1
10th Grade Literature and Composition
Instructor: Mrs. Errica Cooper
Spring 2010
errica.cooper@cowetaschools.net
I.
Objectives- This course is designed for those students who are obtaining a high school diploma with a college
preparatory and/or a vocational endorsement. The purpose of this course is to study a wide variety of literature including: the
short story, poetry, the novel, non-fiction, drama, and legends. You will also learn writing techniques, research skills, and the
rules of proper grammar usage.
II.
Methods of Instruction- Our class will include discussion, lecture, research, group work and presentations. We will
explore the many aspects of literature through fiction, non-fiction, poetry, media, art, drama, the novel and speech. All activities
will adhere to the Georgia Performance Standards for this level.
III.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Required Texts
Glencoe Literature-10th Grade Literature (provided) Replacement cost: $50.00
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
*These books are available in the media center, but it is preferable for each student to own their
own copy. Books can be purchased at Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Scott’s Bookstore,
Hastings, and sometimes even Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger or Publix.
** It is novel availability and at the teacher’s discretion to choose which novels from the
designated list will be studied; therefore, the novels actually selected may vary.
IV.
VI.
Course Materials
a.
Loose-leaf, College Ruled Paper
b.
No. 2 Pencils
c.
Blue or Black ink pens
d.
3 ring, hardcover binder (1 inch)
e.
Notebook dividers (Label Examples: Daily
Bell-Work, DGP, Vocabulary, Grammar, Writing,
Literature)
f.
a couple of soft cover binders with bracket
tabs for projects.
g.
Optional: Highlighters, novel tabs (thin
sticky notes)
V.
Grading Scale
A
B
C
D
F
100-90%
89-80%
79-71%
70%
69% and below
Point Distribution
1st Nine Weeks
%
Participation
Vocabulary (Includes vocabulary assignments and quizzes)
Daily Grades (Includes homework, class work, quizzes, etc.)
Compositions
Major Unit Tests/Projects
Midterm Exam
5%
10%
25%
20%
30%
10%
2nd Nine Weeks
Participation
Vocabulary
Daily Grades
Compositions
Unit Tests*/Projects
Final Exam
*Research paper counts as two unit test grades during the 4th nine weeks.
END OF COURSE TEST: This course does not currently have an End-of-Course Test.
Note: Students will be made aware of any changes to the syllabus as needed.
%
5%
10%
25%
20%
30%
10%
2
10th Lit/Comp Calendar
Mrs. Cooper
Please note that the following is a tentative schedule and variations of literature selected and time frames may change as
necessary.
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Unit
The Short Story
DGP Week 1
Parts of Speech
Week
10
The Short Story
DGP Week 2
Parts of Speech
Unit Test
Antigone and Greek Drama
DGP Week 3
Parts of a Sentence
Unit Test
Julius Caesar and Shakespearean Drama
DGP Week 4
Phrases
11
Julius Caesar and Shakespearean Drama
DGP Week 5
Clauses
Julius Caesar and Shakespearean Drama
DGP Week 6
Clauses and Sentence Types
Unit Test
Animal Farm - Novel Study
DGP Week 7
Diagramming
Animal Farm - Novel Study
DGP Week 8
Diagramming
14
Wrap-up and Review
Midterm Exams
18
12
13
15
16
17
Unit
Epics, Legends, and Archetypes
DGP Week 10
Verb Tense
Unit Test
Things Fall Apart – Novel Study
DGP Week 11
Subject-Verb Agreement
Things Fall Apart – Novel Study
DGP Week 12
Using Pronouns Correctly
Unit Test
Writing Focus – The GHWGT
DGP Week 13
Usage Glossary
Unit Test
Research
DGP Week 14
Capitalization
Research
DGP Week 15
Punctuation
Unit Test
Poetry
DGP Week 16
Punctuation
Poetry
Punctuation
DGP Week 17
Unit Test
Wrap-up and Review
Final Exams
Classroom Rules: I expect a respectful learning environment.
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As you arrive to the classroom, come in quietly. Find your seat. Go ahead and sharpen your pencil, if needed.
Take out your necessary materials – pen/pencil/paper, etc.
Be in your assigned seat by the final bell or you will be marked tardy. On the first tardy a warning is issued.
After the second, a verbal warning AND a letter will be sent home. Upon the third tardy, a phone call will be
made to your parents. Finally, on the fourth and consecutive tardies, a disciplinary referral will be written.
Once the final bell has rung, ALL TALKING ceases. You will begin your bell work which will always be
either on the board, on the overhead, or as a handout on your desk. (The bell work may be in the form of a ½
page response journal, a grammar worksheet, sustained silent reading, etc.) You will have approximately 5-8
minutes to complete the bell work. (SSR time will vary.)
Come to class prepared with homework, a pen/pencil/paper and textbook, novel, and/or other assigned
reading material. You will not be allowed to go to your locker for these materials.
Do not talk while I am talking. Raise your hand if you have a question or a relevant comment as blurting out
will incur the ladder of consequences.
Do not interrupt instruction to ask about work that you have missed or your grade. Please ask about
missed work, your grade, or other similar issues before/after class or before/after school.
Unless otherwise directed, please stay in your seat while class is in session. This means I expect you to
sharpen your pencils before class begins and or at the latest during bell work. Throw trash away at the end of
the period. (If you feel something requires you to leave your seat, please raise your hand for permission.)
Restroom Use: You are expected to use class change time and lunch to go to the bathroom. Please limit
bathroom passes to emergencies only. Do NOT ask to go to the bathroom during the first/last 10 minutes of
class. DO NOT interrupt class to ask permission – such as when I am lecturing. Only one person out of the
room at any time. (A limited number of passes may be issued if there is an abuse of this privilege.)
Do not bother things on my desk or go behind my desk without permission; it is off limits.
Do not go to sleep in class as this will incur the ladder of consequences.
Do NOT use a cell phone or personal listening device for any reason during class or I will have to take it
up and hand it over to an administrator. If you refuse to hand it over, a referral for defiance will be written.
No food or drinks other than bottled water are allowed.
Furthermore, all ECHS policies apply in this class. Please refer to your student handbook for any questions. In the
case that I find your behavior disrespectful or if you are in violation of any of the school rules, the following
disciplinary consequences apply:
 First Offense: Warning
 Second Offense: Conference with teacher plus parent contact
 Third Offense: ICT (In-Class Timeout) The student will be assigned to a designated seat in the classroom.
(This consequence may be eliminated at the teacher’s discretion.)
 Fourth Offense: Along with parental contact, after school detention will be given on a date determined by me
from 3:30 to 4:00 P.M. (The date is usually on the following Monday – unless I have a meeting scheduled.)
 Fifth Offense: The fifth violation will result in an office referral. An administrator will then handle the
disciplinary process, which may result in in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension based on ECHS’s
discipline guidelines.
 Certain offenses may result in an immediate office referral such as but not limited to the following:
Profanity
Racial slurs
Sexual harassment
Direct refusal of a teacher request
Failure to serve teacher detention
Extreme disrespect to teacher
Academic Policies/Classroom Procedures:
 Late Work: Late homework assignments WILL NOT be accepted. All other work, such as projects or
major writing assignments will be reduced by 10 points off each day it is tardy up to a maximum of 3 days/30
points off. If you are in school at any point on the day an assignment is due but do not turn it in, you will
receive the late deduction. After three days, I will no longer accept late work, and the assignment receives a
zero. (By the way, the weekend counts.) Students must initiate the turning in of all late work . A broken
printer or no ink cartridge is NOT an acceptable excuse. You can always use email to send me your work. If
you have legitimate printer/computer issues, handwrite it. However, I will only accept a handwritten paper if
you: skip lines, write on the front side only, use black or blue ink (no pencil!), and write legibly. If I can’t read
it, I can’t grade it.
 Make-Up Work: You must make arrangements within three days of the absence to make up any work or you
will receive a zero. When you are out, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed before or after
school or before or after class and to make an appointment for any necessary make-up work if necessary.
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Under no circumstances should you interrupt class to ask what you have missed!
Honor Code: Any student caught cheating will be given a zero for the assignment or evaluation in question.
Plagiarism is considered cheating and plagiarizing will result in a zero for the assignment. Plagiarism is defined
as the use of another’s words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they are entirely one’s own. Acts
of plagiarism include but are not limited to using words or ideas from a published source without proper
documentation; using the work of another student (e.g., copying another student’s homework, composition or
project).
Additional Help: Please feel free to speak with me about any problems you are having either before or after
school or before or after class. My office hours are Mondays 3:30 – 4:30 and Thursdays 3:30 – 4:00. During
office hours, make-up work and tutoring may be scheduled. However, please sign the appointment sheet as
early as possible in case I have any meetings. Thank you.
Mrs. Cooper
770.254.2850 ext. 424
errica.cooper@cowetaschools.net
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Welcome to the fall semester at East Coweta High School. I am looking forward to a very engaging and
enlightening semester, not only for your son/daughter, but also as a parent-student-teacher team. I believe in strong
relationships involving all participants in your student’s learning. Please feel free to call or email if you have any
questions or concerns regarding your student’s role or progress in English II. I respond quickly to emails and will
respond to telephone/voicemail as soon as possible.
After reading the course syllabus please sign below indicating that you have read the course syllabus for English II.
As far as our classroom is concerned, we will be studying various elements of English including grammar,
vocabulary, reading, and writing. We will experience a variety of writing styles, genres, authors, and perspectives
throughout the semester. All assignments are aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards, ensuring opportunity
for your student to succeed.
Please sign below indicating that you have read Mrs. Cooper’s English course syllabus above for English II and
acknowledge and agree to the policies and structure for the course.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Detach and Return
I have read, understood, and agree with the syllabus and classroom guidelines/rules.
Student’s name (print): _____________________________________________
Date ______________
Student’s Signature:
__________________________________________________________________
I have read, understood, and agree with the syllabus, academic policies, and classroom
guidelines/rules.
Parent’s name (print): ___________________________________________________
Parent’s signature: __________________________________Date_________________
Parent’s email: _____________________ Parent’s email ____________________
Parent’s Phone__________________________ Parent’s Phone_____________________