Ms.

Mary Beth Westbrook

Thomson High School
Tenth Grade Literature & Composition
E-mail address: westbrookm@mcduffie.k12.ga.us
Website address: http://www.mcduffie.k12.ga.us/webpages/mwestbrook/
Work Phone: 706-986-4200
I.

Course Description: To build a foundation for college and career readiness, students must read widely and
deeply from among a broad range of high quality, increasingly challenging literary and informational texts.
Through extensive reading of stories, dramas, poems, and myths from diverse cultures and different times,
students gain literary and cultural knowledge, as well as, familiarity with various text structures and elements.
Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of course content as they prepare for future Literature classes. This
course is an honors level course and as such, students will be asked to complete assignments outside of the
instructional time. This course will include independent reading, in-class and out of class essays, research, and
other assignments as announced at an accelerated pace.

II.

Instructional Objectives 1.
This course is designed to help students become competent writers, fluent users of language,
independent thinkers, articulate speakers, and critical readers and listeners.
2.
Students will develop vocabulary and grammar in context.
3.
Students will work together in large and small group settings, recognizing the value of his/her
contribution to the effort.
4.
Students will use the writing process to produce essays and research papers that are focused and clear.

III.

Textbooks:
A. Mirrors & Windows:
B. A grammar book will be used as needed, but not issued to students.

IV.

Course Topics
Topics will center on 10th grade Georgia Standards of Excellence for English to include informational and literary
texts. Examples include universal themes in both informational and literary texts, poetry, types of persuasive
arguments, and grammatical units of study, vocabulary development, and writing for various purposes.

V.

Materials:
A. Cooperative and Positive attitude!!
B. Notebook paper---no spiral edges, please!!
C. Pens (Blue or Black ink ONLY) and pencils
D. Some type of 3-ring binder (at least 2in. with section dividers)
E. Access to a dictionary at home
F. A flash drive

VI.

Content:
Students can expect to complete at least the following requirements per semester:
A. Novels or novel length works
B. One essay, take home assignment, and/or project per novel/ novel length work
C. Formal and Informal group and/or individual presentations
D. Several vocabulary units and tests along with 9 weeks tests
E. Several short research projects and one major research project
F. Grammar/Usage lessons Using the grammar book and ancillary materials
G. Several in-class journals as well as essays developed in class and at home

*Note: The teacher reserves the right to make changes or additions to this syllabus at any time! Changes or additions will be
announced in advance!

VII.

Evaluation and Assessment of students work:

A. Report card grade will be computed for 1st Nine Weeks, 2nd Nine Weeks, and 3rd Nine Weeks as follows:
1. Writing
35%
2. Summative
35%
3. Daily Grades
25%
4. Benchmark*
5%
*4th Nine Weeks does not have a Benchmark assessment, so the grade percentages will be:
1. Writing
35%
2. Summative
35%
3. Daily Grades
30%
B. Assessment is an on-going process and includes but is not limited to
Classroom Participation and Discussion
Daily work/ Homework/ ALS Assignments
Quizzes/ Tests/ Essays
Group or Individual Projects and Presentations

PLAGIARISM POLICY: Cheating {plagiarizing (using any words or ideas that are not solely yours), copying work,
allowing work to be copied, or not working individually when instructed to do so} will be penalized in accordance with
the School Code of Conduct.
VIII.

Discipline Policy:
The discipline procedures are progressive and will be followed according to the Student Handbook and the School
Code of Conduct.

Classroom Rules and Procedures

1. In general, follow the student handbook and abide by the rules listed in your Student Handbook and School Code
of Conduct. These resources list behavioral expectations as well as the consequences for not abiding by them.
You will also find in them the school policy for making up work, absences, and tardies. In order to be successful
at Thomson High School, you should always abide by the Classroom Expectations for all students:
A) Be Respectful
B) Be Responsible
C) Be Ready to Learn
2. Additionally, the following statements provide guidance to avoid any other issues that might arise in class:
A) Be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there, doing what you were told to do the
way you were told to do it.
B) You may choose to solve a problem any way you wish to solve it, as long as it does not cause a problem
for anyone elsethis includes the teacher!!!
My Pledge to You: I believe that as a teacher it is my responsibility to provide an environment for learning. I believe
that the best learning takes place in a safe, calm, and intellectually stimulating environment. I believe that mutual respect
is vital for learning to take place. I believe that students internalize information after they have had an opportunity to
listen, think, discuss, and produce a product that represents new information learned. Therefore, I pledge to encourage
optimal learning and to assist my students in their success to the best of my ability.

*Note: The teacher reserves the right to make changes or additions to this syllabus at any time! Changes or additions will be
announced in advance!