Mr. Jeffree’s Junior English
Class Syllabus
Room: 521
Email: thomas.jeffree@gilbertschools.net
Phone: 545-3100 ext. 2521
Course Description:
The Junior English course is essential in providing the foundation for advanced English studies. This
comprehensive course examines the writing process for narrative, argument, synthesis, and analysis writing.
Students will read a variety of non-fiction and fiction texts focusing on the development and progress of the
American Dream. Additionally, students will acquire a repertoire of new vocabulary and grammar skills in
preparation for standardized college admissions tests and academic writing. The ultimate goal of this course is
to help students’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills develop in order to achieve college and career
readiness.
Units of Study:
Each unit contains a formal embedded assessment that assesses the quarter’s
major learning goal(s). This assessment will require students to utilize a series
of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to compose an artifact
indicative of their learning. Additionally, there will be multiple choice
assessments and smaller formative assessments throughout the semester.
Thematic Focus
First Quarter:
The Foundation of the American Dream (Native American
Literature, Puritanism, Classicism)
Second Quarter:
The American Dream—From the Collective to the Individual
(Romanticism, Dark Romanticism, Transcendentalism)
Major Works
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
A variety of excerpts and short works will
also be studied to introduce students to the
skill sets for close reading of fiction and
non-fiction.
Extended Length Non-Fiction texts
Third Quarter:
The American Dream Meets Reality (Realism and
Modernism)
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fourth Quarter:
The American Dream in a Changing World (Harlem
Renaissance and Post-Modernism)
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Student Text:


Elements of Literature Book (Yellow Book)
Students will check-out novels as needed
Films:
Clips from the following films will be used at the teacher’s discretion throughout the year to enhance students’
understandings of how film adaptations are a visual interpretation of written text, subject to the director’s
interpretation. Please indicate your approval of these films on the syllabus acknowledgment form.
 The Crucible (1996) Nicholas Hytner
 The Great Gatsby (1974) Jack Clayton
Materials Needed:
For this class, students will need the following:

3 Subject Spiral College Rule Notebook
o
Label first subject ‘Reading Journal’
o
Label second subject ‘Class Notes’
o
Label third subject ‘Grammar and Vocabulary’

2 pocket folders (one with prongs in the middle, one without)

Blue or Black Pen (No pencils please)
Donations (if so inclined):
Post-it Notes (any color or size)
Tissues
Hand Sanitizers
Grading:
Student work will be graded using an 80/20 weighting system. 80% of a
student’s grade will be all assignments and classwork and 20% percent of a
student’s grade will be the final exam. Classwork point values will follow
these general guidelines:



50-100 points Performance Tasks (including FormallyGraded Assignments, Embedded Assessments, Written
Products, Writing Processes, and Formal Projects)
25-100 points Tests/Quizzes
10-30 points Student Practice Work (includes
homework and classwork)
Grading Percentage Distributions:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
1-59%
A
B
C
D
F
Plagiarism and Academic
Dishonesty:
Students are expected to submit their
own work at all times. This means that
work copied from the internet, a
classmate, a sibling, etc. will always
result in a failing grade and a referral
to administration.
Turnitin.com Account Registration:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Click on the “Enroll in a Class” tab on your student homepage.
Enter the “Class ID” for your corresponding class.
Click “Submit.”
Password: ENGLISHIII
Class ID #’s:
1st Hour (A): 10301995
7th Hour (B): 10302003
Late Work:
Students are allowed to turn in missing work other than tests/quizzes and any other specified
assignments within one week of original due date for 50% credit. They may not turn in late work
past the one week deadline.
When absent, students are responsible for submitting missing work in the appropriate folder. There will be no
reminders from Mr. Jeffree and forgetting to turn it in will not be permitted as an excuse.
Papers submitted without names are subject to a late penalty and are the responsibility of the student to
locate in the ‘no names’ folder in the classroom.
Behavior Expectations:
Campus

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS):
o As members of the Coyote family, we pride ourselves on our
dedication to Community, Values, Honor and Scholarship.
Students are expected to meet specific positive behavioral
standards both in and out of the classroom. These behaviors, such
as being respectful and practicing academic honesty, are what
make Campo Verde such an amazing place to learn. During this school year, students will
participate in a school-wide initiative focused on the promotion and reinforcement of the
expected standards of behavior.
Mr. Jeffree

Love & Repect
o These are Mr. Jeffree’s two guiding concepts for creating a positive classroom learning
environment. Apply kindness to all that you do. Govern your behavior with love and respect
for the teacher, your classmates, and for your school. With these concepts at the forefront
of all of your decisions in regards to classroom behavior, work completion, and overall
ethics, you will find that you will have more fun and learn more this year!
A Quick Note About Technology:
Students are encouraged to bring their own technology (phones/computers/ipads/Kindles) into Mr.
Jeffree’s classroom; we will use it from time to time in learning. Directions for how that technology
should be used will be clearly stated in our learning. Students who do not follow protocol will have
their technology taken and sent to the front office for pick up at the end of the day.
Welcome to Class! It’s going to be a great year!
Parent Contact Form
After reading Mr. Jeffree’s syllabus, please complete the following information:
I have read and understand Mr. Jeffree’s syllabus.
___________________________________
Parent Printed Name
______________________________________
Student Printed Name
___________________________________
Parent Signature
______________________________________
Student Signature
Please initial next to each film below indicating your approval of your child’s viewing them as a part
of the learning process in class:



The Crucible (1996) Nicholas Hytner
The Great Gatsby (1974) Jack Clayton
The Great Gatsy (2013) Baz Luhrmann
___________
___________
___________
Is there anything that you would like me to know about your child that will help me teach him/her in
the English classroom?
Preferred Email Address(s): _____________________________________
Preferred Contact Phone Number(s): ______________________________
This portion to be completed by the teacher throughout the year to record communication.
Date
Reason for Call/Email
Date
Reason for Call/Email