Mr. Johnson Grade 10 Syllabus
- Syllabus: Honors English 10
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program
Mr. Johnson
Room 315
[email protected]
Website: johnsongrade10&11english.weebly.com
Welcome!
I’m thrilled to begin the adventure of the mind we are about to undertake. I strive to create an environment where students can take responsibility for their learning and experience the feeling of authentic success. I have high expectations for myself as a teacher, and I have high expectations for you as a student. You will be accountable on a daily basis to do your work, be present for your fellow classmates, and contribute to the collective insight of our class.
Background
I was a daily newspaper reporter for five years, and I worked for more than 11 years in corporate communications, including time as a director of public relations for an agency in Boston, MA. I taught freshman composition for two years at Clemson University in South Carolina. I’ve been teaching in the Minneapolis School District for four years. I’m married and have two children, ages 12 and 14. I read a lot, run, and play hockey.
Course Description
Honor English 10 is designed to fulfill the requirements of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program and to prepare students to meet the demands of the IB Diploma Program and other advanced courses during their junior and senior years in high school.
This year-long course provides exposure to the genres of the short story, the novel, short essay, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. The emphasis is on language learning in context, language acquisition, literature, and communication through writing and speaking.
This class provides skill development in the use of language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, self-expression, and social interaction; listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and presenting in a variety of contexts; and the development of critical, creative, and personal approaches to studying and analyzing literature.
Expectations
Honors English 10 students will be expected to write and speak using complete and correct sentences. Students will be responsible for outside of class readings and other homework. Every student will be required to use a variety of technologies available, and each student will be responsible for having access to a computer outside of class time when necessary.
Policies: Grades are determined primarily by the degree to which a student masters the skills of composition and literary interpretation. Students must write with understanding, clarity, and support their claims with evidence from the text.
Missing assignments will impact the grade when mastery cannot be determined from the amount of work submitted. MISSING ASSIGNMENTS CANNOT BE GRADED AND COUNT AS A “ZERO,” SIGNIFICANTLY LOWERING OVERALL GRADE AVERAGES.
Daily writing, mastery of writing tasks, and strong participation in formal class discussion is essential to receiving an A. Writing tasks in the Formal Writing category will follow the writing process for best results - brainstorming, organizing, and revision. Students must prepare extensively for designated formal class discussions. Students who complete writing assignments before deadlines will have the opportunity for feedback from the instructor before final submission. Take advantage of this opportunity for best grade results.
Always be prepared for class by reading assigned material, and be ready to comment in class. Every person's comments are valuable and add perspective for all members of the class (including the teacher), so being prepared for class by completing homework, reading in a timely manner, and preparing personal reflections is essential and will be reflected in the final grade each quarter.
Late assignments result in reduced grades - Points will be subtracted each day the assignment is late. Occasionally, there are legitimate reasons for late work. The best way to negotiate this is by advance notice, or by conference with the instructor.
Attendance is taken at the beginning of class. A student who is tardy may be marked absent. Attendance must be corrected in the main office. When absent, the student is responsible for getting missed notes and assignments.
Behavior in class is always based on courtesy and mutual respect -- respect for people and the classroom environment. Respect for various points of view. Practice professional behavior in class in terms of language, dress, conduct, and by stowing electronics during class.
IMPORTANT! Phones must be put away BEFORE WALKING INTO THE CLASSROOM. Phones out during class are subject to immediate confiscation. Parents will be contacted for in-class phone use.
Members of this class should observe strict policies of academic honesty. Any instances in which cheating, including plagiarism and unauthorized use of copyrighted materials, computer accounts, or someone else’s work is determined, will be referred to Student Services and will be investigated to its full extent. Refer to page 10 of the Southwest Handbook. Consequences range from a zero on the assignment to an F for the quarter grade. Be mindful of this and do original work.
Supplies needed for this class: Composition notebooks. If it is possible, purchase the texts listed so that books may be marked with personal annotation. This is not required, however, and we’ll discuss alternative ways to annotate in class. What follows is a list of potential readings for the year. This list is subject to change. We will also be reading short stories, poetry, and some world literature selections which I will provide. - Macbeth, by William Shakespeare
1984, by George Orwell
Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston
The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien
Class outline (subject to change)
September: Short stories, poetry, essay; Writing the Personal Essay
October: Macbeth
November: 1984, by George Orwell
January: Literary Analysis Paper
Quarter Three: Grammar Unit & Their Eyes Were Watching God
Quarter Four: Poetry & The Things They Carried