English I Pre-AP Syllabus 2015-2016
Mrs. Newton
O-203
emily.newton@springbranchisd.com
(713) 251-2594
I. COURSE OVERVIEW
Welcome to English I Pre-AP! We know we are going to have a great year, and we expect excellence from you. The curriculum for
English I Pre-AP incorporates skills and techniques with regard to reading, grammar, composition, analysis, and speaking. The following
is a brief list of what we will read each nine weeks. The major pieces of literature that will guide our studies is included in bold.
1st 9 Weeks
2nd 9 Weeks
3rd 9 Weeks
4th 9 Weeks
Literary Terms, Archetypes, & Short Stories (various pieces from literature textbook)
Finding Meaning in Literary Text (To Kill a Mockingbird) and other works
Continue study of To Kill a Mockingbird
Poetry and Drama – Connecting Meaning (Romeo and Juliet)
Continue study of Romeo and Juliet
Making Connections: Non-fiction readings linked to our fiction studies and the STAAR Test expectations
The Novel: Reading and Writing Perceptively (Great Expectations)
Ancient and Modern Literature (selections from Edith Hamilton’s Mythology and Homer’s Odyssey)
*SUMMER READING: You are responsible for completing your summer reading by Tuesday, September 1, 2015, on which day
you need to bring your copy of the novel.
II. GRADING
Daily/Homework
Quizzes
Tests/Major Papers & Projects
20%
30%
50%
1.
This course is designed to prepare students for success in their future AP classes and on the AP exams that follow those upperlevel classes. The Pre-AP curriculum also promotes college readiness. As a Pre-AP student, your success will reflect your
thoroughness, expertise, and effort with class assignments and activities.
2.
TEST GRADES: Test grades consist of objective and essay tests, major projects, and essays. Test grades comprise 50% of your
grade. According to the English Department policy, your grade will be reduced by 10% for each day the work is late. After the
third day, it will be a zero. If you miss English class on the day that a major assignment is due, but you attend other classes on
the same day, you are expected to turn in the work before the end of the day. Otherwise, the penalty for late work applies.
Absence is not an excuse for turning in a late paper or project. If you are absent on the day a major assignment
is due, you must find a way to get your assignment to me before the end of 8th period. Student activity
absences do NOT extend assignment due dates, as your coach or sponsor will tell you. Most importantly:
communicate with me!
3.
Re-taking Tests and Quizzes: Spring Branch ISD policy allows for retesting of major tests for a maximum grade of 70. Students
must initiate the request to retest within 7 calendar days of receiving the original test grade. Tutorials and/or re-studying may
be required prior to retesting. MHS Policy allows English retesting to occur on Tuesdays after school and Fridays before
school, although individual appointments can be made to accomplish these re-tests. Quizzes, major projects, and major
essays/papers are not eligible for “retesting.”
4.
DAILY GRADES: Late homework is an automatic zero. The English department does not allow Pre-AP and AP students
to turn in late work. If your work is late, you may turn it in for teacher review; however, it will not be accepted for grade
credit.
5.
MAKE-UP WORK: You are responsible for making up all class assignments, homework, quizzes and tests in a timely manner and
in accordance with the Student Handbook. In general, this means that if you are absent for two days, you have two days to
make up your work. If you do not take care of make-up work in a timely manner, you will receive a zero for those assignments.
It is your responsibility to see your teacher concerning make-up work. Please remember that Tuesday AFTER school
and Friday morning BEFORE school are the assigned English department make-up days, so these times take
precedence for English make-ups over other subjects . As always, in the case of extenuating circumstances, I will
work with you to schedule a make-up time that is convenient and promotes your best work.
6.
Extra Credit: Because we give ample opportunity through assignments to evaluate knowledge and production, the MHS
English Department does not allow extra credit. Therefore, extra credit is unnecessary when students keep up with
academic requirements as the nine weeks progresses.
7.
Your English testing days are odd numbered days. We will always give you plenty of time to prepare for a test, and we expect
you to prepare thoroughly. Quizzes may be given on any day, but we will make every attempt to quiz on odd-numbered days.
8.
TUTORIALS: We want you to succeed and will do everything we can to ensure that this happens. You are the only one who
really knows whether you understand the material presented in class. If you feel you are falling behind or you do not
understand an assignment, talk to your teacher. Help is available! Always ask questions so that small problems do not
become big problems. Tutoring is available by appointment.
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
1. Be kind.
2. Work hard.
1.
MATERIALS
A binder –Work out the best system for you to keep your assignments organized.
2.
Notebook paper – You should keep plenty of paper in your binder at all times.
3.
Please also bring: _______________________ for your class period. All classes will be using this item.
4.
Different colored pens and highlighters – These will be used for peer editing, note-taking, etc.
5.
No. 2 pencils and erasers – Some of your quizzes/tests will be recorded on Scantrons – always have a pencil and an
eraser on hand!
6.
Planner – If you want to succeed in school, it is imperative that you keep yourself organized. Your homework assignments
and all up-coming, major / minor assessment dates will be posted in class each week for you to record in a planner.
7.
Composition Book – This will be used for journal assignments, warm ups, notes, etc.
PURCHASES
You will be required to purchase a copy of Vocabulary Workshop, Sadlier-Oxford Level E for $13.00 (Cash or check – make checks
payable to MHS). Your vocabulary book money is due by Friday, August 28, 2015. If paying with cash, please have
the correct cash amount because we do not keep money on hand in class for making change.
During the year, you will also need to purchase the following novels (the required edition will be available at Barnes & Noble Town
& Country location closer to the date it is needed in class):
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
If you need financial assistance for the purchase of a required book for this class, please let your teacher know.
Your request will be kept confidential.
Now that you know a little bit about this class, I’d like to know a little bit about you. Use the following QR code or
shortened URL to fill out a Google Form; it is also posted on my MHS Teacher Website. Please complete this before you
come to class on Tuesday, August 25.
https://goo.gl/juW9of
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Please detach this page and return to your English teacher by Wednesday, August 26, 2015.
English I Pre-AP Syllabus SIGNATURE PAGE
I have read and understand the English I Pre-AP syllabus, materials list, and expectations. I understand that all
students will be required to abide by these rules and requirements.
Please return this signature page to your teacher by Wednesday, August 26 , 2015.
Student Signature_________________________________________DATE_________
PRINTED STUDENT NAME_______________________________________________
Parent Signature__________________________________________DATE________
PRINTED PARENT NAME________________________________________________________
DON’T FORGET TO READ AND SIGN THE PLAGIARISM CONTRACT ON
THE BACK OF THIS SHEET!!!
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If you have any questions about plagiarism now or at any time during the course of this school year, especially during your work on any
assignment, you will agree to see me for help.
Plagiarism Contract (adapted from www.myschool.com)
Dictionary.com defines plagiarism quite simply this way: “taking someone’s words or ideas as if they were your own.” In addition to
discouraging the appropriation of words from unacknowledged text, in this class we must also consider it plagiarism when students
pass off as their own ideas they find in study guides (Spark Notes, Cliff’s Notes) and online information and subscription services such
as pinkmonkey.com, bookrags and enotes.
 Plagiarism can be defined as submitting another person’s ideas, words, images or data without giving that person credit
or proper acknowledgement. Plagiarism, a form of academic dishonesty, is tantamount to stealing and will not be tolerated.
For purposes of clarification, you have received instruction in the classroom and have information available in the Student
Handbook located on the Memorial High School website (mhs.springbranchisd.com) as to what constitutes plagiarism.
You should also note that plagiarism not only encompasses written work, but also computer data, research, musical scores, video
programs and visual arts.
Plagiarism is a serious issue, especially in an academic environment. Teachers must be able to rely on the integrity of a student’s
work in order to maintain a climate for successful learning. Plagiarism reflects on character; therefore, you should diligently avoid
inadvertent plagiarism. When you are unsure if acknowledgement is needed, ask your teacher. The penalties for blatant plagiarism
include loss of all credit for the assignment with no opportunity to rewrite. This may significantly lower your final grade.
I, (print) __________________________________ have received extensive instruction on plagiarism and I understand exactly
what constitutes plagiarism. Furthermore, I am aware of the serious nature of plagiarism, that it will result in a grade of zero, and I
will not intentionally use or submit someone else’s work without acknowledgment. Furthermore, I will not misrepresent someone
else’s work or ideas as my own.
Signature _________________________________Date ________________________
What is Plagiarism? Many people think of plagiarism as copying another's work or borrowing someone else's original ideas. But
terms like "copying" and "borrowing" can disguise the seriousness of the offense:
According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to "plagiarize" means
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to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
to use (another's production) without crediting the source
to commit literary theft
to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source
In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and/or lying about it afterward. But can
words and ideas really be stolen? According to U.S. law, the answer is yes. The expression of original ideas is considered
intellectual property and is protected by copyright laws, just like original inventions. Almost all forms of expression fall under
copyright protection as long as they are recorded in some way (such as a book or a computer file).
All of the following are considered plagiarism:
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turning in someone else's work as your own
copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit
failing to put a quotation in quotation marks
giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation
changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit
copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not
(see our section on "fair use" rules)
Most cases of plagiarism can be avoided, however, by citing sources. Simply acknowledging that certain material has been borrowed
and providing your audience with the information necessary to find that source is usually enough to prevent plagiarism.
From Plagiarism.org
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