10th Grade Honors Literature and Composition

Instructor: Ms. Erin Bethea

Classroom: B9
Email: ebethea@jackson.k12.ga.us
Website: http://betheajcchs.weebly.com
School Phone: (706)367-5003 Ext. 13209
Course Description
This course is a survey of English literature, with emphasis placed on the following genres:
short stories, novels, drama, poetry, epic, and non-fiction. Students also study grammar
through writing to improve their understanding of sentence structure. The curriculum also
includes in-depth discussion of literature and literary analysis through frequent
compositions that also focus on grammar and standard usage to improve communicative
skills, thinking skills, and writing ability. Vocabulary words serve to enlarge the student's
word base, while also assisting in reading comprehension and SAT preparation. This
course is designed to prepare students for the rigor of AP English. Content for the course
complies with the Common Core standards for 10th grade, which can be found here:
https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Frameworks/ELA-9-10-Grade10Literature-Composition-Standards.pdf
Course Units
I.
Anglo Saxon and Medieval Literature
II.
Renaissance Literature Shakespeare
III.
Renaissance Literature Poetry
IV.
Romanticism Novel Excerpts
V.
Romanticism Poetry
VI.
Victorian Literature
VII.
Modern/Postmodern Literature
Note: The units are not set in stone and are subject to change at any time.
Materials
Loose leaf binder, notebook paper, black/blue pens, highlighter, colored pencils, Post-It
notes/ tabs.
Grading Scale
Reading Literary/Reading Informational (with
Speaking and Listening embedded)
Writing & Language (with Speaking and Listening
embedded)
Synthesis (Major Summative Assessments)
SLO Final Exam
Grades:
A (90-100)
B (80-89)
C (70-79)
F (69 or below)

Excellent work
Good work
Average work
Work does not meet

25%
25%
40%
10%

standards
Behavior Expectations
My expectations are simple and concise:
1. Be present.
2. Be prepared.
3. Be respectful.
4. Be open-minded.
Im not hard to get along with, and I know you wont be either. However, if we ever do
have a problem, heres the five-step behavior plan I will follow:
1. Verbal warning
2. Conference after class, during planning, or after school
3. Detention and parent contact
4. Detention and parent conference
5. Discipline referral
Attendance/Tardiness
When a student is absent from school, the following procedure should be followed: The
student must bring a note from his/her guardian explaining why the student was absent
from school the day following the absence. The note should include the date, reason,
parent/guardian signature and phone number for verification. The note should be turned in
to the attendance clerk at the beginning of the school day on the day the student is
returning after an absence. Parents are only allowed to write notes excusing up to 3
absences for the entire year. The notes must be for an excused reason or the note will not
be accepted.
All students are expected to be in class and on time as listed on bell schedules. Students
should be in the classroom when the bell to start class rings. Students that are not in the
classroom when the final bell rings will be considered tardy and must report to the caf to
receive a pass to class.
Late Work/Make-up Work
Late homework/daily assignments will not be accepted. Unless arrangements are made
with me prior to the due date, major assignments (essays, projects, etc.) turned in late will
receive a 10 point penalty for each day overdue. When absent, it is the students
responsibility to meet with me to discuss assignments to be made up.
Academic Honesty
The following actions are considered to be violations of academic integrity:
Using unauthorized materials in a test situation
Receiving unauthorized information on a test
Knowingly giving information in a test or homework to another student
Passing on definite answers to questions or questions to someone who has not
taken the test
Turning in for credit work that is not the students own
Gross plagiarism
Please remember: Im not an idiot. I know how Google works and I know what Spark Notes
is. If you plagiarize, I will know. Cheating/plagiarism on any assignment will result in a
grade of zero and a possible discipline referral.

Common Assessments/Final Exam

The SLO Pretest will be administered on August 17 th. The SLO Post Test will be
administered as your final exam during the last few days of school. It will count as 10% of
your grade for this course. The TSARS is a practice writing test to prepare you for the 11 th
grade Lit EOC exam. This will be administered at the end of the year.