Ms. Samlan
Office: Room 244
Phone:( 847) 692-8422
Free periods: 1, 2 (writing lab semester 1)
Email: rsamlan@maine207.org
Mrs. Lee
Office: Room 244
Phone: (847) 692-8422
Free periods: 5, 6 (writing lab semester 2)
Email: elee@maine207.org
English II Accelerated
Welcome! We are setting out to acquire and hone the skills we need to be problem solvers, insightful thinkers, critical
readers, discriminating consumers, team players, and overall more sensitive to the human condition. And you thought you
were just taking English class!
Aims and Objectives
English II Accelerated is a course designed to develop your ability to think critically, analytically, and creatively and to
express those thoughts verbally (through whole class discussion, small group discussion, formal Socratic seminars, and
individual and group presentations) and in writing (through informal journals, AP/ACT-style timed writings, written
rhetorical analysis, formal arguments, formal research papers, creative nonfiction, and poetry). The emphasis is on ideas and
how language is employed to express those ideas.
Course Format and Expectations
This course is organized into thematic units, each one centered on a major work. Each major work will be supplemented
with selected nonfiction, short fiction, and/or poetry. While our major works are considered “classic” or “important” works
of literature, we will also apply various critical “lenses” to allow us to see those works in new and interesting ways. In
addition to close, critical reading of the literature, we will read, discuss, and apply the ideas of psychologists, historians, and
philosophers. Below is a brief description of our major units of study and some of the key questions that we will explore.
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1st Quarter:
“Do The Right Thing: Justice and the Moral Dilemma” Antigone by Sophocles
Key questions:
What is an ethical decision and how does one make an ethical decision?
What is a tragic hero?
What is wisdom? Pride/hubris? Loyalty? Justice?
What is Courage and how is it demonstrated?
What do our values, priorities, and goals say about who we are? How are our value systems formed?
How do our perceptions “color” the way we see the world and the people in it?
What are the parts of an argument?
How does one persuade others?
How does one analyze the arguments of others?
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2nd Quarter:
“Human Nature: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Key questions:
What are different philosophical views of human nature?
Is humankind fundamentally “Good?” “Bad?” “Savage?”
What is civilization?
What is the social contract?
What motivates human behavior?
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3rd Quarter:
“The Power of Stories: Fiction and Metafiction” The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Key questions:
What is the role of imagination in helping form memories and personal versions of truth?
What is the nature of courage and fear?
What are the emotional and physical effects of war?
What is patriotism?
What are an individual’s moral responsibilities?
What is truth?
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4th Quarter:
“Gender and Identity in Shakespeare” The Taming of the Shrewby Shakespeare
Key questions:
What is the difference between sex and gender? What are stereotypes?
What are the themes in the play and how are they still timely today?
How do gender roles affect the attitudes of the characters?
What can we infer about Shakespeare’s take and the effects of disguise?
What are the various interpretations of the play?
How do staging decisions influence play presentation and interpretation?
Each quarter you will also complete one independent reading project. Throughout the year we will also focus on current
events (using UpFront magazine from The New York Times), vocabulary and etymology (using Vocabulary from Classical
Roots, and test prep.
Format of daily class periods will vary, but be assured that you will be challenged and asked to move outside your “comfort
zone.” Some expect English class to consist of grammar worksheets, vocabulary, and quizzes over reading. Some expect a
teacher to lecture and tell the “right answer.” Our classrooms are student-centered rather than teacher-centered, and we will
often ask you to work through a problem yourselves, either in discussion or in writing. You may be asked to think in ways
that are new to you: beyond literal, concrete thinking (and reading) to higher level, more abstract and critical reasoning. In
order to accomplish this goal, we must all be on the “same page” when it comes to the procedural “nitty gritty” that
follows…
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Class Policies and Procedures
Classroom Etiquette
Class begins the second the bell rings, so you must be in your seat with materials for this class on your desk before the bell
rings. This is absolutely imperative.
Respect your surroundings. No student may touch the windows, blinds, air conditioning unit, radio, thermostat, overhead
projector, or light switches unless asked to do so by the teacher. This includes passing periods. No exceptions.
Respect our kind and hard-working custodian, Tony. Place all garbage in the trashcan or recycling bin. Leave the room
cleaner than you found.
Remember the R-Code, and ask yourself if you are ready, responsible, and respectful.
Grades
We employ the following consistent grading scale:
Grade
%Range
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
F
59.9 and lower
We calculate grades out of total points possible. Grades are “weighted” by how many points they are worth. For example,
daily homework may be 10-25 points, while larger long-term assignments may be 50-200 points. Some assignments are
checked for completion and are part of a larger participation grade. Class participation is a large part of your grade. Periodic
extra credit may be available, but only to students who have completed all required class work. Each semester, the final exam
is worth 20% of the semester grade.
A few beliefs/pet peeves about grades:
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While grades are a necessary requirement of school, grades are not the reason you come to school. You come to
school to learn. Grades are not the goal; learning is the goal.
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For this reason, we detest “grade grubbing.” If you have a question or a complaint about a grade you have received,
sleep on it. Then, 24 hours after you get the paper back, write me a letter explaining your complaint/question about the
grade. If you feel you should have received a different grade, write me an argument for the grade you think you should
receive. Then, schedule an appointment to talk to me outside of class. You decide if quibbling over a point or two is worth
it.
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Another pet peeve is competitiveness over grades. Your grades are your business, no one else’s. We do not want to
hear anyone comparing grades. That is, no asking your neighbor, “Whadja git?” as soon as papers are returned.
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Grades should never be a surprise. You will know the requirements of every assignment well in advance. You
know if you haven’t turned something in. If you fail, you fail yourself. That is, failing is not something we do to you, it’s
something that you do to yourself. Same with an “A.” We don’t give you an A, you earn one yourself.
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Assessments: Homework, Formal Projects, Tests, Quizzes, and Timed Writings
Homework
Expect daily homework. You will have a variety of assignments due for this class, most of which will be written responses
and/or preparation for discussions. We will also be doing regular vocabulary-building assignments throughout the year.
While you may not turn something in every day, you need to work every night, usually actively reading. Do your reading
homework first, not as you’re falling asleep at night. Trust us.
Every single assignment has a specific purpose, and there is no such thing as “busy work” in this class. If you ever have a
question as to the purpose or rationale behind an assignment, just ask. For this reason, it is imperative that you do homework
every day and do not get behind.
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Formal Projects
You will also be responsible for completing a number of formal projects, ranging from presentations to written arguments to
research papers. These assignments will count significantly toward your grade and will require more time to complete. You
will always be clearly informed of expectations and due dates and be given enough time to complete the tasks at hand. Part
of your responsibility will be to manage your time accordingly.
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Tests and Quizzes
We will have weekly vocabulary quizzes, and intermittent quizzes over reading (announced or “pop”). With each unit, we
will probably have a test, but format will vary. Often, the major assessment for a unit will be a long-term formal project or
paper rather than a heavily-weighted test.
Timed Writings
One of the goals of this course is to prepare you for standardized tests such as the AP Language Exam and the ACT college
entrance exam your junior year. For this reason and because you will often be asked to write essays in a timed setting in
college, we will have several timed writings over the course of the year.
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Excused Absences
If you are absent the day and assignment is due, it is due the day you return. If an assignment was given the day you were
absent, it is due the next day after you return. If you come to school on the day an assignment is due, you must turn in the
assignments for this class. Nurse, guidance, dean, and other appointments during this class period so not warrant a day’s
extention on your assignment. While you may be excused from class for field trips, you are not excused from assignments
and due dates.
Unexcused Absences
If you are absent unexcused the day an assignment is due or a quiz or test is given, we are not obligated to accept, give credit,
or give make-up work for any work you missed.
Late Work
Smaller, daily assignments are often designed to prepare for the next day’s lesson. These cannot be turned in late. However,
major assignments will be accepted late, for a penalty of one letter-grade per day.
Assignment Notebook
You were given a Maine East assignment notebook the first day of school. Use it.
Assignment Format
Everything you turn in to should have the following heading in the upper right hand corner:
First and Last Name
Class/Period
Date
We would prefer that you type every assignment, but we understand that sometimes this is not possible. However, on some
assignments, typing will be required. Whenever you type anything for this class, this is the format: 12 point font, doublespaced. No exceptions; save fancy fonts and creative spacing/margins for other classes.
Returned Papers
Keep them as a record of your grade and as tools from which to study. Major writings will be stored in your electronic
writing portfolio.
Cheating and Plagiarism
We endorse and enforce all school rules on cheating and plagiarism (copying something—even just one sentence or idea—
and claiming it as your own work). This policy includes academic dishonesty in “sharing” homework or correcting
assignments in class. Resist the temptation to “borrow” ideas, copy assignments, or “adjust” grades. Plagiarism is a serious
offense. In high school, you may be dropped from a class with an “F.” In college, you may be expelled from school. In “the
real world,” you could lose your job or even go to jail. Be prepared to submit most written work to turnitin.com. See page
45 of your assignment notebook for clarification.
Discipline Policy
We follow all school discipline procedures, but it basically comes down to the teacher and all students being mutually ready,
responsible, and respectful for self, for others, for property. These rules are intended to establish an ideal academic
environment that is conducive to learning and the exchange of ideas. Behaviors that interfere with that expectation will be
referred to parents, deans counselors, social workers and other staff members as appropriate.
Books and Active Reading
Make sure you write your name in/on all the books that you have bought. We will grade for active reading so if you lose the
book you have worked so hard annotating there will be no book to grade.
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Everything you read in here is to be actively read. Groan all you like, but it works and it’s required, and here are a few
reminders why we do it.
Active reading helps you:
remember what you read (in detail),
think as you read,
think about thinking (metacognition),
do well on tests and quizzes,
and easily access ever-important textual evidence for papers and class discussions.
And if nothing else motivates you, active reading is a major part of your grade.
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Technology
Know your school network password and keep it updated. We will expect you to log in without delay every time we visit the
computer lab.
Save an electronic copy of everything you write for this class. Use your student data storage and create a file for English II
Accelerated only. This will facilitate revision and peer editing of essays.
As the modern “dog ate my homework” excuse, technological difficulties are never a legitimate excuse for late work or
tardiness. Save work, print it ahead of time, and get it completed early so that if technological difficulties do occur, you will
have time to fix them and not risk a penalized grade.
Required Materials
Outfit yourself with the following supplies:
3-ring binder (at least 1”) for this class only (you will keep ALL materials for this course in chronological order)
Looseleaf Notebook Paper (for homework, notes, and in-class assignments - frayed edges are unacceptable for work turned in
to us.)
Pen (blue or black ink only – no gel/neon colors), pencil, red pen for correcting/editing.
A flash drive to save and back up all class assignments.
Suggested: Post-it sticky notes for active reading, highlighter, portable 3-hole punch.
Office Hours and Extra Help
If you need extra help in anything feel free to make an appointment or arrange to see us before or after school if we are
available. See Ms. Lee and Ms. Samlan’s free periods at the beginning of this syllabus. Come see us! The only dumb
questions are unasked ones. If you are unable to make an appointment with us, other resources are available to you:
Writing Lab Tutors in the library. Periods 1-6 an English teacher is on duty to help you with your writing. Stop in during
a free period. Tell the teacher on duty specifically what you need help with (there’s a big difference between editing for
grammar/punctuation errors and truly revising for ideas and structure).
COACH: Before and after school in room 232. Student tutors are available to help you in a variety of areas. If you go for
help with an English paper, leave yourself plenty of time, go to a tutor who is a junior or senior AP English student and
qualified to tutor in English, and again, tell the tutor specifically what you need help with.
We look forward to a great year! If you ever have any questions or need extra help, just ask! 