1
Accelerated English 10
Mr. Karl Streitel
Course Syllabus
(kstreitel@crsd.org)
Clinic Days: By appointment,
2:15-2:55 P.M. in room 216 East
Welcome to Accelerated English 10. It is my sincere hope that this will be a rewarding and enlightening
year for all of us, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you have concerns or issues in this class. The three
keys to success in this class (as well as in many other facets of life) are intellectual curiosity, effort, and
discipline.
This class is appropriate for students who: have demonstrated competence with reading and writing;
desire to challenge themselves; are interested in reading and writing regularly for an hour or more; are willing
to apply consistent effort on a daily basis; understand that learning is a process that requires mistakes and the
ability to persevere; seek solutions instead of excuses.
CURRICULUM
Reading
Writing

A Tale of Two Cities
(Charles Dickens)

Julius Caesar
(Wm. Shakespeare)

Catcher in the Rye
(J.D. Salinger)

My Antonia
(Willa Cather)

Fahrenheit 451
(Ray Bradbury)

Multicultural Reader
(short stories)

Nonfiction: Engage
College Reading

Independent reading texts
(Students should expect
approximately 15 pages of
reading per assignment)
MATERIALS
Vocabulary

I-Search paper

Expository pieces

Persuasive pieces

Reading logs

Blog/discussion
entries

Website entries


Daily grammar
instruction via
warm-up activities
Students will complete
scaffolded writing
pieces throughout the
year to gain experience
writing in multiple
genres while studying
the conventions of each
in works by published
authors.

Sadlier-Oxford
Level F, 15 units
with cumulative
reviews

Textual
vocabulary while
reading common
and independent
texts
Skills

Writing lessons and
examples for style,
conventions, and
content students can
apply in their work

SAT/Keystone
preparation

How to take a test
Prefixes, suffixes,
and root words

Prompt-based/timed
writing practice

Common SAT
words

Working within
deadlines

Practical

vocabulary
implementation in
writings

Working in pairs and
small groups
Public speaking

Responsibility

Intellectual curiosity
(* = daily requirements)
Spiral notebook*
Multi-colored pens*
Highlighters (x2)*
Thesaurus (recommended)
Post-It notes (1 pack)
USB drive for backup
3-ring binder/folder*
ATTENDANCE, LATE WORK, AND MAKEUP WORK
Steps if you are absent: 1) Check assignments webpage ; 2) Complete missed work within required time period ;
3) Make an appointment via clinic sign-up book if you missed an assessment ; 4) Speak with the teacher if needed

Regular attendance is one of the best ways to succeed in this class; however, if you are absent, you are
responsible for checking the absentee notebook and folder and for checking the website. All daily
assignments are posted to my website each afternoon.
2

Any assignment turned in late will be subject to a penalty of ½ off per day late. Make every effort to
be prompt. Computer emergencies, although sometimes unavoidable, are not excuses for late work.
Longer assignments, when announced, are penalized at one letter grade per day late.
o No late work is accepted once an assignment has been reviewed in class.

Absent students will be given a time span equal to the number of days absent in which to make up
missed work. (i.e. two days absent = two school days to make up work)

All assessments must be made up within FIVE school days of returning after an absence. Contact and
arrangements with teacher must be made within the five-day span if student is unable to make up
assessments in that time frame. Teacher will make determinations on feasibility when necessary.
Failure to make up work within five days will result in a ZERO for the assessment.
o
Sign up for makeup tests and appointments in the clinic sign-up book in 216 East.

Failure to attend clinic after signing up to make up a test will result in a penalty of 10% on that test.

All late work will be accepted at teacher’s discretion. NO EMAILED work is accepted.

Per school policy, any student absent in excess of TWENTY (20) school days may be denied credit for the
course.
Assessment Return Policy/Procedure:

Answer sheet / assessment returned to student in class

Assessment reviewed in class with allowed time for questions

Student keeps answer sheet and returns assessment (excepting vocabulary and other district
assessments)

Student may schedule additional clinic time to review any assessment.
EVALUATION
A weighted grading system is one in which assignments are placed into categories, each of which has a
particular value or weight. Thus, each assignment is worth a certain number of points and comprises one
portion of that particular category to which it is assigned. For example:
Writing category = 25% of marking period 1 grade
Within the writing category, there are two assignments:
Paper 1 = 100 pts.
Paper 2 = 50 pts.
(150 total points)
So those two assignments combined equal 25% of the marking period grade, and Paper 1 is worth 100 out of 150
total points. So Paper 1 is actually 2/3 of 25% or 16.7% of the overall grade.
Thus, the actual value of an assignment depends on its category, point value, and the number of
assignments in that category.
The following list shows how each category of assignments will be weighted in marking periods 1, 2, and 3:
Writing - 25%
Assessments– 25%
Vocabulary- 25%
Assignments – 25%
The following list shows how each category of assignments will be weighted in marking period 4:
Writing - 17%
Assessments– 20%
Vocabulary- 20%
Assignments – 18%
Final exam – 25%
Council Rock School District strongly encourages parents to survey the outstanding collection of challenging literature
contained within our program. Much of the content presents ideas and issues that are important, complex, and encourage
critical thinking. Any connection discussed in class is made that much stronger by the conversation and connections that are
made at home. We invite you to discuss any of the elements of our courses with your child's teacher.
3
CLASSROOM RULES & Consequences
Our classroom is centered on key principles that guide our daily work and the rules that enable us to maximize
our learning:
(1) Intellectual curiosity: We always try our best to learn more ;
(2) Effort: We apply maximum effort and attention to our work ;
(3) Discipline: We remain focused and persevere through obstacles ;
(4) Time management: We maximize each day, both in and out of school.
1. Please use the restroom between classes or during lunch so as not to miss any work during class and not
to disrupt the class. If you absolutely need to use the restroom during class, please ask and sign out.
Each student is allotted 3 passes per marking period. Exceptions will always be made for medical
emergencies. Excessive use of hall passes will result in referral to an administrator.
a. To sign out, find your name on the hall pass chart near the door. Write down the date of the
pass in the column next to your name. Use a new column for each pass.
2. Be in your seat and prepared for class before the bell rings. If you are out of your seat or talking after
the bell rings, then you will be penalized one assignment letter grade AND one hall pass.
3. Quietly remain in your seat until the bell rings to end class. Do not start packing your belongings until
instructed to do so, and do not leave your seat.
4. Keep your desk and the area around it clean. Trash around your desk and/or markings on your desk will
result in point deductions and discipline penalties when necessary.
5. Follow directions the first time they are given; remain on-task at all times. Work in class is assigned for
your benefit and is thus mandatory. Failure to complete assigned class work or refusal to remain
focused will result in penalties.
6. Put forth your best effort in everything you do. Grades will be reduced for any assignments that display
a clear lack of effort (i.e. sloppy handwriting, torn paper, missing name, accumulation of errors, etc.).
Typing all assignments is recommended.
7. Be prepared for class. Missing materials (including paper and/or writing implements) will result in
discipline penalties. Have your daily materials and homework on your desk when class begins.
8. Eating or drinking anything except water in the classroom is not permitted.
9. Raise your hand and wait to be called upon before speaking.
10. During a TEST period, any talking while tests are out is assumed to be academic dishonesty and will
result in a ZERO on the test for those talking. Talking after you have finished the test but while others
still have their exams is still considered academic dishonesty; the same penalty applies. Raise your hand
if you have a question.
11. No electronic devices are permitted during the class period. Be sure all cell phones and other devices
are off or in silent mode. Electronics will be confiscated and turned in to the grade-level principal.
12. Be prompt, prepared, and polite at all times.
a. Penalties will increase in severity if needed (i.e. detention, point loss, referral, or parental
contact).
Policies may be amended in writing and verbally if necessary.
4
General Assignments Rubric
English—Mr. Streitel
Grade Point
A/3
B-C / 2
D/1
F/0
Explanation
Excellent
 Shows a thorough understanding
of the concept
 Appears extremely neat and
professional
 Few to no mistakes present
 Demonstrates exceptional effort
Acceptable
 Shows an acceptable
understanding of the concepts
 Appears somewhat neat and
professional
 Some mistakes present
 Demonstrates the minimum
effort
Unacceptable
 Shows a lack of understanding of
the concepts
 Appears sloppy or unprofessional
 Several mistakes present
 Demonstrates lack of effort
Assignment was incomplete or
missing