Course Syllabus 12 th Grade - British Literature and Composition Instructor Mr. Stuart Conference period for extra help: Texts: First semester Elements in Literature Sixth Course textbook Summer Reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by Kamkwamba, Cat s Cradle by Vonnegut, and a choice book. Beowulf by Anonymous Grendel by Gardner Canterbury Tales by Chaucer Macbeth by Shakespeare Silas Marner by Eliot Required Materials: These materials are required every day. It is your responsibility as a student to come prepared with these items every day. Do not lend your materials to others. You are responsible when that person loses your book. o Blue/black pen o Textbook/novel daily o A binder/folder to hold materials o A notebook for notes o College ruled paper o Flash drive when appropriate Course Overview: British Literature and Composition is a study of the major literary works and themes across the history of Great Britain. Two important goals of this class are to prepare you for the rigors of college academics, and to instill in you an appreciation for literature. As such, this course will concentrate on writing, problem solving, communication and higher-level thinking. You should also use this class to hone grammar, spelling, and vocabulary skills. After taking this class, you will be a critical thinker who approaches tasks with confidence, understanding and organization. You will be ready for college-level paper writing and critical thinking. Class Policies Classroom Rules 1. All school policies and rules printed in the Parent/Student handbook will be enforced in the classroom. 2. At all times, students and teachers will treat each other with mutual respect. 3. Arrive to class on time. (1 st violation = warning, 2 nd violation = parent contact, 3 rd violation = detention with me, 4 th violation = detention with me, 5 th violation = office referral.) You are
considered tardy if you are not in your assigned seat at the bell. Running into the room just before or after the bell means you are still late. Be here on time ready to learn. 4. All materials must be brought daily textbook or novel, binder, and blue/black ink pen. 5. No food or drink (except bottled water) allowed in class. 6. Phones and other electronics are absolutely not allowed on in class. You must keep them off and away. They will be confiscated if they are in sight or if buzzing can be heard. Parents must not contact students during class time. If there is an emergency parents may call the office which will then notify the student as appropriate. GRADING Grades will be based on the total points received out of total possible. In the past this has worked out to the following percentages. I expect this year to be similar. Major exams and essays 50% Creative pieces 10% Homework, Reading quizzes, short responses 20% Participation and preparation 10% Study guides, grammar, vocabulary 10% Grading Scale Grade Regular Honors AP 92-100 A 4.0 4.5 5.0 90-91 A- 3.7 4.2 4.7 88-89 B+ 3.3 3.8 4.3 82-87 B 3.0 3.5 4.0 80-81 B- 2.7 3.2 3.7 78-79 C+ 2.3 2.3 2.3 72-77 C 2.0 2.0 2.0 70-71 C- 1.7 1.7 1.7 68-69 D+ 1.3 1.3 1.3 60-67 D 1.0 1.0 1.0 0-59 F 0 0 0
Twelfth GRADE UNIT CONTENT The order of these units may be changed within the semester. Please note that the syllabus may be amended and altered as time and class needs demand. Changes will be made at the discretion of the instructor. First Semester: UNIT 1: Heroes and Anti-Heroes Summer Reading Beowulf College App Essays Grendel Chaucer s Canterbury Tales Macbeth UNIT 2: Reformation and Redemption Satire and Swift Various Non-Fiction Silas Marner Poetry Semester Project Often being prepared every day becomes a problem for some seniors. This is the most important aspect of class, and means that you have all necessary materials to do the required work every day. You must have the text we are working on each day. Many seniors last year lost significant points for not bringing a book to class. Being prepared does not mean reading summaries, instead, it means doing the required reading and homework before class begins. I do not give out extra books or pens; bring your supplies each day. There are frequent book checks for points. Be responsible. As this is a literature course, anyone not reading the actual literature should not expect credit. Hall Passes: Congratulations! You have all been awarded 15 bonus points. These points will be added to your quarter grade on the condition that you come to class on time, and do not leave the room for your locker, bathroom, or other reasons. If you do not leave and are not late for the grading period you will receive the entire 15 points. For each time you are late or need to leave the room I will record the date and reason and you will lose 5 bonus points. After three uses you will no longer be issued a pass for any reason except for medical emergencies. Extra credit is not an entitlement. Even if you are never tardy you are not entitled to the extra credit. Attitude, preparation, and attendance will also be considered when I put extra credit into your grade. This is not a punishment; it is a reward for those who participate fully in their own education.
Homework policy: Homework will be assigned on an almost daily basis. It is expected that homework be completed before you enter the classroom. There will be a reading quiz after many of the reading assignments. If you have a question about homework it is expected you ask for assistance before the homework is due. As many students learned last year, failing to do the reading when it's assigned, or simply reading summaries off of cliff notes and other summary sites, will result in quiz failures and a significantly lower grade. Do your own reading and thinking.
Parents of 12th grade Literature students, Welcome to 12 th Grade American Literature. I am looking forward to a productive year with your student. The 12th grade is a time of growth, achievement, and academic maturity, and parental involvement is essential to success. This is the last writing class before our students experience the rigors of college. Please take the time to carefully read this syllabus with your child. I am also requesting that parents provide an e-mail address where you can be reached. This is optional and is simply a means to provide me another avenue of communication. Due to my inability to leave class during the day, it is sometimes easier to reach me through e-mail. My e-mail address is culler.stuart@chagrinschools.org. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this syllabus or the class in general. I have received and read the syllabus, late policy, plagiarism policy, and make-up work policy and understand the student responsibilities involved. Signature of student /Date Signature of parent /Date Parent phone number Parent cell phone Parent e-mail