English IV—Film and Literature Syllabus
Miss Roberts
2014-2015—Room 150
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Holden High School Communication Arts Department is to prepare our students with
life-long literacy and communication skills that give them a competitive edge in our global society.
Course Description:
This course is designed to study classic literature from a thematic approach. To complement the
literature, we will view/analyze various films that pertain to the storyline or themes. Thematic units will
reflect philosophies that repeat over time in various ways and methods. Writing skills are emphasized,
with grammar, mechanics, and usage review as needed. Students will write several short in-class and outof-class essays. Students will study college entrance essays, as well as preparatory work for postsecondary careers. This course will also follow the senior project, which includes creating a product,
writing a research paper on the product and completing a public presentation about the product.
Instructional Philosophy:
Upon coming to class, students should expect to see an activity or journal entry on the board or overhead
to start off the class. They will be expected to enter the room quietly, to be seated before the bell
rings, and to begin the posted activity. Students should expect to be actively engaged through
cooperative learning strategies, active learning, taking notes, quick writes, class/group discussion, and
teacher lecture. Class participation is essential. The structure/organization of the class will depend on
the activities planned; students will be seated in various formations throughout the school year. As this
course has a concentration in film, attendance is extra important.
Major Course Goals:
1. Students will
2. Students will
3. Students will
4. Students will
5. Students will
6. Students will
7. Students will
8. Students will
9. Students will
10. Students will
11. Students will
read and analyze different types of literature in relation to an overall theme.
identify major literary terms and their application.
read for pleasure and analysis.
expand their understanding of English grammar.
improve their writing skills.
improve familiarity with the library and computer lab.
use various resource materials.
enlarge their vocabularies.
practice a variety of test-taking skills.
improve communication skills formally and informally.
complete college and career preparatory activities.
Receiving Credit for Graduation:
This class is required for graduation. If you do not pass first semester, you will be required to take
credit recovery after school with me second semester until your grade is passing. Also, as you may have
surmised, this is not a blow-off class.
Major Course Projects & Instructional Activities:
Students will complete the following:
 Quarterly book projects
.
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



Essays and compositions in a variety of styles (character analysis, compare/contrast, description,
etc.)
Oral presentations
Senior Project—Product, Research Paper, and Presentation
Viewing Films
Teaching Lesson to Peers
Course Assessment Plan:
Students will be assessed in numerous ways throughout the school year. These types of assessments are
tests, quizzes, essays, book/research reports, classroom participation, and projects. High school
students are required to take a final exam at the end of the first and second semesters. Assignments
are announced in class, explained, written on the board, and sometimes duplicated in handouts. All major
projects will have a scoring guide that each student will receive. Students should expect daily homework.
Use your planner to help you stay organized. Learn to plan and plan to learn!
Classroom Expectations: Follow all rules in the handbook and from class. Keep the classroom clean; no
food or drink other than bottled water. Gum is allowed in my classroom, but only if it is not a distraction.
Please treat all resources in the classroom with respect. ALWAYS bring the proper materials for class.
If you do not have your planner, you will not be allowed to leave during class. Do not expect to leave the
class for any reason. Do not leave when the bell rings; the bell lets me know that it is time to end class,
and I will dismiss you promptly after. At times the services of a substitute teacher may be required. Be
respectful to this person; the consequences of not behaving properly will be unpleasant.
Supplies and Materials Needed:
 designated textbook
 1 spiral or binder to take notes
 folder or binder to hold papers (This may be the same binder as above.)
 1 2-pocket folder for Senior Project journals
 loose-leaf college ruled paper for assignments turned in
 black or blue pen and pencil
 student planner
 Other supplies as need arises—poster board, post-its, note cards, etc.
Homework Policy & Grading Scale: Students must turn in work at the time it is due for full credit. A
student may turn in late work for 50%. When absent, you are to turn in assignments as soon as possible.
Holden High School also uses a uniform grading scale, which is as follows:
A
100-95
C
76-73
A94-90
C72-70
B+
89-87
D+
69-67
B
86-83
D
66-63
B82-80
D62-60
C+
79-77
F
59-0
Grades will be weighted:
Homework/Classwork
Book Projects
Assessments
Final Exam
30%
20%
30%
20%
.
Extra Help: Any student who fails to complete homework or who is scoring at a D or below will be
required to see me for extra help. Students who are struggling with a concept, assignment or project
should also see me for extra help. I am available during SOAR time Tuesday-Friday 1:12-1:45. If
scheduled, I can meet before and after school. The only times I cannot meet will be due to Senior
Project obligations.
Film Viewing: Although all readings for this class are examples of classic literature, some may speculate
that the films that complement them are not suited for high school students, due to mature ratings (R).
Therefore, we will list all films that we are sure we will be showing for this course. In the event that a
parent or guardian does not wish his/her child to see a particular film, please let us know, and an
alternative assignment will be provided. If a film is not listed here and will be used sometime later in the
school year, we will send home related information to make adults aware of this addition. The following
films are scheduled to POSSIBLY be viewed in this class: Beowulf, Beowulf and Grendel, The 13th
Warrior, A Knight’s Tale, King Arthur, The Lottery, Frankenstein (with Branagh), Hamlet (with Gibson),
Hamlet (with Branagh), Lord of the Flies, Animal Farm (Television version), Wag the Dog, The Minority
Report, Population 436, Catch-22, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Invisible Man, Hollow Man,
Big Business, Trading Places, Hoodwinked, Waiting for Superman, 2 Million Minutes, Lean on Me, Ides of
March and Catfish. Note: Not all of these films are rated R.
Contact Information: Parents/Guardians may contact me by phone, email or visiting the school.
Teacher: <Laurelyn Roberts>
Email Address: <lroberts>@holden.k12.mo.us
Phone Number: (816)732-5523 or (816)850-4444, ext. <7150>
Online: http://holdenschools.org/Domain/280
Available:
7:30 – 7:50 a.m. M-F
<8:00-9:27> White Days(A)
<11:02-12:56> Blue Days(B)
Holden High School operates on a rotating block
schedule. Students are enrolled in eight courses and
attend four each day. For a schedule of white and
blue days, visit our website at
http://holdenschools.org
Please sign below to indicate that you agree to your child watching the above films, and return the bottom
portion only. The first page should stay with the student in his/her folder. Parents/Guardians are invited to
keep the top portion of this page for easy reference. Also, this syllabus is on my website.
Parent/Guardian
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Student
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Film and Literature—If there is a certain film from the above list you would prefer your child not see, please
list that here; if you have any questions about this course, you may also ask them here.
.