English 2 CP Syllabus
The purpose of this course is to facilitate you on your path to being analytical readers, insightful writers, and to prepare you for whatever English course you choose to take as a Junior. We will do this be analyzing and writing about novels, short stories, poetry, and various forms of non - fiction.
Outside reading component
For this class you will be required to read an outside book per semester. In the first week of each semester you will be able to request from the list of books in the outside reading portion of this site, and I will do my best to fit everyone with their 1st or 2nd choice. You will meet with others reading the same book for the first fifteen minutes every Thursday.
Notebook
You will also be required to have a spiral notebook for the course. A simple one subject notebook will suffice. It will be used for notes taken at home and in class, and also for reflections upon said notes.
Rules and policies
Sorry, there are a few
1. Above all, be respectful to yourself, to each other, and to me.
2. If you are late you will receive a zero for the nights homework or for whatever work we are doing in the first few minutes of class. This applies if you are only a few seconds late to 54 and 1/2 minutes late.
3. You can go to the bathroom 3 times per semester. You must use the hall pass area of your agenda. If you need to go before we have agendas then I will record it and mark it down when they come in.
4. I will not accept late homework.
5. If you turn in a major project or essay late then the best you can get is a 50%. That is an F, for those of you who are more into letters than numbers.
6. Lateness includes the end of the day that something is due. If you do not have it ready to hand to me in class on the due date, or emailed to me ahead of time it is late.
7. You may eat snacks in here. I eat all day, and do not want to be a hypocrite. If you ever make a
mess or leave trash, however, your privilege is
revoked.
8. I love to encourage discussion and collaboration in my classes. To be clear, discussing symbolism with your partner to discern how it affects an author’s message is collaborating. Talking about the party you are going to on Friday while a handout about symbolism is on your desk is
not.
9. If you are caught cheating/plagiarizing an assignment your grade for that assignment will be a 0.
How do I get an A
Participation – 10%
I need to hear you discuss
to get a better picture of your mind.
Homework – 15%
This will mostly be in the form of reading at home, and subsequently proving you did so.
Essays – 30%
The big one. If you come out of high school English not being able to write and craft an argument then you
and your teachers have failed regardless of your
grades.
Projects - 20%
These are still assignments designed to provoke analytical thought, but do not fit the mold of a typical essay. While they are more than just gluing on pretty tissue paper, there is more room for creativity here than with essays.
Tests – 25%
You are here to get ready for the AP tests, hence we take tests. These will primarily be essay based, like the AP test and every English test you will take in college. Reading Quizzes will go under the homework category.
The purpose of this course is to facilitate you on your path to being analytical readers, insightful writers, and to prepare you for whatever English course you choose to take as a Junior. We will do this be analyzing and writing about novels, short stories, poetry, and various forms of non - fiction.
Outside reading component
For this class you will be required to read an outside book per semester. In the first week of each semester you will be able to request from the list of books in the outside reading portion of this site, and I will do my best to fit everyone with their 1st or 2nd choice. You will meet with others reading the same book for the first fifteen minutes every Thursday.
Notebook
You will also be required to have a spiral notebook for the course. A simple one subject notebook will suffice. It will be used for notes taken at home and in class, and also for reflections upon said notes.
Rules and policies
Sorry, there are a few
1. Above all, be respectful to yourself, to each other, and to me.
2. If you are late you will receive a zero for the nights homework or for whatever work we are doing in the first few minutes of class. This applies if you are only a few seconds late to 54 and 1/2 minutes late.
3. You can go to the bathroom 3 times per semester. You must use the hall pass area of your agenda. If you need to go before we have agendas then I will record it and mark it down when they come in.
4. I will not accept late homework.
5. If you turn in a major project or essay late then the best you can get is a 50%. That is an F, for those of you who are more into letters than numbers.
6. Lateness includes the end of the day that something is due. If you do not have it ready to hand to me in class on the due date, or emailed to me ahead of time it is late.
7. You may eat snacks in here. I eat all day, and do not want to be a hypocrite. If you ever make a
mess or leave trash, however, your privilege is
revoked.
8. I love to encourage discussion and collaboration in my classes. To be clear, discussing symbolism with your partner to discern how it affects an author’s message is collaborating. Talking about the party you are going to on Friday while a handout about symbolism is on your desk is
not.
9. If you are caught cheating/plagiarizing an assignment your grade for that assignment will be a 0.
How do I get an A
Participation – 10%
I need to hear you discuss
to get a better picture of your mind.
Homework – 15%
This will mostly be in the form of reading at home, and subsequently proving you did so.
Essays – 30%
The big one. If you come out of high school English not being able to write and craft an argument then you
and your teachers have failed regardless of your
grades.
Projects - 20%
These are still assignments designed to provoke analytical thought, but do not fit the mold of a typical essay. While they are more than just gluing on pretty tissue paper, there is more room for creativity here than with essays.
Tests – 25%
You are here to get ready for the AP tests, hence we take tests. These will primarily be essay based, like the AP test and every English test you will take in college. Reading Quizzes will go under the homework category.