• Course Description-

• Senior English refines the skills students have learned during the first three years of high school. Students will gain a greater understanding of written and spoken English as well as the development of novels and other writings. British Literature is more challenging than previous literature classes (especially the first semester) because the readings span the entire history of the British culture. Students must keep up with assigned reading and classroom discussions to ensure success. In their final year of high school, seniors should demonstrate an ability to be personally motivated and responsible for their academic progress. Please keep in mind that senior English is a mandatory course. Failure to pass either/both semesters will prevent students from graduating in May with their peers.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q 1: What is plagiarism?

Answer: As stated in an online article, "Plagiarism is the use of another's original words or ideas as though they were your own" (http://www3.cis.gsu.edu/dtruex/courses/PMBA8125/Instructs-Matls-Templates/PlagarismFAQs.html). Acts of plagiarism might include, but are not limited to, 1.) using any number of words or ideas from a published source, no matter how seemingly insignificant, without proper documentation; 2.) using the work of another student (e.g., copying another student’s homework, composition, or project); and 3.) using excessive editing suggestions of another student, adult, or paid author. Plagscan is used to prevent plagiarism. Students will be required to submit assignments via www.plagscan.com/EHS. Plagiarism will result in a grade of zero as well as the disciplinary action outlined for this offense in the student handbook.

Q 2: Am I allowed to leave class to use the restroom or retrieve work from my locker?

Answer: Sometimes. Restroom/Locker passes will be granted solely at the teacher’s discretion. Repeated failure to arrive to class prepared will result in detention, and all detentions are served in the morning before school begins.

Q 3: Will we ever use our phones/tablets in class?

Answer: Students using cell phones/devices for any reason without the teacher’s permission will be referred to the office for disciplinary action. So, unless I tell you to use it, keep your electronic devices off and put away. This year we will only be using the classroom laptops for classroom review and technology aspects. Phones should be put away at all times. 

Q 4: Do you accept late work?

Answer: In general, no. All assignments must be complete and ready to turn in at the beginning of the period. If an exception is made, full credit will not be possible. Once I have returned graded assignments, however, it is too late to make them up.

Q 5: Am I allowed to make up all the work I miss when I’m absent?

Answer: Yes – but only if you have an excused note. When you return to school, check with me to find out what work was assigned during your absence and schedule a time to complete any in-class assessments. It is a student’s responsibility to obtain and complete all missing work within 5 days of an excused absence. Until missing work is completed, it will be entered with a grade of 0.

All work that was assigned prior to your absence is due no later than the day you return. Tests and quizzes must be made up before school, in class, or during an elective (with that teacher’s permission). The only exception applies to writing assignments and projects: Regardless of whether or not you are physically present in class, all original due dates apply. If you do not attend class the day a writing/project is due, upload it electronically to our classroom, send it to school with someone else, email it to me, or send me a screenshot. If you do not attend class on a day that you were expected to present and you did not make arrangements before your original presentation date/time points will be deducted. 

Q 6: What do I do if I have questions that aren’t answered during class?

Answer: If you realize you need additional help with a particular reading selection or writing assignment, please let me know! If it isn’t something we can handle in a quick discussion or via email, consider arranging a morning tutoring session.

Q 7: Do you drop grades?

Answer: It depends. If I do not drop a grade in the class work/minor assignments category, that most likely means you had a chance to go back and make up missing/failing assignments, making a drop irrelevant.

Q 8: Do you offer extra credit?

Answer: Sometimes I offer credit if students practice annotating personally owned copies of the novels we read. At other times I may allow students to complete enrichment projects, attend tutoring, and/or request contracts. If you need extra help, please speak with me well before the end of the 9 weeks. Do not show up on the last two weeks before report cards for a solution. 

Q 9: Do you really care about this class?

Answer: I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. Literature and the Language Arts is my passion.  I want to help students improve in what they already know about reading and writing. I would never ask you to do something that I didn't think connected to a bigger purpose or reason.  Unfortunately, nothing will work unless you do! Come to class every day; pay attention and participate; stay on task; and do the work assigned, on time, to the best of your ability. When questions do arise, I expect open and immediate communication with me – I cannot help you solve your problem if I do not know it exists. I am always available to parents and students through email, a phone call, or a conference, and I welcome communication from both parties. 

Q 10: (For Seniors ONLY): What is the Senior Project?

Answer: This project demonstrates the culmination of a student’s learning over the course of their academic career. This project is mandatory in Columbia County. Although the project is overseen by the English Department, it is intended to be an independent study in addition to the normal senior lit curriculum. Students who remain organized and complete the components of the Senior Project, as well as the literature requirements, will successfully complete their English credits toward graduation. Essays will ALWAYS conform to either APA or MLA format. Seniors have access to an electronic copy of the CCBOE Senior Project manual and will be responsible for the content in completing their project. In addition, students have both a Microsoft 365 account and Google account provided by Columbia County free of charge. Students will be expected to maintain a portfolio (in OneNote or Google classroom) and turn in assignments electronically.