English II Pre AP Syllabus 2011-2012 Mrs. Diebolt Hever Room 334 (972) 502-3400 rdiebolt@dallasisd.

org Tutoring Times: Thursday 8:00-8:45 a.m. (If you are unable to make these sessions, please see me to make an appointment for an alternate time.) Planning Periods: 4th and 6th Course Description: The purpose of the English II Pre-AP course is to assist students in acquiring the reasoning and analytical skills necessary for success in future Advanced Placement courses. Pre-AP and AP classes provide challenging, college-level curriculum administered by the College Board. This curriculum introduces students to a rich variety of literature, thematic concepts, and sophisticated analytical skills. Designed for students who are willing to devote themselves to rigorous scholarship, this program enriches students secondary studies and provides the means for colleges to grant credit, placement, or both to successful students. Required Supplies: DUE __________________ blue or black ink pens DAILY red pen daily four-color pen (or colored pencils) for annotation loose-leaf notebook paper composition notebook three-ring binder (1 inch or larger is recommended) 7 dividers copies of novels (may be checked out from school or community libraries or purchased) The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (This is due the first day of the second six weeks.) Objectives: Students will demonstrate the ability to: write effectively for a variety of purposes. determine universal meaning in literary works of varying lengths. identify and analyze the elements of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. illustrate the effective use of grammar and mechanics in original compositions. utilize the tools of technology to develop and support effective writing. work independently within a given timeframe and outside of class. Classroom Rules and Expectations: Arrive to class on time and prepared to work. No food or drink is permitted in the classroom, Respect your fellow students and instructor. Do not speak out of turn. Maintain accountability for your actions. Consequences: 1st infraction- conference 2nd infraction- contact the counselor 3rd infraction- contact the parent

4th infraction- teacher detention hall 5th infraction- referral to Discipline Office

Syllabus Cycle Dates and themes are subject to change. First Six Weeks: Literary Terms, Close Reading/Annotation, Levels of Reading/Thinking Second Six Weeks: Alienation- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger/ Tone and Diction Third Six Weeks: Universal Themes- Archetypes and Symbolism Fourth Six Weeks: Poetry-Analysis and Creative Writing Fifth Six Weeks: Performance-TAKS Skills (short answer, personal narrative) Sixth Six Weeks: Honor- Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare/Argumentation and Persuasion Testing dates 10TH grade: October October November January March May/June Benchmark PSAT Writing Benchmark ACP-Semester Final Exams TAKS English Language Arts ACP-Semester Final Exams

Grading and Evaluation: 40% Homework/Classwork: classwork, independent reading, reading quizzes, participation, vocabulary, homework, journals, etc. 25% Tests

20 % Projects/Products: academic notebook, compositions, independent reading write-ups, long-term projects, oral presentations, process and timed writing, etc. 15% Six Weeks Test Grade

Makeup Work: It is the responsibility of the student to obtain makeup work from the Absent Notebook immediately upon returning from an absence. Daily makeup assignments must be turned in promptly in accordance with DISD policy. Work assigned prior to an absence is due immediately upon the return of the student to class. Makeup exams must be taken during tutoring hours or by an appointment within a one-week time frame. Late Work: Late work will receive a 10-POINT deduction for each school day late (whether class meets or not). In some instances, late work will not be accepted, and after 40 points have accrued, an F grade is earned. THIS POLICY IS FIRM. Retest Policy: Students are permitted to retake any major test that he or she has failed within five school days of the date the failing grade was received or no later than ten days of the date of the test. The grade penalty will be either the average of the two tests or a 70. Extra Credit: Extra credit may be offered in addition to, but never INSTEAD of, assigned work. If a student is failing the class, extra credit will NOT be an option. Extra credit is designed to enhance performance, not substitute the assigned work. Determining Semester and Yearly Grades: The Semester Exam/ACP will account for 15% of the semester grade, and the three six weeks grades will be averaged to account for the remaining 85% of the semester grade. Semester grades are

averaged together to assign a yearly grade. Ongoing Pre-AP Assignments: Annotation of Texts- Students must learn to record notes on the literary works studied. Annotation is guided by literary elements and requires detailed reading. Literary Analysis Tests- Students will take timed analysis tests over works studied.

Independent Reading- Students will be required to read one novel in and outside of class each six-week grading period. Students will write a one-page analysis focusing on various literary elements. The written assignment will be a major grade. SAT Vocabulary Preparation- Students will be required to learn various SAT vocabulary terms to use in conjunction with the literature studied. Timed Writing- Students must practice 40-minute timed writing responses to Advanced Placement style prompts. Skylines Standardized Dress Code Policy: Skylines campus standardized dress code policy is that each student will wear turtlenecks or polo-style shirts (Columbia blue, red, or white) and khaki or black pants (full length) on Monday-Thursday. Girls may wear skirts. Students may wear jeans and Skyline spirit shirts on Friday (and other designated days as announced by the principal). Opened toes shoes are not allowed during the school day. Hoods or caps will not be worn during the school day. Skylines School-Wide DailyRoutine/Bellringer/Start-On-Time Policy: Students will need to be in class on time as bellringers will be implemented the first ten minutes of the class period and calculated in his/her daily class grade. Students missing a bellringer must report to before or after school tutoring. Tutoring sign-in sheets will be maintained. If a student misses three bellringers, the teacher will contact parents. Teachers will maintain a parent contact log (with students signature of the receipt of the notification to the parent in the log.)

Parents/Guardians: Please feel free to contact me at the number or e-mail address above should you have any questions or concerns. I have read and understood the information provided, especially the grading and evaluation policies. _________________________________ Student ___________________________________________ Print Name Signature

_________________________________ Parent/Guardian_____________________________________ Print Name Signature

Home Phone: __________________________________________ Work Phone: __________________________________________ Cell Phone: ___________________________________________ E-mail Address: ________________________________________ Parent Note or Question: ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________