Ms. Henry’s Information Sheet

Welcome to English 10 Honors!

 

GOALS: We will strive to

• communicate ideas powerfully and with clarity by improving writing, vocabulary, and

      presentation skills

• read a variety of world literature that connects to the history studied in your World History class and connect thematically the modern literature we’ll read with the essential questions the history and literature pose

• read critically and be alert to the resources of language authors employ and the way that literature reflects culture

• participate in class discussions using a shared inquiry approach and based on your reading assignments

• gain familiarity with and practice research skills

This Course:  English 10 Honors is a rigorous course that introduces you to high level critical thinking and analysis of world literature in order to prepare you for college-level literature courses.  This course will require you to complete the reading at home as we will be focusing on analysis during class time.  If you do not complete the reading each and every time it is assigned, you will not be able to participate in class which will negatively affect your ability to participate and benefit from class time.  Please come to class each day prepared to discuss the assigned reading. I will expect thoughtful and analytical discussion of each work we study.

My Main Rule:  Show respect for others and their property at all times.  Treat others as you would like to be treated. If we all follow this rule, everyone will have a positive experience in English class.

MAJOR WORKS:  We will select from the following—

NOVELS

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (summer reading)

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

 

PLAYS

Antigone by Sophocles

Macbeth or The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

 

NON-FICTION

Night by Elie Wiesel

 

SHORT STORIES & POETRY

Selections by Ms. Henry

 

Nonfiction Unit—Students will choose one of the following to read in a book group format:

• Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser—1240L

• The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus by Richard Preston—1030L

• I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali  and Delphine Minoui—1190L

• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer—1270L

• The Nazi Officer’s Wife by Edith Hahnbeer (Lexile not available)  

• Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich—1340L

• Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell —1080L

• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain—1170L

• Touching the Void:  The True Story of One Man’s Miraculous Survival by Joe Simpson—470L

• Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed (caution: strong language, sexual situations) —1060L

L = Lexile (a number that represents a student’s reading level or a text’s difficulty level)

Research Project (Dystopian or Victorian Novel)

Students will choose one of the following six novels.

Dystopian Novels:

• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

• 1984 by George Orwell

Victorian Novels:

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

• Pride and Prejudice  by Jane Austen

• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

After reading the chosen novel, students will research literary criticism on the work, read and annotate the criticism, create an annotated bibliography, craft a thesis statement and paper outline, and write a 4-6 page literary research paper.  All elements of the project will require use of MLA formatting and proper citations.  This project will take place during the first and second quarters.

Grades:  I calculate grades on a total point system.  Each assessment will be given a point value based on its content and the time and effort required to complete it. Tests and essays will count the most (usually around 100 points); quizzes and homework will count less (quizzes are usually between 25 and 50 points, and homework between 5 and 25 points).  Keep track of your grades throughout each quarter and check the portal regularly.  If you’d like to use a grade calculation sheet to keep track of your grades and running average, you can print one here.

Final Grammar Exam:  You will have large, SAT/ACT-style grammar exam at the end of the year.  This exams will have a high point value (150- 200 points) and will count towards the 4th quarter.  If you struggle with grammar, be sure you focus on and study these skills carefully as we make our way through the units.  

Extra Help:  I am available to give extra help before and after school, as well as during my free periods each day.  This year I am free during periods 1, 3, 5, and 7.  If you are having difficulties, have questions, or would like assistance in any way, please set up an appointment.  Try to give me at least one day’s notice.  Please do not hesitate to ask. I am here to help.

Canvas/Ms. Henry’s Website:  Use the site to find valuable information about our class, links to other important websites, assignments for major projects, and some homework assignments (as indicated by Ms. Henry).  Find major test, project and quiz due dates on the calendar portion of the site.  For now, all homework will be announced in class and posted on the board located in the front of the classroom.  As we all become more familiar with Canvas, assignments will be posted there instead.

Homework:  Homework is important and should be taken seriously and completed to the best of your ability.  I expect you to work individually (unless otherwise indicated) and complete all assignment, including reading assignments, on time.  All written homework must be finished, printed out (if applicable), and stapled by the beginning of the class during which it is due.  Late homework will not be accepted unless you have an excused absence and make the work up promptly.  If you do not have your homework when I check or collect it, you will receive a zero.

All written homework should be completed on loose-leaf paper or computer paper (if typed).  Please do not submit homework on notebook paper with frayed edges.  

Honor Code of Conduct:  All students and parents will receive a copy of the honor code to sign. Students, please value your opportunity to maintain a good reputation; practice ethical behavior.  If I find that you have copied someone else’s work on a homework assignment, writing assignment, project, or for questions on a test or quiz, both you and the student from whom you have copied will receive a zero for that assignment.  This includes vocabulary assignments.  Also, if I find that you have written down random answers and have not actually attempted the work, you will also receive a zero.

Plagiarism:  Plagiarism is one form of cheating.  According to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, “plagiarism has been defined as ‘the false assumption of authorship:  the wrongful act of taking the product of another person’s mind, and presenting it as one’s own.’  To use another person’s ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source is to plagiarize.”  When writing papers/essays for this class, use your own analytical mind and the literature you have read.  The only time you should need to cite information is when using quotations from the literature about which you are writing, incorporating literary criticism into your writing, or using research information you’ve been asked to find. When analyzing literature, do not use information from sources such as Spark Notes, Cliff Notes, fellow students’ essays, etc.  Papers that contain plagiarism will receive a zero.  Value your opportunity to maintain a good reputation; practice ethical behavior.

Makeup Work:  If you are absent, e-mail me or arrange to see me before or after school to get your makeup materials (classwork, homework, notification of tests & quizzes missed) and take any quizzes or tests you have missed.  I check my school e-mail 1-2 x per school day.  As a general rule, you have one day per day absent in which to make up homework and classwork.  Remember that it is YOUR responsibility to get and complete makeup homework, classwork, tests, and quizzes in a timely manner in order to avoid zeroes.  If you do not make this work up, you will receive zeroes for the missed assignments (and tests/quizzes).  Zeroes will quickly and negatively affect your average.

Makeup Tests/Quizzes:  You must make up any missed tests/quizzes within one week of the day you missed them.  After this point, your grade for the test or quiz will become a zero.  Because makeup quizzes that are never taken are entered in the grade book as zeroes, failure to take makeup quizzes will greatly decrease your grade.  Each time you are absent, assume you have missed work, quizzes, etc., and be sure to e-mail or see me regarding what is required of you.  Do not expect to be able to take all makeup quizzes during the last week of the quarter.  You will not be able to do so.

Notebooks:  Please use a 3-ring binder with a good supply of loose-leaf paper.  A binder will allow you to add and subtract from any given section of the notebook.  Arrange the 3-ring binder in 4 sections:  (1) literature, (2) writing, (3) grammar/mechanics & (4) vocabulary.  Notebooks should be complete, neat, and orderly at all times.  I expect you to keep all notes, handouts, papers, homework assignments, etc. (items that are not put in the English folder that we keep) in your English notebook.  

Note-taking:  Take notes on important points made, skills discussed, vocabulary explained, etc. during class discussions and lessons, even if nothing is written on the board.  Your tests during the year will cover a great variety of material.  Taking notes will ensure that you have the proper information from which to study.  The act of writing down information will also help you remember the material better.  If you find you are having difficulties figuring out what to write down, please ask one of us for assistance.

Cell Phones:

Deposit phones in the phone collector at the beginning of each class period.  You may not use cell phones in class.  If I find/see you using a cell phone (talking, texting, playing a game, etc.), I will take the phone and keep it until the end of the day—no discussions, no exceptions.  If you have your phone during an assessment, you will receive a zero for the assessment. For those with class at the end of the day, I will arrange for Mr. Sloan to keep your phone the following day as well.  If you do not want your phone taken, do not use it in my classroom.  If you need to speak to or text your parent or guardian, please do so on your time.

Final Averages:  Your final average for the year will be based on your four marking period grades (letter grades, not numerical grades) and your final exam (translated into a letter grade).   eSchool data calculates final averages based on a 4-point scale as indicated in your student handbook.  Please refer to the handbook if you have questions on this.

Extra Credit:  You may earn 5 extra credit points (to be added to your numerator) for each of the following:  

• submit to me via e-mail (ahenry@csh.k12.ny.us) a high quality (something you would submit for a grade) piece of creative writing in MS Word) for possible inclusion in Grok, the literary magazine.  Make sure the e-mail is labeled “Grok submission” and your name is clearly stated.
• submit to me via e-mail (ahenry@csh.k12.ny.us) a high quality (something you would submit for a grade in an art class) piece of artwork for possible inclusion in Grok, the high school literary magazine.  Make sure the e-mail is labeled “Grok submission” and your name is clearly stated.
• attend at least 2 Grok meetings, sign in, and stay for the entire meeting.
• attend GROK night in May (this year at 7 p.m. on May ______ in the senior commons).  Sign in with the designated extra credited sign-up person and stay for the evening.
• attend a book club meeting (read the book and participate).  Get a note from Mrs. Glynn or Ms. Waters stating you were a participating attendee.
• attend the high school drama or musical and submit a ticket to me with your name clearly printed on it and the signature of a teacher who was there and saw you attending.
• attend Improv Night or Coffee House Jam and submit a ticket to me with your name clearly printed on it and the signature of a teacher who was there and saw you attending.

You may accumulate up to 15 points throughout each marking period (see dates in handbook).  Points will be applied to the marking period in which they are earned, not the previous or subsequent ones. Under no circumstances will extra credit be used to raise your quarterly average more than a third of a letter grade (A- to A, B to B+, C+ to B-, etc.).

“Ms. Henry, how can I raise my grade?”  If you are concerned about your grade, see the section titled "Tips for Success."

How to trouble-shoot printer problems:  Students will sometimes have printing problems.  Here are ways you can overcome any issues and make sure your work is in on time.

• Use Google Docs.  If you’re having printer issues at home, print your work at school during your free time (before or after school or during a free period).

• Make sure you have an extra cartridge at home; this way you won’t run out of ink.

• If your printer breaks

• e-mail your work to a parent or friend to print for you

• copy your file to your thumb drive (required supply for this class) and print it out before school or during a free period (NOT during class time)

• e-mail your work to yourself and ask Mr. Stavros to help you retrieve your e-mail.  Then print the attachment—either before school or during a free period.

• If you are use VMWare at home, you can go to one of the computer labs in school either before school or during a free period and print your completed work there.

 

SUPPLIES:  Please purchase these REQUIRED ITEMS:

• a 3-ring binder; all handouts should be kept with current notes.  Develop the habit of dating pages; this comes in handy for review.  
• loose-leaf paper
• pens
• several small post-it pads (to keep in backpack and use for note-taking in novels)
• a thumb drive/flash drive.

SUGGESTED SUPPLIES:   

• 3-ring hole-puncher
• white-out tape
• mini stapler and staples (to keep in backpack)

• extra printer cartridge (for home printer—so you don’t run out the night before a paper is due)

I look forward to an exciting journey with you this year!

 

 

[1] Gibaldi, Joseph.  MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 4th ed. (New York:  The Modern Language Association of America, 1995) 26.