English III
Syllabus Spring 2016
Mrs. Michelle Johnson
Barren County High School
School #: (270) 651-6315
Planning: 3rd Period 9:34 – 10:58 AM
michelle.johnson@barren.kyschools.us
Textbooks: The Language of Literature: American Literature (McDougal Littell 2006)
AND Language Network (McDougal Littel 2006)
Course Description: This junior level course covers units from The Language of
Literature: American Literature, which will essentially serve as a survey of American
literature and satisfies the eleventh grade English requirement. Selections within the
units will provide students practice in reading, writing, and critical thinking skills as they
will be required to study various plays, poems, short stories, and novels. English III
students will also write essays, on-demand pieces, constructed/open responses, journal
entries, and a personal memoir. Furthermore, students will learn grammar, writing, and
vocabulary skills in relation to the studied literature as well as speaking and listening
techniques.
Course Rationale: The primary objective of English III is to enhance the students’
knowledge of reading, writing, speaking, listening, study, research, and life skills. In
Kentucky schools, an emphasis is placed particularly on reading and writing as well as
the critical examination of literature. Knowledge of basic grammatical skills such as the
parts of speech, the parts of a sentence, and punctuation are essential to achieving
mastery in this course as well. In addition, passing this course gets you one step closer to
graduating high school and moving up in the world of work.
Units of Study:
In this class, we will use the literature and grammar textbook as well as individually
assigned novels in order to complete the study of the following units:
- Early American Literature
- The Crucible
- Civil Rights Unit/ Non-Fiction Literature
- Tuesdays with Morrie
- Personal Memoir Writing
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
- Research-Based Projects and Writing
- Short Stories
- Poetry (various ones selected by teacher)
Grammar lessons will also be utilized throughout the literature units to teach concepts
such as commas, appositives, phrases, subjects, objects, participles, verbals, transitions,
and clauses. In addition, I will provide students with further information and/or writing
assignments that will accompany each unit.
EXPECTATIONS FOR CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: My primary goal is to ensure
that all students will have the opportunity to learn in a mutually respectful classroom. I
have high expectations for all of you to succeed and work to the best of your ability. I
will do everything in my power as your teacher to ensure your success in this class as
long as you put forth the necessary effort on your part. If you follow these basic behavior
guidelines you will succeed in this class:
1.) Be on time, in your seat, and ready to work when the bell rings.
2.) Be prepared with paper/pen and all needed materials EVERY day.
3.) Be respectful to yourself and others.
4.) Follow all school rules and procedures.
5.) Have a positive attitude and come to class everyday ready to learn!
Consequences:
1.) Individual warning from teacher
2.) Discipline referral/ write-up
3.) Write-up and telephone call/email to parent or guardian
4.) Write-up and Teacher/Parent/Student conference (appropriate measures will be
agreed upon)
Materials Needed for Class:
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
Spiral notebook for bell work, writer’s notebook/ journal writing, and/or notes
1 three-pronged folder or three-ring binder for handouts, writing assignments, etc.
Blue or black ink pens ONLY and/or pencils
Highlighters (at least three different colors)
* It is important that students come to class prepared everyday in order to be
successful. This means that you should come to class prepared to learn with the
appropriate materials needed for the day. Discipline action may be taken if you fail to
come to class prepared on a regular basis.
WORKBOOKS: You will be responsible for your English III workbooks – The
Interactive Reader and Grammar, Usage and Mechanics. These cannot be replaced,
and there are no extras. If you lose your workbook, you must take a zero for the
remainder of the workbook assignments for the school year.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
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Class Procedures:
*Arrival and Dismissal: When the bell rings, you should be in your seat and should
begin working on either your bell work or writing activity made available to you at the
beginning of class each day. You may NOT pack your things up early. Remain seated
until the bell rings. You are NOT to stand at the door and wait for the bell to ring.
* Seating: Every student in the class will have an assigned seat that he or she is expected
to be sitting in when the bell rings. If you are not in your assigned seat when the bell
rings, you are lending yourself to a write-up if it becomes a daily problem.
* Daily Work: Everyday there will be an assignment ready for you to begin when you
enter the classroom. This assignment will be bell work such as journal writing, a
grammar exercise, ACT practice, spelling, reading response, etc. You should begin this
assignment as soon as you enter the classroom. These activities will be frequently
checked at the teacher’s discretion and given periodic daily or weekly grades.
* Make-Up Work: Only after your absence has been deemed excused may you begin
making up the work you have missed. Students having excused absences will be allowed
the same number of days to complete make-up work/tests as they were absent (i.e. If the
student missed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, then he or she has 3 days to make-up
work/tests). It is YOUR responsibility to find out what you have missed when you are
absent. Check the corresponding file folder for the class work you missed before you
come and ask me. Any quizzes or tests that you miss will need to be made up during the
WIN period. If that is not possible, they will only be made up before or after school at
the teacher’s discretion, NOT during class time. Note: If you miss a quiz or test on the
day of a field trip, you are required to make up the quiz or test the day you return to
school.
* Late Work: If, for some reason, you are unable to turn in your work on time, I will
allow you to turn it in ONE day late with a letter grade penalty. No papers will be taken
after the one day time period.
* Semester Test Policy: ALL students will take the semester exam, and it will count for
20 percent of the students’ final grade. There will be NO exemptions.
* Cell Phones and Hats: Hats are not allowed inside the building and/or classroom. If I
see them out, I will confiscate them. Cell phones should not be visible or audible during
class time UNLESS you have been given special permission from the teacher. If I hear
your cell phone or see it out for any reason during class time, I will confiscate it and take
it to the office to be picked up after school (per school policy). These offenses will also
result in a discipline referral. Also, please DO NOT ask me to charge your phone during
class time.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
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* Participation: You will be expected to participate in class everyday. Occasional
participation grades will be given, and you may or may not know when I will take a
participation grade. Thus, you need to stay awake in class and be an active learner.
(Note: Sleeping in class will result in a discipline referral.) The more you are involved in
your education, the more you will learn.
* Hall Pass: If you need to leave the classroom for any reason, you will sign out on the
sheet provided on the clipboard and take the hall pass with you. You will only be
allowed to leave class a maximum of 4 times per nine weeks, so use them wisely. You
will need to wear the hall pass while you are out of the classroom. Only ONE person will
be allowed out of the classroom at any given time. Take care of all your personal
business during passing time. Do NOT ask to leave class to get your materials because
you will not be permitted to do so.
* Plagiarism/ Academic Dishonesty Policy: According to Webster’s dictionary,
plagiarism is taking ideas from another source and passing them off as one’s own. Do
not compromise your integrity by cheating or copying information from another source.
Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are serious offenses. The academic work of a
student is expected to be his/her own effort. Students must give the author/s credit for
any source material used. To represent ideas or interpretations taken from a source
without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage after changing a
few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism. Students who commit any act
of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade in that portion of the course work.
Acts of academic dishonesty will be reported to the administration.
Grading Policy:
You will be graded based on a point system. Each assignment, quiz, test, presentation,
and piece of writing will be given a point value. Most tests will be worth 100 points and
major writing assignments will be worth 200 points, with other assignments varying.
* In addition, students’ writing will be evaluated based on the Kentucky Writing Scoring
Rubric by using the following scale: Distinguished (4), Proficient (3), Apprentice (2), and
Novice (1).
Remember:
I look forward to getting to know each of you this year. I am as eager to teach you as I
am to learn from you. If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I am
excited to have each one of you in my class this year, and I expect you all to be
successful!
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
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Please Return This Page ONLY & Book Rental Contract for Your First 20 point Grade
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have read and understand the syllabus that has been given to me. My signature signifies
that I have agreed to follow the guidelines set forth for me. My parent/guardian has also
read and understands these guidelines. Additionally, my parent/guardian understands that
if he or she has questions or concerns regarding the syllabus, they can contact the teacher,
Mrs. Johnson, at any time throughout the school year.
_____________________
Student Printed Name
_____________________
Student Signature
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Student E-mail
____________
Date
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Parent Signature
____________________
Parent E-mail
____________
Date
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Parent Phone Number
* Please indicate the method of communication that works best for you by simply placing
a star by either your email address or phone number. This is the primary means by
which I will communicate with you throughout the school year, if necessary.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
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