Robert E. Lee High School
English 11 Honors Common Syllabus
Instructor(s): Mr. Marino
dmarino@stauton.k12.va.us
(540) 332-3926
Course Objectives
The eleventh-grade student will do the following:
*make, analyze, and write informative and persuasive arguments using correct documentation
*examine how media influences beliefs and behaviors
*develop and expand vocabulary
*identify the prevalent themes and characterizations present in American literature, which are
reflective of history and culture
*use nonfiction texts to draw conclusions and make inferences citing textual support
* develop proper writing mechanics
Textbook / Literature
Literature – Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes. American Tradition. Prentice Hall Publishing Company.
Toni Morrison’s Beloved
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible
Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby
Videos: Crucible, Of Mice and Men, The Village, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape , The Great Gatsby (2013)
Classroom Rules
 Be respectful.
 Be prepared.
 No electronic devices.
Grading Scale
A+ = 98-100
B+ = 90-92
C+ = 82-84
D+ = 75-76
F
= 69 and below
Conduct Rubric
A—Responsible, Respectful
B—Occasional Lapse in Good Behavior
C—Inappropriate Classroom Behavior
D—Defiant
F—No Improvement in Poor Behavior
A =
B =
C =
D =
95-97
87-89
79-81
72-74
ABCD-
=
=
=
=
93-94
85-86
77-78
70-71
Grading Percentages - The percentages below apply to ALL English Classes
 Essays and Projects: 50%
 Tests: 35%
 Class work, Participation, and Homework: 15%
 Midterm/Final: 15% (Averaged in later)
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Homework
Homework is assigned as a means to practice skills. Students will be assigned reading outside of
class, revising essays, projects, and reviewing vocabulary and other material covered in the lessons.
See page 14 of the Student Handbook for additional homework information and guidelines.
If homework cannot be completed at home, then students are encouraged to attend plus block or to
stay after school for extra help.
Late/Missing Work
If a student does not attempt or is absent for an assignment, he/she will receive an Incomplete for
that assignment. The Incomplete will remain until the assignment is completed and will be calculated
temporarily as a zero. Five points will be deducted for each day an assignment is late. After an
assignment is six school days late, the maximum number of points that will be deducted is 25 points.
Example: An essay is due on Monday, October 3. The student turns the essay in on Wednesday,
October 12. Although the assignment is seven days late only 25 points will be deducted. The due
date will be calculated according to the Student Handbook & Code of Conduct policy: “… the number
of school days absent plus one to a maximum of 10 days.”
It is the student’s responsibility to initiate make-up work during plus block or after school.
Daily Routine
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Warm-ups: SAT grammar, SAT vocabulary, SOL practice
CNN Student News
Lessons: grammar, vocabulary, writing, responding to fiction, nonfiction, and poetry
Reflect/SSR
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General Course Outline
First 9 Weeks
I. Linguistic Analysis (All Semester) – 11.3
* Root words, prefix, suffix, idioms, connotation, denotation, synonym, antonym
o
o
o
II. Persuasive Writing/ Research (All Semester) – 11.6, 11.8, 11.1, 11.2
Persuasive Essays utilizing self- and peer-editing
Research based writing product with persuasive focus
Evaluate nonfiction persuasive texts and media sources (11.5)
III. Writing Mechanics (All Semester) – 11.7
 Punctuation, active voice, phrases, sentence variety, edit
Writing SOL (October 21 /23)
Second 9 Weeks
I. Linguistic Analysis (All Semester) – 11.3
* Root words, prefix, suffix, idioms, connotation, denotation, synonym, antonym
o
o
o
II. Persuasive Writing/ Research (All Semester) – 11.6, 11.8, 11.1, 11.2
Persuasive Essays utilizing self- and peer-editing
Research based writing product with persuasive focus
Evaluate nonfiction persuasive texts and media sources (11.5)
III. Writing Mechanics (All Semester) – 11.7
 Punctuation, active voice, phrases, sentence variety, edit
IV. Reading—11.4, 11.5
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Exploration of American literature, themes, forms
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Crucible by Arthur Miller and The Village
Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
American Romanticism and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
American Realism
American poetry and use of poetic devices
Nonfiction texts used to enhance the above units
Reading SOL
See the following website for more detailed information:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/2010/stds_english11.pdf
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After you have reviewed this syllabus with your parents/guardians, please sign this form
and return it to Mr. Marino.
Student
I have read this syllabus and understand it. I will honor it while in the classroom.
Signature __________________________________ Date _________________
Printed Name ______________________________
Parent
My child has discussed this syllabus with me. I understand it and will support it.
Signature __________________________________ Date _________________
Printed Name ______________________________
CONTACT INFORMATION
Is it okay to contact you via e-mail concerning your child? ____ Yes
____ No
If yes, please provide an email address you check frequently.
Parent E-mail Address ____________________________________________________
Phone Number ________________________________________________
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