Syllabus

Course Syllabus

English II

Course Description

Provides students opportunities to increase and refine their written and oral communication skills. Students use the writing process to practice all forms of writing with an emphasis on persuasive, expository, creative, and narrative. Students read and learn from world literature representing a variety of cultures. Students address the writing, reading, speaking, listening, viewing, and representing skills that are reflected in the TEKS objectives.

Vision:

The classroom is the ultimate equalizer. Every student, idea, and question is important and should be freely shared without ridicule and received with respect. A class, much like a community, can only prosper and grow when all rules are followed and everyone does their part. As a class, we are all part of the same team and responsible for both our own growth and learning, as well as our fellow classmates. We will achieve as a class, through our respect and daily effort, 100% passing of both the class and the STAAR exam. Time will not be wasted because every moment is precious and we have so much to accomplish both today and in the rest of our lives. We will achieve greatness beyond what any single person is capable of because we make each other better. Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the igniting of a flame!

***This grading system is designed to give the student the grade that best mirrors the student’s learning. This means that the student’s grade best represents their preparedness for the End of Course Exam (STAAR).

Academic Dishonesty:

All students are expected to abide by ethical academic standards. Academic dishonesty—including plagiarism, cheating or copying the work of another, using technology for illicit purposes, or any unauthorized communication between students for the purpose of gaining advantage during an examination—is strictly prohibited. This policy is to prepare you for the reality created by the technology explosion, for the world of college and beyond, where cheating and plagiarism have dire consequences.


Plagiarism is not the same as cooperation or collaboration. Teachers often expect, ever encourage, students to work on assignments collectively. This is okay, as long as whose work being presented is clearly relayed.

  • Collaboration is to work together (with permission) in a joint intellectual effort.

  • Plagiarism is to commit literary theft; to steal and pass off as one’s own ideas or words, and to create the production of another. When you use someone else’s words, you must put quotation marks around them and give the writer or speaker credit by citing the source. Even if you revise or paraphrase the words of someone else, if you use someone else’s ideas you must give the author credit. Some Internet users believe that anything available on-line is public domain. Such is not the case. Ideas belong to those who create and articulate them. To use someone else’s words or ideas without giving credit to the originator is stealing.

  • Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying or giving an assignment to a student to be copied (unless explicitly permitted by the teacher). Cheating also includes using, supplying, or communicating in any way unauthorized materials, including textbooks, motes, calculators, computers or other unauthorized technology, during an exam or project.

  • Forgery or stealing includes, but is not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to exams or answers to an exam, altering computer or grade-book records, or forging signatures for the purpose of academic advantage.

**Any student who is found to have committed any form of academic dishonesty will receive a 0 for the assignment and be subject to further disciplinary action.

Grading:

60% - Daily Work

· Note checks

· Annotations

· Participation

· Graphic organizers

· Any other in-class work.

· Grammar/Vocabulary assignments

40%- Assessment

· Any writing assignments

· Quizzes

· Final essay drafts

The following are expectations for student behavior and choices the students must make in order to achieve and succeed in this course.

Classroom Rules

Classroom Non-Negotiables

Professionalism- I choose to respect other students in my class as well as the teacher.

No cell phones, music players, or other electronic devices unless given permission. No charging cell phones in class.

Punctual-I choose to be in my seat and ready to go when the bell rings

No cursing or swearing.

Prepared- I choose to have all supplies and homework for each class

All work must be completed

Participation-I choose to ask questions and answer questions during discussions

Positive- I choose to help others and be joyful!!!

Perform- I choose to try my best and complete all work and assignments.

Late Work/Absences

Late Work

· Everyday an assignment is late ten points will be taken off.

· *Assignments that are not complete will be handed back and considered late work.

Required Materials:

1. Chromebooks

2. Blue or Black pen ONLY

3. Pencils

4. ½” to 1” Binder and loose leaf paper (wide ruled paper)

5. 3 Dividers

1) Warm Up

2) Daily Work

3) Writing/Reference

Procedures:

We will go over these procedures in class and you are expected to know how to properly perform the below tasks in a timely, well-behaved manner.

1. How to enter the classroom.

a. Students enter quietly and follow the instructions on the board.

2. How to ask a question or make a comment in class.

a. Always speak in complete sentences.

b. Speak so that everyone can hear you clearly.

c. Acceptable questions should always begin with what you know or understand and then pinpoint what you don’t.

3. How to listen and have a successful class discussion

a. Always look at the person who is speaking, even if they are not speaking directly to you.

b. Carefully consider what is being said.

4. How to exit the classroom.

a. Clean up your work area and put away all materials.

b. Students must remain in their seats and waiting at the door will not be permitted.

c. Work/exit ticket is to be turned in as you exit the door.