SE 1
Sophomore English L1
Ms. Jarvis
Email: djarvis@pelhamsd.org
Honors option is available for Level 1
Course Description
Students study grammar, composition, and literature. They apply grammar usage concepts in written and
oral assignments and learn to write a formal essay and a research paper. They read and analyze the novel,
poetry, and drama. They also do weekly vocabulary units. They learn study skill techniques for reading,
note taking, and test taking.
CCSS Course Competencies
The students in Sophomore English will have the opportunity to master the following competencies in
reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing.
Reading: (Poetry, Novel, Mythology)
1. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support an analysis of the text.
2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the
course of the text.
3. Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text.
4. Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text create effects such as
mystery, tension, or surprise.
5. Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature
from outside the United States.
6. Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums,
including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment.
7. Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work.
8. Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text.
9. Read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems independently and
proficiently.
Writing:
1. Write arguments to support claims using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient
evidence.
2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas clearly and accurately
through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique,
well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
4. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a
problem.
5. Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources to support
analysis, reflection, and research.
6. Produce clear and coherent writing appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
7. Use the recursive writing process to avoid plagiarism.
8. Use technology to produce, publish, and update individual writing.
9. Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes,
and audiences.
The mission of Pelham High School is to educate students so that they may pursue life goals,
participate fully as active citizens, and become socially responsible community members.
SE 2
Listening/Viewing/Speaking:
1. Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically.
2. Make strategic use of digital media in presentations to enhance understanding of findings,
reasoning, and evidence.
3. Demonstrate a command of formal English in speaking.
4. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions hearing others’
ideas and then expressing personal ideas clearly and persuasively.
5. Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media.
6. Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.
Language:
1. Use strategies to determine the meanings of words.
2. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in
word meanings.
3. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when
writing or speaking.
4. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling when writing.
5. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different
contexts.
6. Adhere to MLA guidelines.
School-Wide Expectations for Student Learning

Use effective reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing skills
Required Texts
Glencoe Literature: The Reader’s Choice
Warriner: Holt Handbook of Grammar- Fourth Course
Hodkinson: Wordly Wise 3000: Book 10
Selected Readings
World Mythology, Donna Rosenburg
The Odyssey, Homer
The Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare
Watership Down, Richard Adams
Selected myths and poetry
Units of Study
1. Watership Down and Mythology
Introduction to the course
Plagiarism and MLA format
Discussion and assessment of summer reading
Watership Down activities and assessments
Introduction to myths
The mission of Pelham High School is to educate students so that they may pursue life goals,
participate fully as active citizens, and become socially responsible community members.
SE 3
Myth Selections
Vocabulary Units: Wordly Wise 3000: Book 10,
Grammar/Mechanics: Chapter Three – Verbal Phrases, Chapter Four- Clauses
Mythology, grammar, and vocabulary assessments
Mythology presentations
2. The Odyssey and Poetry
Grammar/Mechanics: Chapter Six- Voice/Tense/Mood
Vocabulary Units: Wordly Wise 3000: Book 10
The Odyssey, grammar, and vocabulary assessments
The Odyssey writing project
Introduction to poetry
Literature: The Reader’s Choice
Poetry in music
Poetry recitation and writing
Poetry assessments
Poetry Contest
3. Shakespeare and Drama
Introduction to Shakespeare and drama
The Taming of the Shrew
Drama, grammar, and vocabulary assessments
Vocabulary Units: Wordly Wise 3000: Book 10
Grammar/Mechanics: Chapter Twelve – Semicolons/Colons, Chapter ThirteenItalics/Quotation Marks
4. Creative Writing Project - Ongoing
Writing activities and assessments
Vocabulary Units: Wordly Wise 3000: Book 10, Lessons 19-20
Grammar/Mechanics: Chapter Fourteen – Apostrophes, Chapter Fifteen- Hyphens, Dashes,
Parentheses, Brackets, Ellipsis Points
5. Review for Final – Last few days
Special Requirements or Expectations
 appropriate format for all written work
 attendance in class with necessary textbook, notebook, and supplies
 assignments and homework completed by due dates
 class work completed by the end of the class period
 student responsibility for make-up work; one day to make up for every day of excused absence
(homework, in class assignments, and tests)
 prompt arrival in class—seated and ready to begin
 adherence to all classroom rules
 rough draft and final copy of all written assignments
The mission of Pelham High School is to educate students so that they may pursue life goals,
participate fully as active citizens, and become socially responsible community members.
SE 4
Honors Option
An honors option is available in this class. During the first week of class, the teacher will explain the
requirements of the honors option.
Class Participation
All students are expected to participate daily in the class learning activities.
Homework
All students will have at least four nights of homework assigned in Sophomore English. Timely
completion of homework assignments will improve daily classroom performance, and lead to confidence
and understanding. Homework quizzes are given on a regular basis. Homework must be passed in on
time, and will not be accepted late.
Students are also required to keep a binder of work, assignments, and notes that can help them in review
for tests and finals – we will review sections and materials that should be in your binders in class.
Absence/Tardiness/Long Term Assignments
A student who has an authorized absence or tardy admittance will be allowed to make up work in this
class. It is the responsibility of the student to see that missed work is made up within a time equal to the
absence. On the day of return to class, each student must arrange make-up time with the teacher.
Previously assigned student work such as exams, projects, papers, and presentations are due on the day
the student returns from an absence. The student must show an authorized pass on the day of return to
class. Make-up work will not be allowed for an unauthorized absence/tardy. Skipping class and
suspensions from school are unauthorized with no make-up privileges. All long-range assignments are
due on or before designated deadline date. Students will be assisted with completion benchmarks along
the way. Technology issues will not be accepted as excuses for late papers. You may email me your
paper if necessary, but you should have a backup in case it does not send, etc.
Word Processing
Students are required to word-process or type all final drafts of composition work for this class.
Googledocs are another preferred option and are more useful for working on items between home and
school. Students who do not have access to a word processor, computer, or typewriter may submit their
finished rough drafts to the Keyboarding class in the Business area. Students in those classes will type
papers and have them ready for the next day. They will process papers exactly as given to them by the
students; their only editing will be to spell-check the composition. Students are encouraged to allow
enough time to proofread the word-processed paper for corrections before the assigned due dates.
Turnitin.com
Turnitin.com is an academic plagiarism detector utilized by teachers and students to avoid plagiarism and
to ensure academic integrity. Students in this class will submit writing assignments through turnitin.com.
The teacher will assist students in creating an online account for this course so that they can submit
designated assignments for due dates. Final drafts of writing assignments must demonstrate an acceptable
level of authenticity.
Extra Help
Any student who needs extra help at any time during the semester should request an after school meeting
with the teacher. The student and teacher can plan a convenient time to meet for special assistance.
The mission of Pelham High School is to educate students so that they may pursue life goals,
participate fully as active citizens, and become socially responsible community members.
SE 5
Pelham High School Retake Policy
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Any student will have the opportunity for one retake (even if it is above a 75%) per
completed summative assessment regardless of the original grade.
For all retakes, the student will receive the higher of the two grades for grading purposes.
Students, parents or educators can initiate a retake for a student. Teachers may also require
retakes of any student when appropriate.
All students with a grade below 75% on a summative assessment, will be actively notified by
the teacher of the opportunity for a retake.
The petition for a re-assessment must be initiated within two school days after notification of
grades and work must be completed before the end of the tenth school day.
Student wishing to engage in a retake, must complete the required remediation steps
established by the teacher.
Additional retakes may be afforded the student, if feasible, until the 75% threshold has been
met.
The retake, when appropriate, need only reassess the knowledge and skills that the student
failed to master.
In some cases a re-assessment may not be feasible (group presentations, band concerts, final
exams, weekly spelling tests, etc.).
Privilege: Exemption from Final (Sophomores)
Underclassmen will be allowed to be exempt from final exams based on their grade in the course.
Sophomores need an average of 95% or above. Students who exceed three (3) absences will not be
eligible for exemption. Exemption from a final is at the discretion of the classroom teacher (Pelham High
School Student Handbook 43).
Required Supplies
-
A binder containing dividers
Paper for notes
A pen or pencil
Any book that we are currently reading
Assessment
*All assignments and assessments in this class are based on your competencies in reading, writing,
language, and speaking/listening/viewing.
25%
Reading (literature and research)
25%
Writing (MLA recursive writing process)
10%
Speaking/Listening/Viewing (oral presentations, viewing films, drama/poetry
readings, note taking, student-led discussions)
10%
Language (grammar and vocabulary)
10%
Formative Assessments (homework, classwork, class preparation)
The mission of Pelham High School is to educate students so that they may pursue life goals,
participate fully as active citizens, and become socially responsible community members.
SE 6
20%
Final Exam (all competencies)
Classroom Expectations
In this class, you are expected to:
1. be quiet and respectful when the teacher or another student is speaking. You will receive one
warning if I believe you are talking and disrupting the class. If you continue being disruptive, you will
receive a half hour detention. You are also expected to be quiet during quizzes and other activities that
require concentration. In order for this class to be successful, you need to follow directions at all times.
It is also important to be respectful to every student in this class.
2. be prepared for class every day. Limit your requests to leave this class for lavatory breaks. If you
have business with the office, guidance, etc., go before class and return with a note. I will not sign passes
other than from an agenda book, and only one student is allowed out of the classroom at a time.
Accumulation of three tardies will require 30 minutes of detention from me. After that, a regular PHS
detention will be assigned. Please come prepared with your binder, composition book, books, and
something to write with. Locker passes will not be given.
3. keep food, cell phones, mp3 players, and non-water beverages away during classtime except if
allowed by the teacher. If you are caught with any of these items, they will be immediately taken away.
You will receive a half hour detention for each additional time you are caught with these items.
The mission of Pelham High School is to educate students so that they may pursue life goals,
participate fully as active citizens, and become socially responsible community members.
SE 7
As you sign below, you have officially enrolled in Sophomore English. Ms Jarvis may be reached at
Pelham High School during the day at (603) 635-2115 or at Djarvis@pelhamsd.org
Name of Student _________________________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian_____________________________Date_______________
Signature of Student____________________________________Date_______________
The mission of Pelham High School is to educate students so that they may pursue life goals,
participate fully as active citizens, and become socially responsible community members.