Overton High School

English I Syllabus
Ms. Rasmussen
Room 226
2014 2015
Textbooks:

Prentice Hall Literature

Goals to be Accomplished
1. The students will be able to recognize, demonstrate, and analyze the qualities of effective
formal and informal communication.
2. The students will learn to utilize a variety of reading strategies in order to comprehend,
interpret, analyze, and evaluate the content of printed texts.
3. The student will be able to write for different audiences and purposes.
4. The student will learn to utilize technology and other research resources in order to attain,
ascertain, document, and present accurate information.
Classroom rules
1. This is a beverage, food and cellphone-free classroom.
2. Be in your assigned seat and ready to work when the bell rings.
3. Bring required books and materials to every class, unless told otherwise by the teacher.
4. Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged.
5. Treat everyone and their property respectfully.
Teacher Expectations
1. Come to class prepared.
2. Pay attention, participate and ask questions.
3. Follow directions when given.
4. Complete every assignment.
5. Take responsibility for your actions.
Consequences
1. Warning
2. Definitions
3. Step forms (phone call home, student meeting, parent/student meeting)
4. Referral
What you need for this class:
2 Packs of Paper
Composition Notebook
Pen/pencil
A binder to store handouts and classwork (leave in the classroom)
Dividers

First Nine Weeks

Selections
Extended Text:
Short Texts:
Research:

A Tale of Two Cities (Novel)

The Most Dangerous Game
The Gift of the Magi
Project (Essay & Report on extended or short texts)

Second Nine Weeks

Selections
Extended Text:
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (Play)
Short Texts:
Pyramus and Thisbe by Ovid, retold by Edith Hamilton
from A Midsummer Nights Dream, by William Shakespeare
from The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde
from Big Kiss, by Henry Alford
Research:
Third Nine Weeks
Selections
Extended Text:
Short Texts:

Research:

Project (Essay & Report on extended or short texts)

Night by Elie Wiesel

A Celebration of Grandfathers, by Rudolfo Anaya
On Summer, by Lorraine Hansberry
from A Lincoln Preface, by Carl Sandburg
Author Ashe Remembered, by John McPhee
I Have a Dream
First Inaugural Address
Project (Essay & Report on extended or short texts)

Fourth Nine Weeks

Selections
Extended Text:
The Odyssey
Short Texts:
From the Ramayana, p. 1035
An Ancient Gesture, p. 1128
Siren Song, p. 1130
Prologue and epilogue from The Odyssey, p. 1132
Ithaca, p. 1134
A Hero in Our Midst, p. 1121
Movie Review: World Trade Center, p. 1123
There is a Longing, p. 1196
Research:
Project (Essay & Report on extended or short texts)
State Assessment:
End of Course (EOC) State Assessment

Other Skills Taught Throughout the Year

1.
Grammar
2.
Mechanics
3.
Language Usage
4.
Vocabulary
5.
Roots, Suffixes, Prefixes, & Context Clues
6.
Oral Presentation
7.
End of Course (EOC) & Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and
Careers (PARCC) Preparation
Restroom
Students are encouraged to use the restroom during the change of class; however, exceptions will
be made in cases of emergency. Students will receive 2 bathroom passes per quarter. More pass
can be earned by the reward system. When they leave to use the restroom, the student must carry
a hall pass with the date, students name, and time. Students will be responsible for any work
missed while out the room. If it is reported to the teacher by authorized personnel, or if the
teacher notices that the student has been seen in any other location, the student will be referred
to the designated administrator for the appropriate disciplinary action.
Make-up Work
It is the responsibility of the student to visit the teachers Google calendar to find out what they
have missed and the student has (5) school days in which to do so. If the student refuses to
comply with the policy, the teacher will assign the student a grade of zero.
End-of-Course (EOC) Exam
There is a standardized test for this class and it counts as 25% of the students second semester
average. This test will be given in May 2015.
Evaluation:
This is a standards-based course and students grades will be determined by how well they are
able to master the State Performance Indicators, or SPIs. Within each SPI, the student will be
given assignments that will assess mastery. These assignments consist of classwork, homework,
and assessments.
Standard Based Grading Scale
A
=
100
Advanced
B
=
92
Proficient
D
=
70
Basic
F
=
55
Not Yet Proficient/Below Basic
F
=
0
Incomplete