Syllabus

Instructor: &nb= sp; = Denise Ankcorn

EWHS Credit: &n= bsp; 1.0 (.5 credits per semester)

School Phone: &= nbsp; 425 – 431 – 6149

Email: &n= bsp; = ; ankcornd@edmonds.wednet.= edu

Office Location: &nbs= p; C - 100

Office Hours: &= nbsp; 3^rd Period (9:30-11:00)

I am= glad to have the opportunity to work with you this year. This course syllabus details the c= ontent and requirements for English 12.

Enduring Understandings

During the course, students wi= ll work towards mastery of our goals: Making Meaning from Texts & <= u>Creating and Presenting Texts. The= y will read texts for a variety of purposes, write in a variety of forms for diffe= rent audiences/purposes, communicate ideas clearly and effectively, and use interpersonal skills to work with others.

During the course, our work will be guided by these Endu= ring Understandings:

Communication enables us to ga= in and share information about self, others, and the world. Communication can influence or be influenced by society and environment.&nbs= p; Communication influences understanding and relationships among diver= se cultures/groups.

= ;

Effective communication requir= es the use of conventions. Elements = of communication forms can be combined and manipulated to express ideas and cr= eate effects. Audience and purpose influence choices in content, style, and organization. Writing, reading, and researching = are processes used to construct new understanding and meaning.

People use an= alysis to look deeply into ideas in order to fully understand their meaning and structure. People use argumen= ts to persuade, establish credibility, clarify beliefs, solve problems, and test ideas. People use narrative to preserve history and personal identity, and interpret the past.

Essential Questions

During the course, our work will be guided by a daily se= t of Essential Questions, such as: What is voice? How is identity constructed? How does an author use words to co= nvey ideas?

Content Outline / Assessments

Semester 1/Unit 1: Voice and Identity

Semester 1/Unit 2: Stranger in the Village

Semester 2/Unit 1: Multiple Voices in a Literary Text<= /span>

Semester 2/Unit 2: Exploring Voice in Film

Semester 2/Unit 3: Understanding Voice in Drama=

=

Units= will be created from a variety of materials, including Reading and Writing fr= om Literature, Write for College, The Things They Carried, <= u>Othello, Fences, Rear Window, and= other films.

During the course, the following Common Assessments and/= or Major Assessment will be completed at mastery level:

·      =    Self-Presentation (Voice) Assessments

·      =    Interview of Parent / Community Member (*)

·      =    Stranger in the Village – Reflective/Narrative Essay (*)

·      =    Original Short Story

·      =    Literary Analysis Essay (*)

·      =    Historical Research Investigation

·      =    Storyboard of a Cinematic Scene (*)

·      =    Performance of a Dramatic Scene

·      =    State Assessments, Midterm, Final Exam

·      =    Completion of a Comprehensive Course Portfolio

·      =    Participation Score at the end of each Grading Period

    =             &nb= sp;           (*) See Instructor<= /u>: These projects may be enhanced for Senior Portfolio Project

Students a= lways have the opportunity to redo a major assessment not completed successfully = the first time. It is the stud= ent's responsibility to arrange for this in a timely manner. At the end of each semester, I wil= l set a final “drop dead date” for the completion of all work. There is no extra credit work in t= his course.

Grading

Grades are based on a point system with letter grades at= the end of each grading period awarded on a percentage basis. Rubrics will be distributed with assignments. Students and Par= ents are expected to track grades on Skyward.&n= bsp; The Grading Scale for EWHS is:

93% - 100% =3D   A     =             &nb= sp; 83% - 86% =3D B        &= nbsp;            70% - 72% =3D C-

90% - 92% =3D   A-     &nbs= p;             = 80% - 82% =3D B- &n= bsp;            = ;     67% - 69% =3D D+

87% - 89% =3D   B+     = ;            = 77% - 79% =3D C+        &= nbsp;          60% - 66% =3D D

      = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;    73% - 76% =3D C        &= nbsp;            Below 60% =3D F

Materials=

During the first week of the course, students are expected to bring in a large three-ring binder and a packet of insertable dividers (eight tabs). The bi= nder will stay in the classroom throughout the year. All graded and non-graded work wil= l be filed in the binder tabs, by course goal.

Scholarly Responsibility / Attendance

Students are expected to arrive to class on-time. If tardies become an issue, studen= ts will receive detention. Stude= nts must attend class regularly to ensure their success in the course.

Due to the fact th= at English courses are heavily discussion and seminar based, consistent attend= ance is crucial to a student’s achievement. More than five (5) unexcused absences in a semester will lead to an “I” (Incomplete) grade because of insufficient evidence to supp= ort assigning that student a grade. Teachers are not required to allow students to make up missed assignments and/or discussions when they have an unexcused absence.

Late Work= / Make-Up Policy

If daily work assignments are missed because of an excused ab= sence, students will be given one week to make up the work for full credit. If work is turned in = more than one week late, it will receive no points/credit. If daily work is missed because of an unexcused absence= , the student cannot receive points or credit for that work.

As per department policy, major assessments that are turned in late are penalized 10% per calendar day, wit= h a maximum deduction of 60%. = As mastery of frameworks is paramount, each and every anchor task or unit assessment must be completed to standard in order to pass this course.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Major Assessments will be identifi= ed by the instructor and rubrics will always be provided.

It i= s the student’s responsibility to arrange to make-up missing work. Due dates are absolute unless prior arrangements have been made.=

Common Sc= hool Expectations

Students are expected to follow all school rules which are stated in the EWHS student planner and online at: http://school.edmonds.wednet.edu/ewhs/documents/StudentHandbook08-09.pdf

Classroom= Rules

Stud= ents must treat themselves and others with respect. The following things have no place= in our classroom: food/drinks; hats/hoods/sunglasses; rudeness; degrading/harassing remarks or acts; abusive behavior. They will not be tolerated. I also ask that my students refrai= n from wearing perfumes/colognes and or scented lotions in my classroom.

Other Cou= rse Information

Films: =

When films exist that help us to understand topics studied by the entire class, students will view them. Most films incorporated for viewin= g by the entire class bear unrestricted ratings. However, many were filmed when ano= ther rating system existed. Let me, then, be clear: I select films carefully.&= nbsp; All films used, regardless of rating, have special relevance to t= his curriculum. Parents may r= equest alternate viewing assignments if they feel that the material is inappropria= te for their individual child. I= f that occurs, an alternate assignment will be created.

Format / Turnitin.com:

All work done in class should = be neat and legible. All assignm= ents prepared outside of class must be typed and spellchecked. Work that is not spellchecked and proofread will be returned, ungraded (and due dates will not be extended).<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> The staff at EWHS uses turnitin.co= m as a resource when grading; students must open an online account and submit work= to turnitin.com prior to grading. Work is late if it is not submitted to turnitin.com by the due date. =

Sensitive Materials= :

One of the goals of English Language studies is to expose students to a variety of perspectives and cultures within society. Thus, it= is possible that students may read or be exposed to something that they might = find objectionable. We encourage students to individually discuss with us materi= al that they find objectionable; in some cases, alternative assignments may be assigned.

Communication / Conferences:

Students are encouraged to ask questions and I am availa= ble for conferences. If there are= any concerns that I should be aware of, or if you need to contact me at any tim= e, please call 425-431-6149.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> I will return your call as soon as possible. Feel free to email = me at ankcornd@edmonds.wednet.edu with questions or concerns.=

I have a great deal of experience working with Seniors.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> I believe that graduating seniors = are young adults – not children – and I hold them accountable for t= heir words, actions, and ideas.

If parents have concerns about the course, they should follow building policy and direct inquiries to the teacher prior to discuss= ing issues with the department chair, counselors, and/or administrators.

I look forward to spending the year with you.

Please sign and return this le= tter by Monday, September 10th / Tuesday, September 11th.<= /p>

Sin= cerely,

Denise Ankcorn

SIGNATURE SHEET = – ENGLISH 12

St= udent Contact Information:

Name: &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;            ___________________________________________________

Cell Phone:&nbs= p;            &= nbsp;     ______________________________________= _____________

Email Address:&= nbsp;           &nbs= p; ___________________________________________________

Please return th= is signature sheet to your teachers by September 8th / 9th. Your signatures below acknowledge receipt and understanding of the course outline.

We have read and understand the course rules/standards and the Personal and Academic Honesty sections of the syllabus. I (student) will abide by the rules/standards and consequences established in these materials.

_______________________________        &= nbsp;         ______________= _______________

Student Signature            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;                 =      Parent/Guardian Signature

Pr= imary Parent Contact Information:

Name: &nb= sp;            =             _= ____________________________________________

Address: &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;         _________________= ____________________________

  &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;        ______________________= _______________________

Best Day Phone:=            _______= ______________________________________

Best Night Phone:          ________________= _____________________________

Email Address:&= nbsp;           &nbs= p; _____________________________________________

When the following are excessive, what do you want to be contacted abou= t?

c   Tardies            =             &nb= sp;      c Absences

c   Late Assignments        &= nbsp;       c Missing Assignments

c   General Behavior        &= nbsp;        c Other: ____________________________________________