day a test is given, the student is expected to take that test on the day he or she returns to class. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange a time to make up the test. If the student makes no attempt within an appropriate amount of time to make up the test, he or she will receive a “0” for that grade. It is not the instructor’s responsibility to initiate the arrangements.

Essay Grade Conversions 30 point essays: (4) – 30/30 100%; (3) – 25/30 83%; (2) – 20/30 66%; (1) – 15/30 50% 60 point essays: (4) – 60/60 100%; (3) – 50/60 83%; (2) – 40/60 66%; (1) – 30/60 50% AP Conversions: (9,8) – 60/60; (7,6) – 50 /60; (5,4) – 40/60; (3, 2, 1) – 30/60 Statement of Understanding

By signing this contract, the parent/guardian and student acknowledge that they have read the preceding documentation for 11th grade English 106 for Mrs. Richter’s class and they understand and agree to adhere to the guidelines outlined.

______Student’s signature Date

______Parent/Guardian Signature Date

E-mail or number which can be used if contact is necessary:

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