English IV Course Syllabus 2014-2015
Instructor: Ms. Horne
Class Periods: 1st and 6th
E-mail:horne1@cps.edu
Classroom: Room 118 & 120
Phone: 773-534-5100
Availability: by appointment
Course Description:
This course will focus on the Common Core Standards and the College Readiness Standards
particularly in developing student writing and reading strategies for the rigorous expectations of
college level tasks. Honors section will have additional reading and writing assignments.
Some important goals of the class are to:
 Analyze texts in which grasping the point of view requires distinguishing between what
is directly stated (explicit) from what is really meant (implicit).
 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, and
addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions, building on
others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or
formats and conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a
question or solve a problem...
 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection and
researched arguments.
Materials:
Textbooks: World Literature (ed. Rosenberg)
Novels: Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe), Hamlet (William Shakespeare), Metamorphosis (Franz
Kafka)
*We will also read a variety of personal essays and short stories*
 Von Steuben Student Agenda (You need this for your homework assignments AND hall passes)
 USB Flash Drive (recommended)
 2 Notebooks
 Writing utensils
Course Outline:
Unit 1: The College Essay
Unit 2: Literary Analysis (Short Story Unit)
Unit 3: Things Fall Apart (Literary Analysis
Paper)
Unit 4: Hamlet (Critical Lens Paper)
Unit 5: Metamorphosis
Classroom rules:
The expectations and consequences are intended to keep the classroom environment safe, orderly,
and productive. I expect my students to respect these rule rules so that we can maximize learning
time together. If you have any questions about any of these rules, please ask me as soon as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation!
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No hall passes will be issued the first 10 minutes of class or the last 10 minutes of class.
All school rules apply in the classroom. That includes, but is not limited to, the banning
of digital devices, playing cards, food.
Repeated tardiness and unexcused absences will lead to detentions. Enough unexcused
absences will affect your grade directly (beyond just missing the assignments and
material) and may lead to an outright failure.
Being late to school and missing a class is the equivalent of an unexcused absence. 1
class = a half day.
Students misbehaving will be issued verbal warnings, student-teacher or teacher-parent
conferences, or discipline referrals. Severity or repetition of offense may lead directly to
discipline referrals.
Most important: Be polite and respectful. Remember you are practicing for the real
world.
Grading Policy:
Student learning will be assessed through a variety of formative and summative assessments. Mini
assessments, practice assignments, in class assignments, homework, journals and class participation
are some of the formative assessments. That means they give both of us information on your
progress in the classroom. Summative assessments include projects, exams, essays, speeches and
papers. Because these are a large part of your grade, these assessments will have time built-in class
time for re-working and re-grading. Failure to complete summative assessments is an automatic class
failure until the assessment is completed.
Types of Assignments
 In class assignments (bell ringers, exits, in class writing, discussion)
 Projects, exams, essays
 Homework
Scale
90-100
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
<60
F
Late Work:
Come and talk to me BEFORE the assignment is late not after
 I will only allow students to make up assignments and turn in late work if they have provided
a valid excuse. My goal is not to fail students, if you know you cannot turn in an assignment
on time come and talk to me AT LEAST 3 days before so that we can make other
arrangements. I am more willing to work with you if you talk to me before not after the
assignment is late.
 Each student will be allowed to have one “Oops” assignment I know sometimes honest
mistakes are made and you may forget something, this would be the time to use your
“Oops.” Using your “Oops” does not mean that you do not have to do the assignment but
that you have one week from that date to turn it in for full credit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------All expectations and policies are put into place to ensure that we have successful year and that
we maximize on our learning time together! So here is to a productive, exciting, memorable
senior year!
My parents and I have read and understand the rules and regulations of Ms. Horne’s English IV
class.
___________________________________________
Student Signature
_______________________________________
Date
____________________________________________
Guardian Signature
______________________________________
Date
Relationship to Student: ________________________________________________
Please tell me how to contact you.
Home and/or cell: ______________________________
Best hours to call: ______________________________
Guardian’s e-mail address: _______________________