NAME OF COURSE: English I, 112, 5 credits
INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Mark Cormier, (413) 565 – 4220, ext. 2390, mcormier@longmeadow.k12.ma.us
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This full-year course is a survey of literary genres with moderate writing expectations. Students study the short story, poetry, drama, the novel, mythology, and the nonfiction essay from a diverse group of writers, including those historically marginalized. Additionally, teacher-selected and student-choice works supplement the reading curriculum. Emphasis is placed on analyzing and interpreting texts by developing close-textual reading skills. With substantial support, writing, grammar,vocabulary, and research instruction focus on improving students' facility with language in both written and oral formats.
COURSE OUTLINE:
I. Literature
A. Short Fiction & Nonfiction, September – October: photocopied selections
B. Lyric Poetry, October - November: photocopied selections
C. The Novel, November -- January: To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee
D. Drama: February – April: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare
E. Mythology & Epic poetry, April - June: photocopied selections & The Odyssey, Homer
OUTSIDE READING: student selections of fiction and nonfiction throughout the year
II. Grammar, Vocabulary, and Composition
A. Grammar: regular work on parts of speech, basic sentence parts, phrases and clauses,
capitalization, and punctuation
B. Vocabulary: regular work on word lists (both high-frequency SAT and from literature)
with in-class quizzes
C. Composition: regular work on close reading skills and textual analysis in paragraph writing
(1st quarter) and full-length, thesis-driven academic arguments (2nd – 4th quarters). Short research projects and oral presentations will be incorporated as well.
*** Important Note on the Writing Process ***
Students are required to draft and submit typed written work on Google Docs. This stipulation
allows for me to see the live-time drafting process with time stamps in order to
ensure that the student's submission is their own work.
CLASS WEBSITE & GMAIL
Students will be required to join Google Classroom, where class announcements, homework, and handouts will be posted. It should be consulted regularly, especially when a student has missed class. Students are also expected to check their school-issued gmail regularly.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
1) Assigned texts and handouts, 2) pens, 3) notebook, 4) School-issued Chromebook (personal laptops are not allowed).
GRADING
Each homework assignment, test, quiz, essay, project, etc. will be assigned a point value (e.g. major test: 120 points, vocabulary quiz: 25 points, essay: 50 points, homework: 10 points). At the end of the marking period, the total number of points that you have earned will be divided by the total number of points available during that quarter. Point totals for each quarter do vary, but students should expect the opportunity to earn approximately 500 points each marking period (essays: 400 points; quizzes: 100 points).
ATTENDANCE
It matters. English classes are largely conversation based. Frequent absences truly deny you the experience that makes the class most valuable: learning through purposeful conversations with your peers.
SUBMITTING WORK LATE DUE TO ABSENCE & MAKE-UPS
1. If you cut a class, you receive a zero for any work due in or done during that class. In addition, you will receive a 10-point penalty on your quarter average.
2. If you are absent and miss a class, consult Google Classroom for classwork and homework. See me the following day, whether or not your class meets. If homework was not collected through Google Classroom, be prepared to submit it. If you missed a quiz, test, or in-class essay, be ready to make it up, unless we mutually agree upon another day.
3. If you miss class, but are in school any part of the day (for example, doctors’ appointments, field trips, etc.), assignments must be submitted on time. You also must see me that day to make arrangements to take any quiz or exam missed that day.
4. If you are absent more than one day consecutively, keep up with class and homework as best you can. See me as soon as possible when you return so that a reasonable schedule can be set up for missed work.
5. If you know beforehand that you will be absent from class or school, check in with me so that we can set up reasonable expectations for submitting work early or when you get back.
6. Due dates for major papers, tests, or presentations will be announced approximately one week in advance.
EXTRA HELP
I am available most days after school in room 133 until 3:15 PM. Students are encouraged to make appointments when possible.
COURSE AND CLASSROOM POLICIES
GENERAL PREPARATION: Students are expected to arrive to each class, in-person or remotely, prepared with appropriate texts and materials. Failing to do so will result in a 10-point deduction from a student’s quarterly point total (explained above).
GENERAL BEHAVIOR: Students are expected to treat one another with respect, as they should expect to be treated.
CLASS DISCUSSION: Students are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussion. Essential to the learning process, purposeful conversations give students the opportunity to articulate their ideas and consider those of their classmates and teacher. In other matters regarding classroom behavior, students are expected to adhere to the regulations outlined in the Student Handbook.
MATURE TOPICS: We remind students and parents/guardians that literature, both classic and contemporary, often includes mature topics. While authors portray these difficult situations to truthfully explore human experience, we are cognizant that these topics may also evoke strong emotions. We believe strongly that the high school classroom is a safe and appropriate place to encounter and responsibly discuss these topics, and encourage further discussion between parents/guardians and students outside of the classroom.
TECHNOLOGY: Cell phones and Chromebooks may only be used when specifically permitted by the teacher. Students will be assigned a numbered pocket in the phone “hotel” that is near the door of the classroom; they are expected to get in the habit of placing their phone in that pocket as they enter the classroom.
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM: Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will be assigned a zero for that particular assignment. Additionally, plagiarized work will result in a referral to the school administration as well as a conference with the student’s parents/guardians. Work that is plagiarized mocks the learning process and calls into doubt the integrity of the student.
In particular,
1) Use of artificial intelligence/large language models for any stage of the work process constitutes plagiarism, unless your teacher has explicitly provided guidance and direction for its use on an individual assignment or assessment.
2) Copying another student’s homework or completing work as a group (unless directed to do so) constitutes
cheating.
3) Students will be required to submit writing to Turnitin.com, which is equipped with an originality report and AI detector.
TESTS/QUIZZES: Students should expect quizzes that are both announced and unannounced on a regular basis. All tests will be announced at least one week in advance.
LATE WORK: Submitting work (primarily essays) after the due date is strongly discouraged, unless unusual circumstances exist. Students will be penalized one letter grade per day for three days. No work will be accepted after three days, unless circumstances dictate otherwise (illness, family or personal situations) NOTE: Homework may be submitted one day late, ONLY if the assignment was not addressed in class the day that it was due.
EXTRA-CREDIT: Generally, there will be no extra-credit work assigned (except in December!). Occasionally an essay contest or something similar may be provided as an extra-credit opportunity.