English 3-4 Honors
2019-2020
Instructor: Mrs. Katie Michell Room: 240
Contact: KMichell@egrps.org, 616-235-7555
Schedule: Hour 4 - Journalism II in 212
I. RATIONALE
English 3-4 Honors is a comprehensive English course designed for highly motivated students who wish in-depth handling of material and a competitive academic environment. In content it covers the study Literature of the United States through movements in the US and world history. Part of the course of study will include extensive work in grammar, vocabulary, and writing. Students will create several multimedia presentations.
II. FOCUS
American Literature - American authors have created a wealth of great works to choose from: poetry, literature, non-fiction essays, plays, and films. We will read these critically, considering how we OBSERVE and draw INFERENCES. Writing about texts is emphasized. This type of argumentative and dialectical writing prepares students for college and real-world writing by synthesizing our reading and thinking with effective writing practice. Creativity is encouraged in all written tasks, but purpose and audience are emphasized. Students will also have several written tasks that allow them to write poetry, or songs, or acts in plays.
III. FORMAT
This class will operate within a collaborative and constructive learning environment. We may have days dominated by seminar style discussions or small group discussions; or you will work on creative projects, or steps in the writing process, or you may take quizzes or tests, listen to lectures and mini-lessons, or watch drama and film. Everyday will begin with grammar, contain some form of writing and reading, and hopefully include a little laughter and insight.
IV. MATERIALS
You will need to provide your own electronic device, your own writing implements (blue or black ink pens or pencils), a notebook like a Moleksin journal (7 1/2 x 10), and a folder or a 3-ring binder to keep all of your handouts. You should have all of this, and our current text, on your person every class period. I also ask you to bring ONE BOX of tissues to class some time this year.
You may use your electronic devices, including your phone ONLY during the times permitted. Do not have your devices on before I announce the day's activities. This becomes more important every year. YOU MUST NOT GET OUT ANY DEVICES, UNLESS THE LESSON DICTATES IT. Failure to do so will result in a call home and further consequences.
V. COMMUNICATION
I will assume that everything is understood and okay unless you tell me otherwise. I expect you to approach me with any concerns or excitements due to this class. All of my contact information is listed above.
VI. EXPECTATIONS
I have high expectations. I expect you to follow and uphold all school guidelines as well as the items listed on the attached classroom contract. I expect you to be a mature and positive member of this classroom at all times. I expect you to do your work and to come to class prepared and willing to challenge yourself daily. I expect you to turn in assignments the day you return from an absence, and to complete any quizzes and tests within two days without having to remind you. If not, you will likely receive 20 points off if you turn it in. You will earn an E if you do not hand it in or take the quiz within a week. I expect you to listen to instructions and read directions for your assignments carefully. I expect you to be open and honest with me when you are struggling.
You should expect to push yourself. This is an honors course—you will work hard and, hopefully, challenge yourself to READ thoroughly and WRITE often. I hope to have assessments that match what I teach you, but it will, at times, measure what you know. That can vary, depending on your skills. Do you work, find your strengths, and identify your weaknesses. GROWTH IS POSSIBLE IN ANY AREA in the English Language Arts and other classes. Let me know how I can help you.
VIII. GRADING SYSTEM You will be graded on the skills outlined by national, state and EGRPS standards. The assessments will be formal and informal, and they will be ongoing and formative. So, you will have several multi-modal assessments, like quizzes, discussions, tests, projects and papers. Below are some of the skills you will be graded on this year:
Reading Writing Speaking/Listening Academic Skills
Research Clarity Clarity Grammar terms
Pacing Organization Volume Grammar analysis
Comprehension Voice Sharing in groups Sentence corrections
Analysis Details Responding to others Vocabulary in context
Critical thinking Ideas Presenting Vocabulary practice
Annotation Sentence fluency Critical listening Creative problem solving
Question Word choice Following verbal directions Creative responses
IX. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Each student is expected to abide the East Grand Rapids High School Code of Academic Integrity. Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit will be the student’s own work.
You are encouraged to study together and discuss information and concepts with other students; however, this cooperation should never involve one student having possession of a copy of all or part of the work done by another student, in the form of an email, an email attachment, a diskette, or a hard copy.
Should plagiarism occur, both the student who copied work and the student whose work was copied with both receive a zero for the assignment. Penalties for subsequent violations may be extended to include complete failure of this course and school disciplinary action.
During any time of examination you must do your own work. Talking at any level is not permitted, nor may you compare papers, copy from others, or collaborate in any way.
Please understand that reading all the materials is paramount to your own learning. Any shortcuts in reading are considered cheating as well. Listening to books on tapes is acceptable if you are reading along with the text. Primarily reading Cliffs Notes, Spark Notes, Shmoop, Enotes, etc. is an unacceptable way to read works of literature.
X. TECHNOLOGY
While I have a Google homepage, I primarily use Google Classroom for all assignments and calendars. This platform allows teachers to upload documents and assign different types of assignments online.
I also ask students to get out their cell phones at different times for surveys and research questions. A cell phone is not required, and I will give advance notice when I would like them brought into class. We use them for Quizlet Quizzes or PollEvery Polls. Otherwise, please follow the electronic device policy set forth by the school.
We will use computers at school on a regular basis, but computers are always welcome in the classroom. We will use our tech cart often and seek out new ways to increase knowledge and skills through technology.
However, I do still ask students to hand in paper assignments at times. I can accommodate students’ needs, but I believe working in multiple modes helps students succeed in education and careers.
XI. WRITING
I follow many of the writing practices from the Collins Writing Program, as well as the Six Traits of Writing. I believe that writing to understand as well as writing to present are both important in the process of writing. Students will draft and complete several papers. These will largely be analytical in nature, although we do write some narrative and creative pieces. For most, writing is hard, hard work, but it can be exciting, fun and rewarding.
Writing takes time and work to research, plan, and process.
It takes time and work to do.
It takes time and work to edit.
And it takes time and work to give feedback.
Giving just a grade takes less work and time. I can read a piece and know that it has hit certain Focus Correction Areas. Or that the writer needs to work on some skills. But what is helpful for any writer is A) the practice of writing and B) receiving thoughtful feedback.
Like most English teachers, I work on how to give thoughtful feedback in a timely manner. However, just so you know, it can often take 25 minutes or more to read, respond and grade one four-page paper. (With 75 papers coming in, how many hours will that take???)