Literature and Composition III
Richmond Hill High School
Kathleen Turner & Nicole Robinson
Room 1440 (4th Block)
Major Works:
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Replacement cost: $21.90 ($15.95 + $5.95 shipping)
*Replacement costs listed above are estimates and might be subject to change due to availability.
Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. Replacement cost: $21.50 ($15.20 + $5.95 shipping)
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Not Loanable
The above texts are major works for three of four units. Students will also read short stories and poetry along with the major texts. Students will do research, write essays, and make presentations with each unit. Novels are provided to students and must be returned upon the completion of each unit.
Course Description
Literature & Composition III is the third course in the standard pathway of secondary English language arts courses. This course develops the integrated skill set that comprises the English language arts discipline to ensure that students are on track to be college and workplace ready. Literature & Composition III provides a platform for the wide interpretation, evaluation, construction, and design of texts across genres and modes, with an emphasis on the application of these skills in a variety of real-world, academic, and disciplinary contexts. This course must utilize the 9-12 standards and 11th grade expectations of Georgia's K-12 English Language Arts (ELA) Standards.
Course Outline
Unit 1: Barriers and Dreams
Unit 2: Untamed: The Search for Self in the Wild
Unit 3: Control, Ethics, and Rebellion
Unit 4: Voices and Perspectives
Supplies:
Paper
Pencils
3-Ring Binder
1 Pack of Tab Dividers
Grading:
63%- Summative Assessments (Unit Tests, Formal Essays, Projects)
27%- Formative (Homework, Class Work, Group Work Observations, Quizzes, etc.)
10%- Final Exam
Absence / Make-up Work / Late Work Policy:
Students who miss assignments or tests due to an excused absence will have an appropriate time period in which to make up the work. As stated in the 2023-2024 Richmond Hill High School handbook, “Students who are absent 3 days or less shall be given at least 3 school days from their last absence to complete all assignments. In the case of multiple absences, with guidance from the school, the teacher and student will work to create a reasonable timeline for completing and submitting missing work.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they receive and complete any missed assignments. If students fail to complete the assignments or make-up the test within the time period given by the teacher, the matter then becomes a behavioral issue. Students who do not make a reasonable attempt, as determined by the teacher, to complete an assignment /assessment will receive a forty.
All assignments will have clear due dates. Ten points will be deducted every calendar day that an assignment is late. After an assignment is six days late (60 points), it will no longer be accepted, and you will receive a grade of forty. This rule applied to all assignments, formative and summative.
Exam Exemptions:
A student may exempt exams if they meet ALL the following criteria:
No ISS/OSS
No Obligations List
No more than five (5) absences in the class
Mo more than 5 total tardies combined to all classes per semester.
An average of 80 or above in the class – grade taken first week in December/May
Guidelines:
There will be NO Appeals to the Exam Exemption Policy
There will be NO EXCEPTIONS for absences.
School-sponsored activities do not count as an absence.
Students must obtain parental permission for exam exemption.
Students must take End-of-Course Tests for the subjects requiring these tests.
Remediation and Retesting:
Reteaching (targeted instruction of deficit content/skill) and remediation (practice with that content/skill) will occur within 10 days of the initial assessment. After, students will have the opportunity to retest if remediation assignment(s) are completed. Summative essays or projects may not be revisited if feedback was given before submission. Retesting may occur in class or during tutorial depending on the number of students in need.
Discipline: All students are expected to follow the rules set forth in the student handbook. In the event of disciplinary infractions, the following steps will be taken to correct the behaviors:
Warning, student/teacher conference
Phone call to parent
Parent/Teacher conference
Referral to administrator
Helpful Links:
Google Classroom Code
4th Block: fmu7yn2n
Classroom Rules: All students are expected to follow the rules set forth in the student handbook.
Leaving the Classroom
Minga will be utilized for any reason you may need to leave my classroom: bathroom, counseling, nurse, etc. Only one student is allowed out of the class at a time except in cases of emergency. Your pass must be approved by the teacher before you leave the classroom. Sending a pass and leaving the classroom before it has been approved will result in a write-up for leaving class without permission.
Electronics Policy
You will not use cell phones in my classroom unless I specifically direct you to do so. Cell phones will be put away in the organizer I have in the front of the room every day before the bell rings. There is a number on your desk that corresponds with the number on the organizer. Before the bell rings each day, you will put your cell phone away. Cell phones that are not put away will be confiscated.
Students are not allowed to wear headphones / earbuds in class. They should remain concealed for the entirety of class. Headphones that are not put away will be confiscated.
Students should only have their Chromebooks / laptops out when directed by the teacher. Your Chromebook should be charged before you come to class. In the rare instance when it is not charged, you must ask my permission to move from your assigned seat to charge it. A student who repeatedly needs to charge their computer in my class is not prepared for class and will be disciplined.
Smart watches may be worn in class, but may not be used. If a student has trouble restraining themselves from using a smart watch, it will be put away with their cell phone each day.
Communication
When you have a question, thought, or concern, you need to raise your hand to speak.
When you are struggling or have concerns about our class, you must communicate with me. Though I have many talents, mind-reading is not one of them. I want my classroom to be a space where you feel safe and supported.
Miscellaneous
No food or drinks (with the exception of water) are allowed in the classroom. Any food / drink you have with you should remain concealed for the entirety of class, or it will be confiscated and disposed of.
Tardies
All students not in my classroom and in their seat by the time the bell rings will be marked tardy and must get a tardy pass from the front office before coming to class. If you need to use the restroom before class and worry you will not be back in time before the bell rings, you should check with the teacher to see if you are able to go, or if you should wait.
Participation
The contributions of each individual in the classroom play a role in the collective strength and diversity of our class community. Your participation is always necessary. Your head should never be down in my classroom. If you are sick, you may visit the nurse. If you need to speak to a counselor, you may. If you are in my classroom, you should be alert, present, and ready to learn. Repeated failure to follow this rule will result in disciplinary action.
Performance Checks
Your performance will be reviewed once a month in my class. Your parent(s) / guardian(s will be notified if you are failing my class during these performance checks.