Honors English III Class Expectations

Last Update:  5 Aug. 2025

Honors English III: World Literature and Composition       2025-2026

Mr. Judd/ Room 180  

e-mail:  judd@shg.org

Required Text:  Coming of Age Around the World:  A Multicultural Anthology (Edited by Faith Adiele and Mary Frosch, The New

                                       Press, 2007)

                            Texts supplied through Google Classroom 

Course Description:

Far from meaning false, the word fiction denotes something shaped or fashioned by the imagination.  In the study of literature, fiction can communicate truth no less forcefully than non-fiction.  Accordingly, we will read fiction produced throughout the world in order to appreciate various cultural viewpoints that may be quite different from our own.

In addition to exploring multicultural themes, this course will also be directed to the study of the art and science of persuasion (rhetoric).   If we are to persuade others to listen to us, we must first understand and appreciate the audience to whom we are addressing our words.  The writer’s job is to work as hard as possible in order to make the reader want to consider what we have to say.

In order to become a good writer, one must first become a good reader.  Through an analysis of literary works, one acquires the skill of writing with greater clarity.  Through diverse reading, one acquires a more informed point of view. 

Course Outcomes:

By the conclusion of this course, students will be able:

1)  to employ context and prior knowledge in order to comprehend unfamiliar words and  texts.

2)  to build vocabulary knowledge through the analysis of word roots.

3)  to write and speak using standard English grammar.

4)  to apply literary terms to the interpretation of a text (e.g., plot, setting, characterization, theme, tone, style, diction, symbolism, syntax, narration).

5)  to analyze a literary work according to its historical and cultural context.

6)   to write and speak with greater clarity through diverse activities (e.g., essays, class participation, peer review, oral presentations, and project-based learning [PBL]).

7)   to write essays suited to the rhetorical context of the assignment, using a clearly articulated thesis and specific supporting information.

8)  to demonstrate cultural literacy with respect to important authors and texts (e.g., Plato, Vergil’s Aeneid, Sophocles' Antigone, Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis, Dostoevsky's "The Good Thief," Ibsen's A Doll's House, and Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart.

9)   to apply research strategies in the composition of a research paper according to the MLA  style (second semester).  

10)   to effectively use technology as a tool for communication.  

11)  to develop critical thinking skills necessary to meet the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for the high school level.

12)  to read both fiction and nonfiction over a range of text complexity.

 Course Expectations and Information:

1)  Classes will begin on time and will end when I dismiss you.  Lining up at the door is never permitted. You are expected to have all materials with you when classes begin and to conduct yourself in a courteous manner.  Failure to be in your seat when the bell rings will result in a detention.  Classroom materials include a fully charged and functioning device, a notebook that is exclusively for this class, a folder for this class, and pens/pencils.  Failure to have such materials may result in a detention.  NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE CLASSROOM TO RETRIEVE MISSING MATERIALS.

2)  All homework must be completed in a professional manner and submitted through the proper link on Google Classroom.  From time to time, I may collect written work in class.  Such work MUST be completed with a BLUE OR BLACK INK PEN.

3)  You have one restroom pass per quarter.

4)  Gum is permitted ONLY if it is not a distraction to others.  It must NOT be deposited in or on desks.

5)  Plagiarism (academic dishonesty) threatens the integrity of all scholarship.  It is an act of deception that will be punished according to the school handbook.  You will submit all formal compositions to an online originality checker to ensure that the work is your own.  Any use of AI to write assignments or essays is unacceptable and will be treated as an act of plagiarism.  See the English Department's AI Policy for more information.

6) Absences: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL WORK MISSED DURING ANY ABSENCE. It is your responsibility to check the assignments posted on Google Classroom before seeing me for further clarification. You have one day for each day missed to make up work, after which a penalty will be imposed (see "Late Work"). Unexcused absences lose all points. All tests announced prior to an absence are made up the day one returns.

Those who are absent due to school excused activities (volunteer work, athletic activities, band or choir events, etc.) are responsible for turning in all homework on time.  You should schedule a make-up time for missed tests and quizzes before the absence.

Make-up work in FACTS will be marked by "M."  Such a designation means that your current grade average will be calculated with a zero for that grade.  Of course, when the work is completed within the allotted time, full credit will be restored.  

7)  Late Work:  All work turned in late will be graded as follows:

         Daily Work:  50% credit, no credit after five school days.

         Essays and Major Projects:  20% deduction if turned in the next day.

                                                       10% additional deduction for each further day late.

(Note:  Major essays must be completed in order to receive a passing grade for the quarter.)

8) Participation:  It is impossible for me to give an objective grade for participation, but it is a vital component of classroom learning.  Therefore, I will note each student’s participation throughout each grading period, using this information to adjust quarter or semester grades that fall on the boundary between two grades.  Or, I may take a grade on a particular class discussion.  The following consistent behaviors will most negatively affect your participation record and could result in a detention.

         a)  failure to raise one’s hand during multiple discussions.

         b)  failure to complete a non-collected homework assignment.

         c)  failure to give active attention in class (Such failure will be defined as head down on

              desk, doing homework for another class, not actively taking notes, unauthorized use of

              one’s device).

9) Pop Quizzes:  A pop quiz may be given over the content of any homework assignment.  These quizzes will normally cover reading assignments or the content of notes taken in class during the previous one or two days.  You may always use your completed homework questions or your notes on a pop quiz.  If absent for a pop quiz, you will receive no credit or penalty for your first or second absence.  The third absence for a pop quiz, however, will result in a make-up quiz being given (one that will be different from the one given to the rest of the class).  This cycle will repeat after the third absence.

10) Grades:  Your quarter grades will be based on the total points earned during each quarter. Tests and major assignments will be worth 100 points.  Announced quizzes will be worth 20-50 points. Daily work and pop quizzes will range from 10-20 points.  Your total points earned will convert to a percentage that will become your letter grade based on the school-wide grading scale found in the SHG planner.  Your first and second quarter grades will count for 40% of your semester grade and your final exam will count for 20% of the semester grade.

11) Technology Policy:  You are expected to have a personal device for accessing the Internet with you at all times.  Such devices are are to be left powered off unless you are instructed to use them to access a text or complete other assigned activities.  Devices are not for taking notes, checking email or social media, chatting, watching videos, or playing games.  You may not have your cell phone with you during class.  It must be powered off and deposited in the phone caddy or locker.  No ear buds are allowed at any time.  Failure to observe these rules will result in a detention.  Consistent disregard for these policies may result in your loss of privilege to use your device in class and/or confiscation of the device.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES may you record ANYONE for ANY REASON.

Of course, all technology policies stated within the SHG handbook will be enforced at all times.

12) I am available for extra help both before and after school.  Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance.