10th Grade Regular Language Arts

Course Syllabus: 10th Grade Language Arts, Mrs. Sonenberg

To Parents: Please read the following information concerning curriculum and class responsibilities. Then sign in the space provided on the last page of this syllabus and return ONLY the last page to the teacher. The syllabus itself will go in the student’s notebook.
Course Description
In 2004 the Georgia Department of Education adopted new Georgia Performance Standards for grades 9-12. Consistent with state curriculum, the Fulton County Schools English language arts curriculum implementation aligns with state standards. The content standards for this course are clustered by strands: Reading and Literature, Reading Across the Curriculum, Conventions, Writing, and Listening/Speaking/Viewing.

Tenth Grade Literature and Composition will continue to build on the reading and language curriculum established in ninth grade. Throughout this year-long course, students will have opportunities to develop and expand their knowledge of literature and language and demonstrate their mastery level of new learning through performance tasks and assessments.

Reading and Literature
Focusing on a study of literary themes, students develop an understanding that the theme of a work of literature is what relates literature to life, and that common themes recur across diverse works of literature. Students will read, interpret, and analyze informational material such as newspaper articles, editorials, and magazine and journal articles. They will also analyze themes and structure in fiction, including short stories, novels, and drama. The study of poetry provides a level of rigor that surpasses ninth grade. Through extensive reading, students will acquire new vocabulary specific to the study of literature and apply that knowledge in their writing.

Reading Across the Curriculum
To encourage students to become life-long readers, the curriculum includes standards that address both academic and personal habits of reading. Students will read approximately one million words per year from a variety of subject disciplines including language arts. In the English language arts classroom, students will learn the vocabulary of literature, writing, and listening, speaking, and viewing.

Writing
Persuasive writing is the focus for tenth grade; however, students will continue to produce narratives, poems, informational essays, and technical documents. Students will practice timed writings and continue to use the stages of the writing process to develop compositions and writings that demonstrate an understanding of tone, point of view, style, organization, author’s purpose, and audience. Students will continue to use research and technology to support reading and writing.


Conventions
Students will increase their knowledge of the conventions of language in reading, writing, and speaking. They will demonstrate their control of the rules of English, focusing on the correct use of clauses, phrases, and the mechanics of punctuation. Sentence construction and usage will continue to be a focus for tenth graders. They will apply their knowledge of the conventions of format when producing technical writing, workplace writing, and research based papers.

Listening/Speaking/Viewing
Students will continue to develop their critical listening skills. Through presentations and interactions with the teacher and other students, they will apply effective speaking techniques in small and large group settings. The viewing standards will enable students to develop media literacy skills through the careful examination of contemporary texts including television, radio, film productions, and electronic media.

All reading selections and writing assignments are designed to address the student learning described in the course description. For a more detailed description of the new Georgia Performance Standards for English Language Arts, you may access www.georgiastandards.org or www.fultonschools.org/fcgps/

Policies and Procedures
Required Texts and Materials
Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes (replacement cost $70)
Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar (replacement cost $60)
Supplementary novels (replacement cost $10 for paperback; $15 for hardback)
3-ring binder to be used for Language Arts class Only
Dividers for the following 5 sections: Daily Grammar; Unit One; Unit Two; Unit Three; Unit Four
Pens—blue or black (may use other colors for special assignments)
College-ruled composition book for journals
CHS student handbook/agenda
Loose leaf or perforated paper for assignments

Grading Scale and Final Grade Breakdown
A=100-90 B=89-80 C=79-70 F=69 and below

Homework, Classwork and Quizzes=20%
Tests and Major Projects=30%
Major Writings=30%
Class Participation=5%
Final Exam=15%




Behavior policy
I want to address my four major classroom rules or Cougars “ROAR”:
1. Responsible
2. On Time
3. Attentive
4. Respect

*Note: You are responsible for everything in this syllabus and in the CHS Handbook,
even if you choose not to read them. This includes leaving radios, CDs, DVDs, iPods, cosmetics, hats, cell phones, and sunglasses outside the classroom. Water in a closed capped plastic bottle will be allowed if disposed of properly.

Failure to comply with these rules results in the following:
1st violation: teacher and student conference after class
2nd violation: teacher and parent conference via email, telephone or meeting
3rd violation: teacher, student, parent, and administrator conference

Absences and Make-up Work
It is the student’s responsibility to complete all work within the prescribed time. Students have the number of days absent to make up work—one day absent gives one day to complete work and/or arrange makeup quizzes or tests. Failure to complete an assignment within this timeframe will result in a zero for the assignment. First, please see the bulletin board for the folder relating to your particular day(s) of absence. Second, see the teacher if you need to schedule makeup exams and quizzes. Failure to make up work will result in a zero for the assignment. This will be strictly enforced.

Late Work
1. Late work (except major writings and projects) will not be accepted under any circumstances. You must have the work in hand when you cross the threshold of the classroom. If you leave an assignment in your locker, you must have an available pass left in your agenda to get it. If not, it is a zero!
2. Late projects and major writing assignments can be turned in up to 3 days late, but your grade on that project or writing will be penalized 10% per day for being late. After the 3rd day, late work will not be accepted for credit.
3. Work not ready to hand in at the time assignments are collected will be considered late.
4. If you will be missing class for school-related activities or pre-arranged absences, you must get your work ahead of time. It will be due upon your return to class. Depending upon the assignment, failure to do so will result in no credit or a late penalty.

Recovery Policy
Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all word required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.
Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. All recovery work is directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.

Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2) major grades. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR ASSIGNMENT/TEST.

CHS English Department Plagiarism Statement
Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they are entirely one’s own.
Acts of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:
1. Using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation;
2. Using the work of another (e.g. copying another student’s homework, composition, or project);
3. Using excessive editing suggestions of another student, teacher, parent, or paid editor.
Plagiarism on any project or paper at CHS will result in a zero for the assignment and an Honor Code Violation. Unless directly stipulated by the teacher, collaboration on written work is not acceptable.

Computer Network Policy
Unauthorized intrusion of computer networks is a major disciplinary infraction. Students are prohibited from:
1. unauthorized/unsupervised use of the computer network;
2. shelling-out to network directories;
3. adding software packages of any kind to the network;
4. causing damage to the network environment

Internet Access Guidelines
Access to the Internet is available at CHS. It will be used only as a part of research in the academic area. We believe the Internet offers vast, diverse and unique resources to the community. Our goal in providing this service to you is to help promote educational excellence.

We at Chattahoochee H.S. firmly believe that the access to valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material inconsistent with the educational goals of Fulton County Board of Education. Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies, and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided here so that you are aware of the responsibilities you have. In general this requires efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources.
Statements and/or information provided by the Internet's World Wide Web do not necessarily reflect those views held by CHS. Any information you gather from various World Wide Web sites while you are using the Internet is your sole responsibility. This is also true for any damages incurred. This includes loss of data, nondeliveries, or service interruptions caused by the Internet or by your own error(s) or omission(s). Chattahoochee High School, Fulton County Board of Education accept no responsibility for accuracy and/or quality of information obtained through the use of its Internet services.

Additionally, vandalism will result in immediate cancellation of privileges, disciplinary action and may result in school suspension and/or criminal charges. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, Internet, or any of the above listed agencies or other networks that are connected to the Internet provider. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses. Moreover, you do not have permission to create "homepages," directories, or establish additional network addresses here at Chattahoochee High School.

A note about what constitutes “excessive editing”
Students learn to write well by writing well. Struggling independently through the writing process produces growth (as well as a certain amount of agony), and eventually the student’s own voice. When well meaning parents, siblings, tutors, or others contribute their own ideas, words, phrases, revisions, etc. to students’ writing, student writers miss the opportunity to achieve literary self reliance.

So, what is helping, but is NOT excessive editing? The answer is: questioning and cueing. For example—“Is this word strong enough? Interesting enough? Specific enough?” “Can you think of another word that means the same thing?” “Does this sentence seem awkward?” “What exactly do you mean here?” “I don’t understand what you are trying to say; can you say it more clearly?” “This sentence is interesting.” “That is a forceful verb; can you find one as forceful for that other sentence?” These kinds of questions and statements are powerful helpers, yet allow the students to think and write independently. Please help students to achieve their own voices and to develop their writing skills by allowing them to write and revise independently.

Video Viewing Guidelines
Within the curriculum, there poses the opportunity for teachers to incorporate different forms of technology into the classroom. One of these forms of technology is the showing of clips of related movies or related movies in their entirety. Any video rated PG-13 or above will have prior approval of administration. If you choose not to allow your student to participate, check in the appropriate space on the last page of the syllabus, and an equivalent assignment will be given in place of the one accompanying the film or film clip and they will be sent to the media center or another supervised classroom to complete this assignment and not watch the film.




Below is a list of the possible movies we may view in class throughout the year:
“Of Mice and Men” 1992 (PG-13)—some possibly offensive language and mild violence
“Lord of the Flies” 1963
“Riding the Rails” (NR)—documentary—no areas of concern
“Macbeth” 1948/1971 (PG/R)—some violence and a brief scene of nudity
(sleepwalking scene, tastefully done)
“First Knight” 1995 (PG-13)
“Merlin” (NR)—some possibly offensive language and mild violence
“Star Wars” 1977 (PG)
“Labyrinth” 1986 (PG)
“Antigone” 1972—adaptation for Broadway—no areas of concern
“North by Northwest” 1959 (PG)
“Camelot” 1967—no areas of concern
“Excalibur” 1981 (PG)
“Wait Until Dark” 1967 (NR)—no areas of concern
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 1999 (PG-13)—some sexual content, tastefully done

Novels
Students will be expected to interpret and connect texts as they strive to understand what it means to be human and how literature can answer that question for us. They will be expected to demonstrate their understanding both orally and in writing.

Novels for the year (they will be furnished): Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck; Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger; A Separate Peace by John Knowles; Lord of the Flies by William Golding; and Macbeth by William Shakespeare.





















Please detach, and return this portion to the teacher.

SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Please call me directly if you have any concerns or questions at extension 296 or email me at sonenberg@fulton.k12.ga.us. Also, please provide the necessary information below. Thank you for your concern and support. This will be due on or before August 17th.

I have read and understood the course description and classroom policies.


Parent Signature

______________________________
Parent Primary Email address

______________________________
Phone Number and Hour(s) Best Reached

My child has access to a computer at home for the purposes of (initial all that apply:)
Typing papers _______ Printing Papers ________ Internet Research _____

(Please see Video Viewing Guidelines Section for more information)
_____I give my permission for my son/daughter to view selected films.

_____I do not give permission for my son/daughter to view selected films.












_________________________
Student Signature Date