English 11
Instructor: Mrs. Taylor
Course Location: Dover High School Room 200
Email: stephanie.taylor@doverschools.net
Course Description
This course is geared towards developing students’ comprehension and analytical skills. Students will read several works of both fiction and non-fiction throughout the year and will prepare for the End-of-Course ACT exam.
Course Goals
• Build critical reading and analytical skills
• Produce writing that is clear, insightful, organized, and mechanically correct.
• Thoroughly prepare students to achieve on the ACT exam.
Classroom Technology Policies and Procedures
In Accordance with Arkansas Act 122 (2025) — “Bell to Bell, No Cell Act”:
As required by Arkansas State Law Act 122, the use of personal electronic devices is prohibited during the school day, from the first bell to the dismissal bell.
This includes:
Cell phones
Smartwatches
Tablets
Laptops (unless school-issued and teacher-aproved)
Earbuds, headphones, Bluetooth devices
Any other personal electronic devices
Device may be confiscated and sent to the office
Violations will result in disciplinary action per school policy
📖 Legal Reference:
This policy follows Arkansas Code § 6-18-515, known as the “Bell to Bell, No Cell Act,” requiring all public schools to prohibit student use of personal electronic devices during the school day to promote focus, academic success, and a positive learning environment.
Cell Phones - Cell phone use is not permitted on Dover High School's campus. See handbook for disciplinary action.
Classroom Procedures -
Please remain seated in your assigned seat through the duration of the class period. If you need any assistance or have a specific need that would require you to leave your assigned seat please ask before you do so.
You will be required to fill sign out before leaving the room for any reason.
You are not allowed to keep any supplies/textbooks/binders in the classroom.
Due to the majority of our assignments being online, you will need to have your computer charged and ready for use everyday.
Classwork Policy - Late work will be accepted for half credit one week after the due date that is listed in eSchool by the teacher. After the one week grace period, the student will receive a zero. Extenuating circumstances will need to be brought to the attention of the teacher.
KINDNESS Policy - Rude or disrespectful comments towards the teacher or other students will not be tolerated. Our new philosophy will be “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” All students are expected to be kind and respectful towards others in the class.
Independent Reading - While independent reading is not required for a grade, it is still highly encouraged. This year students will have the opportunity to take AR tests and use those points as currency in our library’s point joint. Students will be able to redeem points for various prizes at the end of each nine weeks.
All students are expected to follow all rules and procedures listed in the student handbook.
Course Units
This year we will be utilizing Pearson’s myPerspectives curriculum. The end of each unit will culminate in a performance-based assessment focused on writing. The following curriculum outline serves as a guideline to help students prepare for class discussions and assignments.
Unit One: Words That Shaped a Nation
Essential Question: What is the meaning of freedom?
Major Works(s): Declaration of Independence, Preamble to the Constitution, Bill of Rights, American Revolution: Visual Propaganda
Performance Based Assessment: Argument
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Two: The Individual and Society
Essential Question: What role does individualism play in American society?
Major Work(s): Dickinson Poetry, Whitman Poetry
Performance Based Assessment: Personal Narrative
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Three: Power, Protest, and Change
Essential Question: In what ways does the struggle for freedom change with history?
Major Work(s): ‘Second Inaugural Address’, from What to the Slave is the Fourth of July, Perspectives on Lincoln, Ain't I a Woman, The Story of an Hour
Performance Based Assessment: Informative Essay
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Four: Grit and Grandeur
Essential Question: What is the relationship between literature and place?
Major Work(s): from Life on the Mississippi, The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, A White Heron
Performance Based Assessment: Explanatory Essay
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Five: Facing Our Fears
Essential Question: How do we respond when challenged by fear?
Major Work(s): The Crucible, Farewell to Manzanar
Performance Based Assessment: Argument
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Unit Six: Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Tales
Essential Question: What do stories reveal about the human condition?
Major Work(s): 'Everything Stuck to Him', 'Everyday Use', ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’
Performance Based Assessment: Narrative