ENGLISH II - MCGILL
Syllabus (noun, sil-uh-buhs) – a summary outline of a course of study.
I emphasize the word outline here because we may not get to everything on the syllabus, nor will we always do it in the
order it’s listed. However, it’s still a good representation of what we’ll work on in this class.
Class objectives:
1. Understand, reflect, and react to text and personal experience.
2. Practice reading, writing, and public speaking based on principles guided by the curriculum.
3. Research and evaluate literary topics and issues of public/personal concern.
4. Develop critical thinking.
Classroom rules:
1. Come to class on time and prepared.
2. Respect yourself. Respect your classmates.
3. Be responsible for your work, and stay on task.
4. Take pride in the room.
5. Follow instructions the first time.
Mr. McGill, are there any absolute boundaries?
Don’t cheat yourself with short cuts.
Keep a civil tongue. No pejoratives.
Don’t expect me to talk over you. It’s your responsibility to hear the instructions. Then, see Rule #5.
Mr. McGill’s website
Mr. McGill, do you want to see my cell phone out during class?
Short answer: No. Long answer: Noooooooooooooooo. Longer answer: There will be times when I’ll ask you to use your
phone during a lesson. Otherwise, I follow the school guidelines. First offense is a warning. Second, I take it. Refusal to
surrender the phone is an automatic detention and possibly referral.
Consequences for choosing not to follow the rules:
First offense – warning/conference
Second offense – detention (Fridays only)
Third offense – detention (Fridays only)
Fourth offense – referral
Starting class:
1. Arrive on time.
2. I will usually have music playing. When it stops, so should the chatter.
3. Check the whiteboard for instructions or objectives.
4. Start the activity listed. Otherwise, wait for my instruction.
Ending class:
I will excuse you from class, not the bell.
Grades
Tests – 40%
Quizzes – 30%
Classwork – 20%
Homework – 10%
Final grade:
First 9 weeks = 37.5%
Second 9 weeks = 37.5%
Final exam = 25%
A – 93-100, B – 85-92, C – 77-84,
D – 70-76, F – 69 and below
Makeup work:
Makeup work for partial credit is allowed within two weeks of a student’s return to school. Beyond that, it’s a zero. You can
make up tests and quizzes before or after school – never during class. You can make up vocabulary quizzes as many
times as you like.
Extra credit:
Do all your work to the best of your ability and there won’t be a need for extra credit. But if you should need it, here’s how
to get it. Extra credit can be turned in for five points on a test or 10 points on a quiz. Extra credit cannot be used on the
final exam.
1. Performance: Pick out a poem or song. I’ll approve it. Perform it at the beginning of class Friday.
2. English in the real world: Spot a typo or grammatical error* and bring it to me. Students can’t use the same errors.
First come, first served.
3. Spot vocabulary words in the real world.
*Subject to approval
Supplies:
1. 3-ring binder with college-rule paper (no spiral notebooks)
2. Five dividers – Notes, Analysis, Vocabulary, Writing, Grammar
3. 1 composition notebook
4. Pencils (mechanical preferred)
5. Black/blue pens
6. 1 box of tissues
Preparation:
I have more pencils than I know what to do with, and I have absolutely no problem sharing
on days when you forget your own writing utensil. However, I do charge one shoe!
Mr. McGill’s Twitter
Bathroom:
Barring emergencies, I allow one student out at any given time to use the restroom. You will sign in/out on the log and
take the bathroom pass with you. No one else is leaving until the bathroom pass returns. You can sign out for the
bathroom three times in a week.
Sample work:
Bell-ringer writing prompts
Weekly vocabulary – words on Monday, homework by Wednesday, quiz on Friday, test every 4 weeks
Self-selected reading (Fridays)
Grammar practice (Mondays)
MAJOR WORKS WE’LL READ
News from around the world
Tentative course outline:
Unit 1 – Reality: The world as it really is
Unit 2 – Origins: A look at our beginnings through various cultures.
Unit 3 – Relationships: How are we connected? What are we
responsible for?
Unit 4 – Justice: What is the nature of fairness? Of prejudice?
Unit 5 – Discovery: Are we born innately good or evil?
What are we doing here?
Unit 6 – Poetry
Various world mythologies
Dante’s Inferno
Night
The Book Thief
Things Fall Apart
Shakespeare TBA
Final thoughts:
This will be a writing intensive class. Be prepared to write when you’re having a good day. Be prepared when you’re
having a bad day. Be prepared to write whether you feel like writing or you don’t. There’s value in simply doing the act.
We’re working up to a state test at the end of the year. More importantly, we’re working up to delivering our voice onto the
page with great deft and power.
Know that I am here for you. I want all of you to succeed, and I will make myself available whenever possible. You can
email me at jason.mcgill@bcsemail.org. I encourage everyone to follow the class Twitter feed @McGill_English and check
my school website regularly at tinyurl.com/crltad3. I am open to any questions, comments, fears, hopes, confessions, and
concerns you may have. Let’s have a great year.