Curtis High School 2015 – 2016
English 12 Syllabus
Course Description:
This course focuses on British literature. It examines the human experience through a study and
discussion of important historical and literary trends and themes from British authors. Close reading and
critical analysis of novels, poetry, and plays will be emphasized. Students are expected to read
independently and in-class, as well as participate intelligently in class discussions of literature and
themes. This course provides review, instruction and practice in academic essay writing (including
timed-essay writing and a spring research paper), language mechanics and literary terminology.
Grading:
Scale:
A
AB+
B
B-
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Assignment Weights:
93 – 100%
90 – 92%
87 – 89%
83 – 86%
80 – 82%
C+
C
CD
D
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=
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77 – 79%
73 – 76%
70 – 72%
67 – 69%
60 – 66%
50% Writing
30% Tests/Projects
10% Vocabulary
10% Class/Home work
Attendance:
 The English Department follows the attendance and tardy policies set forth in the Attendance &
Tardy Policy sections of CHS Handbook.
Assignments and Late Work:

The English Department does NOT accept late work.
o
Exception: Late Passes – Each student will be given three (3) late passes which can be used
to turn in major assignments up to two (2) school days late for full credit. These late passes
are the only exception to the late work policy that will be permitted. Parents will be
contacted when students fail to turn in major assignment.

Due dates for daily work – students with excused absences on due dates are expected to submit
assignments the day they return to class.

Tests/Quizzes – students with excused absences are expected to make up quiz/test upon return to
class. All quizzes/tests, however, MUST be made up within 1 week from the absence. It is the
students’ responsibility to make and schedule a time with their teachers.

For absences, students are strongly encouraged to email their English teachers to obtain daily
assignments.

If students are present during any part of the school-day, they are required to submit assignments
that are due for the day AND to check in with their English teachers to obtain daily
assignments.

Unexcused absences - no make up work will be accepted.
Curriculum:
The following is curriculum that is on-going throughout the year, regardless of particular unit of study:
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Vocabulary acquisition (within units)
Sustained Silent Reading (SSR)
Continued development of academic writing
Continued development of research skills
Sustained Silent Reading (SSR)
As part of the English department SSR program, you will be asked to choose books to read for
pleasure. The purpose of this program is to foster “independent, leisure reading” into students’ lives.
Research indicates that independent readers build background knowledge for a wide-array of
subjects, improve overall reading skills, develop a broader vocabulary, and make better writers.
Guidelines:
1. You are responsible for choosing your SSR book; it may be fiction or nonfiction as long as it is in the
form of a book – no magazines or periodicals. You may check out a book from the CHS library or
a public library, borrow one from family or friends, or buy a book from a book store. You may
even read a book on an approved e-reader. Most importantly, you should choose a book that
interests you and that you will want to read.
2. You are also responsible for bringing your SSR book to class EVERY DAY.
3. You will be given about 30 minutes of class time per week for SSR. Dates and times will be
determined by individual teachers.
4. In addition to the approximate 30 minutes per week, if any “downtime” may occur in class, you
will be expected to do SSR. This will be very rare, but you must have you book EVERY DAY.
Grading:
1. Students earn 20 points for reading your SSR book when assigned. Any off task behaviors during
SSR will forfeit points.
2. Extra Credit: After completing a book, students may complete and submit a book review. In
addition to a hard copy submitted to your teacher, it must be submitted to turnitin.com. Each
completed book review will earn up to 5 writing points (a maximum of 3 book reviews per
semester)
Semester 1 – Units
Semester 2 Units
Month
September
October –
November
December –
January
Units
Month
Units
Chivalry & Advance Writing
Canterbury Tales
January
“Rime of the Ancient
Mariner” - Poem
Macbeth – Play
February
Frankenstein – Novel
Neoclassicism
Non-Fiction Short Reads
March – May
May – June
Les Misérables – Novel
AND
Senior Research Paper
Pygmalion – Play
Academic Integrity:
Academic Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated!
This includes plagiarism, cheating, collusion, academic misconduct, distribution/sharing of class
assignments or test, unauthorized collaboration or technology/malpractice. See Student Handbook for
specific definitions of each of these.
 1st offense = zero (0) on the assignment, referral to an administrator and parent/guardian contact.
 2nd violation = zero (0) on assignment and/or loss of credit for the entire semester, IF the violation is
within the same course with within the same grading period as the first violation. Parent Contact.
 3rd violation = withdrawal from the class with failing grade, including reduction and possible
rearrangement of the student’s schedule and/or short-term suspension. Parent Contact.
Turnitin.com
All students will be required to submit an electronic copy of all take-home writing assignments to
turnitin.com. Turnitin.com is an online database that compares and calculates originality in written
work.