Course Syllabus

Course Objectives:
• To read and study a variety of short stories, novels, poems, and plays
• To gain further understanding of literary elements
• To strengthen writing skills including paragraphing, grammar, spelling, usage, mechanics, and research
• To gain confidence in sharing ideas and information through oral presentation in small and large group settings

Essential Learning Areas:

I. Literature--We will study 4-6 of the following
• Night--Elie Wiesel
• Fahrenheit 451--Ray Bradbury
• Lord of the Flies--William Golding
• The Power of One--Bryce Courtenay
• 1984--George Orwell
• Julius Caesar --William Shakespeare
• The Tempest--William Shakespeare
• Oedipus --Sophocles
• Antigone--Sophocles
• Prentice Hall Literature (a selection of short stories and poems)

II. Writing
• Review five part paragraph
• Five paragraph essay
• Daily grammar
• Research projects

III. Communication
• Class presentations
• Public speaking skills
• Cooperative group assignments

Homework:
• Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period.
• I will not accept incomplete assignments.
• Late assignments will lose 10% (one letter grade) each day.
• No work will be accepted more than five days past the due date.
• Extenuating or special circumstances will be considered only if the student conferences with the instructor prior to the assignment due date.

Grading Scale:
93-100% A 80-82.9% B- 68-69.9% D+
90-92.9% A- 78-79.9% C+ 63-67.9% D
88-89.9% B+ 73-77.9% C 0-62.9% F
83-87.9% B 70-72.9% C-

Attendance:
• Students are expected to be in class EVERYDAY, ON TIME, AND PREPARED.
• Upon returning from an excused absence, students must check with the instructor concerning missed assignments and lecture notes.
• For each day of excused absence, students will be allowed one day to make up missed assignments. Students will not be able to make up assignments missed as a result of unexcused absences.
• Longstanding assignments such as test and projects are due on the day the student returns to school after an absence.
• Missed tests and quizzes must be made up WITHIN ONE WEEK of absence. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange with the teacher to make up tests and quizzes either before school or during activity periods.

Behavior: To help ensure a quiet, safe environment in which all students can learn, the OHS discipline and attendance procedures will be closely followed.

Academic Honesty: When students submit written work with their names on it, they are expected to credit sources for quotations and ideas. Computers and Internet technology have made researching and writing much quicker and simpler than it was a few years ago. Unfortunately, along with this increased technology has come an increased opportunity for plagiarism. Students are able to go on-line, find resources, and access information that can be very helpful when writing papers. They can also go online and download entire essays, literary analysis, and research papers on almost any subject imaginable. This practice deprives students of the opportunity to learn valuable research and writing skills. In addition, representing the words of others as their own is not just dishonest; it is illegal.

In addition to plagiarism, the OHS Academic Honesty Code also extends to copying/sharing assignments. Working with other students is often an excellent way to share ideas and understand information. However, the expectation is that each student will hand in a separate, original piece of work unless specifically permitted or required by the teacher.

Please refer the OHS Academic Honesty Code in the student handbook for further clarification.

Supplies:

• Notebook paper
• Pencils and pens (blue or black ink)
Flash drive (recommended)

Supplies:

• Notebook paper
• Pencils and pens (blue or black ink)