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Course Title:  English 10
Course Instructor: Megan Hastings
Location:  Room 204, Auburn High School
Email/Phone: [email protected]
Planning/Conference Time: 4th block 1:34-3:10 p.m.           

Course Description 
English 10 integrates listening, speaking, reading and writing through studies of literature and composition.  The literature to be studied includes biographies, essays, short stories, and novels.  Students explore early American literature, employing critical and analytical evaluation of literary works.  Written expression allows students to demonstrate skills in composition, grammar usage, and the writing process.  Preparation for language, writing, and reading components of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam, scholastic aptitude, and post-secondary admission requirements are all aspects of English 10.  This course fulfills requirements for one unit of 10th Grade English for the standard diploma.

Course Overview:  
In addition to studying grammar, vocabulary, and writing, our literature units for English 10 include the following:
*Early American Literature -- Native American myths as well as colonial, Purtian, and revolutionary writings.
*American Romanticism and Transcendentalism -- selections from Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Poe, as well as poems by Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman. 
*Civil War Literature including selections from Douglass, Lincoln, Truth, and Lee.
*Regionalism with Mark Twain and Realism with Kate Chopin
*An American Novel:  John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
*A Shakespearean Drama:  William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
*A World Literature Novel:  William Golding's The Lord of the Flies

Course Materials:
1.     One medium sized binder 
2.  Four dividers labeled for Grammar, Writing, Vocabulary, and Literature
3.     Pens (blue or black ink only) and pencils
4.     A few red pens for peer grading and peer editing
5.     Loose leaf paper (college rule only)
6.     One pack of 4x6 index cards
7.  One pack of sticky notes
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Classroom Rules:
1. Take turns (do not speak when I or a classmate is speaking to the whole class)
2. Be respectful to your peers, your teacher, yourself, and your environment (no food or drink allowed)
3.  Act appropriately; when in doubt, don't!

Class Expectations:
  1. Be prepared:  Prepare for class; come to class with all materials and ready to work and participate.
  2. Be prompt:  Be on time! You should be in your seat when the tardy bell rings.
  3. Be positive:  Everyone should strive to bring a positive attitude to class everyday.  Put-downs will NOT be tolerated;  This is a place for hugs, not slugs.
  4. Be your best self:  Make the effort to do your best in my class; I will.
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If a student chooses to act inappropriatelythe following disciplinary action(s) will result, although not necessarily in this order:
           ● Verbal Warning ● Teacher Conference ● Sentences/Paper (Individual or Whole Class) ● Office Referral ● Contact Parent/Guardian ● Teacher Detention

 If a student chooses to meet all expectations and is caught doing something great, in addition to ongoing encouragement, he/she will be awarded a ticket called a Perk.  At the end of each grading period, you may turn in Perks for bonus points!  One must also have five perks to leave the room for restroom breaks, water, etc.  It is the responsibility of the student to keep up with his/her perks and turn them in when I call for them to receive the extra credit at the end of each grading period.
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Grading Scale and Procedures:

To be successful in my class you must make an effort to complete and do your best on all assignments.  I do not give extra-credit assignments because you will be given ample opportunities to be successful.  You will, however, be given occasional opportunities to earn bonus points. 

Grades will be determined by dividing the number of points earned by the number of points possible and will come from the following assignments:

Do-Nows (will consist of Grammar and Writing lessons/journals)                 
Bi-Weekly Vocabulary Quizzes (50 points)

Grammar Tests (100 points)
Assignments and Homework (10-50 points)                 
Essays (50-100 points)
Unit Assessments (100 points)                                    
Projects (150-300 points)
Monthly Notebook Tests (100 points) --Each assignment/handout must be dated in the top right-hand corner so you can excel on monthly notebook tests.
Comprehensive Final Exam
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Student Policies:
Tardiness
  • When the bell rings, you should be in your seat.  If you are not in YOUR SEAT, you are tardy.  At three tardies, you will receive a referral to the office.
Leaving the Classroom
  • If you need to leave the room, you must deposit five perks.  You must also use the official hall pass and sign the Hall Record near the door.  Only one student will be allowed to leave the room at a time.  It is up to my discretion if any student leaves the room at any time.
Being Unprepared for Class
  • If you are unprepared for class, you will receive sentences.  Work will be accepted if late but points will be deducted from the assignment each day it is late.
Make-Up Work & Absences
  • Following an excused absence, a student must turn in all of his/her missed work within five school days of his/her absence in order for the work to be considered for full credit.  If a student waits more than five school days to turn in his/her missed work, it is considered late.  However, I will always accept late work for partial credit up until the last day of each grading period.  Pet Peeve:  Do NOT interrupt class to ask me about missed work when I am teaching.  Meet me when the class is working quietly or after class to receive missed materials and/or to arrange a time to take a test.
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Class Procedures:
Beginning Class
  • When you enter the room, begin working on the Do-Now assignment presented on the board.  The material covered in grammar do nows will be assessed via a closed-book grammar test that will be announced.  The material covered in writing and journal do nows will be assessed via larger writing assignemtns throughout the course.  However, all do nows, both writing do nows and grammar do nows will be checked as a part of notebook tests so it is very important to keep up with your work...DATE EVERYTHING!  Attendance and Homework will be checked/collected during Do-Now time. 
Class Discussion
  • Much learning will occur through discussion.  Your thoughts and opinions are important to me and can be helpful to your classmates.  So that everyone can be heard in a whole-class discussion, raise your hand.  Please respect this.  In small-group discussion, when I raise my hand, quietly raise your hand; this should serve as a sign that it is time to come back together and listen.  Important Note: sleeping and/or heads on desks is disrespectful and will not be tolerated.
Ending Class
  • Most class days will end with an Exit Slip.  Exit slips are used as a means of formal and/or informal assessment (some will be graded; some will not).  Do not pack up before I have finished.  Turn your Exit Slip in to me as you exit the room when I signal that class has ended and the bell rings. 
Students must keep a copy of this course syllabus in their notebooks at all times.