Mrs. Erin Stefanski
English Department, PRHS
[email protected]
719­867­8037
Honors English 2 Classroom: ​A2110 Office: ​C Neighborhood Planning Periods:​ 4th and 8​th Palmer Ridge High School “Ignite, Engage, Encourage, and Expect Excellence” Welcome! I’m excited to be your English instructor this year! My goals are for you to become a more effective communicator and for you to develop a greater love for literature. This year’s emphasis will be on writing, both in­class and at home. Parent/Student Communication with Me​: ​Email is always my preferred method of contact​ ​as my schedule and your schedule usually do not match. This has proven to be the quickest, most effective form of communication; however​, if email does not work for you, please let me know. Class Objectives and Policies After reading these policies in class and with your parent(s)/guardian(s), please sign and ​return​ the attached signature​ ​sheet​ indicating that you have read and that you understand the policies and curriculum of this class. Please print this handout and place it in your notebook for future reference. Objectives​: Honors students will be encouraged to use ​Bloom’s Taxonomy​ in all areas of curriculum. Higher level thinking skills and evaluation are the ultimate goal for Honors English 2. Vocabulary/Spelling:​ We will continue our study of Greek & Latin morphemes (prefixes, roots, & suffixes) from Honors English 1 as well as ​
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NEW Hit Parade vocabulary words. This program is designed not only to help you with the ACT & SAT test, but also to help you in reading challenging texts. Grammar: ​Though grammar study is not the most exciting task for some students, it is essential to your becoming a proficient writer. Being able to control a sentence is the first step in being able to control an argument. Daily Oral Language practice will be utilized to further enhance your understanding of these concepts. ● Brief Review Parts of Speech & Sentence Parts ● Study & demonstrate proficiency with Clauses ● Study & demonstrate proficiency with Phrases ● Review and demonstrate mastery of Agreement (subject/verb, pronoun/antecedent) ● Review and demonstrate mastery of Usage o modifiers o verbs o punctuation o parallel construction Literature:​ Students will complete extensive reading assignments both inside and outside of class. This class is designed to parallel AP European History. However, students ​ARE NOT ​required to take AP European History to perform well in Honors English 2. The literary material (plays, novels, essays, & films) is designed to enrich student’s understanding of the development of philosophical & political thought throughout world history as well as to enrich students’ understanding of literary design. Writing, Presentations, & Projects: ​A variety of writing assignments, projects, and oral presentations (both formal and informal) will be completed throughout the course. We will focus on developing proficiency with the in­class, timed essay. In­class essays will be scored holistically on a 1­9 scale; out of class essays will be graded using the PRHS English Department Rubric. Policies​: ​
All rules and policies from the Palmer Ridge High School Student Handbook apply in this classroom. If you are not familiar with these policies, please read them. Rules specific to this classroom include the following: You have all been in a classroom for a LONG time and know how to act. Respect yourself, each other, and me. If I ask you to do something, it will be a reasonable request; please do it. If you would like to discuss an issue with me, feel free to do so at an appropriate time; ​do not interrupt class to do it​. I will deal with problems individually. 1. ​Be in your seat ready to work ​when the bell rings. ​The tardy policy is strictly enforced. 2. Be prepared. (This is an essential life skill.) You will NOT be permitted to return to your locker once class has started. 3. Give every task your best effort. Take risks! Assert your ideas! Ask questions! But, be sure to do so in a respectful, orderly manner. (Don’t shout out in class.) 4. Complete work on time. Be responsible for the details and due date of every assignment. ​Check webpage. 5. Do ​your own work. Plagiarism or cheating will result in disciplinary action. 6. Respect the educational environment. Be courteous to everyone and cooperate with your classmates. Work quietly during individual work time until everyone has completed the work. 7. Food or drinks other than plain water are not permitted. 8. Cell phones, iPods, and similar devices must be turned off and put away during class. These items will be confiscated and turned in to an administrator if this policy is violated. 9. ​Hall Passes​: A hall pass is available when you need to use the bathroom. Please do not interrupt direct instruction to do so. Please try to do this during passing period as much as possible as you will be missing important instruction by missing class. Absences and Missed Work:​ ​You are responsible for seeing me before or after school in my office or during a meeting scheduled with me ahead of time​. PRHS policy allows students two days for every one day they were absent to complete work that was assigned during their absence. This DOES NOT apply to previously assigned work. ​Work assigned prior to the absence is not affected by your absence and ​is due on the due date for prearranged absences or, for unexpected absences, on the day you return​. If the work is not turned in a timely manner, the work will be considered late. (Please see the late work policy below.) All tests and quizzes are to be made up (within the two­day make­up period) at the testing center. Weekly vocabulary quizzes must be made up prior to first period on the day of the following weeks quiz. If you have a prearranged absence including school sponsored events like sports, you ​MUST TAKE YOUR QUIZ IN THE TESTING CENTER PRIOR TO WHEN THE REST OF THE CLASS TAKES THE QUIZ. PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WILL MISS A QUIZ, SO I CAN PUT IT IN THE TESTING CENTER FOR YOU. If you are absent the day a large assignment, project, or presentation is due
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, I will need a phone call or e­mail from a parent/guardian explaining the absence; the project is then due the day you return. Please try not to be absent if you have partners or teammates who are depending on you. Some presentations cannot be delayed due to unexpected absences. As a team member, you will be expected to employ problem solving and to make every effort to deliver your portion of the assignment to another team member. Prearranged Absences: ​If you will be absent due to a ​school related function​ (sports, band, field trip) or any other prearranged absence, ​you must pick up the work you will miss ​before your​ ​absence​. If an assignment will be due the day of your absence, ​it is to be turned in​ ​before your absence​. Late Work:​ Turning in late work is strongly discouraged and is a very bad habit. Late work will be accepted for 50% credit only ​within​ ​two​ ​weeks​ after the original due date. Please develop high standards for yourself!!! Cheating​ is an automatic zero for the assignment. A referral for ​academic dishonesty​ will also be written. Communicate! If you are struggling in class or have any other needs, you must communicate with me in order to receive the help you need. Please see me during my posted office hours. Class Information Textbooks: ➢
Vocabulary Lists (Hit Parade & PRS) – available on my webpage; you ​MUST​ print yourself ➢
Play – ​Taming of the Shrew / Twelfth Night – Shakespeare ➢
Poetry – TBA – will be available on the webpage prior to the poetry unit ➢
Novel ­ ​Les Miserables – Victor Hugo ➢
Novel ­ ​1984 – George Orwell Supplies:​ It is important that you come to class prepared with supplies and books everyday. ➢
Pens (blue or black) and pencils. Also, a different colored pen or pencil for correcting work. ➢
A manageable system to contain handouts and your work. This binder/notebook should be for this class ​ONLY​. (I also suggest dividers for Vocabulary, Writing, Grammar, and Literature sections.) You have been a student for a long time now; you should know what works best for you. But being organized DEFINITELY helps in this class. ​SAVE ALL HANDOUTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ➢
College­ruled binder paper (Do ​NOT​ turn in work on paper torn from a spiral notebook!!!) ➢
Textbooks/novels as needed (check the board!) ➢
Please contribute either one box of tissues, hand sanitizer, or paper towels to the class as we use them often. Grade Breakdown:​ The PRHS standard grading curve is used.
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Common Course Work: ​(80% of Term Grade) ● Vocabulary & Spelling = 10% of Course Work grade ● 20 Time Project = 25% of Course Work grade ● Daily Work = 25% of Course Work grade ● Assessments (projects, essays, tests, quizzes) = 40% of Course Work grade ➢
Common Assessments/Final Exam ​(20% of Term Grade) ●
To be determined Extra credit​ is not a solution to a low grade and is not offered. You begin this course with an A. It is up to you to maintain your desired grade by completing homework assignments, essays, and projects; studying for tests/quizzes; and participating regularly in class! Headings for your Assignments:
Informal Assignments: ● Write your name, date, and period at the top of the page. Formal, Typed Assignments: ● Use the MLA (Modern Language Assoc.) format of heading, page set­up, citations, and Works Cited page. MLA Heading (Top Left hand corner of the page): Katy Bear
Mrs. Stefanski
Honors English 2A­3
28 August 2011
(First and Last Name) (Instructor’s Name) (Course name and class period) (​DUE​ Date) Page Setup: ● 1 inch margins (top, bottom, and sides) ● double space throughout (no extra spaces anywhere!) ● Times New Roman, 12pt. font ONLY (even your title – no bold, no underlining, no fancy font) ● Page Number – Create a header including your last name and page numbers. ● Indent each paragraph using the TAB key (1/2 inch from left margin) ● School computers do not default to these settings, so you will have to change most settings. Please return this page to Mrs. Stefanski by August 25, 2014 Student​: I have fully read and understand Mrs. Stefanski’s classroom policies and promise to abide by them at all times. I also understand the consequences associated with not complying with them. _________________________________ _________________________________ ____________ Student Signature Printed Name Date Parent/Guardian​: I have fully read and understand Mrs. Stefanski’s classroom policies as well as the disciplinary procedures associated with them. _________________________________ _________________________________ ____________ Signature Printed Name Date Parent/Guardian Contact Information​: Email is always my preferred method of contact as my schedule and your schedule usually do not match. This has proven to be the quickest, most effective form of communication. To ensure that I have the correct email, please provide me with your contact information below. Also, please check Infinite Campus to ensure that your email is correct. If email is not an effective means of communication for you, please indicate that in the space below. Parent/Guardian Name:_______________________________________________ email: _____________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Name:_______________________________________________ email: _____________________________________________________________