English IV

English IV: British Literature

Instructor: Ms. Carolyn Harrod

Email address: charrod@dentonisd.org

School phone number: (940) 369-3294

Tutorials: Tues, Wed, Thurs 8:15-8:45 a.m. and 3:15-4:30 p.m.

Monday and Friday virtual tutorials by appointment only

Course Objectives and Goals

English IV focuses on the interconnected nature of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking through reading different kinds of literature, comprehending the basic message while understanding the author’s craft and style of writing. We’ll write our own responses to the literature we read, and later on we’ll ask some questions then research possible answers to find the best one. Over the course of the year, we’ll read literary works with increased complexity and nuance in order to think critically so we can adapt to an ever-changing world.

Homework and Preparation

Because we will likely have periods of remote learning over the course of this school year, I have prepared all of our materials in Canvas. Everything you need to access will be available in Canvas, whether we are here in class or at home.

This means you will need to check Canvas frequently. I recommend downloading the free Canvas app on your phone. You will be able to access all of your Denton ISD classes this way.

You will also need your school-issued chromebook or personal laptop every day. Since you will be working on a device (especially when working on your phone), you will need to have adult-level discipline (which is hard for adults).

Most assignments will be published in Canvas and turned in through Canvas. If you have to miss a class, be sure to check Canvas.

Supplies and Materials

In order to be successful in this class, students will need to come prepared to discuss and write about the assigned text. The following materials will be needed:

• A Chromebook or laptop with internet access.

• A separate folder on your Google Drive for this class. You will save all your work, downloads from Canvas, and other course materials or links in this folder.

Grading Policy

Grades will be entered regularly in Denton ISD’s online gradebook (HAC). Keep in mind, however, that essays will not be immediately recorded. It takes a substantial amount of time for me to grade writing assignments for all of my classes.

Grade calculation is based on:

Minor Summative Assessments (weighted 40%): homework, in-class work, quizzes, rough drafts

Major Summative Assessments (weighted 60%): tests, final drafts of essays, projects

Denton ISD expects all students to turn in completed work on the due date. This is doubly true for seniors because colleges do not accept late work at all. We realize that students may occasionally need to turn an assignment in after the due date, so the RHS English IV team has developed a late policy. If you turn your work in by the due date and time, you can earn full credit. If you email or share the assignment after the due date and time but before 8:40 a.m. the next calendar day, you can still earn full credit. If you email or share the assignment by the beginning of the next class period, you can earn up to a 90. If you have not emailed or shared the assignment at the beginning of the next class period, you must complete an alternate assessment with an additional component (worth 30 points) during tutorials. The alternate assessment and additional component must be completed by the date of the major summative assessment.

Only major summative assessments that earn less than a 90 can be reassessed. The highest possible grade a reassessment can earn is a 90. All minor summative assessments must be completed BEFORE the major summative assessment to qualify for reassessment. This means that if you have ANY missing work on the date of the test (or essay or presentation due date), you are not eligible to reassess, no matter what your grade is. Reassessments take place during tutorials and must be complete within four (4) days of the time I pass back the assessment grades.

If you must miss class on the day an assignment is due, your assignment must be turned in the day you return to class. If you miss class on the day an assignment is made, you are still responsible for the assignment as it is described in the Course Schedule (located on Canvas), including the due date.

Academic Integrity

Following Denton ISD policy, cheating, plagiarism, or other kinds of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in appropriate sanctions that may include failing an assignment, failing the class, or being suspended from school. Parents/Guardians will be contacted, as well as the appropriate school administrators.

Units of Study

English IV focuses on the origins of British literature in the first semester, while moving to a more modern variety of reading in the second semester.

Unit One opens with the origins of British Literature: Beowulf, the first work of literature composed in Old English. As we discuss how the author portrays characters, we’ll work on our own reflective essays that portray ourselves as “heroes.”

Unit Two is centered around Frankenstein, the first science fiction novel ever written. We’ll use concepts from the novel, such as responsibility to that which we create, as a basis for the rest of what learn.

Unit Three will focus on our own process of creation. Like Victor Frankenstein, we will research and create our own “monster.” You’ll be able to choose your own topic/direction for this, then we’ll use the research process I developed using Frankenstein as a model. Our end products may look very different from each other, but each final product will be accompanied by a brief (600-1200 word) essay that explains how your research sources relate to your final product.

Next semester, we’ll read some Shakespeare and some short stories and some poetry, but we’re not going to worry about the specifics just yet.

Final Word

We all went through a LOT these last couple of years. It’s not going to be easy for me to return to our “regular teaching,” so I imagine it’s going to be a struggle for you to return to “normal learning.” We will get through this together, but you HAVE to communicate with me. When something is going on, email me.

If you feel sick, please do not come to school! Covid is far from over, and we don’t want an outbreak in our room. For this reason, Denton ISD encourages you to wear masks in the classroom. Masks are not required, though. I will be wearing a mask.