Mr. Robinson’s class
I hope that you have had a wonderful summer and are feeling refreshed and
ready to begin a new school year. Expect to be challenged. We have a great deal of
important material to cover, and your success in this class will require that you focus,
participate, complete all work on time, and bring a positive attitude each day. I am
delighted to have you in my class, and I look forward to the educational experience
we will share this semester.
If you have questions or need additional help, I will be glad to meet with you
before or after school. (Please notify me in advance when possible, in order to avoid
scheduling conflicts.) You and your parents are also welcome to call/email me at
home at any time. Good communication is the key to student success!
Mr. Justin Robinson
E-mail: jrobinson@cityschools.com
Blog site: http://blogit.cityschools.com/jrobinson
Materials required for this class: (please have these by tomorrow)
One three-ring binder with supply of lined notebook paper
4 tab dividers (for your binder) labeled:
Grammar
Vocabulary Literature
Writing
Composition Notebook (This is very IMPORTANT because this will
be your journal)
Black or blue pens ONLY ---no red/pink/orange pens!
Pencils with good erasers
(Computer flash drive/memory stick is helpful but not required)
*Your donation of a box of tissues for your classroom use would be
appreciated!!!
Grading Policy:
Tests, projects, and formal essays will count as 45% of your grade.
Quizzes will comprise 30% of your grade.
Homework will count as 15% of your grade.
Class work and participation will comprise 10% of your grade.
Course Syllabus: English 12 – Survey of British Literature
I.
II.
III.
IV.
The Old English and Medieval Periods (A.D. 449-1485)
A. Introduction
B. “The Seafarer”
C. “The Wanderer”
D. “The Wife’s Lament”
E. Beowulf
F. “Chaucer’s Guided Tour of Medieval Life and Literature”
G. Canterbury Tales, by Chaucer
1. “Prologue”
2. “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale”
3. “The Pardoner’s Tale”
H. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”
I. Morte d’Arthur
J. Ballads
1. “Lord Randall”
2. “Get Up and Bar the Door”
3. “Barbara Allan”
The English Renaissance Period (1485-1625)
A. Introduction
B. Sonnets
C. Utopia, by Sir Thomas More
D. “Speech Before Her Troops”, by Queen Elizabeth I
E. “A Man for All Seasons,” screenplay by Robert Bolt
F. Shakespeare and Elizabethan Theater
G. Macbeth, dramatic tragedy by William Shakespeare
th
The 17 and 18th Centuries (1625-1798)
A. Introduction
B. “On My First Son,” by Ben Jonson
C. “To His Coy Mistress,” by Andrew Marvell
D. “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time,” by Robert Herrick
E. Screenplay – “Cromwell, the Movie,” by Ken Hughes
F. The Diary, by Samuel Pepys
G. A Journal of the Plague Year, by Daniel Defoe
H. “An Essay on Man,” by Alexander Pope
The Romantic Period (1798-1832)
A. Introduction
B. Blake
C. Mary Shelley
D. Percy Shelley
E. Wordsworth
F. Coleridge
G. Lord Byron
H. Keats
I. Jane Austen
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
The Victorian Period (1833-1901)
A. Introduction
B. Tennyson
C. Dickens
D. Bronte
E. Hardy
F. Kipling
The Modern and Postmodern Periods
A. Introduction
B. Poetry
1. Yeats
2. T.S. Eliot
3. Dylan Thomas
C. Short Stories
1. “The Demon Lover,” by Elizabeth Bowen
2. “The Rocking-Horse Winner,” by D.H. Lawrence
3. “The Red-Headed League,” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
4. “The Monkey’s Paw,” by W.W. Jacobs
5. “The Witness for the Prosecution,” by Agatha Christie
Novels/Autobiographies
A. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells
B. The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
C. Cold Sassy Tree, by Olive Ann Burns
D. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
E. Long Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela
Grammar
A. Homonyms
B. Parts of speech
C. Complements
D. Phrases/clauses
E. Sentences/structure
F. Punctuation
Writing Assignments
A. Research paper
B. Essays
C. Personal Narrative
Vocabulary
A. Literary, poetic, and dramatic terms
B. Weekly vocabulary units: definitions/synonyms/antonyms
Mr. Robinson’s Classroom Expectations
1. Behavior:
You are expected to treat yourself, your classmates, and your teacher with respect at all
times. We will go into greater depth about this expectation on the first day of class.
2. Preparation:
Come to class prepared with all required books, homework, and supplies.
Homework is due at the start of class. You will not be excused to go to your locker to get it.
Late homework will receive partial credit only if we have not already covered the material in
class. Not having required books/materials obviously affects your grade.
All handouts/homework/quizzes/notes must be kept in your English binder and brought
to class each day. Since tests and exams will be based on these materials, good
organization is the key to success.
Formal projects/essay grades will be lowered a full letter grade for each day they are late
and may not be accepted more than one week late.
At the beginning of class, please come in and complete the “Do Now” activity. If
there is no activity, then please read or do something quietly. When the bell rings,
all students should be in their seats and sitting quietly.
3. Class Rules
Raise your hand and wait to be recognized during class discussion or when you have
a question. Do not blurt!
We will make frequent use of class and small group discussions. Your input is valued,
and your enthusiastic participation is an important part of the learning process and of
your class-work grade. However, blurting out answers is disruptive and deprives others
of an equal opportunity to contribute to discussions. It is impossible to benefit from
anyone’s insights when several students are speaking at once.
Avoid private conversations and other disruptive behaviors during instruction.
Every student deserves and will have a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning. If
you are talking or creating distractions while I am teaching, we have a class problem
which will
affect your learning, as well as the learning of those around you. After several warnings,
I will contact your parents for assistance. I do not expect to have to take action beyond
this. However, the next steps would obviously be teacher-assigned detention or an
administrative disciplinary referral. Serious disruptions, use of abusive language, and
other behaviors may result in immediate administrative disciplinary referral.
**The following will be promptly confiscated:
Any cell phone or iPod seen or ringing in the classroom. (**Read school policy)
Any homework being done during class (without permission) or for another class.
Any make-up, skin lotions, etc. being applied in class.
Remember that desks, computers, and property of the school, teachers and
classmates are off-limits unless you have been given permission.
Respect the rights and property of others. Our computers are valuable instructional
resources. Any alteration of computer settings, deletion of files or programs, or
accessing/tampering with the work of a teacher or another student will result in a D.R.
Using the internet for non-instructional purposes is a violation of school usage policy.
Cheating and plagiarism are serious infractions of the Honor Code!
All students are expected to shield their work during tests/quizzes. Any talking or
interaction with classmates during these times, or any attempt to look at the work of
another student, will result in a grade of zero on that work. A zero will also be given to
any student providing answers or test questions to another student. Violations will be
reported to parents and the administration, as per school policy. The same rules apply
to the completion of homework assignments.
Plagiarism is also a form of cheating and will receive a zero
**Be aware that cheating, plagiarism, and even sharing/copying of homework can preclude
you
from consideration for the National Honor Society, as well as result in your dismissal if you
are already a member. Demonstrate integrity in your work at all times.
No eating in this classroom.
The only exception is for class parties or special treats arranged by the teacher. Drinks
are
permitted only as long as they are in sealable plastic bottles or metal thermoses. No
glass,
and no fast-food/restaurant drink cups.
When you return from an absence--It is your responsibility to immediately see me about making up any missed work,
quizzes,
or tests. **Note: You have one day to make up missed work for each day of
absence. Plan to take your missed test or quiz before or after school on the day you
come back, as make-ups will not usually be taken during class time. As all quizzes/ tests
are
announced several days in advance, and I have a homework hotline which absent students
should regularly check, lack of awareness or preparedness is not an acceptable excuse.
As I cannot take class instructional time to talk with individuals about missed work,
please see me before school, come to class early, or arrange to stay after school so that I
may assist you properly. Do not wait until class starts to ask, “What did I miss?” Find a
responsible classmate who will let you copy his/her class notes when you have been
absent.
**Be aware of the REVISED school policy regarding the consequences of absences
from class or school. Always bring an excuse note, signed by your parent, to the
attendance office upon your return from any absence, even if you only missed a portion
of a day. “Attendance-Failure” and assignment to Saturday School will now be
handled directly by the administration.
I wish all students and parents to understand that this letter is being written to clarify and
ensure uniform understanding of our school/classroom policies and violation
consequences. These policies are established solely in an effort to encourage responsible,
appropriate behavior on the part of all students; to maximize valuable instructional time;
and to promote an optimal, distraction-free learning environment for every student.
Mr. Justin Robinson
***To acknowledge that these class rules have been received and read by both the
student and his/her parent, both parties should sign, detach, and return the slip
below by tomorrow.
Sign and return to Mr. Justin Robinson, English Department
In signing this form, we acknowledge receipt of the written Classroom Expectations for
Mr. Robinson’s English classes. We have read and understand these expectations,
procedures, and consequences.
Student signature:
________________________________
Date: ________
Printed student name: ________________________________
Class
_____________________
Parent signature:
Period:________
________________________________
Parent printed name: __________________________________
Date: ________
Student Information Sheet for Mr. Robinson
(MAKE SURE YOU FILL OUT CONTACT INFO!!!!!)
Your name: __________________________________________________
Name(s) of parent(s)/guardian(s) with whom you
live:_______________________________________
Your home
address:_____________________________________________________________
Your home phone #:__________________________________________
Your personal email address:_____________________________________________
Your parent/guardian’s email
address:____________________________________________
Your parents’ work phone
numbers:___________________________________________________
Do you have a computer at home? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Yes ( ) No
Do you have a printer? ( )
List any school sports teams, clubs, or activities in which you will be participating this
year:
List any outside organizations/activities/employment in which you are involved:
_______________________________________________________________________