10th Grade Literature Syllabus

Honors Tenth Grade Literature
Mrs. Zavitz
Portable 34
2007-2008

Texts: Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes Platinum Level, Prentice Hall (replacement cost: $70. 00)
Writing and Grammar Platinum Level, Prentice Hall (replacement cost $60.00)
Supplementary novels (replacement cost: $15.00)

Course Overview: In 2004 the Georgia Department of Education adopted new Georgia Performance Standards for grades 9-12. Consistent with state curriculum, the Fulton County Schools English language arts curriculum implementation aligns with state standards. The content standards for this course are clustered by strands: Reading and Literature, Reading Across the Curriculum, Conventions, Writing, and Listening/Speaking/Viewing. Course standards may be viewed at www.georgiastandards.org

Literature Studies
Supplementary reading selections will be chosen from the following list of approved works:
Brave New World, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, A Tale of Two Cities, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Antigone, Pygmalion, Catcher in the Rye, A Separate Peace, Of Mice and Men, Lord of the Flies.

Expectations
Tenth grade honors Literature and Composition is designed as preparation for Advanced Placement Language (offered in the 11th grade) and Advanced Placement Literature (offered in the 12th grade). The course of study is rigorous and should be attempted only be serious readers and writers. If students fall below an 83 average, the student is at risk of being removed from the program at the end of the semester. Further, students who do not maintain a satisfactory average will not be recommended for future honors and/or Advanced Placement classes. Additionally, an honor student’s need to request recovery is a clear indication that the student is misplaced and a course change should be sought. It is important for students to be placed appropriately for the overall good of the student and the class.

The Honor Student must:
Be self-motivated and willing to do more than what is asked or required.
Be tolerant of other people’s opinions.
Accept instruction and constructive criticism in order to improve skills.
Take full responsibility of all assignments.
Make attendance a priority and make up missed work without prompting
Listen carefully in class and take notes.
Follow directions without excessive need for clarification
Prioritize one’s learning as an on-going process by refraining from procrastination.
Demonstrate superior knowledge of the course content through analysis and synthesis.

Grading:
In accordance with Fulton County Schools, grades will be assigned as:
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
0-69 F

Your grade will be composed of the following assignments:
Tests 30%
Major Projects, Writing Assignments 35%
Quizzes, Daily Grades, Homework 20%
Final Exam 15%

Notebook Requirements: Every student must use a three-ring binder for English class.

Absences and Make-up Work: It is the student’s responsibility to complete all assignments. If a student has an excused absence, it is his/her responsibility to check the website: http://teachers.yourhomework.com/zavitz. It is also the student’s responsibility to schedule time with the teacher to make-up tests, quizzes, etc. Students have one day to make-up work for every day they have an excused absence. Please refer to the Student Handbook for the complete attendance policy.

Late Work: Homework and daily assignments are due at the beginning of class and will not be accepted late. Major writing compositions and projects will be accepted late; however, late penalties of 10 points per day will apply. If a student is in school at any point during the day when an assignment is due, that student must hand in the assignment or receive a late penalty. No assignment will be accepted after 3 days.

Help and Conferences: I am available before school for extra help. If you feel you need extra help, please schedule an appointment with me at the end of class. Do not hesitate to ask for help! Parents can reach me at Zavitz@fultonschools.org to schedule conferences.

Class Guidelines:
§ Be respectful.
§ Abide by all CHS rules.
§ Be prepared.
§ Be punctual.
§ Use your Agenda.
§ Have a positive attitude!
*Detentions will be given for failure to abide by class guidelines and school policies.

Assignment Guidelines:
§ Final drafts of all essays must be typed.
§ All assignments must be completed using Standard American English.

Recovery Policy: Provision for Improving Grades
Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.

Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.

Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades.

CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDELINES:
Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2) major grades. The maximum grade a student can earn for a recovery activity is 70%. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR ASSIGNMENT/TEST.

CHS English Department Plagiarism Statement: Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they are entirely one’s own.
Acts of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:
1. Using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation;
2. Using the work of another (e.g. copying another student’s homework, composition, or project);
3. Using excessive editing suggestions of another student, teacher, parent, or paid editor.
Plagiarism on any project or paper at CHS will result in a zero for the assignment and an Honor Code Violation. Unless directly stipulated by the teacher, collaboration on written work is not acceptable.

Video Viewing Guidelines: Within the curriculum there poses the opportunity to incorporate different forms of technology into the classroom. One of these forms of technology is the showing of clips or related movies in their entirety. Any video rated PG or above will have prior approval by the principal; however, it is still necessary to gain the approval of a parent or guardian. Possible film offerings may include, but are not limited to:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. United Artists, 1975. Rated R
My Fair Lady . Warner Brothers, 1970. Rated G
Hamlet. Warner Brothers, 1990. Rated PG
A Tale of Two Cities. Masterpiece Theater, 1991. Not Rated
Of Mice and Men. MGM, 1992. Rated PG-13
Lord of the Flies. Two Arts Ltd, 1963. Rated PG-13

If you would prefer that your student not watch any of the above selections, please indicate so on the bottom of the syllabus. Your signature on this form indicates consent for viewing the above selection and others approved by the principal. All of the above selections are vital parts of the curriculum and include appropriate learning activities to accompany them. If you would like to view these selections in advance or receive copies of the handouts, please contact me. In the event that additional videos are added to the curriculum, parents will be notified via a permission slip sent home with the student.

Parent Connect: I encourage all parents to sign up for Parent Connect, a website in which you can view your child’s grades, attendance, discipline, etc. Sign up is available online at http://chattahoocheepc.fultonschools.org/.