English 12 Regents
English 12 Regents is structured thematically. Each thematic unit of literature will explore an area of specific study and will include a central novel or play with poetry, movies, and writing activities related to the theme. A unit will be devoted to a major research project, based on a topic of choice, including researching, planning, writing and presenting a research paper. Other units will be devoted to preparation for life after high school and college readiness with a focus on writing a college essay and preparing a resume.
Literature
Books to be read throughout the school year will tentatively include: The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom and books selected for independent reading (student choice).
The plays Hamlet by William Shakespeare and The Crucible by Arthur Miller will be studied.
Select movies, short stories and poetry will be chosen as relevant to the thematic literature units.
ELA Standards: Reading of Literature
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem, evaluating how each version interprets the course text.
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text.
Writing
Written responses to literature will include: analytical essays and response journals
Creative writing will include: poetry, short stories, and personal journaling
A major research project will include the preparation of a research paper
In preparation for life after high school, students will write a college essay, prepare a career resume, and journal regarding their proficiency at life skills
ELA Standards: Writing
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics and texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Develop claims and counter-claims fairly and thoroughly supplying the most relevant evidence for each.
Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively… integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas avoiding plagiarism and over reliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.
Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.
Class Procedures
I. Attendance
• Unexcused absence or tardiness will result in disciplinary action in accordance with school policy.
• When a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to find out what work was missed and to make it up. All missed work must be made up.
• Students legally absent on the day of a quiz or test will be given a make-up opportunity, but not during regular class time. It is the student's responsibility to arrange a suitable make-up time within one day of his/her return to school. Illegal absence on the day of a test or quiz, or when any assignment is due, will result in a grade of 0%.
• If a student is absent from school for an extended period of time, a student/parent should secure work that has, and will be, missed. All work will be provided through Google Classroom and can be accessed and completed virtually.
• A student who will be absent from class for another activity (instrumental lesson, field trip, etc.) must provide that information before meeting his/her commitment. All work missed due to the absence must be made up.
II. Materials
• A three-ring binder will be needed to submit several projects throughout the school year. This will be returned after each project and can be re-used for the next.
• A Chromebook and charger will be required for class each day.
• A highlighter and post-it notes will be useful to have, but will also be provided in class as needed.
• A folder with pockets will be needed for class, along with loose-leaf lined paper.
• Students must be prepared with the necessary materials for class each day, including pen, paper, Chromebook and charger, completed homework, and book(s).
• All books must be handled with care. Book charges will be levied for any misused and damaged books. All books must be returned promptly as a fee will result if books are returned late.
III. Class Rules
• Be prompt, be prepared, be polite, be productive.
• Eating and drinking (water is always ok) are not allowed in class unless given special permission.
• Students are not to line up at the door until dismissed.
• Cell phones and other electronic equipment will not be used during class. Earbuds/headphones must be put away during class.
• Students are not allowed to leave the classroom except with permission and a pass.
• Students arriving to class late must have a pass.
• Materials intended to be presented to the class (video clips, song lyrics, etc.) must be appropriate. If there is a question, it is strongly encouraged that the student addresses this ahead of time to discuss the content as there will be grade and discipline penalties for inappropriate materials presented in class.
• Only one person speaks at a time. Hand-raising is not required, but it is extremely important that the person speaking has the complete attention of everyone.
• Any words, activity or behavior that disrupts the learning environment of class and the comfort of its individuals is strictly prohibited. Any person who engages in such behavior will be dealt with in accordance with appropriate school policy, including immediate removal from class.
• All school rules and regulations apply, and will be followed, in class.
IV. Grades
• All work must be completed on time unless a student is absent due to illness.
• At the end of each marking period, grades are weighted and averaged to complete the final quarter grade as follows: major grades - 55%, minor grades - 35%, class participation - 10%.
• If work is handed in late there will be a grade penalty of -10 points for each day late. No make up work will be accepted for a previous quarter. For example, once the first marking period is over, work will no longer be accepted for that quarter.
• Successful completion of a Senior Research Project is a requirement of this course.
• Completion of a final exam is a requirement of this course.
• It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of his/her grade and to ask any questions. Grades are always updated and available on Infinite Campus. All work is posted to Google Classroom.
• Class participation, including listening attentively, sharing ideas during discussion, coming to class prepared with homework and materials, actively participating in class activities, and respecting the rules of the class count as part of a student's overall average.
• Reading is an extremely important assignment. I expect that each student has completed assigned reading before class and is ready to discuss it during class. Unannounced quizzes on the reading will be given.
• Written work may be revised for a higher grade anytime within the marking period it was assigned. There is no limit on the number of times a written piece may be revised. The only exceptions to this are writing that counts as an exam grade and work completed for the senior research project.
Welcome to English 12 Regents!
Please keep this syllabus in a safe place and refer to it as needed throughout the school year. It will also be posted in our Google Classroom for reference. We will cover many exciting and interesting topics as we grow as writers and readers… and help you prepare for your next chapter in life! Do not hesitate to drop by if you have a question regarding class or just want to talk. I’m excited to begin a successful and happy year with you! -Mrs. Wulf
Mrs. Wulf’s Room : 208
Mrs. Wulf’s Email: hwulf@ktufsd.org
Mrs. Wulf’s Classroom Phone: 874-8402 ext. 22208
Mrs. Wulf’s Office Hours (If you can, let me know you're stopping by!): Period 1, Period 2, Period 5, Period 9