Senior English Class syllabus College Prep Edition 2020

Senior English Class syllabus College Prep Edition, 2020 -2021 Welcome! …to senior year English. This class is going to be built around teaching you to be a more active reader, a more competent writer, and a more critical thinker. We are going to use British literature and the history that it helped shape as our source material (I will also make use of some other European works that move beyond British texts). Bring to Class • Textbook • Binder or folder (this can be on paper or electronic) • Pen or pencil • Highlighters (have multiple colors) • Loose-leaf paper • Device for use on electronic assignments. Books We Will Read You WILL need a textbook this year, although in the past we might have avoided using them. A list of novels we are going to use this year was published earlier, but let me repost those here: • The Plague (Camus) • Frankenstein (Shelley) • Grendel (Gardner) A reminder that some novels may present difficult subject matter. Trust me, it will be handled appropriately and maturely. Avoiding difficult topics is not something we should do, as colleges won’t do that in fact, they seem to promote these discussions. Let me know if you have any questions about these! Class Rules: 1. Respect Mr. Morris: When I am Your Binder/Folder: The system you use to organize your binder/folders is up to you, BUT you must have safe places to keep the following: • Final drafts of writing • Important Terms • Reading notes • Journal entries talking, you pay attention. That means no phones, no side conversations, and no sleeping! This also means that if you have an issue with something that is taught or said in class, I want you to come speak to me about it not talk about me outside of class. 2. Respect classmates: Don’t be a distraction! Also remember that everyone is entitled to an opinion. No one is required to agree with you so be respectful. 3. Respect my classroom: Don’t destroy my things, please! Lean up after yourself and others if needs be. 4. Respect yourself: Do the best you can on all assignments. Don’t cheat and don’t take shortcuts. Value your education and the sacrifices people made to get you here. Getting Help Using Tech: Q: What if I disagree with, or have a question about, one of my grades? A: The BEST option is to chat with me in person, when we can BOTH look at an assignment and discuss it. If necessary, you are welcome to send me a detailed email about the concern. We will use the following websites/software regularly on school devices: • One. Note • Near. Pod • Zoom (if remote) (Other sources may be added as we go through the year. ) Remember to follow school policies for technology use and to keep track of your own usernames and passwords! If you forget your login, I might not be able to help! There’s more than one way! 1. Before school: Ask for an appointment to meet in my room anytime between 6: 30 and 8: 00 2. At school: During break or lunch 3. After School: Ask for an appointment to meet in my room any time after 3: 20. 4. Email: morrisp@chbss. org. FAQ’s Q: Do I have to watch your stupid videos? A: Ouch…well, I think it will help greatly. We know most of your miss things when reading and in class and these are great for refreshing your memory (SO YES!) Q: Is it really important to do the reading if we are just going to discuss it in class? A: YES! I need you to have already started processing the material BEFORE class so we can discuss it more effectively. Contact Mr. Morris at: morrisp@chbss. org Please understand that I cannot guarantee email responses after 8: 00 at night. Thank you.

12 th CP Edition, 2020 -2021 Absence Policy We are in for a crazy year and I know there will be a lot more absences than normal. Here is what to remember. q I am putting lecture videos and notes online and in your One. Note. Everything you need is there. q If you are sick, I don’t expect you to follow along, but need you to get caught up as soon as you can. q If you are out and not sick (quarantine), then you can let me know and I will set up Zoom so you can participate in class. q Class will rarely be recorded due to the interactive nature (I can’t record students), so you will need to watch lecture videos and speak to classmates. q You are responsible for catching up on all material in a reasonable time or I will have to give you a zero on assignments. Discussion Policy: • My class is built around group work and discussion more than ever. I am working on providing more avenues for shyer students to participate electronically during class as well as orally. Please take advantage of the tools given and remember that EVERYONE has a voice in my class. I will protect you and your ideas even if I disagree with them. Don’t worry about what others will think. • Also, please remember that you are to respect all opinions in my class. The nature of our source material will bring up places for productive discussion and people are allowed to have differing views. Treat each other (including me) with respect and remember we are all different people with different backgrounds and experiences. Let’s learn from each other. Class syllabus Continued Classroom Structure Beyond just being a discussion driven classroom, my class is built around being a little less structured than many of you might think about when you think of school. There will be a lot of informal discussion and assessment in this class. I think that is the best way to truly teach. For many of you, this might be a tough thing to adjust to. I occasionally get the “we don’t do anything in here” conversations and want to stress that just because you aren’t doing worksheets or traditional assignments doesn’t mean learning isn’t occurring. Take advantage of this type of environment and learn to participate more in active learning instead of the traditional form of learning which is proving to be less and less effective in our society. Document Formatting Anytime you are submitting a typed document (either printing it or turning in electronically), make sure it includes the following MLA guidelines: • Running header, upper left corner, with last name and page # • Heading on first page (left), containing your name, class period, and due date • Centered title • 1” margins • Double spacing • Times New Roman 12, • No extra spaces between paragraphs (or between headings and titles) • No excessive spacing, bolding, italics, or photos Revision Policy Even professional writers usually don’t do well on the first draft, so our class has a standard revision policy for writing (such as essays, narratives, and extended writing projects). If you wish to raise a grade on a piece of writing, you may get ONE chance to raise it. Please turn in a revised copy within FIVE SCHOOL DAYS of receiving that grade. (For example, if you receive an assignment grade on Tuesday, then you have until the end of the period on the next Monday to turn in your revisions. ) If you do not meet the five-day deadline or do not succeed in turning in a draft that is actually better, then you are not given additional chances. If you’re ever unsure about what to revise or how, please see me and do not wait until the last minute. FAQ’s Continued Q: Can I work on assignments with a friend? A: Some of our work will be group based and in that case of course working together is encouraged. On individual assignments, I am a little less open to this. I believe working together can help facilitate better learning and memory, but if two people turn in the same thing on an assignment that was supposed to be individualized, it is cheating and will receive a zero. Do your own work. Q: If I am accused of cheating on an assignment, can I redo it? A: I abhor cheating and the laziness and disrespect that it suggests. I will under no circumstances allow you to make up an assignment where cheating occurred. I will also not fight about what is or isn’t cheating. Q: Do you provide extra credit? A: Rarely will I give extra credit. My class is designed to be pretty easy if you just complete assignments in a timely fashion, listen in class, and make adjustments in your writing. Coming up short in any of these areas means you deserve the grade you have.