Memorial High School 
English Department


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Sophomore English (2006-07)

WELCOME TO SOPHOMORE ENGLISH!

Objectives:
 
1.  Develop good writing skills in a variety of genres.
2.  Identify and apply literary devices to aid in critical reading.
3.  Review and build on grammar skills.
4.  Improve reading comprehension and vocabulary.
5.  Increase critical thinking skills.


Utensils:

1.  Glencoe Literature Course 5
2.  Grammar workbook 10
3.  Much Ado About Nothing 
4.  Pen / pencil, paper, sticky notes, binder with five dividers:  short stories, Lord of the Flies, grammar  Much Ado About Nothing, writing

Absences:
  

1.  If you are sick, stay home and get well.  
2.  See the attached policies regarding make-up work. 

Homework:   

1.  You will have it; I expect you will do it.  I may or may not grade it.
2.  I do not accept late work unless you turn in your late pass.  Homework is due when I collect it.  
3.  If you are absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make an appointment with me before school, after school, or during SRB 1.  See class procedures.
4.  Homework will be in various forms: 
Workbook, worksheets, reading, study guides, essays, projects, and speeches

Binder:

1.  Keep your binder neat and organized.
2.  Include all information in binder so that you may use it to study for tests and final exam.
3.  Bring binder to class daily; I may collect it for a grade on any given day, without notice.


Tests/Quizzes:

1.  Tests will be announced; quizzes may or may not.  Expect them.
2.  If you miss a test or quiz, see me immediately to schedule a make-up time.
3.  Sophomores will take three standardized tests:  ISTEP+, PSAT, and PLAN

Projects, Papers, and Presentations:
 

1.  We will do several of these throughout the semester—some in groups and some independently.
Remember the procedures for working in a group. 
2.  Remember that all work should reflect time, thought, understanding of material, creativity, and neatness.  
3. When necessary, you may submit a legibly written, double-spaced, single-sided essay.  Double the length
requirements to compensate for handwriting (ex:  a 2 page essay is now 4 pages).  The highest grade you may earn, however, is a 74% (1).  I suggest you use the option sparingly.

Grades
:

1.  Student grades will be based on a point system and the Memorial grading system.
2.  Grades include homework, essays, tests, quizzes, projects, and bonus (if available).
3.  Final exam is 20% of your semester grade.
4.  Please keep track of your own grade.

A Word on Cheating
:  

We will often do work together, with partners, or in small groups.  Working together to solve a difficult problem is great; copying someone else’s work because you are too lazy to do it yourself is cheating.  There is a significant difference.  Do not cheat.  I consider it a serious offense.  

The Work We Do:
  

Like freshmen English, we will hit on all aspects of the language arts:  grammar, literature, writing, speaking, and vocabulary.  I like to do projects and group stuff, so we will do a great deal of that as well.  Often you may find that we are doing things that seem odd for an English class:  visual arts, dramatic arts, etc., but TRUST ME.  I know what I am doing. . . usually.  I will do my best to make the class enjoyable, but my primary goal is not FUN.  If we have fun while we work, GREAT, but that is not the reason you are here.  I have a great deal planned for the next 18 or so weeks, so we will need to stay on task to meet our goals.  We will begin with short stories; from there, we will delve into Lord of the Flies  After that, we will do Much Ado About Nothing.  We will incorporate grammar throughout.  Please know that I reserve the right to alter the order listed above if I feel it would help us.  

QUESTIONS:

Feel free to ask or express concern (or praise!) over what we are doing in class.  Just remember that time, place, and tone are important considerations.  When necessary, you may email me at this address: kcarroll@mhs.evansville.net. 

                                                                                    Mrs. Carroll