British Literature and Composition

English Literature & Composition S. Evans Email: [email protected] School Phone # - 706-602-0320 Website: www.gcbe.org/sevans

Course of Study: The 12th grade English course is designed to help students become more effective readers, writers, and speakers. Students will be encouraged to work interactively with the texts to create meaning. Much of the class time will be devoted to reading and discussing texts. The goal is for students to become more sophisticated readers who are attentive to voice, style, and language which will help them become more skilled at inferring meanings and making links between texts and their own lives.

Basis for Class: The class will be heavily focused on reading, writing, and class discussions. Most of the reading will be completed in class. Each of the three units will come with a writing assignment. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and any group work which will occur during the course.

Semester Time Frame: The 18 week semester for this class will be broken into three major units of study. Each major unit will be six weeks in length and will track the history of Britain in chronological order. The focus for these units is as follows: Unit 1: The Evolution of Storytelling and Heroism (Anglo Saxon and Medieval England) Unit 2: Challenges to Orthodoxy (Renaissance) Unit 3: New Voices & New Directions (Modernism)

Research & Writing: Georgia’s recent adoption of the national Common Core standards requires a research or writing assignments for each unit. These three categories include informational (research-based), narrative, and argumentative (persuasive). A career oriented project will be included.

Other Assessments: A variety of other assessments will be used including quizzes, tests, projects, presentations, and class work. Writing assignments and projects will be graded using a variety of rubrics specific to the tasks. An assessment may be given at any time without prior announcement. Benchmark exams will be given every six weeks. Additionally, the course ends with a final exam, although seniors may exempt it if the meet SHS’s requirements for exemption. Please consult the SHS Student Handbook for details regarding the exemption policy.

Class Grading Scheme: 60%- Formal assessments (tests, writing assignments, projects, presentations, etc.) 20% -Informal Assessments (Quizzes, Short Writings, classwork, and homework) 20%- Benchmark exams (6-weeks and 12-weeks & 18 weeks) ____ 100%

Semester Grade Calculation: 80% - the Class Grade Average 20% - Final Exam (unless the student has exempted it)

Classroom Expectations Be ready to participate Be prepared. Follow All School Rules! Be responsible. Be respectful. English Literature & Composition S. Evans Email: [email protected] School Phone # - 706-602-0320 Website: www.gcbe.org/sevans Consequences for breaking the class 2nd offense: written warning and parent rules can include: contact 1st offense: verbal warning 3rd offense: parent/teacher conference or discipline referral

Materials required for this course Pens (blue or black ink) or pencils One inch, 3-ring binder with a sturdy vinyl cover – students will receive various handouts throughout the course and will be responsible for placing these in their own binders. Lined, hole-punched paper – this should be placed in the binder, and will be used for taking notes. Spiral notebook –used for bell ringer activities

Personal tutoring or assistance Students who wish to schedule time before or after school must provide me with one day’s notification. I will gladly make myself available for whatever help is required.

** This syllabus is subject to change at any time.