|
Mr. McBride |
Phone: 861-8591 VM: 6125 |
|
English 10-X |
Email: mcbrided@guilderlandschools.org |
|
Room 721 or 714 |
Class Web Page: www.pagefarm.net |
I received my BA in literature from
Course Objectives
The English component of
the 10-X class will focus on the development of reading, writing, thinking, and
speaking skills. The ability to think critically, clearly, and creatively, and
to express oneself articulately and knowledgeably, will be stressed throughout
the year. We will be writing regularly, both formally and informally, in a
variety of modes, looking to build a sense of confidence in our writing skills.
We will be examining the relationship between reading and writing. How can we
apply our skills and insights as readers to our own writing? How can our own
engagement in the act of writing lead to a better understanding of the works of
published authors? Perhaps most importantly, we will ask what it means to write
and think clearly and critically. Clarity of thought and expression is a
quality often easier to identify than to define. It is expected that each
student will make a goal of improving his or her skills in this regard.
The literature studied in
class this year will illuminate for students some highlights of the traditional
Western Cannon, starting with the Greeks, moving to the Romans, and passing
through the author of Beowulf, to
Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare and beyond. In this way the history taught in 10-X
class is illuminated through literature, and an historical approach is taken
toward the study of English.
Course Description
|
First
Semester Literature: ·
Greek
Mythology ·
Excerpts from The Iliad and The Odyssey,
Oedipus the King, Virgil’s The Aeneid ·
Excerpts
from Plato’s The Apology and The Republic ·
Excerpts
from Beowulf, The ·
Excerpts
from Julius Caesar |
Writing ·
Research ·
Expository ·
Persuasive ·
Reflective |
|
Second Semester Literature ·
Cyrano de Bergerac ·
All
Quiet On the Western Front ·
Animal
Farm ·
Survival
in ·
Lord
of the Flies |
Language Skills ·
Vocabulary—Greek
and Latin Roots ·
Grammar—Lessons
cover Grammar Skills needed for SAT |
Classroom Environment
First
and foremost, all members of the classroom will treat each other at all times
with civility and respect. Toward this end, the following classroom rules will
be observed:
·
All
school rules will be followed in the classroom, with particular emphasis placed
on academic integrity.
·
You
must listen when another person is addressing the class, whether this person is
the teacher or another student.
·
Please
do not ask to use the bathroom—instead, fill out a pass in your agenda book and
have Mr. Kauffman or myself sign it.
·
If the
teacher sees or hears a student’s cell phone, the student will be asked to
place it on the teacher’s desk, to be picked up at the end of class.
·
Through
common courtesy, show respect for the principles, property, and pursuits of
other class members.
·
Please
remove sunglasses and Walkman devices when entering the classroom.
·
Unless
instructed otherwise, please remain in your seat until the bell rings to signal
the end of class.
·
Eating,
drinking, or chewing gum is permissible so long as it does not create a mess or
pose a distraction. This permission will be revoked if students fail to
properly dispose of trash in the classroom.
Material Needed in Class Everyday
·
The
text we are studying
·
Three
ring notebook with a section devoted to English handouts
·
8 ½ by
11 college ruled spiral notebook that will serve as an in-class journal
·
Pencil
and pen: #2 lead, blue or black ink, please
Homework Policies
Homework will be assigned regularly
throughout the course of the year. A thorough understanding of the homework
policies in place in this class will allow you to maximize both your learning
and your grade.
1. Unless otherwise specified, homework
assignments are worth 15 points. Complete, on-time homework assignments will
receive one of three marks: 13, 14, or 15 points. Work that demonstrates an
earnest effort to complete the assignment will most often receive a 14 or 15.
Homework accounts for a significant number of total points earned each quarter
and the diligent completion of all homework assignments is an excellent way to
improve your mark in class.
2. Late homework assignments can receive no
more than 75% of their original value.
3. Unannounced reading quizzes, unless
otherwise specified, will be worth 10 points for each night of assigned reading
on which you are being tested.
Journal assignments
should be approximately 300 words for Regents students and 400 for Honors
students. Please put your name and the journal assignment number on all journal
entries, even ones submitted online.
Composition Guidelines
Final copy compositions should follow
standard manuscript requirements:
·
Typed,
double-spaced, or clearly printed
·
12
point type
·
Use one
side of the paper only
·
Leave
one inch side margins
·
Include
a title and a heading with name, period, and date
All compositions should be written first in rough draft form. These rough drafts may be proofed for errors by anyone willing to assist. The corrections, however, must be completed by the student. Exceptions to these rough draft guidelines may be made for in-class writing. Rough drafts will often be submitted with final copies.
Each student will be
assigned a password-protected online journal. The journal can be accessed by
clicking on a link from the class web page (www.pagefarm.net), and entering the
assigned login name and password. I have access to the online journal and will
post my responses to journal assignments in each student’s journal. Students
are always welcome to complete journal assignments on paper if Internet access
is not convenient for them.
Absences and Make-Up Work
In the event of an absence, students
are responsible for finding out what work or assignments were missed. This can
be done by checking the class calendar or asking another student in class. Work
due on the day that was missed should be turned in the day a student returns to
class. Please label late work with the date due and the date turned in and hand
it to me directly. If you are absent on the day of a test or quiz, you should
be ready to take it in class on the day you return. If sufficient class time is
not available, you must make arrangements with me to make it up. Work may only
be made up for excused absences.
Due
dates for long term assignments are given well in advance. If there is a legitimate
reason why you will not be in class on the day an assignment is due, or you
will be unable to complete an assignment by the due date, please see me in
advance (more than 48 hours before the due date) to explain the reasons and
work out alternative arrangements. Unexcused absences on the day a presentation
is due will result in no credit for group work presentations, or, at most, a
grade of C for individual presentations. Late major assignments are marked down
10% and will be returned without written commentary.
Grading
A student’s final grade is the
percentage of points earned against points possible. Different types of
assignments are not weighted differently, but the course is designed to
approximate the following percentages of credit bearing work: Formal Written
Assignments 30%, Homework 30%, Unit/Final Exams 20%, and Vocabulary and Grammar
quizzes and tests 20%.
Individual
grade questions will not be addressed during class time. Please make
arrangements to see me at a mutually convenient time. I reserve the right to
amend these policies during the course of the year.
Honors Credit
Students who wish to receive honors
credit for 10X must complete a series of extra projects and maintain and end
the year with an average of 85 or above. Generally, there will be one extra
major project for each quarter, and some additional writing assignments.
Furthermore, students taking the class for honors credit are expected to turn
in 400 word essays for all generally assigned journal prompts. Students must decide
that they are going to pursue honors credit at the beginning of the year, and
keep up with the projects as they go along. It is not possible to make a
project up later if one decides to take the class for honors credit after the
first project is completed.
Student grades are accessible to
both students and parents online at www.thinkwave.com. A handout with an
explanation of how to access grades online and a key to the individual
student’s grades will be given out at the beginning of the school year to
students. A similar handout with instructions for parents to access student
grades will be given out at parent’s night.