Honors Composition and Literature I
Miss Briggs
381-2646 ext 155
kbriggs@hackettcp.org
Required Texts and Materials
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
The Odyssey by Homer
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Style Book – Hacker
Two one-subject spiral notebooks to be used as journals
A binder with five sections
Notes
Assignments
Assessments
Papers
Handouts
Loose Leaf Paper
Writing Utensil
ALL MATERIALS MUST BE BROUGHT TO CLASS EVERYDAY
Course Description
Honors Composition and Literature I is a grammar and writing course. Persuasive
argumentative writing will be the main focus. Literary texts will be used to give students
material to consider when writing.
Course Objectives
To give students the opportunity to study and practice grammar and writing.
Students will be exposed to various aspects of writing and allowed to practice these skills
by applying them to the texts covered within the course.
Classroom Expectations
As a member of a caring community, each student is expected to:
-be on time for class
-be prepared for class
-remain seated unless given permission
-remain quiet unless given permission to speak
-show respect for the teachers, peers, guests, and the building
-hand assignments in on time
-take responsibility for making up assignments/test when absent
-dispose of food, gum, and beverages before entering class
Consequences
An infraction of any of the school or classroom rules will generally result in the
following disciplinary steps:
First Offense:
Warning
Second Offense:
Second Warning
Third Offense:
20 minute detention
Fourth Offense:
30 minute detention
Fifth Offense:
30 minute detention and a referral to the office
A serious offense may warrant immediate attention and could result in a referral to the
office and/or parental contact without the customary warning. Many infractions will
result in points being taken away from the participation grade.
Detentions will only be served after school.
Tardiness
Students who do not make it into their seats prior to the bell will be marked tardy.
After three tardies, you will be given an absent tardy. A detention will be given on the
third tardy and every tardy thereafter. Excessive tardies can result in a loss of credit.
Make-Up Work
It is your responsibility to make up work when you are absent. Assignments are to
be turned in within two days of an absence, unless they are assigned beforehand. Makeup tests may be taken within two days of the test. If you absent due to an athletic event or
a field trip or a prearranged absence of any kind, you do have the opportunity to make up
work without a penalty. Everything is posted online for your convenience. Also if you are
at school any time during the day and do not hand in an assignment, it will be considered
late.
Late Work Policy
Late work will be assigned with a note from your parent/s/guardian/s. The note is
to insure that they are aware that the work is late and thus it will be reduced. Minor
assignments will be reduced by 50% if they are not turned in on time. Major assignments
will be reduced by 10% for each day that they are late.
Academic Expectations
Students are expected to complete all assigned work prior to coming to class.
PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE. Since this class has a focus on writing, students can
expect to take notes in the areas of grammar studied, complete the small exercises,
participate in class discussions, and apply the rules to their own pieces of writing.
There will be weekly vocabulary words. These will be on the board and online.
They will be due the next Thursday and a quiz given on the following Monday.
Exceptions may be may be made for shorter weeks.
IMPORTANT – During this semester you will be writing and peer editing several
pieces of material. Others will critique your writing in the room as well as the teacher.
Participating in peer editing allows you to gain more practice in the usage of grammar. It
is to be a positive activity, make sure your criticism is constructive.
Course Outline
Week 1 – Syllabus, introductory essay assignment
Week 2 – Grammar work Thursdays, vocabulary words, thesis, introductions, summer
reading quiz, introductions through To Kill A Mockingbird
Week 3 – Grammar work Thursdays, Peer editing, vocabulary quiz
Week 4 –Grammar work Thursdays, Final Draft due, essay assignment, vocabulary
words
Week 5 –Grammar work Thursdays, vocabulary words, Shakespeare intro
Week 6 – Grammar work Thursdays, vocabulary words, first essay talkback, second
essay due – first draft, continuation of Shakespeare
Week 7 – Grammar work Thursdays, vocabulary words, final draft of essay due, Romeo
and Juliet
Week 8 – Grammar Work Thursdays, vocabulary words, Romeo and Juliet
Week 9 – Grammar Work Thursdays, vocabulary words, Romeo and Juliet
Week 10 – Grammar Work Thursdays, vocabulary words, Romeo and Juliet, second
essay talkback, third essay assigned,
Week 11 – Grammar Work Thursdays, vocabulary words, Romeo and Juliet
Week 12 – Grammar Work Thursdays, vocabulary words, Julius Caesar, third essay
first draft due
Week 13 – Grammar work Thursdays, vocabulary words, Julius Caesar, final draft of
third essay due
Week 14 –Grammar work Thursdays, vocabulary words, Julius Caesar
Week 15 –Grammar Work Thursdays, vocabulary words, Julius Caesar,
Week 16 –Grammar work Thursdays, vocabulary words, Julius Caesar
This schedule is subject to change and there is extra time left in case it is needed.
Expect quizzes on grammar and short ones on the material covered in class
Grading Scale
Vocabulary words - 10% - Formative
Tests and quizzes – 35% - Summative
Major assignments – 35% - Summative
Minor Assignments – 20% - Formative
The semester grade will be an average of the two marking period grades (40%) and the
Final Exam (20%).