Honors English I Ms.

Blakely Lord
Phone: 919-560-9184 x 81103
Email: blakely.lord@dpsnc.net
Planning Period: 4
th
Period


Welcome to Honors English I!

This class is a foundational study of literature, writing, and critical thinking that prepares students for success in
high school and beyond. Students in Honors English I will read, write, talk, and think every day.

My instruction is aligned to state standards, which are designed to ensure that students gain the skills and
knowledge they need to successfully complete high school and become ENROLLED, EMPLOYED, OR
ENLISTED. You can find a complete list of the English I standards here:
www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_ELA%20Standards.pdf
I have an open door policy for both parents and students. If you ever have a question about an assignment or a
concern about the class, please do not hesitate to contact me. It is my strong preference for students to be
advocates for themselves whenever possible. Please encourage your child to request a meeting with me if s/he
needs extra help, or if s/he has a concern.

OPEN, ONGOING COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY TO BUILDING A STRONG EDUCATIONAL
COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS AND CHALLENGES OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AS THEY STRIVE
FOR EXCELLENCE.
I have established several different communication methods that parents are encouraged to use, and students
are expected to use throughout the year.

1) My phone number and email are located at the top of this syllabus. In addition, you can upload my phone
number and email directly to your smartphone using the QR code below. Simply download a free QR
Reader for Android or iPhone. Then use the QR reader to scan the code and create a new contact automatically.













2) My website is www.blord.weebly.com. A link to my website it available on the SSES faculty
webpage. Throughout the year, students will be expected to use my website to download class
handouts, access multi-media materials, and view short video lectures. This website is optimized for
mobile viewing, so students can access it using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Parents are always
welcome to visit our website.
3) Students will be expected to join an Edmodo class group to receive information about class
assignments, interact with each other, and communicate with me. Edmodo is a secure educational
website that allows teachers and students to communicate electronically. Instructions for joining the
proper Edmodo group can be found on my website.

We are going to have a wonderful year!



Honors English I Ms. Blakely Lord
Phone: 919-560-9184 x 81103
Email: blakely.lord@dpsnc.net
Planning Period: 4
th
Period


Class Expectations
Students are expected to arrive in class
- every day
- on time
- prepared to learn


Cell Phones and Personal Electronics
As a STEM school, SSES is committed to providing students with 21
st
Century skills. Therefore, students are
encouraged to bring cell phones and tablets to class for appropriate, instructional purposes.
I will let students know when personal electronics may be used. At all other times, cell phones, tablets,
computers, and all other personal electronic devices must be silent and out of sight.
Students who fail to use their personal electronic devices appropriately will have the device confiscated for the
remainder of the period. If a student has an ongoing inability to use personal electronics appropriately, it may
result in additional consequences, and a parent-teacher conference may be requested.

STUDENTS BRING PERSONAL ELECTRONICS TO SCHOOL AT THEIR OWN RISK. The teacher,
school, and district are not responsible for loss of or damage to student electronics.

Food and Drink
Students are expected to eat and drink during lunchtime. It is distracting and disrespectful to eat during class.
Students may bring water bottles to class, as long as the container has a cap and cannot easily spill.

If your child has a health issue that requires him/her to eat during class, please let me know so we can make
arrangements to accommodate his/her needs.
To be prepared for class, students need the following materials:
- A pen or a pencil. We will write every single day.
- A spiral notebook or loose leaf binder dedicated to English. Students should not rely on one
notebook for multiple classes. This leads to a lack of organization, which creates confusion and
results in lower achievement.
- A small memo style notebook. We will use this small notebook every day, so it is important for
students to have it as soon as possible.
- Although it is not required, a USB drive is highly recommended. We will not use computers every
day, but when we do having a flash drive to store documents is enables students to back up their
work.




Honors English I Ms. Blakely Lord
Phone: 919-560-9184 x 81103
Email: blakely.lord@dpsnc.net
Planning Period: 4
th
Period


Grading Policy
Grades are calculated as follows:
A = 93-100 Excellent
B = 85-92 Above Average
C = 77-84 Average
D = 70-76 Passing
F = 0-69 No Credit

Grades will be given the following weight:
50% Major Papers, Projects, Tests
20% In-Class Activities
20% Quizzes
5% Homework
5% Participation

Final grades will be calculated as follows:
40% First Quarter Grade
40% Second Quarter Grade
20% Final Exam Grade
Note: Durham Public Schools determines the weight of the final exam. In the event that DPS changes the
exam weight, the final grade will be recalculated accordingly.

Students who do not turn in an assignment due to an excused absence may make up the work within 5 days of
the excused absence. It is the students responsibility to get the missed assignment(s) from me.

MAJOR PAPERS, PROJECTS, AND TESTS MAY ALWAYS BE SUBMITTED LATE
FOR PARTIAL CREDIT, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON.



Honors English I Ms. Blakely Lord
Phone: 919-560-9184 x 81103
Email: blakely.lord@dpsnc.net
Planning Period: 4
th
Period



Honors English I Syllabus

Unit I
The Power of Narrative
Major Focus: Narrative Writing, Text Annotation, Note-Taking, Short Fiction & Memoir
Major Project: Personal Narrative Portfolio

Unit II
Argument & Rhetoric
Major Focus: 5-Paragraph Essay, Evidence-based Argument, Essays & Allegory
Major Projects: Literary Criticism & Debate

Unit III
Drama and Shakespeare
Major Focus: Performance & Shakespeare
Major Project: Field trip to UNC Repertory Theater (Into the Woods)

Unit IV
Research
Major Focus: Informational texts, Internet research
Major Project: Research Project

Unit V
Analysis & Persuasion
Major Focus: Analytical writing, persuasive essay
Major Project: Editorials