English 10 Honors

Mr. Keller’s English 10 Honors Syllabus 

Mr. Brandon Keller - Room 115 - brandon.keller@sduhsd.net

General Description:

This class will study World Literature and connect it to history, art, entertainment, and philosophy. We will build upon meaningful class discussions, journal responses, creative projects, and oral presentations. Students will think critically and analytically, construct multi-paragraph essays, and present their literary analysis and historical findings in front of the class. We will also study short stories, novels, drama, poetry, vocabulary, and grammar.  

Getting in Touch With Me:

The best way to get in touch with me is in person! After we have spoken in person, send an email to brandon.keller@sduhsd.net to remind me of our discussion. I typically respond to all emails within 48 hours. You can also reach me by commenting on Google Classroom, but face-to-face communication is always preferred.

Conduct
You are expected to always treat your peers and your teacher with respect. This includes listening respectfully when someone else is talking, arriving to class on time, and being prepared to contribute to class discussions.

Cell Phones & Technology:

When students enter the classroom they must place their phones in the phone caddy by the time the bell rings. They may not retrieve the phone until class is over for any reason. Phones must be silenced while they are in the caddy, and smartwatch notifications must be off. This is a school policy. Failure to comply will result in: 

1st offense= Warning 

2nd = Phone taken & parents contacted 

3rd = Intervention w/ admin

Chromebooks must remain closed unless they are used for specific class assignments. All in-class work will be completed on school-issued Chromebooks or traditional pen and paper. This ensures equity for all students.

Grades:

A = 100%-89.5%

B = 89.4%-79.5%

C = 79.4%-69.5%

D = 69.4%-59.5%

F = 59.4% and lower

Essays and Tests - 40%

Quizzes and Projects - 30%

Assignments - 20%

Participation - 10%

I will round up 00.5%. Therefore, 89.5% is rounded up to an A, but 89.4% is not.

Tardiness:

You must be in your seat when the bell rings with your phone in the phone caddy, ready to learn. If tardiness is an issue, the class will complete daily quizzes that can only be completed by those who arrive on time.

Late Work:

If you turn in your HW after the bell rings, it is late. Digital work on Google Classroom is due at the specified time. All late work will receive half credit. You have until the morning of the final unit exam to turn in late work or it will be a zero. Turn late work in directly to me, or add a detailed comment and explanation to Google Classroom.

Emergencies: Emergencies will be dealt with in a sensitive manner. Please contact me as soon as possible.

Absences:

You have 48 hours to clear all absences. You must check Google Classroom for all missed work and assignments. You are responsible for finding out what you missed in class and completing it, I will not track you down! 

You must keep up on all assigned reading when you are absent so you are prepared for any quiz or test on the day you return. If you miss a quiz or test, you must take it within a week of the day you return or you will receive a zero. Homework collected the day you were absent is due the day you return to class. Classwork completed on the day you were absent is due the day you return. You get a class period extension on all homework assigned the day you are absent. Long-term assignments must be turned in on the due date regardless of an absence.

Group Presentations:

Group work and presentations must be ready on the due date, regardless of absences. If a group member is absent on the due date, the rest of the team is responsible for presenting a complete project. Contact all group members and Mr. Keller if you will be absent on the due date, and you will be given an alternative assignment to complete.  

Plagiarism, AI & ChatGPT, & the TPHS Academic Honesty Policy: 

Plagiarism is an inexcusable and punishable offense. Plagiarism is the act of taking information from alternative sources and calling it your own; THIS INCLUDES THE WORK OF A.I. Work that is plagiarized will receive an automatic zero and is grounds for an office referral. Copying or paraphrasing another student’s work will be considered a violation of this policy. Be certain that during a test or quiz you do nothing that could bring your integrity into question. When writing any assignments in which you consult outside sources, properly give credit to the author(s) of your source(s). If AI use is suspected but not proven, you will redo the assignment by hand.

Policy for Participation: 

Students must come to class prepared to share their ideas and insights regarding classroom content. Verbal participation is required! If a student is unwilling to participate, they will be given a written alternative assignment.

Curriculum Outline

Below are the major works of study for the year. There will also be a variety of essays, timed writes, projects, individual presentations, and group presentations. This list is subject to change. 

• Oedipus the King

• The Stranger

• The Catcher in the Rye

• Magical Realism

• Short Stories

• Argumentative Essay

• Creative Writing

• Writing Journals

• Collaborative Research