Syllabus for English 12
English 12 is British Literature, so the course will walk you chronologically through the history of the
English language, from our oldest English story, Beowulf, to more modern stories, like Frankenstein. As
you can see from the goals listed below, this course also includes lots of writing assignments in place of
tradition tests.
Class Goals:
1. Take responsibility for your own learning.
2. Practice communicating through writing.
3. Write a résumé.
4. Write a thesis and supporting essay.
5. Learn to quote, cite, and write a reference page.
6. Practice professional presentations to the class.
7. Expand your vocabulary.
8. Comprehend Shakespeare.
9. Learn the history of the English language (Old English to Modern English).
10. Identify, interpret, and use literary devices in your reading and writing.
11. Determine reliable academic sources online & use online information in your
research.
12. Practice organizing your academic/professional work in an electronic portfolio.
13. Keep an agenda / calendar and be punctual with your school work.
14. Write a sonnet.
15. Teach a poem to the class.
Contact:
Classroom: C-243, Pelham High
Blog: rdyephs.wordpress.com
Email: RDye@pelhamcityschools.org
Phone: 205 624-3701
1
Grading:
●
Bell Ringer Journal (Given once per nine-weeks = approximately 100 points)
These are daily writing assignments or sentence corrections that are to be completed in the student’s English
journal and organized by date. I check journals randomly. It is worth 10 points every time I check it.
● Reading Tests (50 -100 points each)
Students are required to test on one book from the summer reading list. The summer reading due
date is ____________. Advanced students are also required to test on one of the Shakespeare plays from
the reading list attached. The test date for this book is _________.
● Quizzes, Classwork & Homework (10–80 points per assignment)
These assignments amount to a large portion of your grade. Take advantage of provided time in class to get
your studying/homework done.
● Essays, Research Papers, & Presentations (100-200 points each)
● After we finish reading a major literary work, you will be responsible for writing assignments or presentations
that show what you have learned.
● Bonus Assignments (plus 5 - 50 points)
Students who wish to make-up missed points or bank extra points have the following opportunities to
do so -- Partial completion of these assignments will not be accepted -● Writing: On the syllabus are extra writing assignments that students may submit for up to 40 points.
● Reading: Students may read one or two extra books per semester. These books must be approved
by me beforehand. Book tests are short-answer questions and worth up to 50 bonus points.
● Flashcards: Students may make flashcards for any vocabulary quiz. Flashcards must be on note
cards or Smartphone app. -- no cut-up paper. They are worth 10% of the quiz & must be presented to
the teacher on the day of the quiz.
● Essay corrections: Corrected mistakes on essays earn 10% bonus on the essay.
Plagiarism
In short, plagiarism is copying something without crediting source, whether on purpose or on accident.
Plagiarism, to any degree, will be considered as cheating and result in a zero on the assignment.
Absences and make-up work:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Your presence in class shows that you value your education and respect your educators. Please do not
interrupt class to ask if you can leave or go to the restroom.
Students with more than six unexcused absences will automatically be denied credit at the end of the
semester.
It is the student’s responsibility to keep an agenda of class assignments and tests. Missing class days before
a test does not excuse the student from the test.
Students should arrange make-up work with the teacher via email rdye@pelhamcityschools.org or, in person
after class; not during class!
It is the teacher’s responsibility to provide an overview and make-up assignments to student who have
excused absences. Students can find make-up information on the main board, in the make-up work basket at
the front of the classroom, and online at rdyephs.wordpress.com.
Students who miss class work due to excused absences will have three days to turn in the work they have
missed. Missed tests and quizzes for Dye’s English 12 classes should be made up the following Monday
morning at 7AM in Dye’s classroom.
Students must have excused absences in order to be able to make-up assignments.
Please communicate with me about any serious extenuating circumstances, so that I can work with you on
making up late assignments or allowing you restroom visits.
2
Supplies:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Flash drive for saving writing and presentation assignments
One folder or binder with pockets.
Agenda/calendar to record assignments and due dates
The Tragedy of Othello by Shakespeare, publisher SparkNotes: No Fear Shakespeare
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, publisher Bantam Classics
Notebook paper, pencils, and pens
Also please consider donating a box of tissues or printer paper. Thanks!
Reading List:
●
●
●
Students are required to complete summer reading by Sept. 2nd & 3rd. Choose books from the list below.
Advanced students are also required to read one of the Shakespeare plays listed below and test on it by Feb.
5.
All students have the option to read up to two additional books per nine-week period. These bonus books
must be approved book the teacher. Tests will be answering a series of short essay questions that show you
read and comprehended the book.
Shakespeare Plays:
Hamlet, The Winter’s Tale, Merchant of Venice, Comedy or Errors, The Tempest, Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth,
Much ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Books:
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Roger L. Green
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
The Fellowship of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
The Count of Monte Cristo or Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
1984 by George Orwell
The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Class Agenda
Unit 1: Introduction to course / What are our goals?
Aug. 12-14
● Introduction to syllabus & class expectations
● Receive textbooks & seats
● Complete summer reading by Sept. 2 & 3
Aug. 17-21:
● Notes: Define literary devices & create an example list (Lit. p. R24-R33)
● Bell Ringer Journal: Answer unit question: What are your goals?
Aug. 24-28:
● Begin Senior Goals essays (Lit p. 694-701)
3
Aug. 31 - Sept. 4
● Senior Goals essays due
● Learn the countries of Europe with geography game & maps
● Quiz on literary devices and countries of Europe
Unit 2: How does language change/evolve?
Sep.8-11: (4-day week)
● Summer Reading test
● Notes &10 interesting facts about Anglo-Saxon and Middle Ages time periods (p.1-19)
● Notes &10 interesting facts about the development of the English language (Old, Middle, & Modern English –
Holt p. 63 & Elements of Writing p.494-513)
Sep. 14-18:
● Bell Ringer Journal: Answer unit question: How does language evolve?
● Create presentations on British Lit. and English language topics.
Sept. 21-25:
● Student presentations on Anglo-Saxon, Middle Ages topics, & the development of English Language.
Unit 3: How do our heroes reflect who we are?
Sept. 28 - Oct. 2:
● Preview Beowulf vocabulary (Create foldable study sheet and/or visual vocabulary)
● Bell Ringer Journal on pre-reading strategies (What do good readers do?)
● Read Beowulf (Lit. p. 34-69) & “Unferth’s Challenge” (p.27 Holt, Rinehart & Winston)
● Journal: Answer unit question: How do our heros reflect who we are? What do our they show about our
culture?
Oct. 5-9
● Preview compare and contrast writing formats
● Identify allusions from Thirteenth Warrior
● Compare and contrast of Thirteenth Warrior & Beowulf (in-class journal)
Oct. 14-16: (3-day week)
● Write a résumé for a Beowulf character.
● Write a résumé and cover letter for yourself.
Unit 4: How do people/various cultures show faith?
Oct. 19-23
● Preview The Canterbury Tales vocabulary (Create foldable study sheet and/or visual vocab.)
● Notes on Geoffrey Chaucer & The Canterbury Tales (Lit. p. 90-97)
● Read “Federigo’s Falcon” (p. 153 - Holt, Rinehart & Winston)
Oct. 26-30:
● Read The Canterbury Tales: The Pardoner’s Tale & The Wife of Bath’s Tale (Lit p. 123-152)
● Bell Ringer Journal: Answer unit question: How do people show faith?
Nov. 2-6:
● Essay: Write about a pilgrimage that you would like to take.
● Research: Good travel sources and MLA citations (R53-54)
Nov. 9-13: (4-day week)
● Pilgrimage essays due.
● Notes and film on Thomas ‘a’ Becket
Unit 5: Poetry
Nov.16-20:
4
● Notes on the Renaissance.
● Notes on the difficulties of – and how to understand – Shakespeare’s Language
Nov. 23-27:
Fall / Thanksgiving Break!
Nov. 30- Dec. 4:
● Read Shakespearean, Spenserian, Petrarchan, & modern sonnets (p. 254-278)
● Write your own Shakespearean, Spenserian, or Petrarchan sonnet
Dec. 1-5:
● Advanced English classes begin reading additional Shakespeare play. Due Feb. 2.
● Purchase Othello and Frankenstein books
Dec.7-11:
● Exploring poetry / Reading and make-up days
● Jeopardy review game
Dec.14-18:
● Semester exams
Dec. 21 – Jan. 4 Winter / Christmas Break!
Unit 6: The Tragic Hero: What qualities should leaders have? What flaws do leaders struggle with?
Jan. 5-8:
● Othello vocabulary
● Notes and background on Othello
● Read Othello: Acts I-II
● Quiz on Othello: Act I-II
Jan. 11-15:
● Read Othello: Acts III-V
● Test on Othello / Answer unit question
Jan. 19-22: (4-day week)
● Writing long quotes and MLA works cited page
● Othello essays
Jan. 25-29:
● Othello essays due
Feb. 1-5:
● Film: Branagh’s Othello
● Test on additional Shakespeare play
Feb 8-12:
● Notes on the Enlightenment/ Restoration period
● Notes on the tools of satire, parody, sarcasm.
● Read Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language (Lit. p. 646-653 & Holt p. 571)
Feb. 16-19: (four-day week)
● Read Jonathan’s Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” (p. 604-605, 617-627)
● Bell Ringer Journal entries on Swift’s satire and modern correlations
● Bonus option: Write your own satire.
Feb. 22-26:
● Satire and symbolism in Gulliver’s Travels (film) / Complete satire charts
● Bonus option: Read Gulliver’s Travels unabridged and take test
Unit 7: Poetry Research and Presentation
Feb. 29 - March 4:
● Notes on the Romantic Period
● Romantic poetry: “The World is Too Much with Us”, “The Tyger”, “The Lamb” (p.790,748,749)
5
● Begin poetry research projects
March 7-11:
● Poetry research projects
March 15-18: (four-day week)
● Poetry research projects
● Begin student presentations of poetry projects
March 21-25::
● Student presentations of poetry projects
● Buy Frankenstein!
March 28- April 1: Spring Break!
Unit 8: Is there such a thing as too much human knowledge or ability?
April 4-8:
● Notes on Romanticism, Mary Shelley, & Frankenstein
● Read Frankenstein: Opening Letters – Chapter 4
● Frankenstein Reader’s logs
April 11-15:
● Read Frankenstein: Chapters 5 – 10
● Frankenstein Reader’s logs
April 18-22::
● Read Frankenstein: Chapters 11 – 16
● Frankenstein Reader’s logs
April 25-29:
● Read Frankenstein: Chapters 17 – 24
● Frankenstein Reader’s logs
May 2-6:
● AP exam week I
● Frankenstein mock trial preparation
May 9-13:
● AP exam week II
● Frankenstein mock trial
May 16-20:
● Review for semester exams
● Answer unit question:
May 23-25:
● Semester exams
May 26: Graduation!
I have read and accept the conditions of this syllabus:
Student’s signature: __________________________________________________Date:__________________
Parent’s signature: ___________________________________________________Date:__________________
6
Student Information
Please fill out and return this form.
Your name: _______________________________________________________________________
Your email address:
______________________________________________________________________
Parents/ guardians’ names:
1______________________________________________________________________
2______________________________________________________________________
Parents’ phone numbers:
1______________________________________________________________________
2______________________________________________________________________
Parents’ email addresses:
1______________________________________________________________________
2______________________________________________________________________
Do you have a computer with internet access at home (circle one)?
YES
NO
Please use this space to let me know about any extenuating circumstances that may affect your
performance in this class.
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________
7