Name:____________________________________________________________________________________

English III CP Course Syllabus

Fall 2021

Mrs. Amanda Murphy (murphya@fortmillschools.org)

English Teacher, B.A., M.Ed.
Nation Ford High School
Room N110

Course Description: Welcome to English III CP. Students enrolled in English III must have completed English II with a passing grade.
This English course is designed for students planning on attending a four-year college or university. This course involves vocabulary
development related to SAT-level words, improvement of grammar and usage, and expository and persuasive research and
composition. The literary aspect includes a survey of the major periods, themes, and techniques of American literature. Supplementary
reading is required. This course is designed for students interested in a four-year post-secondary education.

Supplies
♦ Three-ring binder
♦ Notebook paper
♦ Composition Notebook (daybook journal)
♦ Black pens (at least one other color suggested)
♦ Pencils
♦ Highlighters
♦ Post-Its (optional)
♦ Literature textbook and required Independent Reading Novel (each six weeks)
--Textbooks will be issued on the first day of school. Students may leave textbooks at home unless otherwise instructed.
Students may not leave books in the classroom. IR novels should be brought to school daily.

Class Procedures, Policies and Rules

1. Be in assigned seats with notebooks out before tardy bell rings. The tardy bell means class has begun.
2. Check the Board daily for assignments and objectives.
3. Bring all assigned books to class unless otherwise instructed. This includes your binder, writing materials, textbook, any assigned
novel, and/or independent reading novel.
4. Remain in class until the bell rings. You are not allowed to leave early unless you have a medical provision or office pass.
5. Plan to use the restroom before class, as you will not be permitted to leave the classroom during instructional time unless you have
a pink pass from the nurse.
6. There will be NO food, gum, candy or drinks (other than water) permitted at ANY time, for any reason, unless you have a medical
provision.
7. Phones should be off and out of sight at ALL times, no exceptions. If one is seen, it will be confiscated and given to an
administrator. (Off does not mean on vibrate. If it can be heard, it will be taken.)
8. Absences: When you are absent, please do the following:
1. Check the teacher webpage while you are out and complete what work you can.
2. Check the “What Did I Miss?” binder when you return. This is where I will place most handouts.
3. See me to ask questions or to schedule make-up work. Approach me before or after class or during FLEX, not during
instructional time.
9. The Aisles: Keep book bags out of the aisles so that no one trips over them.
10. Focus: Our class time is for English only. You should not do homework for other classes, sleep, or distract your classmates.
Distractions include poking, winking, waving, flirting, and so on.
11. Packing Up and Bell-to-Bell Instruction: Please leave your materials out until I dismiss you. Packing up early is rude and
distracting. You will be penalized if this becomes habitual.
12. Extra help: I am available by appointment and during FLEX
13. Character: I expect every student to display these character traits:
● Honesty: Do not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate such behavior.
● Responsibility: Do not make excuses for your actions.
● Respect: You should respect your teacher, classmates, school property, and, above all, yourself.
● Courtesy: Avoid rudeness, unkind behavior, and poor manners.

Discipline

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Name:____________________________________________________________________________________
Each student deserves a safe, comfortable, and distraction-free learning environment. If a student disrupts the learning process, I will
deal with such behavior swiftly and efficiently.

Grading Scale

Grades are input based upon a point system (as opposed to percentages). Each assignment will be assessed on a variety of different
point scales, which result in a total amount of points at the end of the semester.

If you are failing, please come to me for extra help and make sure to get caught up on your work. Should you fail the semester
with a 55-59 average, you are eligible for content recovery. If at any point you have below 60% for the current six weeks, you are
required to attend FLEX on the assigned day (Fridays). Failure to attend on these days will result in a referral.

Grades

Parents and students should check grades regularly in PowerSchool. Each parent will receive an ID and password, which they may use
to access a student’s grades from home. Report cards go out every six weeks. Knowing your current grade is YOUR responsibility.
A= 90-100
B= 80-89
C= 70-79
D= 60-69
F =59 and below

Missed Tests

The district policy allows five days to make up missed tests. See me on the day you return from an absence and schedule your make-
up test day. Tests must be made up before or after school (if possible), or during FLEX. ISS does not exempt a student from taking a
test on the assigned day.

Retesting Policy

Students will be given the opportunity to come in for tutoring and then retest any formal test receiving 60% or lower. The highest grade
you can then receive on the retest is a 60%. NOTE: This does not count quizzes, papers, or other minor assignments.

Late Work

I do not accept late homework or classwork.

If you turn in a late assignment (other than homework/classwork-see note above), I will apply the following deductions:
1 day late: 10% deduction
2 days late: 20% deduction
3 days+ late: 50% deduction
This includes weekends. ***Contact me via email if you have an extenuating circumstance such as an illness or other emergency.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is simply turning in words or ideas that do not belong to you and presenting that work under the guise of originality. It can
also be a mere failure to give credit to the original author.

All forms of plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment and disciplinary action. Plagiarism includes:
● The use of ideas obtained through Spark Notes or other online literature
● Copying a paper, in part or whole, from an online or print source
● Passing off another student’s work as one’s own
● Including a sibling/parent’s words or ideas in a paper
● Failing to provide documentation for words or ideas acquired from another source
● No quotation marks on borrowed words and/or no parenthetical citations equals plagiarism

Pre-course Reading

You should have completed the “Summer Reading” assignment prior to the start of the course. There will be an assessment.

Course of Study/Pacing Guide*

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1st 6 Weeks Major Literary Units Vocabulary Major Assessments
Native American Literature Text specific 1. Pre-Course Reading
Early American Literature assessment
Slave Narratives 2. Unit 1 Test
The Puritans Grammar/Composition 3. Research Assignments
The Crucible Editing
Parts of speech Minor Assessments
Clauses and phrases 1. Vocabulary quizzes
--analysis of rhetorical devices Parallel structure 2. Articles of the Week
3. Crucible quizzes
4. DGP (grammar) classwork
2nd 6 Weeks Major Literary Units Vocabulary Major Assessments
American Romanticism Text specific 1. Crucible Essay
--poetry of Longfellow, Bryant, 2. Research Assignments
Poe, Holmes Grammar/Composition 3. Unit 2 Test
--essays of Thoreau and Emerson Fragments
--short stories of Irving and Poe Run-ons/Comma splices Minor Assessments
American Realism Passive and active voice 1. Romanticism quizzes
-poetry of Whitman, Douglass, Truth 2. Vocabulary quizzes
-essays of Douglass, Lincoln, 3. DGP (grammar) classwork
Their Eyes Were Watching God 4. Articles of the Week

Research
Topic proposals Avoiding plagiarism Note taking
Thesis statements Argumentative outline
3rd 6 Weeks Major Literary Units Vocabulary Major Assessments
Harlem Renaissance Text specific 1. Final Exam
--poetry of Hughes, Randall 2. Research Paper
--essays of Hurston, King Grammar/Composition 3. A Raisin in the Sun assessment
Peer editing/revision
American Modernism Sentence structure Minor Assessments
--Kate Chopin Sentence variation 1. Vocabulary quizzes
--Charlotte Perkins Gillman Transitions 2. Research notes and drafts
--Martin Luther King, Jr. 3. Socratic seminar
A Raisin in the Sun Research 4. Articles of the Week
Citations, quotations,
paraphrasing, sources

Building Vocabulary: Vocabulary instruction is related, ongoing, covered and assessed on a biweekly basis.

Literary Terminology and Analysis: Daily coverage of literary terminology is used to strengthen students’ ability to produce effect
writing and to analyze the fundamental elements of literature.

Grammar: Grammar instruction is integrated with reading and writing instruction throughout the semester. Students will be assessed
biweekly on the essential elements of grammar; these quizzes are cumulative.

Independent Reading: Independent reading and writing will be required. I will give you a reading list of classic and contemporary
choices.

Writing: Appropriate writing instruction will be provided, along with regular feedback as we work to build and enhance writing skills
throughout the semester.

*Due to time constraints and/or availability of materials, this pacing guide is subject to change.

English III CP Syllabus

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Name:____________________________________________________________________________________

Student’s Name____________________________________________________________________________________

In signing below, you acknowledge that you understand the policies, procedures, and criteria that I have outlined in my syllabus.

_________________________________________________________________________________________
Student Signature Date

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature Date Available Phone Number Email

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature Date Available Phone Number Email

Comments or Concerns:

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amanda Murphy
English Teacher
Nation Ford High School

E-Mail: murphya@fortmillschools.org
Phone: (803) 835-0000