Literature 10 Honors Syllabus

Mrs. Merino
smerino@wpsd.k12.pa.us
Room 115
www.smerino.weebly.com
Course Description:
Literature Academic addresses the PA Content Standards of reading, writing, listening, and
speaking. This course is an intensive program that goes beyond the required English course. This
includes extensive reading and writing of essays. Utilizing the workshop model, students read,
analyze, and interpret various types of literature, recognize the basic elements, and make
personal connections to texts focusing on the theme. Students will develop more sophisticated
organizational schemes for written works and continue to write in a variety of formats
emphasizing focus, content, organization, style, vocabulary and conventions. Students are
challenged to read a total of 25 books and/or book equivalents including in-class texts.
Course Texts:
Holt: Elements of Literature 4th Course
Warriors Dont Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals
Antigone by Sophocles
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Various poems and short stories
Fiction novel (from a list of choices)
Required Materials: (BY FRIDAY 9/11)
1 inch binder with
at least 4 dividers (1 per marking period)
at least 1 pack of college ruled loose-leaf paper
2 composition books (to be kept in classroom)
A pack of pencils/pens
At least two highlighters
At least two black permanent markers (needed for 2rd marking period)
Box of tissues, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer= 5 bonus points per item (limit 5 per marking
period)
Grade Set-up:
Each semester will be broken down and weighted as the following:
Speaking/Writing tasks

.....15%

Quizzes/Tests/Formal Writing..20%

Homework....10%
Quarterly Assessment..20%
Class Work..35%
Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 Grade.100%
*All grades will always be available to you and your parents/guardians on eSchool. Make
sure to check the site often to stay on top of your grades and to avoid miscommunication. If
you do not have your eSchool login and password, make sure to see you counselor ASAP.
Make-up Policy: If you have an excused absence recorded in eSchool, you will be given the
number of days you were out to complete all missed work. This work includes any homework,
class work, and tests/quizzes. Check your personal folder in the front student bin for missing
work. It is YOUR responsibility to get your missed work- I will not cater to you. All make-up
work is to be done on your time, meaning you should not expect to take a make-up quiz during
class time (before or after school is appropriate).
Late Work Policy: Homework is assigned in order to reinforce a lesson we learned that day in
class or to prepare you for an upcoming lesson. Homework cannot be made up if you are
present the day it is assigned and the day it is due.
All projects, assignments, writing prompts, etc. are expected to be turned in on time. Long term
due dates will always be listed on www.smerino.weebly.com so you can plan accordingly. Some
assignments will only be accepted on the due date; otherwise, if noted, 10% will be deducted for
each day the assignment is late, up to five days.
Class Rules:

Be on time: This is the easiest part of the class! You are to be in the classroom, in your
seat, with your necessary materials on your desk when the bell rings. You will be marked
tardy if you walk through the door after the bell rings. After three unexcused lateness,
you will serve an afterschool detention and your parent/guardian will be contacted. After
six unexcused lateness, a referral will be submitted to the office.
No Electronics: You are not permitted to have cell phones, mp3 phones, gaming devices,
or any other electronics on or visible in the classroom. They are to be turned off and kept
away and out of sight. The first time the device is taken, I keep it until the end of the day
and contact a parent/guardian; the second time, the device will be turned over to the main
office and will have to be picked up by a parent/guardian.
Passes: Any and all passes will only be issued during class work time. This means, per
school wide rituals, no one may leave the classroom during the first or last 15 minutes of
class. Each student will get a bathroom pass card the first week of school. You need this
card in order to leave the room. If you do not have your pass or your ID, you will not be
permitted to leave during class time.
Respect: The golden rule applies in all classrooms: Treat others how you want to be
treated. You are to give respect to your fellow students and to the teacher at all times, and

you will be given respect back. Also, be mindful of where you are and what type of
language is appropriate and acceptable.
Accountability: There are numerous resources in our classroom that ensure you will
always know whats happening at all times and for the future. You are responsible and
accountable for yourself in this classroom. Always make sure you are alert in class,
completing all work, staying on top of future assignments, and being considerate to
others in and out of the classroom.

Additional Resources

Turnitin.com
Class ID: 13364323
Class password: period1
All essays and formal writing prompts will be submitted via turnitin.com. This website is
a valuable resource for both students and teachers. It helps you to double-check and edit
easily identifiable grammar, usage, and spelling mistakes, while allowing teachers to
ensure there is no plagiarism. Plus, it eliminates problems with printing. You will set up
an account for yourself and ALL papers must be turned in through this website. Paper
copies will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Remind101- You MUST register for the free text messaging/email service Remind101.
This free service allows me to send reminders, updates, changes, or important notes to
students. The service runs through the website so I never see your personal phone
numbers or email addresses and you dont see mine. If the school schedule ever changes
for emergencies or inclement weather, I will update students; you are responsible for
adhering to any messages or changes sent through this service. Directions are also on my
webpage.
Teacher Webpage- Utilize my webpage for updates, extra important handouts, important
dates, and other invaluable resources.
o http://www.smerino.weebly.com