Zoo School Honors English II Syllabus
Meets: Daily 1:40-3:10
Instructor: Miss Jarrell
mjarrell@asheboro.k12.nc.us
Course Description:
Students in Zoo School Honors English II read, discuss, and write about both classical and
contemporary world literature through which students will identify cultural significance and
social identity. They will examine pieces of world literature in a cultural context to appreciate the
diversity and complexity of world issues and to connect global ideas to their own experiences.
Students will continue to explore language for expressive, informational/explanatory, critical,
argumentative and literary purposes, although emphasis will be placed on explanatory contexts.
This will be done in the zoo setting and will incorporate the zoo when relevant. This will be
discussed further in the next section.
Incorporating the Zoo:
We will be incorporating the zoo when it is necessary to the student’s learning. This is not to say
that we won’t take advantage of all that the zoo has to offer, but we will do so in a calculated and
well-planned way. Most of our English Zoo excursions will involve our interdisciplinary QR
project. This project will involve all four subjects: Science, Math, English and Social Studies.
We will be continuously unrolling this project throughout the year as we continue conferring
with the Zoo for project expectations, etc.
Goals:
 The student will react to and reflect upon print and non-print text and personal
experiences by examining situations from both subjective and objective perspectives.
 The student will evaluate problems, examine cause/effect relationships, and answer
research questions to inform an audience.
 The student will defend argumentative positions on literary or nonliterary issues.
 The student will critically interpret and evaluate experiences, literature, language, and
ideas.
 The student will demonstrate understanding of selected literature through interpretation
and analysis.
Course Work
We will follow the theme of culture and social identity throughout all the works we read this
semester. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (abridged version) from summer reading
Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Night by Eli Wiesel
Prentice Hall Literature: World Masterpieces Edition by Prentice Hall publishing
Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar: Communication in Action by Prentice Hall publishing
Grammar and Composition Handbook by Glencoe publishing
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General Rules
Talking:
Talking while completing assignments and bell ringers should be kept to a minimum unless
otherwise stated by the teacher. During open discussion times, it is appropriate to talk quietly
within groups or as a class. Side conversations will not be permitted.
Leaving the room:
There are times when it is appropriate to ask to use the restroom or get water (or leave the room
for other reasons not mentioned here), and there are times when it is not. Do not ask to leave
during the middle of a lesson or right before I give instructions. Use your common sense. Of
course, there are exceptions; talk to me beforehand and in private if you have personal issues or
other circumstances where leaving during class is necessary. Only one student will be allowed to
leave the classroom at a time. If I find out you went somewhere other than your assigned
destination, it will be considered skipping and I will take necessary discipline actions.
Getting out of your seat:
There are times when it is appropriate to move around the classroom and there are times when it
is not. When it is the beginning of the class period and I am taking attendance and going over
initial expectations of the day, I expect you to be seated. Once we commence group work,
conversation, etc, use your good judgment on deciding when it is appropriate to use the holepunch, blow your nose, etc.
Supplies:
Please come to class prepared. If this is a frequent problem, you will be assigned detention.
Please bring the following items to class by Thursday:
 1” binder
 College ruled loose-leaf paper
 Pens or Pencils
 Note cards
*I understand that there are days when you forget something. I put out a small supply of pens
and pencils on my desk for you to take at your convenience. However, when they are gone
they’re gone, so please return them when you are finished. If you need to sharpen your pencil,
do so before class begins so you are not being disruptive. If you need to borrow paper from
someone, do this before class as well.
Textbooks:
Text books will remain in the class. Novels will be provided and signed out at the beginning of a
unit. If you need to borrow a text book, you will need to sign one out. You are responsible for
returning all school-provided books at the end of units. If this is impossible due to loss, damage,
etc, you will be expected to replace the lost or damaged book.
Materials:
When you use any of my materials, I expect you to put them back in the correct place prior to
leaving the classroom. You also need to be sure desks are lined up like they were when you
entered the classroom. Do not leave anything in the baskets under the desk; more than likely you
will not see them again.
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Attendance:
Tardies begin tomorrow! My classroom attendance expectations are very easy to remember: be
on time and do not skip. I take attendance every day and will NOT make exceptions for tardies
or absences unless they are officially excused. Two tardies equal an absence and tardies will not
be able to be made up. If you have any questions, please review your student handbook for
details.
Absences:
The best way to make a good grade in any class is to come to class. Just being here and putting
forth effort will help you immensely. In the case that you are absent, there is a procedure for you
to follow. First of all, it is your responsibility to turn in work that was due on the day you were
absent. If you were here when it was assigned, the expectation is for it to be done at the same
time as the rest of the class. That means turning it in as soon as you return. Furthermore, it is
your responsibility to promptly make up all work and tests missed. You can find out what you
missed by: 1.) Looking in the absent folder for your assignments from the day(s) you were
absent. This is the folder is on the computer cart and is labeled by class. 2.) Get
notes/assignments from a classmate 3.) Ask me AFTER CLASS for make-up work.
*Please do not ask me until you have taken steps one and two, as I will try to put all missed work
in the absent folder.
If you miss a test, you need to make it up as soon as possible. See me on the day you return
to school to schedule the make-up.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is writing the words or ideas of others as if they were your own, without giving
proper credit to the original source. Rewording lines taken from a source does not solve the
problem because you still took the idea of the other writer. If you use an idea from another
source to support your thoughts in an essay, you must give proper credit. If you plagiarize, you
will be given a zero. Now that you have been warned, you cannot say, “I didn’t know.” If you
are ever in doubt about whether something is or is not plagiarism – ASK!
Cell Phones:
NO! Please keep your cell phone silenced and put away during class. If you have an emergency
where you need to have your phone on standby (vibrate) please let me know prior to the class.
This should be used in extreme cases only. First and foremost I will adhere to the Asheboro High
School policy outlined in class meetings and in the student handbook.
Classroom Behavior
Be respectful.
You are lucky enough to go to school in a system with great diversity. Do not make fun of others
who are different than you, be it background, religion, political beliefs, dress, or anything else.
The study of English, in its very nature, celebrates and congratulates differences amongst all
people. To be able to use this class to its fullest potential, we must be able to respect each other
and trust that the environment will always be a trusting and positive one. Having said that, there
are two things you should note: a) The teacher giving you respect does not mean giving you
everything you want and b) giving me respect means following my rules. You have the
opportunity to have an amazing semester, so please don't ruin it with your attitude. If you have
questions or comments about class, please do take those up with me but do so outside of class
and privately. 1. Never lie. 2. Don’t whine 3. Never cheat. 4. Don’t complain 5. Never steal. 6.
Don’t make excuses. Previous Class Rules come from John Wooden's Two Sets of Three.
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Grade:
Your grade is based on a total accumulation of points. It will be determined by dividing the total
points you have earned by the total points possible. I do not mind letting you know your grade
regularly, but you need to see me outside of class and privately. If you ask in class, the answer is
always NO!
Grading:
A
93-100
B
85-92
C
77-84
D
70-76
F
0-69
The Primary Grades
in this class will be as
follows:
Class-work
Percentage
out of 100%
Quizzes/Tests
20%: 1st 6 weeks
15%: 2nd 6 weeks
10%: 3rd 6 weeks
15%
10%: 1st 6 weeks
15%: 2nd 6 weeks
20%: 3rd 6 weeks
20%
Final Exam
25%
Homework
Interdisciplinary
Project
Excerpts of syllabus based on A. Dozier’s class syllabus
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Syllabus/Rules Contract
Asheboro High School Zoo School
Class: English II
Instructor: Miss Jarrell
Semester: Fall 2012
Email: mjarrell@asheboro.k12.nc.us
For the Student:
The class syllabus and classroom rules have been explained to me and I have studied the
information. I agree to follow these rules and any oral or written instructions from the teacher.
_________________________________
(Student’s signature)
_________________________________
(Student’s email)
For the Parent/Guardian: I am pleased to have the opportunity to teach your child. I
believe that your support is invaluable and ask you to contact me throughout the semester
with any questions or concerns. Please read over the syllabus and rules and kindly provide your
signature to indicate that you and your student understand and accept them. Additionally, please
provide your best contact information.
_________________________________
(Parent/guardian name[s])
_________________________________
(Parent/guardian signature)
_________________
(Date)
_______________________
(Home phone number)
_________________________
(Cell phone number)
________________________
(Parent/guardian email)
*please place an asterisk (*) next to the primary way you would like to be contacted. Thank you!
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Movie Permission
I plan to show a variety of movies and video clips relating to the topics we will cover in our
class, in addition to video documentaries and lectures. Some movies may be rated PG or PG-13.
Please complete one of the following statements and sign below:
I give permission for ________________________________ to watch PG and PG-13 rated
movies in English II.
_____________________________
(Parent/Guardian Signature)
I DO NOT give permission for __________________________ to watch PG and PG-13 rated
movies in English II.
_____________________________
(Parent/Guardian Signature)
*If you sign the “I DO NOT” section, an alternate assignment will be given to your student.
**If any content shown in your student’s class is rated R, a separate permission slip will be sent
home a week prior to showing with an explanation for the relevance in the classroom and an
explanation for the “R” rating.**
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