I. Required Texts and Supplementary Materials
A.
Prentice Hall Literature
B.
Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur
(Keith Baines translation
in paperback)
II. Prerequisites
Successful completion of Freshman English.
III. Course Description
Sophomore English is for the student with exceptional language arts skills and high reading ability. The course presents a challenging, integrated study of literature, composition, listening, grammar, and speech. Though both semesters involve research assignments leading to oral and written presentations, the first semester of the course is the more writing intensive, focusing primarily on the development of formal essays. In the second semester, one full quarter is devoted to speech communication. The primary writing assignment of the second semester is a formal, fully developed academic research paper.
In order for students to be successful in this class, it is essential that they read and take notes on all homework assignments. Carefully completing required outlines, draft paragraphs, and revisions will also play a vital role in student success.
First Semester Grading
60 percent: essays, drafts & outlines, oral presentations
40 percent: reading tests, quizzes, and group work
In the second semester, the focus shifts primarily but not exclusively to speech communication and the research paper.
Second Semester Grading
35 percent: in-class speeches
35 percent: the research paper
20 percent: in-class essay & reading tests
10 percent: written homework/drafting assignments
Grade Scale:
A =100-93 B = 92-86 C =
85-75 D = 74-70 F
= 69 or below
Significant Policies
1. If for any reason a student misses an in-class exam or quiz, he/she must arrange with the teacher to make up that test in class only.
2. It is assumed that essays written at home have already been subjected to a rigorous revision, proofreading, and editing process before they are turned in . Therefore, essays written at home may not be revised after they have been graded.
3. All homework and class work must be submitted on time. No late work will be accepted without penalty unless the student receives the prior consent of the instructor. The penalty for late work is as follows: a one letter grade deduction for any work submitted late. Assignments that are never turned in are scored as zeroes. Never allow a zero to stand on your record. To avoid penalties for late work, always keep the instructor aware of legitimate circumstances which may necessitate a deadline extension.
4. I keep a running grade for each student all semester long. I do not grade the first quarter as one half and the second quarter as another half. Every thing you do or fail to do from the first day you enter this class has a bearing on your final semester grade.
5. Students must be prepared for class every day. They should bring their own textbooks, their own paper, their own pencil, their own blue or black pen every day, and floppy disks when announced. I will not lend out any materials. Students who need to return to their lockers for materials will be issued a tardy if they fail to be in their seats before the bell rings.
6. Students must be in their seats--not moving towards them--before the bell rings. Students not in their seats before the bell will be issued a tardy.
7. It is expected
that students will remain respectful and courteous at all times; this includes
sitting up straight in class, keeping one's head off the desk, and remaining
alert. Sleeping in class is not acceptable under any circumstances.
If a student is ill or distracted and unable to sit up, participate, and
pay attention, he/she should request a pass to the nurse.
II. Exit Level Goals
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
--differentiate and identify the characteristics of the various literary genre
--write an essay with a thesis, introduction, body, and conclusion, showing consideration for audience, organization, the development of ideas, and the use of formal standard English
--read, listen and take notes with accuracy
--deliver a speech with some organization, confidence, and correctness
--increase vocabulary through knowledge of prefixes and suffixes
--use the media center for basic research
--use the writing center for word processing