English IV CP

Contact Information

HHS Front Desk: 355-3500

Classroom Telephone: 355-3472

Email: lray@greenville.k12.sc.us

Course Description: English 4: Britain and The Empire course completes the global perspective initiated in English 2 with more focus on literature of Great Britain and the British Empire. This global perspective should include one Shakespearean play, but should place a heavy emphasis on written and oral communication and presentation skills. All high school courses should include a focus on argumentative, expository and narrative writing as previously noted. Opportunities for rich discussions and conversations will be provided regularly. Academic vocabulary, as well as other opportunities to explore the conventions of language, will be provided.

Textbook: Collections: Grade 12 – also available online at my.hrw.com

Student Supplies: Students will need a three-ring binder with dividers, loose-leaf college-ruled notebook paper, blue or black ink pen and pencil, textbook and current supplemental book.

Grading Policy:

Majors – 60% - Tests, projects, essays, writing portfolio submissions, book talks, presentations

Minors – 30% - Quizzes, mini writes, step checks in the research paper, etc.

Homework/Class work – 10% - Daily assignments and participation

Missed work/Make-up Policy: Make-up work is the student’s responsibility. Extended deadlines will be arranged on an individual basis when the student returns to school. Late minor assignments will not receive credit unless the student has an excused absence. Major assignments may be turned in for partial credit up to three days late with a deduction of ten points for each day past the due date unless the student was late due to excused absence. No penalty will be applied if the student arranges an extended deadline with me.

Attendance and Tardy policy: School-wide policies apply as listed in the student handbook.

Communication with parents: Please contact me at the email address or phone number listed above if you have questions or concerns. Parents are encouraged to visit the school to request a private parent login I.D. to access a website on which all grades and attendance data for your student may be acquired at your convenience.

Instructional Philosophy: The ultimate goal of English 4 CP is to teach students the skills and strategies needed to become productive, literate members of our society. Reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing are fundamental tools for learning, success in college and later in the workplace.

Language Skills: Students will study vocabulary words from a variety of sources. Students will also review writing conventions, review the writing process, and apply those skills by writing reflections, responses to reading assignments, and argument, informative, and narrative essays following South Carolina English Standards.

Course Goals:

Reading

  • The student will read and comprehend a variety of literary texts in print and non-print formats.
  • The student will read and comprehend a variety of informational texts in print and non-print formats.
  • The student will use word analysis and vocabulary strategies to read fluently.

Writing

  • The student will create written work that has a clear focus, sufficient detail, coherent organization, effective use of voice, and correct use of the conventions of written Standard American English.
  • The student will write for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Research

  • The student will access and use information from a variety of sources.

Units of Instruction: The thematic units will include classic British literature selections, modern essays, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction selections.

  • Theme Selections about Success
  • Analyzing and Writing Argument
  • Theme Selections about Gender Roles
  • Research and Informational Writing
  • Theme Selections about Protest
  • Theme Selections about Justice
  • Theme Selections about Risk
  • Expression Through the Written Word

Students may read one or more of the following: Beowulf, A Tale of Two Cities, Brave New World, 1984, The Canterbury Tales, Frankenstein, The Things They Carried, A Long Way Gone.

The syllabus may change at the teacher's discretion.

Ashton University Thesis Generator Use this website to create a logical thesis statement/claim.

SCDiscus.org South Carolina's Virtual Library has articles about literature, history, science, and many other topics.

History.com The History Channel's website contains videos and articles about topics related to history and culture around the world.

PBS.org Public Broadcasting System website has articles, videos, full- length programs, audio broadcasts, and other resources.

BBC History This website is a part of the British Broadcasting Company's website. You will find information in the following categories: ancient history, archaeology, church and state, science and discovery, war and culture, and many more

Biography.com This site has hundreds of articles about famous and infamous people from around the world.

Encyclopedia.com Encyclopedia.com has more than 100 trusted sources, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses with facts, definitions, biographies, synonyms, pronunciation keys, word origins, and abbreviations.

The Literature Network Poetry, stories, explanations of long works, information about literary periods and movements, and lots of other useful information about literature.

Easybib This website will generate accurate bibliography entries to copy and paste as well as a complete works cited list.

Shakespeare Online Great site for text, analysis, helpful information, links

Google Scholar A version of Google dedicated to searching literary and scientific papers online. Try it for fewer "junk" sites and more useful information.

Bartleby.com Quotation books, dictionaries, concise encyclopedias, books of facts, thesauri, etc.

OWL Purdue University Online Writing Lab - MLA Style Page

Poets.org Published by the Academy of American Poetry, this site contains poems and biographies of poets, and is searchable by poet, title, and subject.

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Cummings Study Guides Overviews, tutorials, plot summaries, analyses, etc.--easy to use, straight-forward explanations

Strunk and White's Elements of Style "Intended for use in which the practice of composition is combined with the study of literature, it gives in brief space the principal requirements of plain English style and concentrates attention on the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated."

How to Study.Com Free strategies and tips for note taking, essay writing, test taking, and vocabulary

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Institute of Historical Research This University of London site offers brief, readable articles about historical topics. It also has many links to other useful sites. Great source for researching historical periods!

Librivox LibriVox recordings are Public Domain in the USA. Links and audio files are available for free. Check out the mp3 and ogg files for Frankenstein, but be sure that your virus software is working and updated.