Junior English
Part 1 Syllabus
Mr. Bell
Room 110
Phone 364-4547 ext. 110
Email: [email protected]
Course Objectives: This course is designed to build upon and further students’ critical reading, writing and speaking skills, preparing them for the demands of senior year and beyond. In Part One, students will...
Texts:
Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
The Crucible, by Arthur Miller
T1 Learning Targets Include:
E.L.06.LCS.01.03...Grammar
E.L.05.RLC.01.03...Character Development
E.L.07.RLP.01.02.... Plot Development
Continued next page
First half of English 11:
*Vocabulary units will progress at the rate of 20 words every 2 weeks, with a test every other Friday.
Wk. 1 Grammar Unit 1 SAT Vocab 1
2 Grammar Unit 1
3 Of Mice and Men SAT Vocab 2
4 Of Mice and Men
5 Of Mice and Men SAT Vocab 3
6 Grammar Unit 2
7 SAT Critical Reading SAT Vocab 4
8 The Crucible
9 The Crucible SAT Vocab 5
10 Grammar Unit 3
11 SAT Sentence Completion
12 T1 Exam: Grammar Units 1-3 and SAT Vocab 1-5
Continued next page
Course Policies:
Sophomore and Junior English
2014-2015
Mr. Bell ([email protected])
These basic policies apply to all of my classes, regardless of grade level or subject.
Please arrive to class prepared, with a binder, pen or pencil and whatever book we might be reading at the time. Homework counts. Each of you begins the trimester with a double weighted grade of “4” for having your homework completed. Each time you do not have it, that grade goes down one letter grade.
Classroom routines
Start of class:
Once you enter the classroom you are subject to highly civilized standards for your language and behavior. Please take your seat right away. You will usually have five or more minutes to yourself after the late bell while attendance is taken, etc. Once class begins, however, please notice, and close your ipad and remove earplugs or headphones, leaving them closed and removed until the end of class. You also need to put away your phone once class has begun; do not leave it on your desk.
During class:
My expectation is that you be fully present, mentally, while class is underway. Your ipad should remain closed unless it is needed for class work. This will be the rare occasion. Your phone, of course, should remain off your desk. Do not take out work for another class while ours is going on. Please do ask questions, keep an open mind, be curious.
A word about seating: I reserve the right to change your seat whenever I might decide that it is in the best interest of your learning, the learning of those around you, and my teaching. Typically, I make a few changes in most classes at some point in the first couple of weeks. If you like where you’re sitting now, behave in such a way that you won’t be targeted and relocated. I don’t want to have to embarrass you by moving you; it is within your control to keep me from having to do this. It is a “natural selection” type of setup.
A word about my “discipline ladder:” It’s a pretty short ladder; my priorities do not include carefully keeping count of “strikes.” I’ll hope that you, as a mature young adult who knows how to behave in a classroom, will get the hint the first time that I might need to remind you to please stop talking and pay attention. If it continues, you may find yourself reassigned to a different seat or ejected from the room and sent to the office, depending. You’ll find I am quite serious about not tolerating any disruptions; I have very little patience for this. That being said, I am not difficult to get along with, and prefer to get by on mutual goodwill and respect, as I’m sure you do.
End of class:
I will let you know when we are officially done for the day. Often you’ll find yourself with a few minutes to yourself. Occasionally we’ll have to work right up to the bell, and occasionally I’ll want you to begin a reading assignment for the last twenty or more minutes of class; the expectation for this will be total silence. Please remain in your seat until the announcements come on –do not pile up by the door before then.
Continued next page
Class Expectations
What you can expect from me:
That I will
Additionally, you can expect that I will hold each student accountable for choices made in terms of behavior, comments and class work.
What I will expect from you:
That you
English 10 Part 1 Progression, 2014/2015 Year J. Bell
(Each trimester is about 12 weeks of classes)
First half of English 10:
Wk. 1 Punctutation units 4-6 Word Roots 1
Wk. 2 Punctuation units 4-6
Wk. 3 Lord of the Flies Word Roots 2
Wk. 4 Lord of the Flies
Wk. 5 Lord of the Flies Word Roots 3
Wk. 6 Lord of the Flies
Wk. 7 Lord of the Flies Word Roots 4
Wk. 8 Macbeth
Wk. 9 Macbeth
Wk. 10 Grammar Unit 1
Wk. 11 Grammar Unit 1, Test
Wk. 12 T1 Exam: Roots 1-4
Revisions made 10/27:
Needed only two weeks for Macbeth, not four. Did Grammar 1 with test weeks 10 and 11 instead. Threw out Roots 5; exam will be on all 80 roots, 1-4
Part 1 Syllabus
Mr. Bell
Room 110
Phone 364-4547 ext. 110
Email: [email protected]
Course Objectives: This course is designed to build upon and further students’ critical reading, writing and speaking skills, preparing them for the demands of senior year and beyond. In Part One, students will...
- Read a variety of American literature as well as non-fiction pieces
- Learn to write a thesis-driven, literary analysis essay that utilizes quotes/passages from the text as well as relevant criticism
- Progress through three units of grammar, and 100 vocabulary words
- Practice aspects of the SAT test
Texts:
Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
The Crucible, by Arthur Miller
T1 Learning Targets Include:
E.L.06.LCS.01.03...Grammar
E.L.05.RLC.01.03...Character Development
E.L.07.RLP.01.02.... Plot Development
Continued next page
First half of English 11:
*Vocabulary units will progress at the rate of 20 words every 2 weeks, with a test every other Friday.
Wk. 1 Grammar Unit 1 SAT Vocab 1
2 Grammar Unit 1
3 Of Mice and Men SAT Vocab 2
4 Of Mice and Men
5 Of Mice and Men SAT Vocab 3
6 Grammar Unit 2
7 SAT Critical Reading SAT Vocab 4
8 The Crucible
9 The Crucible SAT Vocab 5
10 Grammar Unit 3
11 SAT Sentence Completion
12 T1 Exam: Grammar Units 1-3 and SAT Vocab 1-5
Continued next page
Course Policies:
Sophomore and Junior English
2014-2015
Mr. Bell ([email protected])
These basic policies apply to all of my classes, regardless of grade level or subject.
- Attendance: Regular attendance is the expectation school-wide. Remember that ten absences in a semester, excused or not, will put you in jeopardy of losing credit for the course. Showing up regularly is one of the keys to success in any of your classes. Please do yourself a favor and get here every day. Once you fall behind, it is very difficult to catch-up.
- Absence: Now that we’re meeting every day, it makes sense for you to make sure you get from me what you’ve missed when you are back in class. One day of extra time allowed for each day out seems fair. If you’re out on a Tuesday and miss a quiz, you don’t have to take it Wednesday when you’re back, but you do on Thursday. There is a fairness to others issue involved with the amount of extra time you’re given to prepare for a quiz or test, so this policy is important and it is real.
- Retakes: I am required to allow retakes for sophomores this year, but not for juniors. In the case of significant illness or family trouble a retake can be negotiated with juniors.
- Extra Help: If you know you’re struggling and need help mastering the material, make an appointment with me for extra help, or tell your teacher to sign you up for Target Time, any day. I’m available nearly any afternoon. Do not wait until the day before a major test to tell me you’re not ready! You will know well ahead of time when a test is coming; it is your responsibility to make sure you’re ready.
- Essays: There will be take-home essays assigned over the year. Most will receive two double-weighted grades: one for how well-written and well-reasoned the essay is, and one for how carefully edited it is. The good news is that any essay can be re-submitted, more than once if needed, provided you have met the minimum criteria for that particular essay. You never have to settle for bad grades on an essay unless you’re happy with them. You will always be given plenty of time for a take-home essay –typically a week to ten days. You will also get your essay back within two weeks’ time, always. It is worth mentioning that that due dates for essays are real; there is a fairness issue involved here. You’ll be given a separate grade for how close to on time your essay was turned in. There are no valid excuses for not having your essay done within the time allotted, shy of a death in the family, serious problems at home, or a serious illness, with a doctor involved. You are expected to always back-up your written work, to your school email and any other way you have available. This way, even if the computer you’re using crashes, you’ll always have your work safe somewhere else. Please remember this! It will be an expectation anywhere you go from here, so get used to it.
- Preparedness and Homework
Please arrive to class prepared, with a binder, pen or pencil and whatever book we might be reading at the time. Homework counts. Each of you begins the trimester with a double weighted grade of “4” for having your homework completed. Each time you do not have it, that grade goes down one letter grade.
Classroom routines
Start of class:
Once you enter the classroom you are subject to highly civilized standards for your language and behavior. Please take your seat right away. You will usually have five or more minutes to yourself after the late bell while attendance is taken, etc. Once class begins, however, please notice, and close your ipad and remove earplugs or headphones, leaving them closed and removed until the end of class. You also need to put away your phone once class has begun; do not leave it on your desk.
During class:
My expectation is that you be fully present, mentally, while class is underway. Your ipad should remain closed unless it is needed for class work. This will be the rare occasion. Your phone, of course, should remain off your desk. Do not take out work for another class while ours is going on. Please do ask questions, keep an open mind, be curious.
A word about seating: I reserve the right to change your seat whenever I might decide that it is in the best interest of your learning, the learning of those around you, and my teaching. Typically, I make a few changes in most classes at some point in the first couple of weeks. If you like where you’re sitting now, behave in such a way that you won’t be targeted and relocated. I don’t want to have to embarrass you by moving you; it is within your control to keep me from having to do this. It is a “natural selection” type of setup.
A word about my “discipline ladder:” It’s a pretty short ladder; my priorities do not include carefully keeping count of “strikes.” I’ll hope that you, as a mature young adult who knows how to behave in a classroom, will get the hint the first time that I might need to remind you to please stop talking and pay attention. If it continues, you may find yourself reassigned to a different seat or ejected from the room and sent to the office, depending. You’ll find I am quite serious about not tolerating any disruptions; I have very little patience for this. That being said, I am not difficult to get along with, and prefer to get by on mutual goodwill and respect, as I’m sure you do.
End of class:
I will let you know when we are officially done for the day. Often you’ll find yourself with a few minutes to yourself. Occasionally we’ll have to work right up to the bell, and occasionally I’ll want you to begin a reading assignment for the last twenty or more minutes of class; the expectation for this will be total silence. Please remain in your seat until the announcements come on –do not pile up by the door before then.
Continued next page
Class Expectations
What you can expect from me:
That I will
- treat you with respect at all times
- be fair and consistent every day
- have the same expectations and rules for everyone
- be knowledgeable and enthusiastic
- bring a positive attitude and a sense of humor to class
- take my mission, and yours, very seriously
- play no favorites
- in no way tolerate disruptions or disrespect
- maintain a classroom atmosphere that allows for learning
- expect you on a regular basis to focus, to think, even to struggle at times
- challenge you on a consistent basis
- follow-through with what I’ve said I’ll do, and return work within a reasonable time
- be available for extra help (via appointment) nearly any day
Additionally, you can expect that I will hold each student accountable for choices made in terms of behavior, comments and class work.
What I will expect from you:
That you
- arrive on time and prepared, expecting to work (“Prepared” means with the right attitude, a binder, pen, and the book we may be reading.)
- conduct yourself at all times in a civilized and mature manner. My standards are high; no disruptions will be tolerated
- keep your language appropriate
- refrain from putting down others, whether present or not (no gossip allowed)
- treat each other, and me, with respect at all times.
- stay awake and upright, and at minimum appear to be attentive
- take notes when notes need to be taken –same expectation for all
- raise your hand in class, contribute to discussions appropriately, listen respectfully to others, and show some curiosity about the world
- make sure, by asking questions, that you understand assignments, understand rubrics
- find time to see me the first day you’re back in school after an absence, to see what you’ve missed
- always save, or back-up your writing from wherever you may be typing, at home or at school. There is never a valid excuse for having lost your document if you have it backed up somewhere
English 10 Part 1 Progression, 2014/2015 Year J. Bell
(Each trimester is about 12 weeks of classes)
First half of English 10:
Wk. 1 Punctutation units 4-6 Word Roots 1
Wk. 2 Punctuation units 4-6
Wk. 3 Lord of the Flies Word Roots 2
Wk. 4 Lord of the Flies
Wk. 5 Lord of the Flies Word Roots 3
Wk. 6 Lord of the Flies
Wk. 7 Lord of the Flies Word Roots 4
Wk. 8 Macbeth
Wk. 9 Macbeth
Wk. 10 Grammar Unit 1
Wk. 11 Grammar Unit 1, Test
Wk. 12 T1 Exam: Roots 1-4
- Word Roots units will progress at the rate of 20 roots every 2 to 3 weeks, with tests on Fridays.
Revisions made 10/27:
Needed only two weeks for Macbeth, not four. Did Grammar 1 with test weeks 10 and 11 instead. Threw out Roots 5; exam will be on all 80 roots, 1-4