Syllabus

English 4 CP

Instructor: Mr. Neel

Email: jneel@greenvilleschools.us

Greenville Senior High Academy

Course Description: This class focuses on the reading and analysis of British and Western European literature, voicing one’s opinion in a logical and convincing manner, and becoming better writers through editing and revising original writing. Students will be required to read from multiple genres and texts with a wide range of complexity. Nonfiction readings will include historical essays, biographies, and pamphlets. Grammar and usage skills will be reviewed and refined. Students should expect to grow as readers, writers, and public speakers during their time in this class..

Instructional Philosophy and Course Goals:  Greenville High’s motto is “steeped in tradition and focused on the future;” this class shares the same philosophy. Although we read texts from the Anglo Saxon period through modern day, every piece of work is chosen for its applicability to the world in which we now live, so even though the texts are old, the discussions and writing assignments will largely focus on how the themes are still relevant today. We follow SC Standards for Learning and implement lesson plans designed to develop writing, speaking, listening, researching, and viewing skills, and these skills will improve through the editing and revision process. 

Standards: Please go to the following website to see a list of standards for English 4.

South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Standards and Indicators for English 4 Inquiry-Based Literacy Standards (I) Standard

Textbook:

HMH Into Literature, Grade 12 -- Volume 1

HMH Into Literature, Grammar Practice, Grade 12

 Required Materials:    

•  Pens, pencils, and paper

•  Fully charged Chromebook

•  Composition notebook (for journal)

• 3 ring binder with notebook paper (for handouts and notes)

Assessment and Grading Policy:  

Grades are available to both students and parents through the Greenville County Schools Student and Parent Portals.

Major Grades count 60% and will include major writing assignments, projects, and tests.

Minor Grades count 40% and will include minor writing assignments, quizzes or projects 

Per district policy, classes will receive 3-4 major grades and 12-15 minor grades per quarter.

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Major Units of Study Outlined:

List of major units by quarter (Content subject to change at the discretion of the teacher).

1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

• 
  Introduction and Diagnostics

• The Anglo-Saxons

  • Beowulf

  • Poetry & riddles

•  The Middle Ages 

  •  Prologue to The Canterbury Tales The Knight’s Tale

  • Le Morte d’Arthur (excerpts)

• Independent novel project

• Argumentative, research based writing

• Creative/Narrative writing

• 
  The Renaissance

  • Poetry selections

  • Othello or Hamlet

• The Restoration and 18th Century

  • Prose selections

  • A Modest Proposal 

• The Romantics 

  • Poetry selections

• The Victorians -

  • Short stories and poetry

  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde

• The Moderns-Changing Landscapes

  • World War I and II Poetry/Story selections

  • 1984

Assignment Breakdown:

Writing:  Students will complete both informal (weekly journals) and formal writing throughout the semester.  Writing assignments focus on the critical analysis of literature and include expository, analytical and argumentative essays. In addition to critical analysis, well-constructed creative writing assignments help students see from the inside how literature is written. The goal of both types of writing assignments is to increase students’ ability to explain clearly, cogently, even elegantly, what they understand about literary works and why they interpret them as they do. Emphasis is placed on editing and revision, not completion and perfection..

Vocabulary: Vocabulary will be taught as a weekly practice to expand the student’s vocabulary and to increase reading comprehension. 

Independent Reading:  Students will self-select a novel to read independently.  Students will create a project based on this novel. Students will also complete at least one book chat with me during the independent reading unit.  

Quizzes and Tests:  Students will be quizzed and tested on the literature, grammar, and vocabulary we study.  These assessments will include both objective, short answer and essay questions.  The purpose of these assignments is to test the skill acquisition of the student rather than be an exercise in reading comprehension.

Projects: Students will choose from a menu of projects. They will work independently to demonstrate their comprehension of the unit. Projects allow students to apply their knowledge.

Make up Work, Homework, Late Work, and other Classroom Policies as applicable:

Make Up Work: Tests and quizzes are announced well in advance. The student has 5 school days to make up the assignment, quiz or test. For example, if a student is absent for a quiz on Thursday, s/he will be expected to make it up by Thursday of the following week

Homework: Due at the BEGINNING of class. Work turned in at the end of class on the due date will not be accepted.  The vast majority of homework will be turned in via the Google Classroom, therefore it will be uploaded prior to class and I will check date/time stamps on the assignment.

Late Work: 10 points off per day. Late work turned in before the end of the unit can only earn a maximum grade of 60%. Late work turned in after the end of the unit can only earn a maximum grade of 50%. 

Please Be Aware of the Following Circumstances:

• If you are absent the day a test/project is announced, you still must take the test/turn in the project on the due date. Checking the website daily will keep you informed and provide necessary study guides

• If a student misses the day a test or project is due, the test/project must be turned in on the day the student returns.

•  If you are present when a test is assigned, you must take the test on the assigned day.

If you are absent for a considerable amount of time, make-up work will be scheduled depending on the needs of both the student and the teacher.  

Extra Credit

I do not offer extra credit; however, all writing assignments may be revised for a better grade. 

Cell Phones or other electronic devices

ALL cell phones will be silenced and placed in the student’s backpack or purse prior to class beginning.  They must not be visible AT ALL.  District/School cell phone policy will be enforced.  Please be aware that students will receive only one verbal warning before a referral is written.  USE OF A CELL PHONE DURING A TEST OR QUIZ WILL RESULT IN A 0 ON THE TEST OR QUIZ,  NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

Behavior Expectations and Consequences:

Be punctual ~  You should be in the room and in your seat, ready to go, when the bell rings.

Be prepared ~ Come to class with all necessary materials and completed homework. 

Be present ~  Stay focused on what is happening in the classroom. We will have set goals and intentions for every class meeting, and your only job is to work towards that goal to the best of your ability. 

Consequences: First offense, teacher warning—second time, parent contact - Thereafter, referral.  Students will always be offered the opportunity to correct their behavior but constant classroom interruption that detracts from the learning of others will not be tolerated.