English II Honors: Power and the Individual Struggle
Objectives:
This class revolves around literature read and explored regarding how individuals interact
with the societies they inhabit. With this theme in mind, topics include home, goals,
cultural conflict, war, and various cultural, social, and personal worlds with literature.
Students will expand their knowledge of literary elements to include point of view and
figurative language. Responses to literature will include analysis as well as literary
comprehension. Instruction will also focus on refining the five-paragraph essay and using
writing to persuade and inform an audience.
Peak to Peak English Department Benchmarks:
1. Read and understand a variety of materials.
2. Write and speak for a variety of purposes and audiences.
3. Write and speak using conventional grammar, usage, sentence structure,
punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.
4. Apply thinking skills to reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing.
5. Read to locate, select, and make use of relevant information from a variety of
media, reference, and technological sources.
6. Read and recognize literature as a record of human experience.
Texts/Units: Character Traits referenced:
Note: This does not indicate the sequence of study.
Summer Reading:
Out of the Dust, Karen Hesse
The Giver, L. Lowry
Jane Yolen Short Stories / creation of children’s stories
Teamwork, service
Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card:
Character traits: Courage, responsibility, kindness
The Autobiography of Rosa Parks, Rosa Parks and James Haskins
Civil Rights Movement
Character traits: service, respect
Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare
Character traits: self-control, honesty
Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck
Character traits: friendship, sacrifice
Parallel Journeys, Eleanor Ayers
Character traits: integrity, tolerance, difficult choices
The Miracle Worker, William Gibson
Character traits: teamwork, perseverance
Additional Articles
Peak to Peak Writer’s Handbook
Literary texts at Peak to Peak are chosen primarily for their literary and thematic merits,
their importance in a spiraled AP curriculum, and their ability to support Peak to Peak’s
character education component. For more information, please see the section on English
Department texts at www.peaktopeak.org.
Please note:
Honors students will be required to read an additional non-fiction or novel, one per
semester. These will fit into one of the character traits evident in the novels we are
studying each semester during the 08-09 school year.
Expectations / Rules:
I expect you will:
1. Work your hardest to carry out the work for this class to the best of your
ability.
2. Ask and pursue your own questions.
3. Ask for what you need.
4. Be on time. Each third tardy will result in a referral to the Dean.
5. Be an active participant.
6. Be prepared for each class period with class materials, homework and texts.
7. Talk to me if you have frustrations and concerns.
8. Be honest in your academic pursuits.
9. Be respectful of everyone in the classroom. NO racist, sexist, or prejudiced
comments will be tolerated.
10. Attend mandatory office hours if your grade is below a B at any point during
the year.
11. Adhere to the rules of the Peak to Peak Parent / Student Handbook.
Daily Supplies:
1. standard notebook paper
2. a composition notebook, large, to be left in class for anti-sets and notes.
3. a blue or black pen
4. a sharp pencil with an eraser
5. P2P Writer’s Handbook
6. Texts and/or work needed for class
7. A folder to keep notes from lessons and work in progress
Evaluation:
Student grades will be based on the following
Tests/ Quizzes
Writing Workshops Assignments
Portfolios
Reader Response Questions (one page response per reading assignment)
Free Writes/Anticipatory sets (completed in class)
Library/ Internet assignments
Oral presentations
Group projects
Socratic seminars/ Discussion
Formal Writing Assignments/ Essays
Teaching Strategies Implemented:
Teacher directed discussions
Cooperative learning activities
Peer conferencing
Teacher/ student conferencing
Role playing
Socratic Seminars
Late Work:
Coming to class prepared is vital to the learning process, as our in-class activities and discussions
depend on each student’s involvement and participation. Late daily homework assignments will
receive a maximum of 50% credit except in the case of an excused absence (see below). A blank
in the grade book means the assignment has not yet been graded. An “M” in the gradebook
means the assignment is missing/overdue and calculates as a zero in the gradebook. Any work
not turned in on time will receive an “M” until the assignment is made up. A missing test, paper,
or project (assessment) will result in office hours until that work is turned in.
Each student will be allowed one late daily assignment per quarter, no questions asked – simply
fill out a late slip (located in a folder on the front of my desk) and staple it to your assignment
when you turn it in. This late slip does not apply to an assessment.
Tardiness:
Tardiness is unacceptable—it disrupts the classroom environment and prevents students from
acquiring and mastering important material. Students arriving late to class must sign in to the
binder located at the front of the classroom or present a note excusing the tardy. Four tardies (and
beyond) will result in a referral to the discipline committee for further action.
Absences:
Students who are excused from class may have two calendar (school) days per absence to turn in
late work. Whenever possible, schedule doctor’s appointments, family vacations, etc. for times
that do not conflict with school hours. It is crucial for students to be in class each day, and it can
be difficult to make up for in-class work and discussions that are missed. Contact the teacher in
advance for pre-planned absences. Consult the “what did I miss?” folders upon returning to class
to retrieve any missed assignments, etc.
Grading:
Daily homework and classwork (including participation) make up 30% of the semester grade.
Projects, culminating assessments, and quizzes make up 70% of the overall grade. The
percentages then translate into letter grades on report cards. Final grades are given at the end of
each semester and determine credit for the course. Semesters are not averaged together and the
grade book is cleared at the beginning of the second semester.
Extra Help and Extra Challenge:
Students are welcome to meet with me at any time to ask questions, discuss classwork in more
detail, or seek opportunities for enrichment. This may be done during my office hours or by
appointment. A new tutoring center will also be available this year – please see me if you’d like
help setting up an appointment or signing up to become a tutor. Successful students are also
those who take an active role in their own education!
Other Important Information:
If a parent or guardian needs to get in touch with me, it is best to send me an email. I will get
back to you within 24-48 hours. Please see the last page of the syllabus for my email and voice
mail extension.
If you notice a “Y” or a “N” under your child’s grade for specific assignments, this indicates he
or she has turned in the assignment (Y) or has not (N). I update Infinite Campus with current
grades every two weeks. If you have a specific concern, please do not hesitate to get in touch with
me.
Parent/ Guardian Responsibilities:
Peak to Peak is an academically rigorous school. For students to do well, they need the
loving help and the active support of the adults in their homes. When parents/ guardians,
students and teachers, work as a team, student performance improves dramatically. To
help ensure student success, parents/ guardians are expected to take responsibility for the
following items:
1. Make sure your child gets to school on time in the mornings.
2. Schedule doctors’ appointments and family vacations outside of school hours.
3. Check the online homework page every week and help your child prioritize his or
her workload.
4. Help your child use his or her planner to stay organized.
5. Check online grades every two weeks and talk with your child about his or her
progress.
6. Note any missing assignments and help students create a plan for turning in late
work.
7. Communicate with teachers via phone or email regarding any questions you have.
8. Let teachers know of any special circumstances that may inhibit your child’s
progress at school.
9. Attend Back-To-School Night
10. Attend parent/ teacher conferences
Teacher Information:
Name: Ms. Monika Bunting
Email: monika.bunting@bvsd.org
School phone: 303-453-4729 ext 4725
Office hours: Mondays 3:10-4:05 or by appointment. Due to teacher responsibilities
within the school, office hours may change. Please note that at least one hour will be
scheduled for office hours every week. Please check the homework page for any
changes.
Room: North 195