English IV Syllabus and Policies
San Juan High School
Mrs. Durkee, room D-1
Email: rdurkee@sanjuan.edu
Voicemail: 971-5360 x6719
Website: http://tinyurl.com/mrsdurkee
Course Description
In English IV students continue to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the earlier grades but in
more refined and sophisticated ways. Students will analyze literature in greater depth, analyze careerrelated and other informational discourse, complete more complex writing assignments, and give more
extensive oral presentations. English IV is required for high school graduation and for admission to all
colleges and universities. The curriculum in this course prepares students for college and the 21st Century
work world.
Methods of Assessment of Student Achievement of Standards
Assessment of student proficiency in respect to the standards is based on essays, quizzes and tests,
presentations and projects, and standards-based performance tasks.
Common Core Standards and Course Lessons/Activities:
Language
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Vocabulary lessons and activities weekly
Independent Reading: Twelve books per year. This is a requirement for all students school
wide.
Essay/Journal Writing
Proper use of clauses and phrases.
Parallel construction.
Consistency of verb tenses.
Punctuation.
Spelling.
Appropriate manuscript requirements such as titles pages, margins, citations.
Reading for Informational Text
Students will read many nonfiction texts of various lengths, analyzing the organizational patterns,
arguments, and positions advanced in…
 Nonfiction Textbooks
 Newspapers
 Informational Brochures
 Public Documents
 Speeches
 Maps and Reference Materials
Reading for Literature
Students will read significant works of world literature from the Holt Literary Anthology and
individual novels. Students will conduct in-depth analyses of recurrent theses from their reading.
The purposes and characteristics of subgenres of literature, such as satire, parody, and allegory,
are studied at this grade level.
Core curriculum selections for Semester 1:
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The Catcher in the Rye, Passages from "Beowulf," "The Prologue" to The Canterbury Tales
by Geoffrey Chaucer, "The Pardoner's Tale" by Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespearean sonnets
(18, 29, 116 and 130), and The Tragedy of Macbeth or Hamlet or Othello by William
Shakespeare.
Core curriculum selections for Semester 2:
 "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathon Swift, excerpts from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathon Swift,
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Pre-Romantic Era and Romantic Era poetry by Robert
Burns, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron (George
Gordon), Percy Pysshe Shelley, and John Keats. In addition, Victorian Age poetry, modern
short stories, essays and dramatic selections will be incorporated. Additional readings may be
assigned at the discretion of the instructor.
Writing
Students work at a more sophisticated level on the types of compositions introduced in previous
grades.
Students will write well-structured arguments with good support and employ rhetorical
devices and visual aids to enhance meaning. Although students at this level should be
familiar with all phases of the writing process, focus is on the following skills:
Revising text to highlight voice or point of view.
Improving sentence variety and style.
Enhancing subtlety of meaning and tone.
The following essay genres will be taught:
 Narrative non-fiction (could be used as a college application essay, Argumentative,
Informational and Narrative fiction. Students will also engage in quickwrites on a daily basis.
Students should be able to produce essays of five pages in length (typed and double
spaced). Students will deliver multimedia presentations, a task that requires synthesizing
information from a wide range of materials, including media sources, and creating a culminating
presentation that integrates text, images, and sound.
Listening and Speaking
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Students will analyze media presentations of various types to help them
recognize the strategies used to inform or argue.
Students will learn how to deliver focused and coherent presentations of their own that
convey clear perspectives and solid reasoning.
Required Instructional Materials
Students are required to bring required materials daily.
 Paper, two #2 pencils, and two blue or black pens
 Colored pencils or colored pens (three or four colors other than blue and black)
 Independent reading book
 Three ring binder
 Hard cover writer’s notebook
 School planner: Do not lose this as you are required to use this daily in this class, earning
points toward your overall grade.
Do not expect Mrs. Durkee to supply these for you. If a student is unprepared for class one time, he or she
will receive a warning. You and Mrs. Durkee will contact your parents together if your behavior becomes
a problem.
Grading Policy
Grades will be based on benchmark assignments, test scores, essay scores, homework, class participation
and projects. The point value per assignment will vary from 5 to 100 points, and all points will
accumulate to determine the final grade. Students will be able to view their grades in Q. Grades are
updated every two weeks.
Grades will be based on the following percentages:
100 – 90% = A
89 – 80% = B
79 – 70% = C
69 – 60% = D
Less than 59% = F
Late Work
Half of the credit will be deducted for any assignment submitted after the due date. Due dates are clearly
articulated, and students are required to keep track of assignments and due dates in their school planners
and assignment record sheets.
Attendance and Tardy Policy
This course will follow the school policies regarding excessive absences and tardies. Make-up work from
absences is each student’s responsibility. Mrs. Durkee keeps track of tardies and periodically letters are
mailed home to your parents, listing all the tardies you have accumulated in English class.
Beginning Class Procedures
1. Mrs. Durkee will stand at the door during the passing period and music will play for you to enjoy.
When she shuts the door, class begins and everyone must be in his/her seat ready to learn.
Students who are not in their seats or students who have to be let in the classroom are considered
tardy and will need to sign the tardy clipboard.
2. Students will know when class begins because Mrs. Durkee will stand, make eye contact with
you and greet you.
Classroom Expectations
(Rules to be followed everyday for the entire class period.)
1.Don’t attempt to sleep in this class. If your head is down and your eyes are closed you are not on task.
Mrs. Durkee will be offended and you will miss valuable information.
2.Use fearless communication with Mrs. Durkee. She cannot read your mind and will always help you,
but you need to communicate with her about what you need or do not understand. If you don’t want to
talk during class, send her an email and she will make time to meet with you privately.
3.Remember your class materials daily. Mrs. Durkee will not be happy if you aren’t prepared for class,
and people around you will get tired of you asking to borrow their items.
4.Keep all handouts given, notes, tests, essays and worksheets until the end of the semester. You never
know when you might need it to study or if something may be allowed to use during a test.
5.Everyone deserves respect. Remarks about other’s race, gender, sexual orientation, or ability will not
be tolerated.
6.Engage in class activities. Do not think that you will be able to sit and say and do nothing in this class.
Everyone is expected to participate and work with others on a daily basis.
Other Considerations:
* Clean up after yourself. Mrs. Durkee did not go to college to be a custodian. Eating, drinking and
gum chewing is allowed, but you must take responsibility for your food and trash. Do not allow it to be
disruptive or become a distraction. If your eating becomes a problem, you will lose this privilege.
* Do not use racial or homophobic slurs in Mrs. Durkee’s classroom. Specific words and phrases such
as the N word and “That’s gay!” will not be tolerated. Be aware: This is Mrs. Durkee’s #1 top
irritation!
* Do not use phones, iPods, or any other electronic devices while Mrs. Durkee is teaching. Mrs.
Durkee will be offended and you will miss valuable information. All phones and iPods are to be placed in
the front storage area. There is a charging station there if you need it. Towards the end of the period, you
may get your electronic devices and use them during the last few minutes of the class. Mrs. Durkee
reserves the right to confiscate electronic items, turning them into the Vice- Principal. You will have to
get them afterschool. Be aware: This is Mrs. Durkee’s #2 top irritation!
Communicate with Mrs. Durkee:
I generally pride myself on being a fairly reasonable person. I have high expectations of you, but if you
ever have a problem with the way I do things or with the way you are graded, please do me the courtesy
of coming to me after class, and I assure you we can work things out to the satisfaction of both of us.
Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior
1st Offense: A request for courtesy.
2nd Offense: Parent call and/or conference. The student and Mrs. Durkee will attempt to call the
student’s parent regarding the offense committed.
3rd Offense: Office referral.
Positive Rewards
1. Positive note or phone call to parents.
2. A student from each class is selected periodically to reward for improvements or overall excellent
behavior or academic achievement.
3. Special treat or activity.
If you have read and agree with the above syllabus and policies for Mrs. Durkee’s English
IV class, please print and sign your name below.
Student name printed ___________________________________________________________
Student name signed______________________
Parent/Guardian name printed ____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian name signed________________
Parent/Guardian Cell Phone: _____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Home Phone:____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Comments:______________________________________________________