CPS English 10: Course Syllabus. Course Description:

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1 Instructor: Ms. Hensler Room: 213 Extra help/makeup: Mondays or by appointment CPS English 10: Course Syllabus CM 1 ehensler@mursd.org Website: Phone: x2130 Course Description: Sophomore English CPS is similar in content and objectives to Honors Sophomore English. The course is intended for students with good reading and writing skills who learn best a moderate pace. Projects, outside reading and assignments are similar to Honors Sophomore English, except that the level of expectations differs. Research, vocabulary, and instruction of writing-to-learn activities help to develop individual skills. During the course of the year Sophomore English CPS students are expected to read six core texts and a variety of short stories, poems, and essays. Units of Study: (Ms. Hensler reserves the right to add, remove, or replace any and all texts) Unit 1: Intellectual Rebellion Is ignorance bliss? What are the consequences of censorship? How can we draw conclusions about modern life from science fiction? Texts used: Fahrenheit 451, Harrison Bergeron, There Will Come Soft Rains Unit 2: Political Rebellion What makes a tyrant? What drives rebellion? How does power impact language? Texts used: Julius Caesar Unit 3: Justice and Injustice Who determines justice? Is justice available to everyone? How is an effective and persuasive argument developed and communicated? Texts used: Twelve Angry Men, various nonfiction articles Unit 4: The Individual versus Society How do an individual s choices impact others? Is a person responsible to his or her community? How do authors use fiction to communicate ideas about human nature? Texts used: Lord of the Flies Organization Hensler 1

2 In order to keep course materials organized, students will need the following supplies: CM 1 One three ring binder Loose leaf notebook paper Dividers for creating sections Students will maintain a 3-ring binder kept for this class ONLY, and will be expected to have it with them at all times while in English class. Binder checks will be part of the semester grade, and will be assessed as a quiz grade. Students should organize their binders as follows: SECTION ONE: DO NOWS Each day at the beginning of class, students will be asked to complete a Do Now exercise. These will be collected each week and graded for participation. Do Nows may cover any material covered in class, including grammar, vocabulary, reading quizzes, or short journal entries. SECTION TWO: JOURNAL ENTRIES AND CLASS NOTES Here you will keep notes and journal entries that are completed during each unit. It is recommended that you clean out this section at the end of each unit. Although you will be given credit for completing all elements in this section, your notes and journal entries will not be graded as closely as other areas. SECTION THREE: CLASSWORK AND READING MATERIALS This section will hold handouts you receive in class, as well as any reading materials. This section may be cleaned out at the end of each unit, but I recommend keeping a file at home where you can store old unit materials for later in the year. SECTION FOUR: GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY Here you will keep all of your grammar and vocabulary work over the course of the year. SECTION FIVE: COURSE MATERIALS In this section you will keep handouts that are not specific to the current unit, but are relevant to the entire course. For example, if you get a handout relating to general writing rules, it will go in this section. This section does not get cleaned out, as all materials in this section are relevant all year. Hensler 2

3 Classroom Guidelines 1. Arrive on time. Attendance is taken at the bell. Chronic tardiness will result in a break detention. 2. Be seated and begin working on the Do Now when the bell rings. Completion of Do Now activities will your impact participation grade. 3. Be actively engaged in all parts of the lesson. This will also impact your participation grade. 4. Advocate for yourself. If you have any questions, need help, or don t understand, raise your hand and speak up! 5. Be respectful. We will discuss a wide variety of topics in this class, and everyone s opinion is valuable, even if it is different than your own. 6. Ask for make-up work upon returning to school and complete it within one week. This includes scheduling time to make up tests, quizzes, and any presentations after school. It is your responsibility to check the class website or ask for make-up work if you are absent. 7. Keep electronics, including cell phones, mp3 players, headphones, tablets, and laptops packed away during class time. 8. Wait until you are dismissed by Ms. Hensler to pack up and to remain seated until the bell rings. CM 1 Policy regarding late work: Late work will be accepted, no questions asked, with a ten point reduction for each day the assignment is handed in late until it reaches a zero. For example, if a student hands in an assignment one day late, the highest grade possible on this assignment will be a 90%; two days late, the highest grade possible will be an 80%, etc.. If you are absent: If you are unable to attend class, it is your responsibility to check with Ms. Hensler upon your return to go over any material you missed and any work that was assigned. All of this information, including handouts, Powerpoint slides, homework assignments and upcoming due dates, will also be posted on the course website, mshensler.weebly.com. Students who miss class are advised to check this site before they return to school. Hensler 3

4 CM 1 Main Entry: pla gia rize Function: verb Plagiarism transitive verb : to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (another's production) without crediting the source intransitive verb : to commit literary theft : present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source To take ANY work of someone else s and pass it off as your own constitutes plagiarism. This means, if you find one line of text from a source (online, text, etc.) and copy it into your paper without using quotes and properly citing it even if you change a word here or there, this is plagiarism. ALL work submitted in this class will be your own, original work. The act of plagiarism is inexcusable in any case, and severe consequences will follow. Plagiarism at the college level is dealt with by expulsion; while we will not ask you to leave this school, we in no way, shape, or form will tolerate any level of plagiarism. A first offense will result in an automatic zero on the assignment in question; deans, counselors, and parents will be informed. Upon a second offense, the most appropriate course of action will be determined between the student, Ms. Hensler, and school administration. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about exactly what constitutes plagiarism, please speak to Ms. Hensler. It is very simple: DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Grading will be weighted as follows: Essays and Projects: 35% Classwork/Homework: 25% Participation (Do Nows, classroom conduct, etc.): 20% Tests and Quizzes: 20% Hensler 4

5 CM 1 Participation Grading Rubric Criteria Exemplary 20 points Satisfactory 15 points Needs Improvement 10 points Unsatisfactory 0 points Citizenship Follows classroom guidelines described in syllabus Consistently and independently with little teacher Usually with little teacher Seldom, but corrects with frequent teacher Seldom despite teacher Time Management Uses time effectively and efficiently Consistently and independently with little teacher Usually with little teacher Seldom, but corrects with frequent teacher Seldom prepared or on task despite teacher Speaking and Listening Consistently and independently with little teacher Usually with little teacher Seldom, but corrects with frequent teacher Seldom offers relevant contributions, body language shows boredom/detachment and/or often monopolizes discussion or interrupts despite teacher Hensler 5

6 CM 1 Hensler 6

7 CM 1 Dear Student and Parents/Guardians: Teacher/Student/Parent Letter Please read this syllabus carefully with your daughter or son. I am looking forward to a wonderful and exciting semester. The clearer his/her and your understanding of the course expectations, the more successful semester we will all have. Please always feel free to contact me with questions, comments, or concerns at: ehensler@mursd.org. I, (student), have read the syllabus thoroughly, and understand the structure of the semester and the grading guidelines. I have also thoroughly read the course procedures, expectations and ground rules, and am committing to respect them for the duration of this course. I understand that I will have homework many nights, including some over school breaks, and that turning in assignments late will result in a decreased grade. I understand that regular online and computer access is necessary to performing successfully in this class. I know where I can access a computer, the internet, and a printer. I understand that it is essential that I communicate with Ms. Hensler if anything is getting in the way of my success. I understand that it is my responsibility to make sure I am on top of all of my work and deadlines. I understand that my effort, participation, motivation, openness, willingness and drive to learn in this class are all my choice, and the choices I make play a very significant role in determining my grade. Student s Signature Date Hensler 7

8 I, (parent), have gone through the course overview for CPS English 10 with my child, and have read the expectations and ground rules, and believe that he/she understands what is expected in this course. Should Ms. Hensler have any questions or concerns about my child s performance, I can be reached at: Home Telephone: Daytime Telephone: Cell phone: CM 1 Parent s/guardian s Signature Date Is there anything I should know about your daughter or son that will help me work with her/him this year? Hensler 8