Ms. Cordero Sophomore English Honors: Requirements

Ms. Cordero

Sophomore Honors English 2

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND SYLLABUS

Sophomore Honors English 2 is a semester course designed to improve language arts skills at an accelerated level. This course will fulfill district and state graduation requirements. Students will read several works from different genres, including short stories, poetry, nonfiction, novels, and drama. Students will also be expected to complete various writing tasks related to these works, including essays, creative writing, research papers, presentations, and multimedia projects. This course is designed to prepare students for entrance into the Advanced Placement English program.

NOTEBOOK

Each student is required to keep either an entire notebook or section of a notebook specifically for this class alone. No other work from other classes will be allowed in this notebook. Students are required to bring their notebooks, along with any writing utensils and books, to class everyday.

The notebook should be divided into the following sections:

Section 1: Agenda

Section 2: Class notes

Section 3: Journal

Section 4: Assignments/Returned work

This course description must be placed in the beginning of the notebook. The notebook will be checked occasionally throughout the year, usually at grading periods.

AGENDA

When the period begins, students are to write the agenda for the day. The agenda will contain all of the day’s assignments. Agendas will be collected at the end of each grading period. You are responsible for the agenda each day, whether or not you are present in class. If you are absent, be certain to obtain the agenda from another student upon your return.

ABSENCES

The absence and tardy policy of Arcadia High School will be followed at all times. Do not return to class from an absence without a readmit slip. When you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain the agenda and to complete extra credit. MAKE-UPS ARE THROUGH EXTRA CREDIT ONLY. No late work is accepted for any reason. Makeup work must be submitted by the end of the grading period in which it is assigned. An additional 100 points of extra credit may be completed throughout the semester and must be negotiated with me prior to completion. I will occasionally suggest items for extra credit, but you may create your own projects if you obtain prior permission from me.

GRADING

Assignments will be given point credit. There will be a maximum of 1000 points at the end of the semester. Grades are determined by the percentage of possible points earned (91%+=A, 90%=A-, 89%=B+, 88-81%=B, 80%=B-, 79%=C+, 78-71%=C, 70%=C-, 69%=D+, 68-61%=D, 60%=D-, 59%-=F). Completion of extra credit is encouraged. Students must attain a grade of B- or higher in order to be admitted into Advanced Placement English Language and Composition.

FINAL AND INDIVIDUAL READING ASSIGNMENTS

A final exam/project and individual reading assignment will be given each semester. If you do not complete the final on time, you will not receive a final grade better than a D. Also, failure to complete the individual reading assignment will place you in danger of failing.

Individual reading assignment: Students will read A Separate Peace by John Knowles AND one novel from the Sophomore Honors summer reading list that they have not already read, and complete the individual reading project (see below). Reports are due on Tuesday, May 27, 2003.

Reading project: Students will complete the following for each novel:

1. Summarize each of the major characters in one to two sentences. Please limit the number of characters to seven.

2. Summarize the plot of the novel.

3. Analyze the novel’s diction, syntax, details, and organization.

4. Rewrite the ending of each novel in story form (at least two pages in length). Then write at least a paragraph explaining why you ended the novel in the way that you did.

5. Include at least two illustrations of the novel and an illustrated cover with the proper class heading.