Course Syllabus 10th Grade - Literature and Composition Instructor Ms. Alicia McKenzie Alicia.mckenzie@walton.k12.ga.us http://almckenzie.weebly.

com

Texts: Students will read from a variety of print and electronic texts that will cover all of the different standards for 10th grade. Students will also read from the following list of extended texts (this list is subject to changes) Night Persepolis Julius Caesar Nickel & Dimed Othello Oedipus Fences Life of Pi The Book Thief Written Assignments: Students will learn about persuasive writing in preparation for the GHSWT and complete major papers based on the writing standards set forth by the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards. Required Materials: o o o o o o o Student Ipad Blue/black pen #2 pencil Temporarily Issued Books A 3-ring binder Dividers College-Ruled Notebook Paper

Course Overview Communication, both oral and written, is an integral part of

societys foundation. With this in mind, it is more important than ever that students become effective communicators who possess strong literacy skills. The English-Language Arts Curriculum is a process designed to introduce students to core concepts that are further developed and expanded as students progress through each grade level. The English-Language Arts curriculum integrates the

process of reading, writing, and listening/speaking/viewing in order to help students effectively communicate and interpret information in a variety of modes. 10 th grade Literature & Composition offers an extensive study of diverse and select writers. This exploration of social, cultural, and literary forces also provides college preparatory materials, strategies, and assessments; furthermore, it offers opportunities for students to review test-taking and study skills.
Classroom Rules 1. All school policies and rules for Walton County Schools will be enforced in the classroom. 2. At all times, students and teachers will treat each other with mutual respect. 3. Arrive to class on time. If a student is tardy, he/she will sign-in on the door and enter the class quietly and respectfully. The first time is a warning. Each time after will result in a detention after school. If a student is late more than 3 times or if a student refuses to serve a detention, it will result in an office referral. 4. All materials must be brought daily Ipad, textbook or novel, paper, binder, agenda, and blue/black ink pen. 5. No food or drink (except bottled water) allowed in class. Students who fail to comply with the preceding guidelines may expect to receive a detention and/or an administrative disciplinary referral. GRADING Grades will be based on the total points received out of total points possible, weighted by category. Approximate Category Values: Tests/Projects/Major Papers 40% Quizzes 25% Homework/Classwork 20% Final Exam 15% In accordance with Walton County Public Schools policy, grades are assigned as follows: A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% F = 0-69% ABSENCES AND MAKE-UP WORK All work must be made up within three school days of an absence with an excused absence note. Failure to do so will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment(s). Any unexcused makeup work will be penalized by 10 points per day. After 5 days, the work will not be accepted. It is the students responsibility to meet with the teacher to obtain make -up assignments for his/her class, or to obtain work from the cyber classroom (website, Edmodo, Edcanvas) Students must also arrange a time to make up any excused missed tests and quizzes within 3 days after returning to school except in cases of an extended absence. Make-ups must be scheduled with the instructor in advance. Make-up tests and/or quizzes will only be given when appointments are initiated and made by the

student. Furthermore, it is not the instructors responsibility to remind individuals what they need to make up. Students may meet with the instructor before school or stay after school to make up missed tests and/or quizzes as long as they have made an appointment. ALL MAKE-UP WORK MUST BE COMPLETED TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE END OF THE SEMESTER. *If a student is experiencing extenuating circumstances (long-term sickness, death in the family, etc.) at any point during the semester, he/she needs to meet with Ms. McKenzie so that alternative arrangements can be made for specific assignments. Do not wait until the last minute to let Ms. McKenzie know about issues. PLAGIARISM STATEMENT Plagiarism is the use of anothers words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they were entirely ones own. Acts of plagiarism might include, but are not limited to: using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation using the work of another student (e.g. copying homework, composition, or project) using excessive editing suggestions of another student, teacher, parent, or paid editor. A note about what constitutes excessive editing. Students learn to write well by doing just that, writing. Struggling independently through the writing process produces growth (as well as a certain amount of agony), and eventually the students own voice. When well-meaning parents, siblings, tutors, or others contribute their ideas, words, phrases, revisions, etc. to students writing, student writers miss the opportunity to achieve literary self-reliance. So what is helping, but is NOT excessive editing? The answer is: questioning and cueing. For example: Is this word strong enough? Interesting enough? Specific enough? Can you think of another word that would fit better? Does this sentence seem awkward? What exactly do you mean? I dont understand what you are trying to say here; can you say it more clearly? This sentence has a powerful verb; can you find one as powerful for that other sentence? These kinds of questions and statements allow the students to think and write independently. Students should be allowed to find their own voices and to develop their own writing skills. Plagiarism on any project or paper will result in a zero for the assignment and an Honor Code Violation. Unless strictly stipulated by the teacher, collaboration on written work is not acceptable. Students who willingly provide other students with access to their work are in violation of the Honor Code. Students should be aware that software may be used to check papers for plagiarism. 10th Grade CONTENT The reading and writing units for this course are planned according to the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS). Information on units and lessons covered in class will be available via the class website.

Further information regarding standards addressed in this course may be found at www.georgiastandards.org

Please read and sign below: I have read Ms. McKenzies course syllabus for the 10th Grade Writing & Literature course for the 2013-2014 school year and understand the responsibilities and requirements outlined in it. Parent Name (Print)___________________________________ Parent Signature______________________________________ Parent Phone Contact (h)_______________________(c)____________________ Parent email address_________________________________________________

Student Name (Print)__________________________________ Student Signature_____________________________________ Student School Gmail email address_______________________________________________________________