English 11 Academic
Mrs. Connors & Mrs. Belkin
2014-2015 Syllabus
OVERVIEW
Welcome to English 11 Academic! This year we will be studying American Literature as we work to strengthen our
reading, analytical, and communicative skills. We will examine various genres throughout the year; in doing this,
we will improve in the following areas:
 Oral and written communication
 Reading, comprehending and analyzing
 Grammar and basic writing mechanics
 Researching and note taking
In order to prepare students for the SATs and SOLs, every lesson of every unit meets both the Loudoun County
learning standards as well as the Virginia Standards of Learning.
MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR EVERY CLASS
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Independent Reading Book
2-3 in. binder used exclusively for English class with 6 dividers (Short Story Unit, The Crucible Unit,
Rhetoric Unit, The Catcher in the Rye Unit, Daily Edit Unit, Miscellaneous)
Filler paper for binder
Pens/pencils
Marble composition notebook
Student Agenda/Calendar (provided by FHS)
UNITS and MAJOR TEXTS
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Quarter One: “What is the American Dream?” A variety of short stories by American authors
Quarter Two: “What Motivates Human Behavior?” The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Quarter Three: “What is the American Dream?” A variety of persuasive speeches
Quarter Four: “What Motivates Human Behavior?” The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
1.) Students will succeed. Failure will not be an option. Students will set goals for themselves and take
ownership of their own successes. As teachers, we will facilitate student learning, and we will provide
students with resources and opportunities master concepts and skills.
2.) Students will respect themselves. Students will not devalue themselves or their education by cheating,
plagiarizing, or simply by giving up on their work.
3.) Students will respect one another. When in our classroom, students will treat all other students and
teachers respect.
4.) Students will come to class prepared. Students will come to every class with all required materials as
well as with any work that has been assigned to them.
5.) Students will participate. Simply showing up to class isn’t enough. We expect that all students will arrive
to class motivated to learn by engaging in classroom activities and discussions.
6.) Students will come to class on time. This doesn’t mean running through the door as the bell rings! This
means students will be in their seats and working on the class warm up when the bell rings. After three
unexcused late arrivals, the student will be issued a referral, and their school counselor and parent or
guardian will be contacted.
GRADING POLICY
Summative assessments will be the only weighted assignments. Multiple formative assessments will be
administered prior to any summative assessment in an attempt to gauge student understanding of taught concepts
and skills. To be clear, formative assessments don’t result in a grade, but they still “count” and, therefore, must be
completed as they are the process by which students display mastery and therefore prepare for a summative
assessment. Re-takes and revisions are given at the teacher’s discretion.
ACADEMIC INTERGRITY POLICY
All summative work will include the FHS Honor Code to be written and signed by the student. By signing this
Honor Code, the student is agreeing to follow the following definition of Academic Integrity:
 Requesting or providing only authorized assistance on any assignment. Completing assignments
independently with the understanding that completing formative work helps students succeed on
summative assessments.
 Protecting the integrity of work by not allowing other students to copy assignments.
 Preparing for summative assessments and only using authorized study aids during tests.
 Upholding the validity of assessments by not sharing information about quizzes or tests with peers who
will be taking the assignment at a later date.
 Giving proper credit to the ideas, opinions, or work of others incorporated into the student’s work.
Consequences of Academic Dishonesty:
 Student and teacher discussion regarding the incident.
 Teacher will contact parent or guardian.
 Referral to administration for possible further action.
 Academic penalty may be imposed.
LATE POLICY
The English Department will not have a formal late work policy. Students are expected to turn in assignments on
time in order to progress towards the learning objectives as scheduled by the teacher. All assignments have a
purpose, and promptness is integral to maximize learning and ensure that students monitor adequate timemanagement. If a student has work that is not turned in by the deadline, they MUST communicate with their
teacher, outside of class time, about an alternative assignment or an extended deadline with the
knowledge that no work will be accepted within the last week of each quarter.
CELL PHONE POLICY
The use of cell phones is permitted in class only if specifically stated by the teacher. Cell phones are expected to be
placed in a student’s bag or on the designated cell phone table during class unless otherwise stated by the teacher.
If a student is observed using a cell phone in the classroom without teacher permission, the phone will be placed,
by the student, into the “cell phone box”; the student will be allowed to retrieve the phone after the final bell rings.
If cell phone usage becomes a major disruption or distraction, the student will be required to bring the phone to
the main office. A referral to administration will be issued at the teacher’s discretion.
ABSENTEEISM
If a student is absent, it is her or her responsibility to make up any work he or she missed while absent. Agendas
and assignments will be updated every “A” day on our class web page. Absent students are required to keep up
with class work by accessing the class web page and by meeting with the teacher outside of class time.
CONTACT and COMMUNICATION:
Room 609 (Mrs. Connors is available every day before school from 8:15-8:45 and after school by appointment.)
Email: (preferred means of communication): jessica.connors@lcps.org carole.belkin@lcps.org
Phone: 703-957-4300
AGREEMENT:
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and am familiar with the above expectations and policies. Sign
and date below, and file this syllabus as the first page in your English binder.
Student: __________________________
Parent: ___________________________
Date: ________________________
Date: _________________________