Mrs. Parker
College Preparatory English 10
Syllabus
2015-2016
Instructor Information:
Teachers:
Mrs. Emily Parker
Room:
Belle Vernon Area High School, Room 115
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
http://www.bellevernonarea.net
Required Text:
Prentice Hall Literature Grade 10
Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Level F
A Separate Peace
Night
Elements of Writing
Additional Resources:
www.studyisland.com
Belle Vernon Area Language Arts Handbook
MLA Handbook
Teacher-generated handouts, worksheets, and Bell Ringer
Prompts
Various videos which parallel instruction
724-808-2500; ext. 2115
emily.parker@bellevernonarea.net
Course Description:
The second year of the college preparatory English program emphasizes an integrated approach to the
study of world literature, composition, grammar, and basic research skills for the college bound student.
Interpretation and analysis of fiction and nonfiction text will be an integral part of this course. In world
literature the student studies selected short stories, poems, dramas, nonfiction essays, and novels that
reflect various cultures and universal concerns of humanity. Grammar lessons integrated with the world
literature selections focus on the study of modifiers, phrases, clauses, varied sentence structures, and
mechanics as they relate to unit writing activities. Composition lessons enable the student to use
detailed support evidence to write unified, well-organized paragraphs based on the literature read or
life experiences. A short research project that explores cultural values and customs and that utilizes MLA
rules for in-text documentation and works cited will be required for this course. The curriculum is
tentative depending on the needs of the particular classes. Study Island will be used as needed for
student preparation and enhancement of reading and language skills.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
1. Define and identify the elements of the short story
2. Evaluate a short story’s effectiveness through analysis of its elements
3. Read critically and with proficiency and be able to answer higher level questions
4. Organize and write a cohesive five paragraph essay
5. Examine the use of setting and relevance to our novels
6. Identify figures of speech without and within texts
7. Use the Modern Language Association (MLA) format for all papers and essays
8. Express and explain interpretations and responses to our novels, orally and in writing
9. Practice critical thinking and writing skills
10. Identify and define dramatic and poetic techniques
11. Use research skills to develop a thesis and a presentation
12. Identify and correctly use grade-level grammar
13. Identify important themes and use them in writing
14. Identify meaningful quotes and use them in writing
15. Use allusions in writing effectively
16. Read passages and be able to answer questions proficiently afterwards.
17. Identify and correct mechanical errors in writing
18. Write with a sharp, direct focus, well-developed content and controlled organization
19. Revise writing to improve style and meaning
20. Listen attentively to and contribute to discussions
21. Participate in small and large group discussions
22. Use media for learning purposes
Academic Honesty:
Any work submitted by the student shall be his/her own. Work taken from others shall be
deemed as unacceptable. Any doubts will initiate the completion of an alternative assignment
or a zero on the required effort, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Class Policies and Expectations:
1.
Class will commence at the sound of the bell. Every student shall be prepared (with
pencil, books, and binder) and in their seat when the bell rings.
2.
There will be a bell-ringer prompt on the board at the beginning of each class. As
soon as the student enters, he/she will begin work on the assignment immediately.
3.
No student will be permitted to go to his/her locker during class. Hall passes will only
be issued for emergencies; the student must complete the agenda book to be
initialed by the teacher and the student must sign out on a sign-out sheet.
4.
Students are to fill out their agenda books daily, recording topic and homework
assignments. A rubric will be given on how agenda books will be graded.
5.
Every student shall have and keep an up to date binder that will include all handouts,
notes, homework, and other various papers in a neat, organized, and chronological
order.
6.
Every student is responsible for any notes, assignments, and assessments that are
missed due to absences. Make up work will be available in the make-up section of
the classroom. Papers you miss will have your name on them and be in the folder
that corresponds to your class. A student will have the same number of days absent
to make up any assignments.
7.
For each late day up to 3 days after your return to school, a student will receive 10%
off of all projects and/or papers. After the third day, you will receive a zero.
8.
Students will not get ready to leave until the teacher instructs them to; work in the
class will be done bell to bell.
9.
Students are expected to adhere to the BVAHS Code of Conduct; including dress
code.
10.
Cell Phones: Any student observed using an electronic device when not instructed to
will be asked to give it to the teacher. If the student abides, it will be returned at the
end of the day. If the student does not abide, he/she will be sent to ISS. Cell phone
may be collected during tests and/or quizzes.
11.
Bags are not permitted in the classroom. Purses must be kept on the floor or on a
chair adjacent to the students’ seats.
12.
Absolutely no food or open beverages.
13.
Students are expected to be respectful of one another and their instructor. Hands
must be raised to speak. Only one person will speak at a time. A student must get
permission to leave his/her seat.
14.
Students are expected to assume responsibility and take ownership of their efforts
and work. The more you put into this course, the more you will take away.
Course Grading Criteria:
All quizzes, tests, and projects will be graded according to the Belle Vernon Area School District
grading policy. Total points will be accumulated for all evaluated efforts in this class rather than
having letter grades per each effort. The grading scale is as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
-
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
Assignments per Quarter:
Formal Assessments will account for a majority of the grade
 Vocabulary quizzes and cumulative exams
 Reading check and chapter quizzes
 Short story quizzes
 Novel exams
 In-class essays
 Take-home prompts and essays
 Quarterly exams
Several projects will be completed throughout the year and will contribute significantly to
the grade. Project are listed, but not limited to:
 Research project/interview
 Night creative project
 Julius Caesar creative project/speech
 Character obituary
Other assignments include:
 Bell Ringers
 Homework
 Study Island
 Binder
 Summer reading assignment and quiz
*Assignments or assessments may vary due to pace of class and individualized
instruction.
 All informal assessments will count for 10% of your overall grade
 All formal assessments will count for 90% of your grade
Academic Standards:
Students will be reacquainted with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards that have been
adopted by the Department of Education, along with the Common Core Standards that are in
the process of being implemented nationwide. Students will be made aware of the importance
of the standards and the efforts to meet them.
Keystone Exam:
At the conclusion of this course, students will participate in the Keystone Exam prepared by the
Department of Education. Students are required to pass this exam in order to graduate from
high school. If a student does not earn a proficient score on this exam, he/she will have the
opportunity to retest through the end of his/her eleventh grade year. A project-based
assessment during the senior year will be required of those students not proficient by the start of
his/her senior year.
Edline:
If
Grades will be updated every Friday on Edline. If you lost or cannot remember log in
information, please contact our Child Accounting Department at 724-808-2500 ext. 1108.
Schoolwires (Website):
My website will be updated every Friday. Course Topics, Assignments, and Quizzes and Tests
are also posted weekly.
Study Island:
Students will be expected to take advantage of the Study Island Preparation Software aligned to
the Keystone Exam Standards, AP Course Competencies, and SAT/ACT Preparation. The
students that invest their time utilizing this program have overwhelming performed better than
those that do not. If you are unable to have access to a computer or internet for this
requirement, there are ample opportunities during the school day to utilize laptops or the
computers in the Library.
2013-2014 School Year
Parents/Guardians,
Your son or daughter will be required to bring a 3-ring binder and filler composition paper to
class by Friday. This binder is only to be used for College Preparatory English 10. We will setup and organize the binder this Friday during class.
Please keep the syllabus and detach this sheet to return with your son or daughter. Both you
and your child’s signature are required. Also, please include the best number and email I can
reach you at during school hours.
I am looking forward to a fantastic year in College Preparatory English 10!
Thank you so very much,
Mrs. Emily Parker
The following signatures state that all parties are aware of the preceding syllabus.
Student Signature_______
_____________Date_______________
Parent Signature_______
______________Date_______________
Best phone number between 7AM and 3PM: _____________________________
Email: ________________________________________________
Course Outline:
1st Quarter
I. Sadlier-Oxford
Vocabulary
Workshop
Units 1-5
2nd Quarter
I. Sadlier-Oxford
Vocabulary
Workshop
Units 6-9
3rd Quarter
I. Sadlier-Oxford
Vocabulary
Workshop
Units 10-12
4th Quarter
I. Sadlier-Oxford
Vocabulary
Workshop
Units 13-15
II. Fiction/nonfiction
unit
Selections from
Prentice Hall textbook
II. Research project
PowerPoint,
presentations
II. A Separate Peace
Novel
II. Julius Caesar
The Tragedy Acts III,
IV, & V,
Speech,
Creative project
III. Research project
Interview,
notecards
III. Night
Novel,
Vocabulary,
WWII history
III. Julius Caesar
Shakespeare/Globe
theatre,
The Tragedy Acts I &
II
III. Antigone
IV. Study Island
IV. Study Island
IV. Study Island
IV. Study Island