Mrs. Melisa Blake
English 11
2015-2016 Course Syllabus
Room: C106
Email: mblake@fms.k12.nm.us
Office Hours: M-F: 7:45–8:00am, 3:15-3:45pm, or by appointment after school hours
Prep Hour: 6th Hour: 1:23-2:15pm (by appointment only)
Voicemail: 505-599-8880, ext. 6011
Course Web Site: pvhs.fms.k12.nm.us/teachers/mblake
Course Description
This junior-level course places major emphasis on the study of American literature in chronological
context. Students will extend and build upon the skills they have developed in tenth grade. Students
will demonstrate competence in the use of the English language by writing a variety of expository and
creative assignments, including a research paper in the spring semester and making formal and
informal oral presentations throughout the year. The units in this course integrate the study of
language, literature, informational texts, and composition.
Course Objectives
 To acquire a notion of how literature functions within a society and its purpose for
humankind.
 To acquire a broad knowledge of the development of American literature from pre-colonial
times to the present.
 To master the skills of reading critically and rapidly
 To develop study skills-organizing, planning, scheduling, memorizing.
 To develop a college-preparatory sight vocabulary which will
˚ Assist students in performing well on standardized tests and college entrance exams
˚ Facilitate independent reading
˚ Enable students to effective express their own ideas in both speaking and writing
 To master skills to compose an organized, coherent composition that is relatively free of
errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and structure.
 To develop the ability to listen carefully and recall detail efficiently.
 To develop research and discovery skills through library experiences and the ethical use of
worldwide computer networking to develop documented compositions.
 To apply verbal skills to other courses required in the school curriculum
 To use computers in research, composition, presentation, and global communication.
Texts
Collections (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt)
Collections: Close Reader (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt)
Potential Novels/Excepts
Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
Fools Crow by James Welch
Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers
Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin
Laughing Boy by Oliver LaFarge
My Antonia by Willa Cather
The Adventures of Huck Finn by Mark Twain
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by
Ernest J. Gaines
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail by Jerome
Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
The Things they Carried by Tim O’Brien
Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday
Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood
We will not, of course, read all of these novels this year, but may read any of them as time and
scheduling allow.
Required Materials
A hardback 2” three-ring binder
Five dividers
Five manila folders
White loose-leaf notebook paper (not spiral paper)
Two composition books
Blue or Black ink pens
Pencils
A 16G Jump Drive (for course portfolio and computer work done at home)
Assignments
Assignments will be heavy in reading (and re-reading), writing (and re-writing), and much class
discussion. Please be prepared to be active participants in our class.
Homework:
Each student should plan to have an average of thirty minutes available each day at home for
assignments for this course. Typically, homework will consist of reading, studying for tests/exams, and
writing papers.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given on a regular basis to assess student learning.
Writing:
Students will write 4 major essays this year, including 1 research paper, and several smaller writing
assignments. Also, students will write in their journals (composition books) daily.
Tests:
Tests will be announced at least one week in advance since tests play a greater role in grade averages
than daily work. The week's notice is intended as both an invitation to review material to be tested and
an opportunity to receive help in mastering skills and knowledge the test will attempt to measure.
Organization:
Students will be responsible for keeping their own records, papers, class information, etc. organized
and in order in their class binders and in their class files. Weekly grades will be given in this category.
Grading
For each grading period, the following scale will determine the nine-week grade (based on the number
of points earned):
Common Tasks and Tests
Research Papers or reports
Quizzes
Journal Entries
Warm-ups (Bell Ringers)
Graded Homework
20-100 points
50-100 points
10-30 points
10-30 points
up to 15 points
5-15 points
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
Below 60
A
B
C
D
F
NO ONE WHO TURNS IN ALL WORK ON TIME AND ATTEMPTS EVERY ASSIGNMENT
WILL FAIL THIS COURSE. Anyone who resorts to cheating or copying in any way on any
assignment will lose credit for the assignment (no questions asked) and risks losing credit for far more.
Extra Credit
There is no extra credit.
Makeup Work
When you have been absent, the day you return from school you should consult the makeup calendar
posted on the classroom wall or consult the classroom site and write down or print out the work you
missed during your absence. It would also be wise to write down the date of your absence and the date
your work is due. Find handouts and assignments in the classroom basket marked "handouts." (Tests
and quizzes will not be in the baskets. You will make them up before or after school or during lunch.)
All of your activities concerning makeup work must be completed before Mrs. Ballew begins class (the
tardy bell). Get to class EARLY on the day following an absence.
You may not make up work in class. Make up work during lunch, before school, or after school. It
is reasonable (and school policy) to allow you two days for each day of your absence to complete
work missed due to the absence.
Tests must be made up before graded tests are returned to the class, preferably the day you return from
the absence. IF A TEST IS SCHEDULED FOR THE DAY YOU RETURN FROM AN ABSENCE,
YOU WILL TAKE THE TEST ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE. You are expected and obligated
to know what is going on in this class, whether you are present or absent. Check the class web site!
Check the “absent work” binder in our classroom! Keep a current assignment calendar. Find a friend
whom you can call to find out what you missed on the day you were absent. Copy his notes, get the
assignment, and find out what you need to read or complete by the following day of class. Whatever
you do, OWN IT!
Quizzes (not the same as tests) and daily assignments can be made up at your convenience and mine,
but within English department time limits. It is not usually convenient for me to work with you during
my lunch, but arrangements can be made by appointment. Please arrange to work with me before
school and after school. Be on time for your appointments, and don't stand me up.
Occasionally work based upon videos, class discussion, group work, or lecture will be impossible to
make up.
Attendance
Students will be counted tardy if they is not in their seats when the tardy bell begins to ring. Habitual
tardies will result in parental and administrative contact.
Students are also expected to keep track of their absences. Students wishing to check their records
against my grade book may see me during my office hours.
You are expected to remain in class the entire period.
Progress Checks
When you see an error on PowerSchool, please call it to my attention ASAP. Discrepancies between
your recordkeeping and mine must be brought to my attention within three school days in order to
efficiently resolve grade issues and to maintain a precise record of your school progress.
Late Work
Work is deemed late if:
˚ makeup work is turned in later than two days for each day of absence.
˚ work is turned in after the time it is called for in class. Have your homework ready to turn in
when class begins, including having your heading at the top of your paper. Class begins when
the tardy bell rings.
˚ I deduct 2 points per day that assignments are due!
English department policy stipulates that no more than 50% credit will be granted for late work. In
addition, late work will not be accepted more than two weeks past the due date.
Student Responsibilities
1. All students are expected to furnish their own PEN AND PAPER each day and to bring
their own school-issued laptop (fully charged), three-ring binder, and other necessary
supplies with them to class, unless told otherwise in advance by the teacher. If you need to
“borrow” anything from my desk, I will enforce a collateral policy.
2. All students are expected to handle school property, especially school-issued laptops with care
and respect.
3. All students are expected to class papers for at least nine weeks, and tests for a semester.
4. All students are expected to do homework when it is assigned.
5. All students are expected to remain in the classroom the entire period, unless they are called
out by an administrative request or an emergency occurs. Take care of personal "business"
(including restroom stops) during the passing periods, during lunch, or before school begins, as
your teachers must do.
6. All students are expected to know class and school rules and policies and to honor them.
7. Every student is to keep track of assignments. It is advised that you purchase a calendar or
planner for this purpose, save things in your cell phone, or check PowerSchool daily.
Classroom Behavior
o
Be in your seat, ready to work, when the tardy bell rings.
o
Only bottled water or beverages with twist-tops are allowed in class. No foo-foo coffee drinks!
o
Do not use cell phones or Ipods in the classroom.
o
Use your computer ethically.
o
Respect the school facilities.
o
Care for books, furniture, and materials.
o
Respect all authorities, whether they are present or not.
o
Respect one another in this classroom, in both word and deed.
o
Do your best work each day. Bring a positive attitude.
o
Do not borrow or loan materials. Bring your own books and supplies.
o
Request help immediately when you need it. Ask questions when you don't understand.
Parents and Students, please initial, sign, and return this page only to Mrs. Blake
(Parent/Student initials)
I have read the class syllabus and understand the expectations listed above. _______________
I have read the class syllabus and understand the attendance policy.
________________
I have read the class syllabus and understand the make-up work policy.
________________
I have read the class syllabus and understand that Mrs. Blake deducts 2 points for each day an
assignment is late.
________________
I have read the class syllabus and understand that I must be respectful if I want to be respected in
return.
________________
I have read the class syllabus and understand that I must express my needs.
________________
I have read the class syllabus and understand that Mrs. Blake is always available to assist students
beyond class time and parents if I/we make an appointment.
_________________
I have read the syllabus and understand that I am responsible for my success in Mrs. Blake’s class.
__________________
_______________________________
Student’s Signature
_______________________________
Guardian’s Signature
_______________________________
Guardian’s phone number or email