Course Syllabus
Academic English 12
Mrs. Canan
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Phone: 724.214.3200 ext. 5275
Best time to call: after 2:00pm
E-mail: keira_canan@butler.k12.pa.us
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course, we will look at the development of British Literature throughout the ages,
studying the major writers and literary movements. We will utilize a number of different
strategies for critically analyzing a text to refine and deepen students’ reading skills. We will
also work to improve and refine writing and research skills. The course itself is designed to
develop students’ abilities in preparation for post-secondary experiences.
In addition to the above coursework, students are expected to develop a senior project paper
and presentation in accordance with departmental and state standards for completion.
Materials detailing this ongoing project will be delivered in the next several weeks. This
project is a major part of the student’s senior year English grade and demands their utmost
attention.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
The following items are required for this course. Please note that you are responsible for the
cost of missing or damaged textbooks as is outlined in the Student Handbook.
1. THIS SYLLABUS (to remain in the front of your RWN at all times once the
detached portion has been signed and returned to me)
2. Elements of Literature
3. Elements of Language
*Students will utilize class sets of the above textbooks and will check them out for
overnight use only as needed.
4. Supplemental materials (to be distributed as needed)
5. Readers’/Writers’ Notebooks (You are required to bring a three-ring binder with
loose leaf paper to class every day in order to take notes on all lectures, presentations,
discussions and experiences. The RWN is also a place to keep any handouts I give to
you. This notebook is to be organized chronologically and will be a necessary part of your
grade).
ASSIGNMENTS & EDLINE/SCHOOLWIRES:
Assignments will be written on the board daily, but can also be accessed on a regular basis
from home by using Schoolwires. As you are already aware, the district is moving to the
Schoolwires software for assignments and materials. Edline is now only to be used to check
grades. You can access Schoolwires from the Senior High webpage. Schoolwires DOES
NOT require a password, so you can easily access it with just internet access. Assignments
will be posted on the board and the Schoolwires calendar for the night it is assigned, and
unless another due date is listed, is expected to be completed by the next day. (EX: If the
online calendar/board for October 12th says “Read Chapters 1-2,” then Chapters 1 and 2
are to be completed before you walk in the door on October 13th.). Keep in mind that
regular announced and unannounced quizzes (with or without the use of notes) and gist
note checks will occur, so keeping up on assignments is an absolute must.
Projects, presentations, essays, and exam dates will be on the board well in advance of the
due date, but will also be available to view on Schoolwires. When viewed on the
Schoolwires calendar, major assignments such as these will only be posted on their due
date. (EX: UNIT THREE EXAM will be posted to the day it is to take place. Likewise,
UNIT THREE ESSAY DUE will be posted to the day it is due.)
Please check Schoolwires frequently as it will come in quite handy. Be sure you understand
the previous two paragraphs completely as there is no excuse for “not
knowing/understanding” when an assignment is due.
ALL assignments are to be completed and turned in at the BEGINNING of the period on
the day that they are due or they will be marked as late. They are to be placed in the
“TURN-IN” bin with your name and period clearly marked and the papers and/or rubrics
stapled (if necessary). Be sure to read rubrics carefully to ensure you are following all
directions for the given assignment. ALL TYPED ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE
SUBMITTED IN MLA FORMAT. Failure to do any of the above items could result in a
deduction of points.
Grades will be updated as often as possible. Please be patient with major essays or projects
as those often take a bit more time for me to go through. I want to be sure that I am
thorough with the work you turn in, so please take that into consideration while you wait
for grades to be posted.
MAKE-UP WORK:
Make-up work is to be collected from the “Make-up work” file upon your return to school.
It is your responsibility to collect and turn in make-up work. There is no excuse for not
knowing what you missed. Go back to the board, collect the slip detailing what we did and
collect any handouts. If you still have questions, see me. See your Student Handbook for
more on the make-up work policy, as it will be carried out strictly according to those
requirements.
It should be noted that students have five days from the date an assignment was assigned to
make it up. For example, if an assignment is given on Monday and due on Tuesday, and
you are absent on Tuesday, you DO NOT get five days to make up that assignment. That
assignment would be due upon your arrival back to school.
When a student knows he or she is going to be absent (doctor’s appointment, field trip,
sporting event, vacation, etc.), he or she expected to see me well in advance of the date the
absence in order to receive make up work. Failure to do so could cost you points.
LATE WORK:
Work received one day late will be worth half credit only. Late work will not be accepted
after that time and will be marked as a zero in the grade book.
DISCIPLINE POLICY:
For any disciplinary infraction, including, but not limited to cell phone use, iPod use,
sleeping in class, disrespectful behavior, foul language, off-task behavior, etc., I “reserve”
the right to give you one warning before I take the disciplinary measures as outlined in the
handbook.
**Special Disciplinary Note: Abuse or disrespect of substitute teachers will NOT be
tolerated and serious disciplinary measures will be taken. Please conduct yourself
appropriately when a substitute is in the room and follow all of his/her directions--regardless of whether or not it’s what Mrs. Canan “always lets you do.”
RESPECT & RESPONSIBILITY:
As we discussed in class, this course and its activities are built upon notions of respect and
responsibility. By receiving this syllabus, you acknowledge that we have discussed and that
you understand ALL of the ways that respect and responsibility are to be demonstrated in
this classroom including, but not limited to:
 Being diligent with your work
 Coming to class prepared and on time
 Being awake and engaged in class (participating every day)
 Participating actively in small group work
 Bringing a positive attitude
 Using manners
 Agreeing and disagreeing respectfully
 Choosing your words carefully
 Allowing everyone to speak (not monopolizing the conversation)
 Allowing everyone the opportunity to excel
 Asking questions when you have them
 Staying in a seat until you are dismissed
 Respecting teacher and student areas
In signing below, both the student and the parent acknowledge that they have read and
understand all the rules and guidelines associated with this class.
_______________________________________
(Student Signature)
____________________________________
(Parent Signature)
PARENTS: Please also provide your preferred contact phone number and email address (if
available) on the lines below:
ONE LAST THING!!!!
As state educational funds continue to decrease, we, as teachers have had to become more
and more creative! As such, I have created a profile online at DonorsChoose.Org. Through
this website, I have been able to acquire books and materials for your student because of the
generosity of others.
On the back side of this sign-off sheet is a Photography Permission Slip that I am required to
submit to DonorsChoose. Please take a moment to review the permission form, and sign if
you give consent. Please keep in mind that while part of my agreement with DonorsChoose
is that I will photograph my classroom and students using the materials donated, I am still
prohibited from taking any close ups of your child or using any of his/her identifying
information on my profile page, so your child’s privacy IS protected. So far, I have found
DonorsChoose to be an incredible tool to get the materials your child needs and should
have in the English classroom. THANKS!