English II Course Syllabus: 2017-2018  

Course Description: In their study of various literary genres, English II students will reinforce the base knowledge of the skills necessary for success in high school English. Identification and use of proper grammatical mechanics for written communication are also emphasized. Students will read and analyze for literary merit and for historical significance. All students will study grammar and demonstrate composition effectiveness through writing. Classroom Expectations:

● Be prepared daily – Come to class with all materials necessary. ● Be respectful – Respect yourself and others always. ● Be focused – Be ready each day to eliminate distractions from your learning experience. ● And remember…Do right and ALWAYS bring your best!

Cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices: Cell phone activity will not be allowed during class. For all classes, electronic devices are expected to be away and out of sight. Failure to meet this expectation will result in consequences as described by WHS. Classroom tablets and/or school computer labs will be made available when necessary. Course Supplies: *One (1) composition notebook (200 pages)

College ruled notebook paper Pens Pencils Any materials students may need to be successful. (highlighters, post-its, personal planner, etc…) Class contribution: One package of pencils and/or one box of Kleenex

Course Calendar At-a-Glance:

English II 1st Semester Unit 01 – Traveling through World Literature Unit 02A – Analyzing Poetic Structure Unit 02B – Deeper Analysis Through Drama Unit 03 – Analysing Informational Text 2nd Semester Unit 04 – Purposeful Persuasion Unit 05A – Connecting Genres Unit 05B – College and Career Connections Unit 06 – Marshaling Evidence

WHS English Department Grading Policy:

Major grades: 60% Daily grades: 40%

English II Late Policy

Daily work -30 points per day

● Nothing accepted after 2 days Major grades

-25 points per day ● Nothing accepted after 2 days

Late Work, Make-up Work, Absences, and Re-tests:

● All daily work must be completed on time. The penalty for late work is 30 points deducted per day. After two days, the assignment will not be accepted.

● All major assignments to include essays, projects, tests, and any other assignment that is described as a major assignment must be turned in on time. The penalty for late work is 25 points deducted per day. After two days, the assignment will not be accepted.

● It is the student’s responsibility to collect and complete all work missed due to an absence. Students get one day to make up each day that was missed. (If a student misses one day, he/she has one day to make up the assignment, etc).

● Tests and quizzes must be taken on test/quiz day – even if the student is absent the day prior. If a student is absent on the day of the test/quiz, it is the student’s responsibility to make-up the test/quiz. The grade for a missed test or quiz will be entered as a zero regardless of the type of absence until the student makes up the missed test or quiz. Tests must be made up immediately upon returning to the classroom, or students will incur the late penalty.

● There are no re-tests. Students are responsible for studying for each test, and their first score will remain in gradebook.

Interactive Notebooks:

● Students will be responsible for maintaining an interactive notebook throughout the course of the school year. Interactive notebooks will be used daily and are composed of warm ups, class notes, open-ended responses, and vocabulary terms. Composition notebooks of 200 pages are required by Monday, August 21st for a Daily grade. Notebooks will be set up on that day, so it is crucial they are in class. If you need assistance, please inform your teacher by Friday, August 18th. Notebooks will remain in the classroom at all times. Periodically, teachers will check notebooks at random for a major or quiz grade. If you are absent, you are responsible for attending tutorials to make up what you have missed in your notebook.

Warm-Ups: ● Upon entry into the classroom, students are to pick up their interactive notebook from their class bin and

complete the warm-up on the board. ● Students are expected to complete the exercise within the allotted time. ● At certain points each semester, students will use the warm-ups to complete an assessment. ● Students will earn a test AND/OR quiz grade with daily warm-ups.

Vocabulary: ● Students will be responsible for learning all unit vocabulary and will complete a semester vocabulary project

outside of the classroom.

Other:

● Throughout the school year, and pertaining to the unit being studied, various projects and tests will be assigned. Certain projects will need to be completed at home.

Communication: The best way for students and parents to contact me is via email (kgragert@willisisd.org). Please subscribe to my web-page for reminders about assignments and/or school news. Tutorial hours are Tuesday/Thursday until 3:15; I am also available upon appointment. Academic Integrity: Academic integrity encompasses the core values and basic principles of honesty and responsibility that govern our practices as scholars, researchers, and creative artists. Plagiarism is the act, intentional or unintentional, of using other people’s words or ideas as your own. Willis High School and I expect you to write your own papers and to provide full and accurate citations for any specific ideas or language—words, phrases, sentences—that you take from outside sources, including the internet. You may refer to the the SHSU Writing Center Handouts link should you need a reminder of ways to insure your work is not plagiarised. Following WHS guidelines, any act of academic dishonesty in this class will result in a zero for the assignment and parent contact. http://www.shsu.edu/centers/academic-success-center/writing/handouts.html

Below is a consent form for both Parent/Guardian and Student alike. This is to show that you have both read and understand the syllabus for English I in the 2016-2017 school year. Also, quite often I like to contact parents/guardians and share the positive things that their students are doing. Please, let me know the most convenient way to update you on your student’s status. Student’s Name: __________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian’s Name:___________________________________________________ Email:___________________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian -- Please initial and sign below. _____ I have read the guidelines as stated in the syllabus. _____ I understand that my student is expected to follow all of the expectations and procedures as stated in the English I syllabus. _____ I prefer to receive emails about my student.

_____ I prefer to receive calls about my student.

___________________________________________________________ _____________________________ Parent/Guardian’s Signature Date _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Student -- Please initial and sign below. ______I have read and understand the guidelines as stated in the the syllabus. ______I AGREE to follow the expectations and procedures as explained to me by the teacher because I am

responsible for my actions.

_______________________________________________________ _________________________________ Student’s Signature Date