10th Grade Language & Literature

MYP Year 5
Course Syllabus 2022-2023

Piotr Sobczak
psobczak@jfk.edu.mx

“For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the
world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You'd be
surprised how far that gets you.”
— Neil deGrasse Tyson

***

ELA Course Description and Overview:

This course will explore notions of identity, social justice, and equity by examining literature in historical and
contemporary contexts, both fiction and non-fiction. Students will be provided a space for self-expression and
opportunities for growth and learning. We will investigate language, literature, and writing in a comprehensive
manner, tackling issues of grammar and convention, style and voice, and creativity and mastery of the English
language. Students will be reading several larger pieces of literature as a class, various novels and works of
literature independently, and selected poetry and short stories as assigned. Class time will be devoted to
student interaction with one another and with the instructor to co-create knowledge that will be used to
prepare students for the next grade levels as they approach the Diploma Program. Learning objectives for this
course are consistent with International Baccalaureate standards and will be clearly articulated to students
daily. Throughout the year, we will be focusing on concepts of power, privilege, identity, and criticality. This
course will include the following units of study to aid in our exploration of these topics: nonfiction, fiction,
memoir, poetry, film, media literacy, grammar, and vocabulary. We will also be working hard to complete
several exemplar writing pieces.

Goal:
Students will be motivated, persistent, respectful, and unabashed revolutionaries in our mutual quest for
clearer understanding of the art of reading, writing, and analyzing, while utilizing the tools provided and/or
generated throughout the duration of the course. Ultimately, all students will achieve mastery of the English
Language Arts subject matter and will leave the classroom with a profound awareness of these strengths as
they advance to the next level at John F. Kennedy and beyond.

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Expectations:
To achieve the above stated goal, students MUST comply with the following expectations. Without an orderly
classroom and a respectful space, students will not be able to nurture their learning in a meaningful way.
1.) Follow directions the first time they are given
2.) Be prepared and ready to learn
3.) Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
4.) Use appropriate language

Class Theme:
To fully embody what it means to be a scholar at John F. Kennedy, The American School of Querétaro, this class
will be guided by the themes in Luis Valdez’ short, bilingual poem, which illustrates the environment necessary
for meaningful work to occur
In Lak’ech
By Luis Valdez

Tú eres mi otro yo.

You are my other me.
Si te hago daño a ti,
If I do harm to you,
Me hago daño a mí mismo;
I do harm to myself;
Si te amo y respeto,
If I love and respect you,
Me amo y respeto yo.
I love and respect myself.

ELA Course Texts (the books we will be reading this year):

• Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire
Sáenz (Semester 1)
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (Semester 1)
• Poetry Anthology compiled by Ethan Glemaker/ Yvonne Willems (Semester 2)
• The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui (Semester 2)

Required Materials:
• 1 Composition Notebook for in-class writing assignments and for homework
• Pens, pencils, highlighters (blue, black, red, and green pens are required for annotation)
• College-ruled notebook paper
• Folder or binder to organize class work
• Personal Laptop or Chromebook (Note: See “Technology Expectations” below)

Technology Expectations:
• Laptops must be in proper working condition and fully charged. Laptops may NOT be charged in class
• Laptop maintenance and technology issues are the responsibility of the student
• IT services are available through JFK ONLY for login/account issues
• Phones and tablets are not permitted in class.

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Grading:
The largest part of your grade in this class will be your written work which is scored using IB rubrics and will be
assigned for practice as well as formative and summative assessments. There are a variety of assignments,
projects, and assessments in this class, but the larger purpose is to increase fluency in the English language
through reading, writing, and speaking. Accordingly, the grade breakdown is as follows:

Weight Distribution
Practice/Formative Assessments ........... 50%
Summative Assessments ........................ 50%

Use the box below to convert your IB score into the corresponding percentage:
IB Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Grade Equivalent 50 65 75 80 90 95 100 100

The Five Promises

We ask teachers, students and parents to make certain commitments to each other regarding their
participation in the life of The John F. Kennedy school. These Five Promises are:

Commitment to Quality
We do our best by giving 100% at all times. We understand there is always room for improvement.

Contribution
We take every opportunity to serve the school and the community. We seek ways to help others in need.

Gratitude
We will actively acknowledge the good things around us. We recognize the impact positive reflection has on
others in our community.

Honor and Integrity

We do the right thing even when no one else is watching. All of our actions represent who we are.

Perseverance
We never give up even when faced with difficult challenges. We strive to accomplish all of our goals.

Negative Consequences:
The Language and Literature classroom has a consequence hierarchy in effect that coincides with the discipline
system of the entire High School. For disruptive behaviors, the following consequences will be administered in
succession, unless otherwise required by the nature of the offense. Serious offenses will be dealt with on a
case-by-case basis:
Warning
Stage 1: Teacher Intervention
Stage 2: Report to the Dean of Students’ Office

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There are several behaviors that result in an immediate stage 2 consequences which include eloping from class,
repeated use of profanity, insubordination, bigoted language, physical altercations, and many others.

Class Modes:
In order to ensure optimum engagement from all students, this class will frequently traverse a variety of “class
modes.” These modes range from silence (for testing) to group mode (for group work). AT NO POINT, should
your voices ever be loud enough to be heard outside of the classroom.

Academic Integrity:
Students are expected to act with the utmost integrity in the classroom and with all submitted work. When
students do not demonstrate academic integrity, it compromises the instructor’s ability to fairly evaluate any
student’s work or achievement. It includes, but is not limited to, the following:
a. Giving, taking, or receiving unauthorized information to/from another person during any type of
assignment or test.
b. Obtaining or providing without authorization questions or answers prior to the time of an assignment or
test.
c. Using unauthorized sources for answers during any test.
d. Taking part in or arranging for another person to complete an assignment or to take a test in place of
another.
e. Giving or receiving answers by use of signals or electronic communication during a test.
f. Altering answers on a scored test and submitting it for a higher grade.
g. Collaborating with others in a required assignment without the approval of the instructor.
h. Stealing (plagiarizing) class assignments or portions of assignments, including electronic files, and
submitting them as one’s own.
i. Not crediting participants for their part in a group project or claiming credit for work not done on a
group project.
j. Plagiarism, which is presenting as one’s own in whole or in part the argument, language, creations,
conclusions, or scientific data of another without explicit acknowledgment.

Students who do not demonstrate academic integrity WILL NOT receive credit for their assignment and will be
issued a stage 2 consequence, meaning the Dean of Students will meet with you. The student’s parents or
guardians will also be notified. Instances of plagiarism result in an automatic zero for the assignment. Repeated
plagiarism or plagiarism on final essays/summative assessments results in a grade of zero for the entire course.

Class Mentality Expectations:

This classroom has a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. Diversity acknowledges all the ways
in which people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that make one individual or group
different from another. It is all-inclusive and recognizes everyone and every group as part of the diversity that
should be valued. While diversity efforts require respect for all individuals, they also recognize that certain
social groups have historically and contemporarily been disenfranchised while people from other social groups
have been privileged. Toward that end, diversity initiatives must have a strong focus on addressing issues of
privilege and marginalization within unequal relations of power based on social group membership. Inclusion is
a state of being in which all members of the classroom community feel genuinely invited, engaged, valued,

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respected, supported, and empowered. Inclusion occurs when the learning environment ensures that the right
conditions are in place for all people to achieve their full potential. Inclusion requires diligence in ensuring that
systems of privilege and oppression are identified, named, and dismantled so that the classroom’s culture,
practices, policies and relationships reflect the conditions required to support a diverse student body.

Additionally, class standards focus on respect, responsibility, and safety. Below, are a number of standards
derived from the four class expectations (above):
1. Treat others as you would like to be treated
2. Respect others’ property and person
3. Laugh with anyone, but never at anyone
4. Come to class on time and appropriately prepared for the day
5. Do not disturb people who are learning and working
6. Respect multiple ways of thinking and knowing
7. Always ask questions and never make assumptions

Class Policy:
1. All typed writing assignments should be typed in Times New Roman (Trebuchet MS and Arial are also
accepted), 12 pt. font, and double spaced. Please be aware that I will not accept technology-related
excuses for late assignments. If your computer breaks, type it at school. If your printer breaks, print it at
school. If you do not have access to technology at home, please let me know as soon as possible so we
can work together to make alternative arrangements.
2. Students will be expected to take notes during class. Information delivered via lecture, discussion, or
group activities will be included on quizzes and tests. Students are responsible for taking these notes
and for obtaining notes missed due to absences.
3. All assignments will be accepted ONLY at the beginning of the class period. Students will not be allowed
to return to lockers to obtain forgotten work, nor will they be given time to “finish” assigned work at the
beginning of class.
4. Unexcused late work will be subject to a 20% reduction in points if it is turned in on the day it is due. If
an assignment is 1-2 days late, the highest grade possible is 60%. After two days, no late work will be
accepted.

Absences/Make-Up Work:
Each class session is an experience for the learner that is impossible to recreate. However, if the student is
absent, they are responsible for the work missed.
1. Work missed due to an excused absence will have the same number of days absent to make up the
work. Missed tests, quizzes, or presentations that were assigned before the student was absent will be
due the day the student returns to school.
2. It is the responsibility of the student to get notes from a peer before seeking out the teacher.
3. The instructor will NOT remind the student of work (including papers or tests) that needs to be made
up. It is the sole responsibility of the student to ask for make-up work and to provide late or missing
work to the instructor. Make-up work is housed in a file drawer at the front of the classroom.
4. Students should make a best faith effort to communicate known absences to the instructor in order to
get assignments in advance of their absence.
5. I prefer quality work over work that is done on-time but lacks the quality I know you are capable of. I
understand that students work at different paces, and external circumstances are not always conducive
to getting work done outside of class. The majority of work for this class will be done during class time,
but there will be brief writing assignments, essays, and reading assignments that students must
complete outside of class. Additionally, there will be daily vocabulary/reading homework assigned. If you

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 know you will be unable to turn an assignment in on time, speak with me and we may be able to
negotiate a fair alternative.
6. All practice assignments can be resubmitted for partial credit. If redoing an assignment, please attach
your original work with my commentary for reassessment.

School Rules/Expectations
1. Food and beverages – Food and beverages are not permitted in the classroom under any circumstances
(this includes gum and candy). Teacher-provided food is allowed when given to students. Water bottles
are allowed only if they have a lid (students are encouraged to bring water bottles daily).
2. Technology – Cell phones, tablets, headphones, and other personal handheld devices are not to be used
at any time during the instructional day. If confiscated by staff after one warning, technology will be held
by the Dean of Students.
3. Eloping – Eloping is anytime a student is out of their seat or in the hall without a hand-written pass
provided by a teacher or staff member. Eloping will result in automatic consequences.
4. Inappropriate language – Inappropriate language directly or indirectly spoken to another student,
teacher, or staff member will not be tolerated.
5. Inappropriate touching – Playful touching often leads to escalated problems. Hands, feet, and objects
must be kept to yourself at all times without exception. Physical altercations will require immediate
administrative consequences.

Teacher Contact:
1. I understand that emergencies come up, and communication is required in order for students to be
successful in this class. Be sure to communicate with me if you have any extenuating circumstances or
need more time for an assignment. I will work with students to make alternative arrangements if need
be. Email is the best way to reach me.
2. I am available during Study Hall on Tuesdays for extra help if students feel inclined to request my class.
The Study Hall link will be shared with all students at the beginning of the school year.
3. I am ALWAYS available via email, and will work with you to set up time to meet face-to-face if you are
struggling with any aspect of the course or assigned work.

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 *SPECIAL NOTES TO PARENTS AND/OR GUARDIANS*
Interest and encouragement from home is tremendously beneficial for student success. Do not hesitate to
contact me if you have any questions or concerns about your student’s progress in this class. While it is the
student’s responsibility to inform you of their grades, the school also sends out grade reports periodically. You
may also feel free to reach out to me at any time for a progress report for your student.

Excessive Editing Note: Students learn to write well through practice and independent exploration of language
manipulation. This effort, like any learning experience, often requires persistence and “perspiration.” Well-
meaning parents, siblings, tutors, and others who contribute their own ideas, words, phrases, and revisions to a
student’s writing, not only cause that student to miss the opportunity to achieve self-reliance, but also inhibit
the student from presenting their own voice. Positive ways to help a student grow in their writing process
include reading the paper and marking areas that need clarification, punctuation, or more precise wording,
allowing the student to figure out the error and correct it independently. Oftentimes having the student read
the paper aloud will greatly help in error identification.
Cues such as, “What exactly do you mean?” or “This sentence seems awkward” are also very appropriate.

I’m looking forward to a wonderful and rigorous school year. Thank you in advance for all your hard work and
curiosity!

Sincerely,
Piotr Sobczak

*This syllabus will serve as a guide for our English Language Arts course, but the dates, assignments, and materials are subject to change at any time
throughout the semester. In the case that a change is made, students will be notified in class, via email, or on Google Classroom.

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 10th Grade Language & Literature
MYP Year 5
Course Syllabus 2022-2023

Piotr Sobczak
psobczak@jfk.edu.mx

*Your homework tonight is to get this signed!

Student Name

Student Signature

Section

Please sign this form and send it back to school with your child in order for them to receive their first grade in the
gradebook. You may tear off this page and retain the remaining pages for your records.

By signing, you verify that you have read the syllabus and agree to the contents therein.

I am incredibly eager to work with your child this year and to support them in their final year of the MYP program. Please
do not hesitate to reach out at any time with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Piotr Sobczak

Parent/Guardian Name

Parent/Guardian Signature