Ms. Russell – Fall 2013
Syllabus – World Literature
[email protected]
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to literature from various parts of the world and time periods. Students will have an opportunity to improve skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They will also refine skills in research, reading comprehension, group discussions, and literary analysis.
Texts (supplied by the school):
Prentice Hall Literature, Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes, World Masterpieces
Materials: The following items are required for the class:
Supply List: The following items are always needed and appreciated:
Tissue / Lotion / Hand sanitizer / Copy paper / Individually Wrapped Candy
Journals: We will write in journals often—all entries should be dated, labeled, and kept in order, and they should be written in blue or black ink. These will be graded near the end of the semester. Journals must remain in the classroom at all times. Journal entries, like quizzes and tests, should be made up before or after school and within 5 school days.
NOTE: Students should be aware of the teacher’s responsibility to discuss with a guidance counselor or administrator any writing (or other work) that indicates serious personal or legal problems.
Behavioral Expectations: Be present, prompt (in your seat when the bell rings), and prepared with ALL necessary materials for class. Students who enter class after the late bell will be marked tardy. Unless notified ahead of time, the book is required every day whether we happen to use it or not! Always be respectful, and listen carefully. Remain on task for the duration of the period (no sleeping). Do NOT interrupt instruction to ask to go anywhere. If a student is caught using a cell phone in class, it will be confiscated. The phone will be returned to a parent/guardian at the end of the school day or to the student after a 3-day waiting period. Students may listen to iPods while working on assignments independently; however, students may not listen to their iPods during instruction or while working with peers.
iPads: The iPad will serve as an educational tool in the classroom. It will not replace the textbook, nor will we use it for everything we do in class. The iPad should not be visible unless I have requested that you bring it out of your bag. Students should never use the iPad for personal use during instruction. Failure to follow teacher requests while using it will result in detentions, administrative referrals, and the loss of iPad privileges during class.
Tutoring: Tutoring is available by appointment. Please let me know at least 24 hours in advance so I can make arrangements.
Projects/Presentations: Students will be required to prepare and present several projects and will participate in a variety of creative activities that require group cooperation.
Grading Procedures: The final grade will be determined as follows:
40% essays, unit tests, projects, and other writing assignments
35% daily work, quizzes, journals, vocabulary, and grammar
15% final exam
10% participation
Make-up Work: If a student is absent and the absence is excused, it is his/her responsibility to schedule, complete, and submit all make-up work within 5 school days. However, if the absence is brief, the student may be required to make up missed work before the five days have elapsed, especially in the case of a quiz or test over material the student received prior to the absence. Students must be prepared to make up tests and quizzes the day they return to class. Missing a review day does not excuse a student from taking a scheduled quiz or test. All grades are entered as zeros until they are made up. If work is not completed within the requested period of time, the student receives a zero for the incomplete work. The five-day rule does not apply to long-standing due dates on assignments such as research papers, essays, projects, or outside reading requirements. In those cases, it is expected that the student will turn in the assignment on or before the due date. If work has been assigned prior to the student’s absence, s/he must submit the assignment the day s/he returns to class. It is the student’s responsibility to remember to turn it in. If a student misses class because s/he checks in or out of school on the day that an assignment is due, s/he should make sure that the assignment is turned in before leaving or after returning to school in order to avoid a late penalty. Assignments will be accepted up to three days after the due date for a late grade. Ten points will be deducted for each day that the assignment is missing. After three days have passed, the assignment will no longer be accepted.
Printing Out Papers: Assignments must be printed out PRIOR to the class period when an assignment is due. Students will NOT be allowed to print out papers during class time unless we are in the lab for that purpose. If you have difficulty with your printer at home or don’t have one, you should email me your assignment both as an attachment and as a cut and paste, or you should make arrangements to use a printer in the media center or elsewhere before school. Any assignment not printed out and ready to turn in at the beginning of the period will be considered late!
Syllabus – World Literature
[email protected]
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to literature from various parts of the world and time periods. Students will have an opportunity to improve skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They will also refine skills in research, reading comprehension, group discussions, and literary analysis.
Texts (supplied by the school):
Prentice Hall Literature, Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes, World Masterpieces
Materials: The following items are required for the class:
- A two-pocket folder with loose leaf paper (to be kept in teacher’s room for journal writing)
- A notebook filled with paper (loose leaf) – EVERY DAY
- Blue or black ink pens AND pencils – EVERY DAY
- Notebook – Good organization is crucial. Keep all notes, handouts, and assignments in your notebook. You will need these in order to prepare for unit tests and final exams.
Supply List: The following items are always needed and appreciated:
Tissue / Lotion / Hand sanitizer / Copy paper / Individually Wrapped Candy
Journals: We will write in journals often—all entries should be dated, labeled, and kept in order, and they should be written in blue or black ink. These will be graded near the end of the semester. Journals must remain in the classroom at all times. Journal entries, like quizzes and tests, should be made up before or after school and within 5 school days.
NOTE: Students should be aware of the teacher’s responsibility to discuss with a guidance counselor or administrator any writing (or other work) that indicates serious personal or legal problems.
Behavioral Expectations: Be present, prompt (in your seat when the bell rings), and prepared with ALL necessary materials for class. Students who enter class after the late bell will be marked tardy. Unless notified ahead of time, the book is required every day whether we happen to use it or not! Always be respectful, and listen carefully. Remain on task for the duration of the period (no sleeping). Do NOT interrupt instruction to ask to go anywhere. If a student is caught using a cell phone in class, it will be confiscated. The phone will be returned to a parent/guardian at the end of the school day or to the student after a 3-day waiting period. Students may listen to iPods while working on assignments independently; however, students may not listen to their iPods during instruction or while working with peers.
iPads: The iPad will serve as an educational tool in the classroom. It will not replace the textbook, nor will we use it for everything we do in class. The iPad should not be visible unless I have requested that you bring it out of your bag. Students should never use the iPad for personal use during instruction. Failure to follow teacher requests while using it will result in detentions, administrative referrals, and the loss of iPad privileges during class.
Tutoring: Tutoring is available by appointment. Please let me know at least 24 hours in advance so I can make arrangements.
Projects/Presentations: Students will be required to prepare and present several projects and will participate in a variety of creative activities that require group cooperation.
Grading Procedures: The final grade will be determined as follows:
40% essays, unit tests, projects, and other writing assignments
35% daily work, quizzes, journals, vocabulary, and grammar
15% final exam
10% participation
Make-up Work: If a student is absent and the absence is excused, it is his/her responsibility to schedule, complete, and submit all make-up work within 5 school days. However, if the absence is brief, the student may be required to make up missed work before the five days have elapsed, especially in the case of a quiz or test over material the student received prior to the absence. Students must be prepared to make up tests and quizzes the day they return to class. Missing a review day does not excuse a student from taking a scheduled quiz or test. All grades are entered as zeros until they are made up. If work is not completed within the requested period of time, the student receives a zero for the incomplete work. The five-day rule does not apply to long-standing due dates on assignments such as research papers, essays, projects, or outside reading requirements. In those cases, it is expected that the student will turn in the assignment on or before the due date. If work has been assigned prior to the student’s absence, s/he must submit the assignment the day s/he returns to class. It is the student’s responsibility to remember to turn it in. If a student misses class because s/he checks in or out of school on the day that an assignment is due, s/he should make sure that the assignment is turned in before leaving or after returning to school in order to avoid a late penalty. Assignments will be accepted up to three days after the due date for a late grade. Ten points will be deducted for each day that the assignment is missing. After three days have passed, the assignment will no longer be accepted.
Printing Out Papers: Assignments must be printed out PRIOR to the class period when an assignment is due. Students will NOT be allowed to print out papers during class time unless we are in the lab for that purpose. If you have difficulty with your printer at home or don’t have one, you should email me your assignment both as an attachment and as a cut and paste, or you should make arrangements to use a printer in the media center or elsewhere before school. Any assignment not printed out and ready to turn in at the beginning of the period will be considered late!