English 113 Syllabus
Ms. Blumenthal (Ms. B.)
Course texts
First semester: The personal journey
♦ Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
♦ Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths by Bernard Evslin (Greek Mythology unit)
♦ Antigone by Sophocles
♦ The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
Second semester: Finding ways to express ourselves
♦ Langston Hughes poetry unit
♦ Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
♦ Lord of the Flies by William Golding
♦ The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
♦ Short stories, essays, poems, and various non-print texts will be woven throughout the
curriculum to help expand on themes identified in the texts listed above.
♦ Note: Independent readings will also be required
Essential Questions
♦ What is human nature?
♦ How and when does a person reach maturity?
♦ How can people learn to view everything in life as a process?
Materials
♦ Bring a notebook (for writing prompts and note taking) every day.
♦ Bring a binder or folder (for handouts) every day.
Grading Criteria
Classwork and Participation: 30% (based on +/- system)
Homework: 30%
Projects/Writing Assignments/Quizzes/Tests: 40%
Academic consequences will be given for unexcused absences.
Class Policies on Back
Ms. Blumenthal’s Class Policies
♦ LATE WORK
All work must be turned in on time. On time means at the beginning of class, so don’t ask me if
you can go print out your homework in the learning center! If any assignment is one day late, one
full letter grade (aka 10 points) will be deducted. I do not accept late work beyond one day
(except in the case of excused absence).
♦ PLAGIARISM
I have zero tolerance for plagiarism, and I hunt for it. If you commit plagiarism, you will receive
a zero on the assignment, a call home, and a conference with your housemaster—at the very least.
♦ ABSENCES (EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED)
If you are absent, you are responsible for the work you miss. Please talk to me and a classmate.
However, if your absence is unexcused, you will not be given any credit for the work you missed.
♦ LATENESS
If you are more than 2 minutes late to class without a pass, you will receive a minus. If you are
more than 15 minutes late without a pass, you will be marked unexcused. If you cannot get to our
class on time because of the location of your previous class, please discuss your schedule with
me.
♦ PARTICIPATION
Your participation grade will be based on a +/- system. A plus is given for behavior that
positively impacts our class time. (+ = 1 point added to your participation grade.) For example,
thought-provoking comments that elevate the class discussion are worthy of a plus. A minus is
given for behavior that negatively impacts our class time. (One minus = 1 point deducted from
your participation grade.) For example, a ringing cell phone that disrupts our class discussion is
worthy of a minus. Students begin each quarter with 80 participation points, which is generous! I
will add and subtract points from this baseline.
♦ MATERIALS
Bring your notebook and whatever book or text we are reading every day. You will get a minus
for being unprepared.
♦ NOTE TAKING
Develop the habit of taking notes in class. Your notes should not only come from what I write on
the board, but they should also reflect key aspects of our discussions.
♦ EXTRA CREDIT
There will be extra credit assignments—take advantage of these!
♦ CHAIN OF COMMUNICATION
The chain of communication should always begin with the student and teacher.
I am here for you. Come see me during a free block or after school if you have questions,
concerns, or if you would just like to talk. I can also be contacted by email:
Laura_Blumenthal@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Please remember that when I return work, grades and comments are private. Please do not
announce your grade or ask me questions about it in front of the class. I will only address
questions about a particular grade outside of class, at least 24 hours after the work was returned.