Piscataway Township High School
Course Syllabus
Course Title: English IV Honors
Textbooks:
Short Fiction, an Introduction
Poetry, an Introduction
The Short Prose Reader, World Literature
Variety of novels and nonfiction
Required and Supplemental Texts:
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Teachers/Email:
Mrs. Jessica Loux
jloux@pway.org
Teacher-student-parent conferences are scheduled by appointment only.
Course Description: English IV Honors is five-credit course with a college-like approach. Students
will read, analyze, respond to and discuss various pieces of literature in a thematic approach.
Students will be expected to be independent learners and thinkers as the course will run similarly to a
freshman college English course.
Materials Needed
3 Ring Binder
Pens/Pencils/Hi-Liters
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Course Schedule: Scope
and Sequence
Approximate Time
Frame
Marking Period 1 –
Sept. to Nov.
Semester 1
Origins and Identity
Marking Period 2 –
Nov. to Jan.
Semester 1
Family and Community
Marking Period 3 – Jan.
to Mar.
Semester 2
Identity
Marking Period 4 –
April to June
Journey
Senior Independent
Study
Topics/Skills/Areas of the World
Topic/Titles:
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Oedipus Rex
“The Wolf and the Mastiff,” “The Widow of Ephesus,” “The Prodigal Son,”
“Young Goodman Brown,” “Rape Fantasies,” “My Last Duchess,” “A Poison
Tree,” “The Man He Killed,” “To me he seems like a god”
Skills:
Standard English conventions, author’s style, close reading, interpretation of
text, definition of tragedy, author’s purpose, analysis of poetic devices and
techniques, critical reading, critical thinking, literary analysis, college essay
writing, narrative and expository writing, application of MLA formatting,
Socratic Seminars
Topic/titles:
Hamlet
Death of a Salesman
The Kite Runner
A Doll’s House
Ray Carver short stories, “A Good Man is Hard To Find,” “I Stand here
ironing,” “Everyday Use”
Independent reading- Community unit project
Skills:
Standard English conventions, descriptive writing, persuasive writing, critical
thinking, literary analysis, application of MLA formatting, Socratic Seminars
Topics/Titles:
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Song of Solomon
The Stranger
“The Astronomer’s Wife,” “Shiloh,” “The Horse’s Dealer’s Daughter,”
“Eleven,” “Barbie,” “Battle Royal,” “Girl,” “The Yellow Wallpaper”
Who am I? unit project
Skills:
Standard English conventions, literary devices, theme, textuality,
intertextuality, comparison and contrast, imitation of author’s style, critical
reading, critical thinking, literary analysis, narrative and expository writing,
application of MLA formatting, Socratic Seminars, Literature Circles
Topics/Titles:
Ceremony
Stiff
The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Nighttime
A Lesson Before Dying
Other approved selections.
Independent novels/research project
Skills:
standard English conventions, research skills, MLA format, independent thesis,
oral delivery skills, personal reflection, Literature Circles
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Marking Period Assessments
A variety of the following topics will be used to assess understanding of novels, drama, short
stories throughout the year:
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Parent (or parental figure) conflict with son or daughter
The function of a character who acts as confidant or confidante
Significance of a minor character to the work as a whole
Failure of a character to live up to an ideal
The function of the opening scene of a novel, play, short story
Contrasting places to represent opposing forces or ideas
The significance of parallel or recurring events
The nature of a character’s villainy
How a scene of violence contributes to the meaning of the work
A character who confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his or her
responsibilities
The conflict created when the will of an individual opposes the will of the majority
The moral, physical, or psychological danger a character faces
Character’s illusion and how it differs from the reality presented in the play, novel, or short story
The function of the opening scene of a drama, novel, or short story
How the alienation of one character highlights society’s morals or values
Significance of a character who appears briefly, or does not appear at all
The extent to which a character is “good” or “bad”
Poetry
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Characterize the speaker of the poem by considering not only what the speaker says but also the
manner in which it is said
Explicate the opening lines of a poem and explain the significance of the lines in the context of the
poem as a whole.
Explain the significance of two or more key lines and their relationship to one another
Read five poems by the same author and discuss the features they have in common
Analyze a single poem as representative of the poet’s work
Examine the denotations and connotations of the words and how they contribute to an understanding
of the poem
Discuss the imagery and how it contributes to the tone, feeling, and/or meaning
Identify the figurative language and explain how each figure functions in the poem
Identify the structure of the poem and explain the relationships between the parts
Discuss the values exemplified in one or more poems
Evaluate two poems in terms of what they have in common and how they differ
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Mrs. Loux’s “Pet-Peeves” & Procedures
1. RESPECT: Respect yourself, your classmates, your teachers, and the classroom at all
times.
2. A DUE DATE IS A DUE DATE: I do not accept late homework assignments under
any circumstances. 25 points will be deducted each day for a project or essay that is
late. All work must be submitted directly to me. I do not accept work emailed and I will
not print out work the day an assignment is due.
3. CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM: Its simple—don’t do it! There is a zero tolerance
policy for cheating. If you cheat, you will receive a zero without having the opportunity
to finish/make up the assignment.
4. LATENESS TO CLASS: You are required to be in your seat working when the bell
rings. Six lates to class will result in failure for the marking period.
5. BE PREPARED: You must bring your English binder, a pen or pencil, and homework to
class everyday! Being prepared also means participating in class.
6. ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY
Grading Policy
Writing Assignments (revised)
Projects/Tests
Classwork/Quizzes
Homework
40%
30%
20%
10%
Class Website
I have created a website that will enable you to download the homework, class notes, Powerpoint
slides, and handouts given in class. Go to http://mrsloux.wordpress.com and click on “Period 9
& 10” on the top of the page. I have provided you with helpful web resources that may be useful
throughout the school year. Monthly calendars will appear on the website, as well as, homework
reminders. Attached to the website you will also find a link to Mrs. Loux’s English Class on
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mrs-Louxs-English-Class/430290250356568). The
Facebook page will be used as an additional resource for you to post homework and
communicate with your peers about our assignments in class. Lastly you will find a link to a
Blog on the website. From time to time you will be required to comment on one of my blog
posts or create a post on your own for your classmates and peers.
Please use and take advantage of the resources on my class website! If there is anything
additional you would like me to add or change, please feel free to let me know, as I am always
looking for ways to improve it for your needs. You can also access our class site by going to
http://www.piscatawayschools.org/phs/site/default.asp and clicking on “staff websites”. Search
for “Jessica Loux” and click on the appropriate link.
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Absence from Class
If you miss work due to absence, you have the number of days you were absent to make up that
work. It is your responsibility to keep track of missed work and to schedule a make up time (if
necessary) in a timely fashion. Failure to do so will result in a zero for missing assignments.
Keep in mind major assignments are due on the assigned dates even if you are not in school
that day.
Plagiarism or Intellectual Theft
"The unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another and the
representation of them as one's own original work."
Plagiarism is a serious offense and will not be tolerated in any form. Any student who is caught
plagiarizing will receive a zero on the assignment without having the opportunity to make it up
and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Unless otherwise stated, homework is not a
group activity. If your homework is identical to another student's, all parties will receive a zero.
You are all smart and are fully capable of doing your own work and coming up with your
own ideas!
Extra Credit
From time to time, I will offer extra credit opportunities. However, these assignments will be
open to the entire class. No student will be offered individual extra credit!
Other Details
Please note that this syllabus is subject to change over the course of the year. Cell phones must
not be visible and text messaging is strictly prohibited! Do not hesitate to ask questions or
share your personal experiences. I want to make this class as comfortable as possible.
One final thought—English IV is a requirement for YOU in order to graduate high school. I
expect you to come to class, participate, and complete your work everyday until June 20 th. It is
my job to prepare you for college in the fall. Don’t let “senioritus” get the best of your
educational experience at Piscataway High School. Remember, colleges can pull your
transcripts at any time, even after you have been accepted.I am looking forward to having a
positive and exciting year in English IV!
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STUDENT CONTRACT
I, ____________________________________________, have read the course syllabus
and understand what is required of me in English 1V Honors, for the 2012-2013 school year. I
am aware that the completetion of this course is necessary for my graduation in June and that I
will be expected to perform at a well above average level in reading and writing to meet more
rigorous academic classroom requirements. I am also aware of both the grading policy, as well
as, the late policy. I understand that no assignments will be accepted late, cell phones and text
messaging are strictly prohibited, and all school rules apply. I am familiar with Piscataway’s
zero tolerance policy for cheating/plagiarism and the consequences if I do cheat.
I fully
understand all of the classroom procedures and know that extra help is available to me both
before and after school by appointment. I understand that if I break any of these rules or
procedures, appropriate action will be enforced including: teacher detention, phone calls to
parents, referrals, suspension, or failure for the marking period.
___________________________________________
___________________
(Student Signature)
(Date)
___________________________________________
___________________
(Parent/Guardian Signature)
(Date)
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