Velma Jackson High School

English III/Acc. English III Syllabus – 2020-2021

Mrs. Susan S. Graben, Teacher

sgraben@madison-schools.com

Course Description

This curriculum for English III describes what students are expected to know and do throughout the year to become confident users of the language. Emphasis is placed on the following: ACT Prep(English and Reading portions of the test), Scholarly Research(3^rd9 weeks), reading as assigned, and writing (1 major essay per semester. This class is designed to provide students with the opportunity to become independent, articulate, and confident learners in the academic world.

• Complex readingmust be done on time and usually prior to class.
• Reading quizzeswill be given regularly to ensure timely reading and comprehension.
• Critical response writingwill be done both inside and outside of class. All papers must be typed and conform to MLA standards. We will discuss how to locate this information.
• Ten points per day will be taken off allassignments that are turned in late, and late assignments will only be accepted up to 5 days after the original due date. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
• Assignments/projects that are given due dates of at least one week to complete cannot be submitted late. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
• Mandatory book talks will be done first, second, and third nine weeks of novels selected by the teacher, and in addition, each student mustselect one novel per nine weeks from the book list to read and share pertinent information with the class.
• Two major assignments will be given…a research paper and a PowerPoint presentation related to the research paper that will be presentedat the during the 4th 9 weeks.
• MacBook must be brought to class each block unless otherwise stated because this class is 99.99% electronic. The textbook is online, the notebook is on your desktop, and the assignments are online through Canvas. Make sure MacBook is charged daily.
• Punctual attendance is essential to passing this class. Attendance is taken daily. All tardy students are subject to the consequences outlined by school policy (3^rdtardy - parent contact; 4^thtardy - office referral).
• Sleepingin class will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Students are expected to display proper classroom behavior at all
• Class participationis one of the primary ways to receive the best grade. This is a discussion-based course; therefore, various voices, points of view, and sources of knowledge will enhance the experience.
• Restroom privileges are limited. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize the five minutes between classes to attend to such matters. 

In addition, students will meet the following expectations:

• Be on time and prepared for class each day
• Follow directions the first time they are given
• Check Canvas DAILYfor assignments especially when absent from school
• Maintain a neat and organized desktop notebook
• Read ALL assigned literary works
• Be an active participant in class discussions
• Complete and submit assignments on time

Rules

21. Come quietly into classroom and type the daily agenda
22. Follow all school and district rules
23. Bring MacBook to class charged, everyday
24. Respect yourself, the teacher, your classmates, and anyone who enters the room
25. Moving and talking is prohibited without permission (except for sharpening your pencil and throwing away trash)

Consequences

1^st Offense – Verbal warning

2^nd Offense – Student/Teacher Conference

3^rd Offense – Office Referral

4^th Offense – Parent contact

Note: Serious offenses (profanity, threats, fights, extreme disrespect, etc.) deem an immediate office referral.

Online Textbook

Prentice Hall Literature Common Core Edition Grade 12

Grading Scale                      Grading Policies

A – 90 - 100                          Test/Major Projects/Major Essays – 60%

B – 80 - 89                            Classwork/Quizzes/Minor Projects/Minor Essays – 30%

C – 70 - 79                            Homework – 10%

D – 65 - 69                            Note: Rubrics will be used to grade essays as well as

F – 0 - 64                                        some of the other assignments.

Additional Assignments/Activities          Materials

Résumé                                                        Earbuds                                                                         MacBook

Reading Fair Storyboard                              Thumb Drive    

Research Paper                                            Novels

Research PowerPoint                                   *Note: Other materials may be requested for students to bring to class                        

Student Incentives

Listen to music using ear buds while working

In addition, students will meet the following expectations:

• Be on time and prepared for class each day
• Follow directions the first time they are given
• Maintain a neat and organized desktop notebook
• Read ALL assigned literary works
• Be an active participant in class discussions
• Complete and submit assignments on time

Course Outline

1^st Nine Weeks

American Literature (1600-1900)

Metamorphosis

Additional shorter texts

Paper

ACT English Prep

Paper #1: Compare and Contrast Essay

Socratic Seminar – A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

2nd Nine Weeks

ACT READING TEST PREP

American Literature (1901-1959)

1. Harlem Renaissance
2. The Great Gatsby

Paper #2: Character Sketch Essay

3rd Nine Weeks

American Literature )1960-2000)

1. Research Paper
2. Research Paper PowerPoint

ACT refreshers/reteach:  Final test preparation

4^th Nine Weeks

American Literature  (1985 –to the present)

Socratic Seminar: Julius Caesar Paper #4: Literary Analysis Essay

Note: The teacher reserves the right to add, remove, or revise readings and/or assignments. Please refer to your syllabus often.

Velma Jackson High School

English IV Syllabus – 2019-2020

Mrs. Susan S. Graben, Teacher

sgraben@madison-schools.com

Course Description

This curriculum for English IV describes what students are expected to know and do throughout the year to become confident users of the language. Emphasis is placed on scholarly research, reading, and writing. This class is designed to provide students with the opportunity to become independent, articulate, and confident learners in the academic world.

• Complex readingmust be done on time and usually prior to class.
• Reading quizzeswill be given regularly to ensure timely reading and comprehension.
• Critical response writingwill be done inside and outside of class. All papers must be typed and conform to MLA standards.
• Ten points per day will be taken off allassignments that are turned in late, and late assignments will only be accepted up to 5 days after the original due date. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
• Assignments/projects that are given due dates of at least one week to complete cannot be submitted late. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
• Mandatory book talks will be done first, second, and third nine weeks of novels selected by the teacher, and in addition, each student mustselect one novel per nine weeks from the book list to read and share pertinent information with the class.
• Two major assignments will be given…a research paper and a PowerPoint presentation related to the research paper that will be presentedat the end of the school year. Four major essay assignments are required.
• MacBooks and earbuds for Macbook must be brought to class each block unless otherwise stated because this class is 99.99% electronic. The textbook is online, the notebook is on your desktop, and the assignments are online through Canvas. Make sure MacBook is charged daily.
• Punctual attendance is essential to passing this class. Attendance is taken daily. All tardy students are subject to the consequences outlined by school policy (3^rdtardy - parent contact; 4^thtardy - office referral).
• Sleeping in class will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Students are expected to display proper classroom behavior at all
• Class participationis one of the primary ways to receive the best grade. This is a discussion-based course; therefore, various voices, points of view, and sources of knowledge will enhance the experience.
• Restroom privilegesare limited. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize the five minutes between classes to attend to such matters. 

In addition, students will meet the following expectations:

• Be on time and prepared for class each day
• Follow directions the first time they are given
• Maintain a neat and organized desktop notebook
• Bring MacBook and earbuds to school daily
• Read ALL assigned literary works
• Be an active participant in class discussions
• Complete and submit assignments on time

Rules

• Come quietly into classroom and type the daily agenda into your notebooks
• Follow all school and district rules
• Bring MacBook to class charged, everyday
• Respect yourself, the teacher, your classmates, and anyone who enters the room
• Moving and talking is prohibited without permission (except for sharpening your pencil)

Consequences

1^st Offense – Verbal warning

2^nd Offense – Student/Teacher Conference

3^rd Offense – Office Referral

4^th Offense – Parent contact

Note: Serious offenses (profanity, threats, fights, extreme disrespect, etc.) deem an immediate office referral.

Online Textbook

Prentice Hall Literature Common Core Edition Grade 12

Grading Scale                      Grading Policies

A – 90 - 100                          Test/Major Projects/Major Essays – 60%

B – 80 - 89                            Classwork/Quizzes/Minor Projects/Minor Essays/Homework – 40%

C – 70 - 79                        

D – 65 - 69                            Note: Rubrics will be used to grade essays as well as

F – 0 - 64                                        some of the other assignments.

Additional Assignments/Activities          Materials

Résumé                                                          MacBook

Reading Fair Storyboard                                   Earbuds for Macbook (not your phone)

Research Paper                                                Novels

Research PowerPoint                                        Other materials may be requested upon need                                                                                                                                     

Student Incentives

Listen to music using ear buds while working

In addition, students will meet the following expectations:

• Be on time and prepared for class each day
• Follow directions the first time they are given
• Maintain a neat and organized desktop notebook
• Read ALL assigned literary works
• Be an active participant in class discussions
• Complete and submit assignments on time

Course Outline

1^st Nine Weeks

The Anglo Saxons (449 – 1066)

7. Beowulf

Essay #1: Character Analysis Essay

• Seafarer
• The Wanderer
• The Wife’s Lament 

Essay #2: Compare and Contrast Essay

Socratic Seminar – A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

2nd Nine Weeks

Middle Ages (1066 – 1485)

Ballads

1. Lord Randall
2. Get Up and Bar the Door
3. Edward, Edward

 The Canterbury Tales

4. The Prologue
5. The Pardoner’s Tale
6. The Wife of Bath Tale
7. Federigo’s Falcon
8. King Arthur
9. Le Morted’Arthur
10. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 

Essay #3: Character Sketch Ess

3rd Nine Weeks

End of the Year Projects

1. Research Paper
2. Research Paper PowerPoint

4^th Nine Weeks

The Renaissance (1485 – 1660)

3. The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
4. The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd
5. Sonnet 18 and 73
6. A Valediction: Forbidden Mourning
7. On My First Son
8. Psalm 23 and 137
9. Macbeth

Paper #4: Literary Analysis Essay

10. The Tragedy of Macbeth (Acts I – V)

Note: The teacher reserves the right to add, remove, or revise readings and/or assignments. Please refer to your syllabus often.

Fall 2018