Required Texts

Prentice Hall Literature World Masterpieces

Vocabulary for Achievement

Write for College

Prentice Hall Reference Guide (6th Edition)

Classroom Materials

A two-section notebook with a pocket, a folder for handouts, looseleaf paper, and access to a computer. Students are responsible for purchasing paperback copies of the following required texts on their own. These include: Arthurian Romances- Yvain the Knight with the Lion; Erec and Enide- Chretien De Troyes

The Once and Future King- T.H. White

Cry, the Beloved Country- Alan Paton

All Quiet on the Western Front- Erich Maria Remarque

The Merchant of Venice- William Shakespeare

In Search of Fatima- Ghada Karmi

Night- Elie Wiesel

Grading and Classroom Policies: The grading scale is the same scale printed in the Student Handbook. Your grade for the mid-quarter and quarter will be based on the following number of assignments. Two to three exams per quarter –50%, quizzes and essays- 30%, and homework including vocabulary and class participation- 20%.The semester exam will count for 20% of the semester grade. At the end of the year, in order for students to move to an AP English class, they must have an A as a final grade and a B+ as a final grade to continue in honors English. Students are expected to arrive to class on time with the required texts and materials. Attendance is taken immediately, so consistent tardiness will jeopardize your performance and grade. Since a large portion of the class will be conducted in lecture and discussion, students are expected to raise their hands in order to be recognized. Mutual respect is integral in terms of speaking clearly and listening during discussion. Students should arrive to class prepared, having done the reading and homework, and ready to participate in the day’s discussion.

Absences and Late Work: If for any reason a class is missed- student absence, teacher absence, sports, shortened school day, snow, etc.- students are responsible for that day’s work. It is their responsibility to find out what was given as homework or make up any notes taken that day. Any assignments scheduled for the missed class will be turned in during the next class meeting. Missed tests must be made up in the testing center on the first day the student is back in school, unless the absence is extended.

Those students who miss class for a school-sponsored event, must turn in their work or take tests/quizzes BEFORE the event. They are not to be skipped and then made up afterwards. Ordinarily, late work is not accepted. Occasionally, if the assignment involved constitutes a major part of the grade, an exception may be made on an individual basis. Late is defined as anything not turned in at the time it is collected. This means that if the student does not have their assignment in the actual class it is asked for, it is late. An assignment that is not turned in will result in a zero for that assignment.

Communication: I will distribute a weekly calendar that will include the week’s readings and lecture material along with upcoming homework, quizzes, and tests. Students will receive a hard copy and I will also put this weekly syllabus on line on my homework page. I am always available to students who need extra help or clarification of something discussed in class. Students who need extra help should make an appointment the day before the intended tutoring session if they want to see me after school. I am available every day before school from 7:00 a. m. to 8:00 a. m. Parents can contact me through my voice mail by calling (730) 751-7606, extension 8233, or the preferred way is to e-mail me at gilligad@bishopireton.org.