English 2 Guidelines

Mrs. Bernardini’s English 2 Class Guidelines and Policies

Classroom Philosophy:  It’s all about LEARNING!

Classroom Rule

1. Just do what’s right. (This rule includes following school rules!)

Student Expectations:

1. Respect the learning environment.

2. Respect people.

3. Respect the process of learning.

Behavioral Consequences (for not meeting expectations):

1. In-class consequence appropriate to the offense, such as warning, movement to another seat, et cetera.

2. Private conversation with the teacher to discuss the behavior in question.

3. Phone call or email to parent/guardian.

4. Office referral.

**Serious or potentially dangerous behaviors will result in immediate office referral.

Guidelines, Policies, and Procedures

1. Grades:   Please use Skyward to access your grades on a regular basis. I generally enter grades once a week.  If you do not have internet access at home, you should make a habit of checking at school on your chromebook.  Grade breakdown:  Classwork 10%, Quizzes 30%, Tests 30%, and Projects/Essays 30%.

2.  Make-up Work:  If you miss a day (or more), you are expected to use Google classroom to complete your assignments.  You will also have a make-up folder in my classroom where you can find assignments.  It is your responsibility to obtain and complete make-up work.  Tests and quizzes can only be made up at school in tutoring. Make-up assignments must be turned in within a week of the absence.  If you miss a test or quiz that requires after-school tutoring, you are expected to make arrangements to attend tutoring within one week of your absence.  If tutoring is not available, discuss an alternate time with me. Make-up assignments and redo assignments must be turned into the make-up tray in order to be graded. I grade make-up assignments once a week.  If an assignment is completed online in my Google classroom, you must EMAIL me in order for me to grade it.  I do not routinely check Google classroom after I finish grading an assignment.  Communication is key!

3. Missing Work:  All graded assignments must be completed by all students.  If you have difficulty finding time to complete assignments, I can help you develop good study habits. Tutoring is available for students who need extra help. Assignments not completed in class due to refusal to work CANNOT be made up.  Attempt the work every single day!

4. Retake Policy:  I allow students to retake quizzes or tests and redo classwork assignments for most previously attempted assignments.  You can redo assignments a limited number of times; it will depend on the assignment and the circumstances. However, if you are present in class and choose not to attempt an assignment, you will not be able to do that assignment at a later time. Some classwork assignments cannot be redone such as group work or practice assignments.  Also, each nine weeks is divided into two segments: before progress reports and after progress reports.  Once progress reports are distributed, no assignments dated before that date can be made up (not including actual make-up work due to absence). I expect every student to attempt every assignment the first time it is given.  

5. Plagiarism Policy:  Plagiarism is zero tolerance.  You will earn a zero for a plagiarized assignment.  My policy is to always allow a retake opportunity in after-school tutoring for partial credit for the first offense.  The highest you can receive on a retake is a 70. Any plagiarism beyond the first plagiarized assignment will earn a zero with no retakes.  Use of AI is strictly prohibited. Do your own work!

6. Major class units per nine weeks:

First Nine Weeks

Unit 4:  All That Glitters

Essential Question:  What do our possessions reveal about us?

Unit Goals:  Evaluate written informative tests by analyzing how authors introduce and develop central ideas.  Write an informative essay in which you convey complex ideas, concepts, and information.

Major Literary Works:  “The Necklace,” “Civil Peace,” and other fiction and nonfiction texts.

Second Nine Weeks

Unit 6: Blindness and Sight

Essential Question: What does it mean to see?

Unit Goals: Evaluate written narrative texts by analyzing how authors introduce and develop central ideas or themes. Write a narrative in which you convey an experience or event using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured sequences.

Major Literary Works: Oedipus Rex and Antigone by Sophocles

Third Nine Weeks

Unit 2: Outsiders and Outcasts

Essential Question: Do people need to belong?

Unit Goals: Evaluate written arguments by analyzing how authors state and support their claims.  Write an argumentative essay in which you incorporate the key elements of an argument.  Read and analyze the themes and symbolism in a novel.

Major Literary Work: The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Fourth Nine Weeks

Unit 1: Inside the Nightmare

Essential Question: What is the allure of fear?

Unit Goals: Write an explanatory essay using narratives to apply your knowledge of the texts in the unit. Evaluate written narratives by analyzing how authors introduce and develop the events in their writing.

Major Literary Works: short stories and informational texts

English 2 Course Description:

English 2 builds upon the skills developed in English 1 and continues to address four strands of literacy: reading (both literary and informational texts), writing, listening and speaking, and language. Students complete a survey of World Literature, including a variety of fiction and nonfiction books, short stories, poetry, drama, and informational texts. Writing involves the modes of narrative, informative/explanatory, and argument with an emphasis on providing evidence to support a claim while using increasingly sophisticated structures. Students have regular opportunities to conduct both limited and extended research and to share their findings in a variety of ways, including technology-based presentations, whole and small group discussions, and written products. This course continues to develop language knowledge and skills, enabling students to appropriately write and speak to the purpose and audience.