Course Description:

The primary goal of this course is to expand upon the skills taught during freshman year and prepare
students for AP Literature and AP Language through focused analysis of literature and writing
instruction. Close reading and critical thinking skills are applied to various texts: novels, poems,
nonfiction articles, and plays. Students are taught to deconstruct the text in order to construct individual
meaning through analysis of the literature.

Second Semester Units:

 Communication Unit— Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
 Identity Unit— A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris
 Utopia/Dystopia Unit

Grading:
Writing 30%: Writing scores are based on a combination of drafts and final copies and will take place in
conjunction with the reading and literary analysis of the text. Students will be required to turn in any
steps of the writing process used to construct the final draft. If parts of the writing process are missing,
this can result in a lower score. Writing is graded according to the Common Core/AP standards.

Rewrites: Students are suggested to rewrite any assignment that is scored a 70% or below. The student
must attend a conference before the rewrite is completed and turned in. If a student fails to attend the
conference, the rewritten assignment will not be accepted. I encourage students to contact me if they
cannot make the weekly conference time due to prior commitments. Additional times may be available
after school.

Tests and Quizzes 25%: Assessments include vocabulary, reading analysis, and writing. Tests and
quizzes are given at various times throughout the year and will be based on the current material covered
in class. Most assessments will be posted prior to the date given.

Projects 25%: Projects are completed in collaboration with group members. They may include
presentations, and students will be required to complete various components both individually and with
other group members. Presentations and projects are based on our readings and discussions in class.
Students must discuss planned absences with the teacher and other group members.

Classwork 20%: Students are required to complete a variety of assignments on a daily basis. In-class
assignments include reading and annotations, bell work assignments, and exercises that may be completed
both in and out of class. Bell work will be graded in class on a bi-weekly basis. Various journal
assignments will be given throughout the year in accordance with the reading. Homework is included in
this category and may consist of reading, drafting or final copies of writing, or any exercises that were
not completed during class time. To be successful in the class, students must prepare for class by
completing any necessary homework.

Please refer to following grading scale:

A 90-100%
B 80-89.9%
C 70-79.9%
D 60-69.9%
F 59.9 and below

Classroom Expectations: (violation of any of the following expectations could result in disciplinary
action):
 1. Be respectful: Lack of respect toward others or their property is not tolerated. This includes
disrespecting the teacher, peers, outside guests, or classroom property. Remember that all
students are here to learn. If you are talking out of turn, interrupting others, just to name a
few, you are disrupting the learning environment. Harassment and/or bullying is
inexcusable.

2. Be prepared: When the bell rings, students are expected to be in their seat with all the
materials needed to complete the work successfully. This includes completed readings,
questions, or other possible homework assignments.

3. Be engaged: Whether we are working independently, in groups, or having a discussion,

participation is an expectation.

Classroom Modes:
 Quiet Work Mode: Students are required to work quietly and constructively on their own and
are expected to
work silently. Cell phone usage may be permitted during this time, but notification needs to be given by
the
teacher. During this time, students are working on assignments such as writing process, drafts, journal
entries,
bell work, tests, quizzes, to name a few.

 Discussion Mode: Students are expected to participate in class discussion at this time. Students
may also be
expected to actively listen, as this mode is expected during presentations, reports, speeches, or other class-
led
discussions. Cell phones are not permitted during this time.

 Collaborative Mode: Students are working in collaboration with each other during this time, and
the teacher is
usually acting as a facilitator. Cell phones are only permitted for academic research and usage will be
monitored.

Classroom Policies and Procedures:

Cell Phones:
Cell phones are only used as learning tools. Students will be asked to put them away if they are being
used during instructional time, as they will become a distraction. If a student cannot refrain from using
cell phones during instructional time, they will be removed by the teacher until the end of the period.
Further disciplinary action will be taken if necessary.

Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to produce their own work and are held to the highest standards and expectations.
Rephrasing or paraphrasing an author’s work is still considered as dishonest. Cheating and plagiarism
will result in a zero and further disciplinary action.

Discipline:
When a behavior becomes problematic, students will receive a warning. If the behavior persists, we will
talk privately after class. If the behavior continues, students will receive a behavior refocus form and a
phone call home. If there are still issues, a referral will be issued to administration.
Positive Consequences:
Students who abide by classroom rules and expectations respectfully and consistently deserve
recognition. This might occur through positive calls or letters home, one on one praise, or nomination for
UHS Student of the Month!

Bathroom Policy:
Students are not allowed to use the restroom during the first or last ten minutes of class, as we will use
this time for bell work and closure activities. If students are using the restroom excessively during the
class period, they will be notified.

Assignments and Assessments:

 If homework is assigned, it will be due at the beginning of the period and will not be accepted as
late. Homework is usually assigned as a preparation tool, including readings, questions, projects,
etc. Students must complete outside readings and assignments in order to be prepared for class.
 If a student fails to turn in a major assignment on its respective due date, they will receive 10%
off of their grade for the next four days and will be dropped to 50% after the 4th day. This policy
is at the teacher’s discretion.
 If an assignment will be missed due to a prior commitment, students must notify the teacher to
keep up with any work that will be missed during their absence. Students must see the teacher
within two school days if an assignment is missed due to an unplanned absence.
 If students are absent when work is assigned, they will have one day for each day missed to make
up that assignment. (This rule applies to excused absences).
 Tests must be made up within one week of the absence.

Absences:
3 or more absences over short period time (5 weeks or less) will result in parent
notification and/or parent/teacher conference. Excessive absences can result in administrative action.

Tardy:
A student is considered as tardy if they arrive to class after the bell has rung. If a student
is late, they must go to the attendance office to receive a pass to class. Successful students will attend
class regularly and on time. Students will be marked for every tardy and an accumulation will result in
disciplinary action.

Succeeding in this class

1. Complete reading assignments: Reading assignments must be completed to be successful in

this class. If students come to class unprepared, it will be difficult to participate in the
participation, which will affect students on assessments and in major assignments.

2. Self-advocate: If students are having problems understanding a concept or completing an

assignment on time, please let me know as soon as possible. Also, do not hesitate to schedule
additional times for conferences if students cannot attend during conference times.

3. Be organized: Please keep a record of all upcoming assignments, assessments, and their
corresponding due dates. Weekly assignments and class work will be available in class. Make
sure to keep an accurate and organized listing of necessary class work.