English IV

Syllabus

Teacher:Zoha Hussain

zhussain@eanesisd.net

Course Description and Objectives

• English IV will provide students an opportunity to think and to communicate effectively & respectfully in various media

• Students will read major works of British and world literature.

• Attention will be given to skills of reading texts critically and reflecting about ideas & issues raised.

• Students will develop skills in articulating responses through writing and discussion.

• Students will practice the writing process by producing a variety of compositions, including preparation of a personal narrative (college application essay) to start the year.

Course Objectives

• Read in order to improve critical thinking skills.

• Learn to write with power (thesis and support) and truth (focus and exploration).

• Broaden and enrich the educational experience through the imaginative, intellectual, and emotional engagement with literature. 

Class Texts  Students may opt to purchase a copy to have it in print, but digital copies are available for most texts.

• A variety of English literature from early through contemporary periods

• Shakespeare and Macbeth

• Student-selected ISR

• Oscar Wilde and The Importance of Being Earnest

• End of year Novel Discourse: a variety of British and World Literature 

• Works of poetry, articles, podcasts, etc.

Materials for Class: I kindly ask that you have the following for class each day.

• your school-issued iPad (charged) and any books we're reading as a class

• your ISR book

• A binder or folder to keep your handouts organized (does not need to be specific to English)

• Loose leaf notebook paper

• Pens (blue and black ink); pencils

Opportunities for Tutoring

Email me at least 24 hours in advance if you'd like to chat about a piece of writing you're working on or received feedback on, would like to look over an assessment, or have questions about something we/you are reading or a specific assignment.

Tardies

Students are expected to be in their seats by the tardy bell. For first period, students are counted tardy up to the first 15 minutes of class. All other periods, 7 minutes. A student must be present for 90% of the class period to be counted present. That means for a 50 minute class, students must be present for at least 45 minutes to be counted present. Tardies and absences will be documented using the Skyward system. Upon the fourth (4th) tardy, a student is no longer eligible for exam exemptions.

Absences and Make-up Work

If you are absent, check Google Classroom or schedule a time to discuss what was missed in class. Send me an email for clarification or further instructions. Avoid spending active class time in pursuit of make up materials as it causes distractions to the learning environment. Students will be permitted to make-up work missed during any absence. Students who miss class for a prearranged or co-curricular activity will turn in work or take a test the day they return. If a student misses new instruction during a school-related absence, then they will not be held accountable the day they return. They will be allowed sufficient time to learn and make up work missed. Students who miss a class due to illness or any other absence have one (1) day to complete make-up work for each day absent. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher regarding make-up work and appear at the time scheduled. After the teacher has graded the assignment on or after the due date/deadline, late work will no longer be accepted.

Class Calendar

Required Class Materials

I kindly ask that you have the following for class each day: 

• your school-issued iPad (charged) and any books we're reading as a class

• your ISR book

• A binder or folder to keep your handouts organized (does not need to be specific to English or used solely for my class)

• Loose leaf notebook paper

• Pens (blue and black ink)

• Colored pens/pencils 

• Highlighters (4+ colors)

Google Classroom

Westlake High School utilizes the Google Classroom platform to share classroom resources, many assignments, and assessment preparation materials to students. WHS students will receive a classroom code to access these materials, submit assignments, and track any missing work.