10th Grade English Syllabus - Emphasis on World Studies

2025-2026

brungardtm@sfusd.edu

Office Hours:

• Before School - by appt.  

• Lunch - by appt.

• After School - by appt.  

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TEXTBOOKS

Your Chromebook is your main textbook for this class.  You MUST bring it every day, and you need to have the battery charged.  You will use the Chromebook daily in this class. When we are not using it, you will be directed to push your screen down so that you can pay attention to what else is going on in the room. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE YOUR PHONE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR CHROMEBOOK.  

CELL PHONES, HEADPHONES, EARBUDS, AND APPLE WATCHES

You cannot use cell phones, headphones, earbuds, or Apple watches in this classroom.  

When you enter the classroom, either put your device in the cell phone holder or keep it in your pockets/backpack the entire time.  If I see it, I will confiscate it and put it in the cell phone holder.  If you refuse to give it up, then I will send you to the dean’s office.  

Please let your parents/guardians know that you will not be able to respond to them during our classtime.  They can call the school and leave a message for you at the main office.

COURSE GOALS

Our core texts are all written by authors whose work is still well-known and has stood the test of time.  We will develop our critical reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in an effort to answer the following essential questions:

• What is the author doing?

• Why is the author doing that?

• How is the author doing it?

• How effective is the author?

Throughout the year, students will also become authors themselves, drawing inspiration from both their own life experiences and the lives of others. By utilizing the writing process and engaging with effective research methods, we will create the following types of texts:

• Narrative (short story, memoir, drama, poetry, song, etc.)

• Informational/expository (article, summary, essay, presentation, etc.)

• Argumentative/persuasive (article, essay, debate, speech, etc.)

• Research (levels of questioning, thesis building, annotated bibliography, presentation, etc.)

COURSE CONTENT 

Below are some of the books and texts that we may use this year:  

• It’s Trevor Noah:  Born a Crime - Stories from a South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah

• Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare

• The Odyssey (excerpts), by Homer

• Paradise of the Blind, by Duong Thu Huong

• Additional district approved texts

GRADING POLICY

If you receive a B for a grade, it means that you met expectations.  If you receive an A for a grade, it means you exceeded expectations.  If you cheat in order to get an A, then that is a “Shameful A.” 

Formative Assessments:  40%      This includes daily work, homework, outlines, etc.

Summative Assessments:  60 %   This includes tests, final papers, final projects, presentations.   

ABSENCE POLICY

It is the responsibility of the student to follow up with their teacher regarding classwork, homework, or any other assignments missed during their absence. 

GWHS BRING YOUR OWN TECHNOLOGY (BYOT) GUIDELINES 

Students may not use devices to record, transmit, or post photographic images or video of a person or persons on campus during school hours or during school activities, unless otherwise allowed by a teacher.

LOST, DAMAGED, OR STOLEN DEVICES

Each user is responsible for their own device and should use it responsibly and appropriately.  George Washington High School takes no responsibility for stolen, lost, or damaged devices, including lost or corrupted data on those devices.  Students are expected to acknowledge and take the final responsibility for securing their personal devices.  

ACADEMIC HONESTY- GWHS ENGLISH DEPARTMENT’S OFFICIAL POLICY

“All students are expected to complete their own academic assignments and examinations. Any type of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, submitting work done by another as your own, or using unauthorized technology (such as AI and other text-generating resources) is prohibited. A student violating the academic honesty policy is subject to disciplinary action which can include, but is not limited to, point deduction or zero points on the assignment; lowered grade; detention; Saturday school; teacher may decline to write a letter of recommendation or report dishonesty in a letter, or rescind a recommendation letter already submitted.” 

MAKEUP WORK/LATE WORK/TEST RETAKES

• Latework - If you are going to turn in something late (within two school days of the due date), then you need to fill out the latework form and give it Mr. Brungardt.  There will be a 30% automatic deduction on all latework.  After two school days, the assignment will no longer be accepted.   

• Retakes -  You have two school days in order to retake a test.  There will be a 30% automatic deduction on all retakes.  

• If you have an EXCUSED absence, then you need to talk to Mr. Brungardt as soon as possible to discuss the missed work and when it will be due. 

GUIDELINES

• Be respectful towards others and self.

• Use put ups, not put downs.  

• Listen to others.

• Do not use any racist or prejudiced language or graphics.

• Follow directions.

HALL PASSES

If you leave the classroom, you need to have a pass in your hand.  The passes are located by the door.  Please, quickly return to class so that other waiting students can use the passes.  

CONSEQUENCES

Appropriate behavior  

• You earn the respect of others.

• The teacher could contact your parents/guardians.

• You earn an education.

Inappropriate behavior

• You will talk with the teacher after class or during lunch.

• Depending on the time missed, you may be required to spend time after class. 

• The teacher could contact your parents/guardians.

• Depending on the offense, you may be referred to the dean’s office.