Robert E. Lee High School
English 10H Common Syllabus
Instructor: Mr. Ennis tennis@stauton.k12.va.us
(540) 332-3926
Course Objectives
The emphasis of this honors course is a thematic approach to world literature, including multicultural literature. In addition to reading various representative novels, students will study drama, poetry, and nonfiction writing. Analytical and creative responses to the literature will be stressed in composition and discussion. Rigorous outside reading is a requirement of the course.
Textbook and Texts
Literature Prentice Hall Literature: World Masterpieces
Bhagavad Gita translated by Eknath Easwaran
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
The Stranger by Albert Camus
Classroom Rules
 Be respectful.
 Be prepared.
 No electronic devices
. Prentice Hall Publishing Company.
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Things Fall Apart
Brave New World by Chinua Achebe by Aldous Huxley
Conduct Rubric
A—Responsible, Respectful
B—Occasional Lapse in Good Behavior
C—Inappropriate Classroom Behavior
D—Defiant
F—No Improvement in Poor Behavior
Grading Scale
A+ = 98-100
B+ = 90-92
C+ = 82-84
D+ = 75-76
F = 69 and below
A = 95-97
B = 87-89
C = 79-81
D = 72-74
A- = 93-94
B- = 85-86
C- = 77-78
D- = 70-71
Grading Percentages - The percentages below apply to ALL English 10H Classes
50% In-class and Take Home Essays
25% Tests
25% Daily Work and Homework
Homework
Homework is assigned as a means to practice skills and is generally graded on an effort basis. We will go over homework during the class period following the assignment; therefore, late homework will not be accepted. Students will receive a 50 on non-attempted homework assignments.
See page 14 of the Student Handbook for additional homework information and guidelines.
If homework cannot be completed at home, then students are encouraged to attend plus block for extra help.
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Late/Missing Work
If a student does not attempt or is absent for an assignment, he/she will receive an Incomplete for that assignment. The Incomplete will remain until the assignment is completed. Five points will be deducted for each day an assignment is late. After an assignment is six school days late, the maximum number of points that will be deducted is 25 points. Example: An essay is due on Monday,
October 3. The student turns the essay in on Wednesday, October 12. Although the assignment is seven days late, only 25 points will be deducted. The due date will be calculated according to the
Student Handbook & Code of Conduct policy: “… the number of school days absent plus one to a maximum of 10 days.”
Late and missing work will be accepted until the Friday before progress or report card distribution.
Missing Work Reports will be distributed; however, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate makeup work. I am available after school most days until 3:30 p.m. Other times may be arranged at the student’s request.
Progress Report Agreement
I look forward to working with you this year. Please be sure to sign up for the Parent Portal as soon as possible. Parent Portal offers you an in-depth look at all your child’s grades. Through Parent Portal, you can see what grade your child has earned on each assignment; additional notation will indicate whether an assignment is late or missing.
I encourage you to reflect on your child’s grade with weekly family discussions.
All students have the opportunity to rewrite essays to improve essay grades. Students that feel like they need to retake a test must complete a formal request highlighting how they intend to improve their score. They have five days after a test is assigned to retake it. Extensions may be granted for extenuating circumstances. For more information about Parent Portal please contact the school office at 540-332-3926.
Progress reports will also be sent home every three weeks, excluding the weeks that report cards go home.
Please monitor your child’s progress and contact me as soon as possible if you have any questions. It is better not to wait until the end of the grading period to get involved.
Sincerely,
Tripp Ennis tennis@staunton.k12.va.us
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General Course Outline
Unit 1
Literature: Ancient World Literature
Novel: Life of Pi; Siddhartha
Poetry: Bhagavad Gita
Misc: Vedas
Tanakh
Gospels
Qur’an
Unit 3
Literature: Colonial and Post Colonialist Literature
Novel: Things Fall Apart
Play: The Tempest
Poetry: “Sonnet: 18” by William Shakespeare
“Sonnet: 138” by William Shakespeare
“White Man’s Burden” by Rudyard Kipling
“Black Man’s Burden” by Hubert Harrison
“The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats
Grammar: Types of Phrases Grammar: Passive and Active Voice; Types of Sentences
Unit 2
Literature: Modern World Literature
Novel: The Stranger by Albert Camus
Essay: “The Myth of Sisyphus” by Albert Camus
Short Story: Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Poetry: “The Skulls” by Ivan Turgenev
“Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
“Kafka’s Watch” by Raymond Carver
Grammar: Types of Sentences, Types of Phrases
Unit 4
Literature: Utopian and Dystopian Literature
Novel: Brave New World by Aldus Huxley
Poetry: “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelly
“Song: To the Men of England”
by Percy Bysshe Shelly
“Sonnet: The Ladies Home Journal”
by Sandra Gilbert
“America” by Allen Ginsberg
“The Diameter of a Bomb” by Yehuda
Amichai
Grammar: Syntax Analysis
Assessments:
2 – Take Home Essays
5 – In Class Essays
2 – Unit Tests
8 – Vocab. & Grammar Quizzes
8 – Weekly Class work/Homework Grades
Assessments:
2 – Take Home Essays
5 – In Class Essays
2 – Unit Tests
8 – Vocab. & Grammar Quizzes
8 – Weekly Class work/Homework Grades
Daily Routine
 “Do Now” Grammar Correction: 5-10 minutes, to be started by or before the tardy bell.
 Journal: Students will use a spiral notebook in which to write about specific topics, prompts, etc.
Journal entries will be mostly bi-weekly following our essay schedule.
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After you have reviewed this syllabus with your parents/guardians, please sign this form and return it to Mr. Ennis.
Student
I have read this syllabus and understand it. I will honor it while in Mr. Ennis’s classroom.
Signature __________________________________ Date _________________
Printed Name ______________________________
Parent
My child has discussed this syllabus with me. I understand it and will support it.
Signature __________________________________ Date _________________
Printed Name ______________________________
Teacher
I will be fair and consistent in administering the policies and procedures of this syllabus.
Signature: _________________________________ Date: _______________________
Printed Name: __________________
E-READER USE: Please indicate whether your child has permission to use his/her
personal e-reader in class to access texts.
___ I do give permission for my child to use his/her personal e-reader in class to access texts.
___ I do not give permission for my child to use his/her personal e-reader in class to access texts.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Is it okay to contact you via e-mail concerning your child? ____ Yes ____ No
If yes, please provide an email address you check frequently.
Parent E-mail Address ____________________________________________________
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