MISS DUBOIS HONORS KEYSTONE LITERATURE 10

E-MAIL: JESSICA.DUBOIS@AGASD.ORG
WEBSITE: HTTP://MISSDUBOIS.WEEBLY.COM
ROOM : C204
COURSE SYLLABUS
2014-2015

Welcome to Honors English 10! This is a pivotal year in regards to your high school graduation and your entrance into
college or other post-secondary profession. I hope this year will offer many challenges and experiences that will help
you expand your abilities as a student and expand your view of the world around you. In order to assist you in achieving
your academic goals, I will be here to support you and answer any questions you might have regarding the curriculum
presented. Please feel free to approach me with any concerns!

In order to provide a supportive environment for all students, I expect that every student arrives prepared to participate
and willing to be open and receptive to all views expressed in class. You are part of a group that shares similar goals for the
future and each student must remain dedicated to those goals and respectful of each other in order to create a positive
learning environment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students concentrate on the improvement and mastery of critical reading, writing, listening, and verbal expression of
ideas, as well as focus on their preparation for college and career in Honors Keystone Literature 10. Through extensive
readings, students are exposed to literary genres including short story, poetry, drama, novel, and informational text.
Students read and analyze many complex texts and apply critical thinking, comprehension, and evaluation skills and
strategies to assist their understanding and appreciation of multiple perspectives. Furthermore, students demonstrate
proficiency and mastery through research based projects, formal and informal writing assignments, communication and
collaboration. Students complete independent reading and writing activities, as well as higher-level thinking and critical
research based projects. All students enrolled in Honors Keystone Literature 10 will take the Keystone Literature
Examination at the conclusion of the 2014-2015 school year.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Read and analyze poetry, drama, and prose.
Examine the cultural context within which literature arises.
Introduce the various ways to critique literature.
Develop an extensive vocabulary.
Introduce the ways in which students can synthesize their analyses verbally and in writing, through
class discussion, group work, presentations, written exams, and papers.
Practice library and Internet research skills and how to consult and employ secondary sources in
writing.
To compose clear, concise essays which demonstrate appropriate grammar, vocabulary, sentence
structure, and usage.

TEXT AND REQUIRED SUPPLIES EVERYDAY!
1. Literature: Grade 10. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Print. Common Core
2. The appropriate assigned novel (when applicable)
3. 1 subject college-ruled notebook to be used only for English.
4. Two-pocket folder
5. Pen or pencil***

PARTICIPATION
Participation requires active engagement in class discussion, which may include offering your opinion on an issue,
answering a question, asking a relevant question, and paying attention to what is occurring in class. Additionally,
exemplary class participation includes turning in homework on time (when applicable), bringing the required materials
to class each day, and following all class rules.

EXAMS AND QUIZZES

Quizzes will be given at any time, particularly if it is evident that students are not doing their assigned reading. A quiz
may be given at the beginning or end of class. They may be announced or unannounced, so be prepared!
Exams will always be announced and will cover the content of each unit in class.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

Students will be required to complete in class writing assignments, as well as longer assignments that will be completed
outside of the classroom.

GRADING

The grading scale will align with the Albert Gallatin School District policy:
90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D 0-59 = F
Grading rubrics containing expectations and point values will be given for each assignment and/or assessment. All
grades will be calculated using a points system.

MAKE-UP POLICY

Absence from class does not excuse students from class work and assignments. It is your responsibility to complete
any make-up work. Weekly overviews and daily assignments are posted regularly. Students will have as many days as
they missed to make-up work. i.e. 2 days absent = 2 days to turn in work/make up quizzes and tests.

There is a make-up work table in the back of the classroom. There will be a binder with the assignments/reading/work
that you missed. Please check here if you have missed a day and make arrangements with me to complete or make-up
any additional quizzes or tests.

LATE WORK WILL RECEIVE POINT DEDUCTIONS. If you know in advance you will be absent on a particular day, it is
your responsibility to find out ahead of time what you will be missing. If you know you are going to be absent the day an
assignment is due, you must inform me beforehand, otherwise, the work will be considered late. Work that is turned in
1 day late will receive credit. Work that is more than 1 day late will not be accepted.

These are examples of inexcusable excuses:
My printer and/or computer failed, ran out of ink, or exploded!
It was the season finale of Pretty Little Liars, The Walking Dead, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, and I just HAD to
see who won, fell in love, or survived.
I didnt understand what/how to do itand decided to wait until it was due to tell you about it.

CHEATING / PLAGIARISM

CHEATINGon any test, essay, project, or assignment with another student or through the use of a cheat sheet is
unacceptable. No credit will be given for the assignment to all students involved in an incident and disciplinary
measures will be taken. Please be aware that cheating is a very severe offense and may warrant stricter punishment
than a warning. Cheating also includes COPYING another students homework, essay, project, etc.

PLAGIARISMis taking someones words or ideas and using them as if they were your own. Plagiarism is also cheating
and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Also, keep in mind that anything you can find on the Internet, I can
find too, and probably faster than you did, so do not risk it.

TENTATIVE Schedule and Topics Covered (Subject to change at my discretion)
***Aligned with the Pennsylvania Core Standards and Assessment Anchors

1
st
Nine Weeks Introduction to Academic Keystone Literature
Short Stories
Novel
Vocabulary Development
Writing Short Story Analysis Paper

2
nd
Nine Weeks Novel
Poetry
Novel
Vocabulary Development
Writing Poetry Analysis Paper

3
rd
Nine Weeks Informational Text
Novel
Vocabulary Development
Writing: Constructed Response

4
th
Nine Weeks Novel
Keystone Review
Vocabulary Development
Writing: Constructed Response

NOVEL/DRAMA SELECTIONS
All Quiet on the Western Front Night The Good Earth
The Jungle An Enemy of the People A Dolls House
Fahrenheit 451 A Separate Peace Macbeth
Jane Eyre Oedipus Rex/Antigone


MISS DS CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Arrive to class on time and with the required materials everyday. If you are late, you must have a signed
pass from the office, nurse, or another teacher.
o Refer to your Student Handbook for consequences.
Two bathroom passes each nine weeks are granted to each student. At the end of the nine weeks, if you still
have a bathroom pass, you will receive an additional 10 POINTS for classroom participation.
Ipods, electronic devices, and cellphones may not be used for personal recreational use such as texting or
using social media, UNLESS otherwise directed for in-class use.
Be proactive. Be responsible. Your job is to be honest and meet the challenges of this course in a
straightforward way. Please address your problems in a responsible manner by coming to me as soon as the
need arises. E-mail and free hours such as before/after school or lunch, are great ways to communicate with me
regarding questions and issues.
Language is powerful in determining how others see you. As this is a formal English class, part of my job is to
encourage proper English usage. This includes in-class discussions, as well as ALL written work that is turned in
for a grade. Abbreviations, texting language and slang terminology are to be avoided in all formal assignments.
Furthermore, all classwork and homework is to be completed in BLUE or BLACK ink.
Please be respectful of your classmates and your teacher. This includes using appropriate language and
actions during discussions, activities, etc. I will not tolerate anyone being disrespected in my classroom.
No food or drinks in the classroom this is a school policy. If you have gum, please throw it away dont
stick it under your desk.
Stay in your assigned seat during class UNTIL THE BELL RINGS! Also, please sit in your desk, not on top of it
you could fall!
Sorry ladies, please keep your purses / gym bags / backpacks on the floor. Gentlemen, if you have a gym bag /
backpack please keep it on the floor.
STAY AWAKE NO SLEEPING!!! You are in this classroom for 48 minutes each day this time needs to be used
wisely!
You MUST sign out using your agenda on the appropriate day if you leave the room. I will not write you a
pass to go to another teachers room or to the library. If you do not have an agenda, you are not
permitted to leave the room.

________________________________________________________________ __________________
I have read, understand, and agree to this proposed syllabus for the 2014-2015 year. Date