ETOWAH HIGH SCHOOL
BRITISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION
2011-2012
COURSE NAME: British Lit/Comp – Senior Project
TEACHER: Jessica Sprecher
Senior Project Administrator: Dr. Pat Denney
English Department Chair: Mr. Lee Coker
Senior Project Coordinator: Mrs. Lori Crawley
email: jessica.sprecher@cherokee.k12.ga.us
*whenever possible, please use email
email: pat.denney@cherokee.k12.ga.us
email: lee.coker@cherokee.k12.ga.us
email: lori.crawley@cherokee.k12.ga.us
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is prepared for students who are working at or above grade
level. The class offers a chronological study of British literature. Emphasis will be on reading, writing,
speaking, listening, critical thinking skills, and vocabulary. This class will cover grammar, mechanics, and
usage. The Senior Project will be an integral part of this course and its completion is required in order to
receive credit for the course.
TEXTBOOK USED: The Readers Choice: British Literature. Glencoe. Cost - $63.00
FORMAT: The class will consist of Senior Project requirements, teacher lectures, class discussions, oral
presentations; in-class activities, multi-media activities, tests, and homework.
GRADING SYSTEM:
SEMESTER A
10%
Sign of Commitment Poster/Proposal
Approval Form/ Parent-Guardian
Consent
Form/ Facilitator Agreement Form/
Student Agreement Form: Project
Facilitator’s Role
25%
Paper - Senior Project Research Paper
35%
Senior Project Requirement
20%
Tests/Projects/Midterm Exam
10%
Essays
10%
Quizzes/Vocabulary/Other
10%
Daily (Classwork/Homework)
SEMESTER B
10%
Portfolio: Completed Product Log w/
Pictures
10%
Product (also includes Stand and Deliver
presentation)
15%
Presentation (Senior Boards)
35%
Senior Project Requirement
20% Tests/Projects/Midterm Exam
10% Essays
10% Quizzes/Vocabulary/Other
15% Daily (Classwork/Homework)
10%
Comprehensive Exam
15% Comprehensive Semester Exam
_________________________________________
______
100% = SEMESTER A GRADE
__________________________________________
______
100% = SEMESTER B GRADE
**ALL THINGS RELATED TO THE SENIOR PROJECT CAN BE FOUND ON MRS. LORI
CRAWLEY’S WEBSITE!
There are many elements that go into creating a functional classroom environment. I believe that
the number one, most important, non-negotiable essential is…
RESPECT
I am not simply talking about you showing me respect. Creating a functional classroom means
that we show respect to each other as people; we respect one another’s thoughts, opinions and
ideas; we respect each other’s time; we respect this classroom and all classroom materials; we
respect each other’s privacy; we respect the school’s policies and procedures; finally, we respect
ourselves.
Ways to Express Respect:
 Be Attentive- Being attentive means that you are present, both physically and mentally.
Class members will listen when others are speaking and will follow along with the
readings, lessons, and discussions.
 Demonstrate Integrity- This means that you will turn in honest, thoughtful work. You
will take ownership of your educational experience; adhere to deadlines; follow class
policies, and will respect others’ right to learn in a safe classroom environment.
 Come Prepared- Please bring the required materials, texts, and supplies to class each
day. If you need to borrow something from me, I will ask for collateral.
 Time Management- Please show up to class on time and ready to learn. This means that
you will be in your seat working on the posted bell work when the bell rings. Please do
not pack up your book bags or put away class materials until I instruct you to do so. I will
excuse you from class after the dismissal bell rings, and all students are seated, the floor
is clean, and all materials/books are neatly returned to their proper locations.
 Be Responsible- Take responsibility for your actions, your education, your work, your
words, and yourself.
 Be Courteous- Say “excuse me” when appropriate; please do not throw anything at any
time; please do not get up from your seat to throw things away during instruction (it can
wait); if you need to sharpen your pencil, please wait for an appropriate time to raise your
hand and request permission to do so- do not just get up and do it; unless it is an absolute
emergency, do not ask to use the restroom during instruction or group work… ever.
Special Note on Respect: An English classroom is a place where students should feel
comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions on a wide variety of subjects. A positive
atmosphere cannot be achieved if the students do not show proper respect for their peers. For
that reason, profanity, insults, physical threats, sexual harassment, or any other forms of rudeness
that display a lack of respect for their classmates will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Consequences: Acting in a disrespectful manner may result in one or all of the following actions:
phone call home, detentions, loss of participation points, referrals and/ or removal from class.
Special Note on Cheating: I expect my students to uphold high ethical standards. Cheating –
copying homework, looking at someone else’s test, plagiarizing an essay, or any other form of
academic dishonesty – is a direct violation of these standards. Any student caught cheating will
receive a score of 0 on that assignment. If the offense occurs a second time, the disciplinary
procedure as outlined by the county will be followed.
Attendance and Tardy Policy: The school sets forth the attendance and tardy policies to which
I will adhere. To maintain our environment of respect, if the student must enter the classroom
late, they are asked to please do so quietly and conscientiously and get on task as quickly as
possible.
Restroom Passes: Your agenda is your only available hall pass; if you do not have it, you do not
leave the room. In addition, I will not tolerate having instruction interrupted for restroom use on
a regular basis. You have the same six minutes between classes that everyone else has, and you
need to use your time wisely. Coming and going to and from the classroom are disturbances to
the entire class. Unless it is an absolute emergency, you may not use a restroom pass during
instruction or group work.
Extra Help: I have an open-door policy regarding problems or difficulties in the classroom. If
any extra help is ever needed, parents and students alike should feel comfortable in asking me for
it. I am always here before and after school, but if that does not fit your schedule, other times
can always be arranged. Again, please do not hesitate to ask for help. There are no stupid
questions… ever.
Supplies: I ask that students bring the following to class every day: pen and/or pencil, binder
with loose-leaf paper to be used exclusively for this class and current class text (will be kept in
class and accessible online). We do much writing both in and out of class. Students will lose
participation points for coming to class unprepared. Students will also need a flash drive for this
class; I suggest a 2 GB flash or at least that much dedicated space of a larger flash drive.
Donations: Items that are always needed and appreciated: tissues, hand sanitizer, lined index
cards (both sizes), lined writing paper, plain white cardstock paper, construction paper, pens,
pencils, colored pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, dry erase markers, Clorox wipes.
Electronic Device Policy: (Etowah High School Policy) Students are not allowed to have cell
phones at any time during school hours from 7:25 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. iPods are allowed during
lunch only. If students use a cell phone or if a cell phone makes any noise, lights up, etc., the
phone will be taken and given to an administrator along with a discipline referral. The following
disciplinary consequences will be followed:
1st offense- 1 day Saturday School assigned by appropriate administrator, phone is given back at
the end of the day.
2nd offense- 2 days- ISS and parent must pick up phone from appropriate administrator.
3rd offense- 3 days- ISS and parent must pick up phone from appropriate administrator.
4th offense- 5 days- ISS and parent must pick up phone from appropriate administrator.
5th offense- 9 days- Alternative School and parent must pick up phone from appropriate
administrator.
The reason for no cell phones/electronic devices during school hours include the following:
cheating on tests, disruptions to class, inappropriate downloaded pictures, violation of privacy of
other students if camera is used, inappropriate text messaging and phone calls to other students,
and disruption of school phone service in case of an emergency.
Student and Parent Acknowledgement Form
I have read the syllabus, and agree to adhere to all policies and procedures set forth
within it. I am aware of the consequences associated with breaking any of the policies
listed.
Student Signature _______________________________________ Date ___________
Parent Name Printed______________________________________________________
Parent Signature ________________________________________ Date ___________
Parent Email Address _____________________________________________________
Parent Phone Number (Best No. to reach you during the school day) _______________