Mrs. Schneiderman’s Contact Information:
RHS Room 104, Phone 350-4380 ext. 1104
Email: schneiderman.shawna@westada.org
Honors English 10
Course Rationale:
Students will read and respond to a variety of literature and nonfiction. Students will write a variety of
essays, narratives, and research-based papers. Particular attention will be given to rhetorical choices
including audience awareness and academic voice. Additionally, presentation of knowledge in front of
the class will be done in various formats: partners, small groups, Socratic Seminar, and as an
individual.
Inquiry Questions
 Why/How could leaders deviate from the goals of their people and/or government?
 What actions could citizens take in response against their government?
 What happens if citizens fail to take action against injustice?
 How can citizens and leaders maintain peace, or incite violence?
 How can citizens and leaders influence positive or negative change in their communities?
 In what ways might ideologies about responsibility of government and individuals influence
their reactions to change and innovation?
 What can/should citizens or governments do to make their communities better?
Texts: *Note: Various novels, excerpts, and essays will be used in addition to the following
anthology.
Shea, Renee H., Lawrence Scanlon, and Robin Dissin Aufses. The Language of Composition: Reading Writing – Rhetoric. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007
Grading Policy:
Grading Categories:
Writing/Composition
Class work/Homework
Reading Response
Thinking Journal
Final Exam
30%
20%
20%
20%
10%
Grading Scale:
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
A
B
C
D
F
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Cell phones: Technology can be an excellent tool in the classroom when used appropriately and with
teacher permission. When entering the classroom, all cell phones must be placed face down in the
upper right hand corner of your desk. Failure to comply with this will result in a referral to the
administration for insubordination.
Laptops/tablets: Again, are excellent tools when used appropriately. Using any chat
venue/game/email/doing work for other classes during permitted work time for this class will result in
you losing the privilege of bringing your own technology into the classroom for one week. Additionally,
you will need to arrange time to discuss your inappropriate use with me outside of class.
Backpacks/cinch sacks/large purses: Absolutely are not permitted in the classroom. Please see your
school handbook regarding this rule.
Class Website: westada.org/RHS
You can find all your teachers’ websites at the address above. Click on Staff, and select the
teacher’s name.
I will post assignments and electronic copies of documents on the website. The brief description of
the assignment will not necessarily reflect the full expectations of the assignment. You should always
refer to the assignment guidelines given in class and/or documents attached to the assignment. If you
misplace a document, check the website. I will not make extra copies for you. If you miss class, you
will need to get notes from a friend, check the website, and verify what you missed with Mrs.
Schneiderman. Do not assume you didn’t miss anything, or that you are exempt from in-class work.
It is your responsibility to ask about missing work.
Turnitin.com:
Turnitin.com is an online paper submission site where papers can be collected and graded by your
teacher. The site also compares student papers to other papers submitted to the database and the
Internet to check for plagiarism. All major writing assignments and many homework assignments will
be submitted to turnitin.com. Do not email your work to me. I do not accept emailed work. It
must be submitted to turnitin.com to receive credit. Do not bring me a hard copy of writing
assignments unless I specifically tell you to.
Required Materials:
□ Either a 3-subject notebook with pocket dividers or a 1 ½-2 inch binder with 3 dividers,
one with a pocket for handouts or the ability to 3-hole punch.
□ Pencils and/or Blue or black ink pens
□ Colored ink pen for editing (any color; no glitter or neon ink pens)
□ Highlighters
□ Internet and computer access
 School computers will work, but if you don’t have a computer at home, check
out this link: http://www.cfkidaho.org/. The organization is called Computers
for Kids, and they will give you a computer for a small processing fee. You will
still have to get internet access on your own.
□ USB Drive, or access to an online cloud service such as Dropbox or Google docs.
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Classroom Expectations:
 Come prepared for class (notebook/binder, assigned readings, homework, drafts, writing
utensils, etc.). If you have to go to your locker for materials, or to the library to
print/submit an assignment, you will be marked tardy.
 Come to class mentally prepared to learn, discuss, and work. Class is always better when you
participate. 
 Be inside the classroom before the bell rings.
 Do not place your items on your desk and ask if you’ll be tardy if you use the restroom. Be
responsible; look at the clock and see if you have time.
 Begin daily activity immediately. If you have entered the classroom, you should be working.
 Be respectful to yourself and others. Follow the IB Learner Profiles.
Homework and Attendance:
It is vital that you attend school each and every day. Should you be absent for any reason, it is your
responsibility to obtain any missing class work. Students are given two days—not two classes— from
the absence to turn in work completed in class the day they were gone. When possible, it is best to
get the work before the absence and to find a friend in the class who will take notes and communicate
classroom discussions.
Remember: major assignments that are submitted to turnitin.com are still due on the due date unless
there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. car accident; death in the family; you are hospitalized, or
under the care of a doctor; etc.) Family vacations and school activities are not extenuating
circumstances. Complete your work before you leave, or submit it from your vacation or activity.
Students should plan on reading and writing at home and in class. Many assignments will be started in
class and finished at home. Unless otherwise specified, homework assignments are due the next class
period. Major assignments (i.e. projects, essays, formal presentations) will be given in advance of the
due date and are due regardless of absences between the date the assignment is given and the date it
is due. Most of the work on major assignments will be done outside of class, though you will generally
be given one class period to work. Assignments due dates are given in advance so that you may turn
them in even if you miss class.
Late Work/Re-do Work/End of Unit:
All assignments are due in class on the specified due dates for full credit. Work submitted after the
due date will receive a 50% reduction except for composition assignments which will be reduced by 15%.
This policy ensures that students who do their work on time will receive full credit. It is your
responsibility to bring your homework with you to class.
In accordance with Ada West School District guidelines, all assignments for a unit must be turned in
before the “End of Unit” deadline. You are responsible for being aware of end of unit dates. They will
be announced as well as posted on my calendar.
Consequences of Behavior:
Should a student choose to behave in a manner that contradicts the IB Learner Profile or classroom
expectations, there will be consequences for that action:
1. Minor infractions may result in change of seat, time out from classroom, or other such
interventions as deemed necessary by the teacher.
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2. Continued minor infractions will result in the above consequences, as well as a phone call
home, and/or meeting with the vice-principal. At this meeting, teacher, student, viceprincipal, and parent may develop a plan for improved student behavior.
3. Major infractions will result in immediate removal from class for the remainder of the class
period, a phone call home, and other necessary actions deemed necessary by the teacher,
administrator, and/or counselor.
Academic Integrity:
One of my goals is to create a classroom of high expectations that follow state- mandated standards.
I strive to continually challenge, expand, broaden, and deepen educational experiences for my
students. Academic integrity or honesty is an integral part of this effort.
Webster’s College Dictionary (2010) defines integrity as: “soundness of and adherence to moral
principle and character; uprightness, honesty.” In the academic learning environment, this means the
work one produces, both in thought and in deed, is one’s own. When the work is not of the student’s
own production, academic dishonesty occurs.
The two main categories of academic dishonesty are cheating and plagiarism.
Cheating is:
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accessing unauthorized materials during an assessment.
copying work from another student without approval of the instructor.
allowing one’s one work to be copied by another student.
using any unauthorized help during or after a test. This can include using cell
phones, iPods, or any other electronic devices, as well as sharing test information
with other students.
creating information as fact for a paper.
writing papers for another student, or using a paper written by another student and
submitting it as one’s own work.
copying work from the internet and claiming it as one’s own work.
Plagiarism is:

failure to cite/document another’s research, opinion or words (direct quote,
paraphrase, summary).
 copying and pasting directly from an internet site without proper citation.
 downloading partial or whole “free” papers off the internet and claiming authorship.
 purchasing papers or employing others to write papers and claiming authorship.
Academic integrity occurs when a student:
 completes his/her own work.
 documents and cites properly.
 clearly communicates concerns/issues with the teacher.
 takes personal and social responsibility.
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Cheating and plagiarism are serious academic offenses that will be addressed according to the
policy of Ada West School District as outlined in your student handbook:
“Cheating in any form or manner is unacceptable. Every incident of cheating will be investigated by
the teacher/designee and an administrator. The offending student will redo an assignment or
assessment similar to the one of which they cheated. This assignment must be completed outside of
instructional time. If the student is unwilling or unable to complete the assignment or assessment
outside of instructional time the student will receive a zero on the assignment or assessment. The
offending student will be assigned disciplinary consequences deemed appropriate by the
administrator” (http://www.westada.org/domain/4117).
This syllabus is subject to change as the need arises.
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*Signature page for parent/guardian and student (print this page only).
We have read and understand the syllabus.
We understand that we may address questions to the classroom teacher via email or phone call
after school.
_________________________________
PRINT: Student first and last name
_________________________________
Student signature
_________________________________
PRINT: Parent/guardian first and last name
_________________________________
Parent/guardian signature
_________________________________
Date
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