Composition and Critique Syllabus

Kearsarge Regional High School Syllabus

CP Literary Composition & Critique 2020-2021

Teacher:  Mr. James Milliken E-mail:  jmilliken@kearsarge.org     

Website: https://sites.google.com/a/kearsarge.org/latina-kearsargia/literary-composition-critique

Course Description:

The course will focus on writing essays in a variety of forms. Students will focus on the basic requirements of descriptive, narrative, informative, argumentative and research-based writing as well as study the mechanics and fundamentals of writing sentences, paragraphs and short papers. Emphasis will be on the organization of ideas, use of supporting details and development of the writing process. Work on grammar, punctuation, diction and usage will be included.

Note: This course fulfills the 0.5 credit junior writing requirement.

Core Competencies: Upon successful completion of this course students will be proficient in the following: 

• 10%--Reading for Comprehension and Analysis: 

read fluently and critically with understanding, which is essential for the development of academic and professional skills

• 45%--Writing: 

create well-structured essays to effectively communicate, using the writing process and the rules of English grammar

• 25%--Language and Vocabulary: 

have firm control over the conventions of standard English

• 10%--Speaking and Listening: 

speak effectively, listen to others respectfully, and respond appropriately, through formal and informal opportunities

• 10%--Formative

Grades will be determined by the above competency weights, with all formative assignments grouped together; students must demonstrate at least basic proficiency in all core competencies to earn course credit.

21​st​  Century Learning Expectations:

1. Initiative and Productivity:  ​This category represents students’ skills in time management, independence, production of high quality work, positive attitude, engagement, rigorous goal setting, and perseverance in learning.

2. Responsibility and Accountability: ​This category represents students’ skills in promoting and exhibiting appropriate conduct as outlined in the student handbook and classroom policies, and demonstrating respect and involvement for school, local, national, and global community issues.

3. Collaboration: ​This category represents students’ skills in consistently and actively working towards group goals by contributing knowledge, opinions, skills, and advocacy for self and others in a positive manner; it also reflects how students value and encourage the opinions and contributions of the other group members. 

Mature Content:

We are confident that we have selected age-appropriate texts for this course. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me as soon as possible. In addition, we may view these films in class:

The Story of an Hour

Stand By Me

Freedom Writers

Required Materials: 

• Familiarity with Google account provided by the school district. We will utilize this program for submitting, revising, and editing assignments on Google Classroom throughout the year. In order to access any items on my website or in Google Classroom, students must be signed in with their Kearsarge account.

• Pens, pencils, and highlighters

• Notebook or three-ring binder that you will bring to class each day. 

Classroom Policies:

• Civic/Social Responsibilities:

1. Come to class prepared to participate and to complete the assigned work.  It is your responsibility to keep up with due dates. (All handouts and information about assignments can be found on my website, in our Google Classroom, and/or on the whiteboard).

2. Treat everyone in the room with respect.  This means listening courteously when others are speaking and treating people as you would like to be treated.

3. Come to class on time with the necessary materials, so you can engage in a meaningful way.

4. Please keep the room neat and clean. Put trash and recyclables in the appropriate bins.  Do not deface the walls or furniture.  

   1. NO food or drink will be allowed while working on a school computer.  

   2. If you choose to chew gum, please keep it quiet.  

5. Cell phones are not allowed to be a distraction in class, to you, me, or your classmates. When you enter the classroom, please silence your phone and place it in your backpack (or one of the pockets on the wall, in case of a summative). It should remain there until you leave the classroom at the end of the period, unless there is a specific, class-related reason to use it.  According to school policy, any cell phone being used without permission during class may be confiscated and returned at the discretion of administration.

6. Students should not begin packing up at the end of class until the bell has rung or they have been instructed to do so.

• Attendance and Make-up Policy:

1. Students are expected to be on time to class every day.  Students will receive a teacher detention after 2 tardies. 

2. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the work you missed, including class notes.  Make-up homework and class work is expected to be completed in a timely fashion.  You will receive 2 days for every excused absence in order to make up the work.

3. If an assignment is due on the day that you are absent, I will expect you to turn it in on the day you return.

4. If you are absent for a test or quiz, you will be expected to make arrangements to stay after school the day you return to make up the assessment.  If extenuating circumstances occur, please see me to arrange a makeup date.  You will have one week to make arrangements to take the test.  

5. Attendance will be taken each period and is updated daily.

Plagiarism and Cheating:

If you are caught cheating or plagiarizing an assignment you will receive a grade of 0 on that assignment, your parents will be notified, and possible disciplinary action could follow:

Reassessment: See the KRHS CBE Handbook for more details. Students forfeit the right to reassess if all formative work has not been completed prior to the summative assessment. ​Students are eligible to retake summative assessments after the following takes place:

1.  The student speaks and writes an email to the teacher within 3 days of the scores being posted that contains the following information:

a. the assessment and competency(ies) the student wishes to remediate

b. the reasons for the student’s poor performance on the first attempt

c. the student’s specific plans to be proactive and successful moving forward

2.  The student and teacher develop a contract for reassessment that is mutually agreed upon. This may include:

a. additional work sessions,

b. a determined end date which students must meet in order to receive a new score,

c. an alternative version of the assessment. In order to remediate a writing summative (e.g. an essay), a student may be required to write an entirely new essay on a new topic, determined by the teacher and student.

3.  In addition, the following procedures will be followed for reassessment:

a. Students who receive BP, I, or N on their first attempt will be permitted to reassess a summative up to two (2) times.

b. Students who receive a proficient (P) grade on their first attempt may reassess one (1) time.

c. Any grade of PD on the first attempt will stand, and no reassessment opportunity will be offered.

d. In any reassessment opportunity, the higher grade will be recorded.

e. Final and midterm exams are not open to reassessment.

Academic Honesty Policy in the KRHS Student Handbook:

“The Kearsarge Regional School District requires academic integrity of its (professional employees and its) students.  Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses.  Plagiarism is using another’s work as your own without giving proper credit.  (You can also self-plagiarize by handing in the same paper to two different classes for credit.)

1st Offense: The work will receive a zero and not be remediated. There will be a meeting between student, teacher, and administration.  

2nd Offense: The  work will receive a zero and not be remediated. A meeting between parent/guardian, teacher and administration.

Further Offenses:  Students will lose consideration for school awarded scholarships and scholastic awards. Possible disciplinary consequence as determined at the discretion of administration.

Extra Help: I am available during Flex, so please schedule a time to meet if you feel you need extra help. 

This syllabus is a general guideline for the course. It is subject to change based on changes in school or district policies.  Please complete and return the last page of this packet, and feel free to contact me anytime throughout the semester with questions or concerns.   I look forward to a successful year with you and your son or daughter.

Kearsarge Regional High School Syllabus

CP Literary Composition & Critique 2020-2021

Teacher:  Mr. James Milliken E-mail:  jmilliken@kearsarge.org 

Signature Page:

“I have read and understand the Class and Course Expectations for Literary Composition and Critique with Mr. Milliken”  

________________________________________________________________   Student Printed Name

________________________________________________________________   Student Signature & Date

________________________________________________________________   Parent/Guardian Printed Name

________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature & Date

________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Email Address

 _____   My son/daughter has a cell phone and will leave it in their bag.

 _____  My son/daughter DOES NOT have a cell phone.

Please note that - Cell Phones are often a notable distraction during classroom instructional time. All students are required to keep their phones in their bags (unless otherwise indicated for lessons involving the use of phone technology).

Anyone using their cell phone device to text, call someone, watch personal videos, Snapchat, video another student, or any other inappropriate school use will be subject to disciplinary action.  This could mean taking the cell phone away, detention, or referral to an administrator.