jfolse@ccboe.com   misterfolse.itgo.com                                                                                                             

Syllabus 2013-2014

English IV A-Level 

I.                  Overview

 

 Welcome to English IV!  The emphasis of this course is to prepare you for community college English classes as well as the world of work or the military As such, we will focus on standard usage in spoken and written language, as well as some of the expectations you will encounter in the real world as far as communicating and problem solving.

 A.    First Quarter 

 Ø SAT prepØ  Grammar ( 3 times a month, all year)Ø  Cover lettersØ  ResumesØ  PoetryØ  College/career essaysØ  One self-selected Bluford novel  

B.     Second Quarter 

 Ø  Artifacts and rationalesØ  A Dream FulfilledØ  Letters of recommendation, referencesØ  SAT reviewØ  Macbeth 

C.    Third Quarter 

 Ø  Portfolios and interviewsØ  Native SonØ  The ArrivalØ  Toning the SweepØ  Poetry 

D.    Fourth Quarter  

Ø  A Streetcar Named DesireØ  Ellen Foster

   II.   General Conduct Expectations: 

A.                We will respect ourselves, each other, and other’s property.

B.                 We will take responsibility for our choices of action or inaction.

C.                 We will cooperate in developing a safe, orderly, and positive environment for learning. 

 

 

 

 III.              Student Expectations 

A.                Come to class on time.  This is defined as being in your assigned seat and beginning the warm-up when the bell rings.

B.                 Begin each warm-up as soon as you are seated.

C.                 Be prepared for class.  This includes:

1.      An ink pen. black or blue

2.      A one-inch binder with loose-leaf paper

3.      A spiral notebook kept in the binder and divided into three sections

a.       Warm-ups

b.      Notes

c.       First-drafts of essays

4.      A desire and willingness to learn

 

IV.              Honor Code 

The honor system is in effect at all times.  Cheating on tests or quizzes, copying someone else’s homework or classwork, or plagiarism from printed or Internet sources will not be tolerated and will result in a zero on that assignment.   

    

 V.               Grading Policy
Formative Assignments:                                 40%

Goals and Action Plans

Reflections

Quick-writes

Rough Drafts

Grammar practice

Notes

Classwork

Homework            

 Summative Assignments                                 60%                 

Quizzes and Tests

Final Drafts                 

Projects

  

B.                 The percentage breakdown for grades is as follows: 

A 100 – 90 %

B 89 – 80 %

C 79 – 70 %

D 69 – 60 %Below

60% will result in a failing grade 

 

C.                 In the event of partial percentage points, the grade will be rounded *Example – If a student receives  89.5%, the grade will be rounded to 90% or an A.  If the student receives 89.4%, the grade will be rounded to 89% or a B. 

 

D.                The semester grade will be an average of the first two quarter grades; the final grade will be the average of the first and second semester grades 

 

E.                 Extra credit will be available periodically throughout the school year.  However, in order to be eligible for these assignments, the student must have completed the required course work.  This does not allow students to skip assigned work and make it up through extra credit. 

 

 

VI.                       Attendance Policy

It is important for a student’s success to make every effort to be in school and class every day and on time.  Students who are absent from school have three (3) days to bring in a written lawful absence excuse signed by his or her guardian or doctor.  Failure to bring in a written lawful absence note will result in an unlawful notice.  Students who receive two (2) unlawful absence notices in a course during a quarter will receive a failing grade for that subject for the nine (9) week marking period. In addition, students are to be in class on time.  If a student is unexcused tardy to a class three (3) times, he/she will receive an unlawful absence notice.  If a student is unexcused tardy to class an additional three (3) times, he/she will receive a second unlawful absence notice and will receive a failing notice for that course for that quarter.  Any combination of unlawful absences and/or unlawful tardies that accumulate to two unlawful absences will result in a failing grade for that course for that grading period.  The student and his/her guardian will be notified for each incident of unlawful absence.  A student will receive additional disciplinary action if he/she continues to be unexcused absent or tardy after the second (2nd) unlawful absence notice has been issued for that quarter.  Unlawful absences from preceding quarters will not carry over to following quarters.   

 

 

 VII.                    Make-up Work                                   

  Students will only receive make-up work after a signed excused note has been presented.  Make-up work should be completed as soon as possible.  Students will be allowed the amount of days that they were absent to complete the work.                                    

 *Example – A student absent from class for one day will have one day to complete the work.  A student absent from class for three days will have three days to complete the work. Make-up quizzes and tests must be taken within three days at a mutually agreed upon time.  This may occur after school or during lunch so the student can continue to follow the current lesson and not fall behind any further.    

 

 

 VIII.             Conclusion 

 

I am looking forward to an exciting, productive and educational school      year and I hope you are as well.  By following these guidelines, we are certain to be successful.                                                                                                                                                                                    Sincerely;                                                              

 John Folse                                                           

 English Teacher