CP+10+Syllabus

Mrs. C. Ruoss 44 Big Spring Road c_ruoss@conradweiser.org Robesonia, PA 19551 Voice Mail: 610-693-8599, Ext. 6664 610-693-8521 cruoss.wikispaces.com
 * English-College Prep-10 ** Conrad Weiser High School


 * __Course Description: __** This academic English course stresses the comprehension and appreciation of reading short stories, modern plays, Shakespeare, and novels. Writing will concentrate on development techniques, literary analysis, and personal writing. A research paper and the skills needed to produce a comprehension research analysis will be included. The vocabulary, grammar, and public speaking aspects of this course are aimed at improving oral and written expression.

The following items will be the basis for assessment and grading this course.
 * __Class Assignments __**
 * 1) Independent Reading Response Essays – one per marking period
 * 2) Writing Assignments, including MLA Research Paper
 * 3) Vocabulary and Grammar Study and Tests
 * 4) Literature Unit quizzes and tests and writing projects
 * 5) Individual and group projects and presentations

//Literature and the Language Arts: Understanding Literature //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> (English 10 anthology) //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Of Mice and Men //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> by John Steinbeck //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Night //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> by Elie Wiesel //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Flowers for Algernon //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> by Daniel Keyes //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Harrison Bergeron //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Merchant of Venice //<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> by William Shakespeare
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Text and Material Provided __**

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Students should have these necessary materials for English 10:
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Additional Materials Required __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Three ring binder for class notes and handouts
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Loose notebook paper for class assignments
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Blue or black ink pens and pencils
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Highly recommended: Flash drive or other external storage device to save writing assignments.


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Semester Grading: __**<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> Each marking period grade will contribute to 30% of your overall semester grade with the final exam being worth 10%. Check for frequent grade updates on Skyward, Conrad Weiser’s on-line grade system.


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Course Assignment Grading and Deadlines __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Late work will not be accepted. Assignments are due on the due date at the beginning of class. If you are absent, they are due the day you return to school. If you have not received the assignment, due to your absence, arrangements should be made with the teacher for a revised due date. Special exceptions will be made, but only if they are pre-arranged with the teacher. **

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Students should come prepared for class with necessary materials for the day’s work. You must bring your class notebook EVERY DAY, along with a pen and/or pencil. Literature, writing, grammar, and vocabulary lessons may occur on any day. In addition, special work days are as follows:
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Schedule of Daily Activities __**


 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Silent reading: Bring **a self-selected book** to read.

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">All students are expected to contribute positively to the classroom learning environment. Students should make wise choices and demonstrate honesty, respect and a high level of personal responsibility in the classroom.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Classroom Behavior __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Be in your seat and ready for class when the bell rings.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Always have a pencil or pen. We will do some form of writing every day.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">You are expected to be attentive to all class instruction until the bell rings at the end of class. All students will remain in their seats until the bell rings to signal the end of class.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Any student displaying disruptive or disrespectful behavior in the classroom will receive consequences. Repeated offenses will result in an office referral.

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">No attempts to plagiarize work in course assignments will be tolerated. Plagiarism can be classified as: <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">1) Copying word for word from another source without proper credit. <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">2) Paraphrasing ideas from another source without proper credit. <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">3) Submitting in whole, or in part, a paper written by another student, or a paper written as an assignment for another course. <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">4) Allowing someone else to copy your essay, assignment or test answers.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Plagiarism __**

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">A student/teacher conference will be conducted to determine willful acts of plagiarism. Willful acts of plagiarism will receive a “zero” on the assignment. <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Most writing assignmentsshould be typed in Times Roman, 12 point font and be double spaced, unless otherwise noted by the teacher. The following heading should be used in the top corner of your paper:
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Writing Assignments __**


 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Your Name **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Mrs. Ruoss **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">English CP 10 **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Date Submitted **

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">If you are unable to print your work at home, please email the assignment to Mrs. Ruoss, c_ruoss@conradweiser.org. I will print it for you! **__<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">INDEPENDENT READING __** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Reading Response Essay
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Reading __**

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, thirty (30) minutes will be set aside for sustained silent reading. Students are required to bring a reading book to class on these days. Time to exchange books, in the library, will also be provided on these days, as necessary. You are encouraged to read challenging books that will prepare you for College level reading. Take notes, as you read. This will be helpful to recall events and important points that will contribute to your essay.


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Essay __****<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> (100 points each) **

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Students will be required to write a five paragraph essay (minimum) related to their independent reading book. The essay SHOULD NOT be a summary of the book. Three essays will be written during the semester (one per marking period) on three different books.

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">The essay should identify a single idea. You will introduce the idea, develop it in your essay and make a conclusion about the idea. You may consider the following:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">What is the theme or central, underlying idea within the work? How is it stated throughout the book? Develop with examples.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">How is point of view established? What is the advantage to the author’s chosen point of view? Does the point of view limit or enhance the novel’s plot? Explain.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">How does the setting contribute to the novel’s central theme? How does the author establish and describe the setting of the novel? Is it essential or could the story have happened elsewhere? If so, where? Describe another place your novel could have taken place.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">What is the novel’s central purpose? What is it trying to do? How fully did it achieve its purpose? How significant is its purpose?
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Write two newspaper articles, published at the time of your novel, detailing a major event or major conflict in your book. Include details from the plot to develop an understanding of the event. Fully develop your news article including the who, what, when, where and why of the news.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Change one of the characters. Explain how and why you would change one of the characters of your book. Develop the character’s qualities and how they might change the course of the novel.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Modernize the story. Where would it take place? How would the characters actions change? How would the change in time affect the plot?
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Identify at least three changes you would make to the book. Explain your reasons.
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Compare the plot elements of this novel with another book by the same author or another similar novel you may have read.
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">If the novel had a villain, explore the nature of his/her evil. What caused him/her to act in this manner? Was his/her action(s) justified? How might this villain be different?
 * 11) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Write another part of the story. Convey what you think happened before the story began or what happened to the main character after the story ended.
 * 12) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Explain how you would make your book into a movie – Who would play the main character? Where would you film it? What types of songs/music would be on the soundtrack, etc.? You must explain and justify your choices.
 * 13) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Explore some of the literary devices the author utilizes like foreshadowing, irony, symbolism. Are they effective? Why or why not?
 * 14) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Argue for or against the ending of your novel. Is it appropriate? How would you have changed it and why?
 * 15) <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Historical Fiction – Choose at least three historical references in your book and research whether or not the event or situation is grounded in fact. Was the historical reference accurate and did the event actually take place?
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Essay Criteria __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Minimum of 5 paragraphs (1 to 1-1/2 pages)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Introduction that includes a paraphrase of the option you chose, along with a clear thesis statement __or__ purpose for your essay.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">The title and author of your book in the essay title or introductory paragraph. Remember that book titles are underlined or in italics.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Three body paragraphs that provide three separate ideas to support your thesis. Each idea should include three examples or details from the story.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">A conclusion that highlights what you have said in your essay.

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">

**__<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">WRITING RUBRIC __** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Independent Reading Response Essay <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">PA Writing Assessment Domain Scoring <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Exceeds the standard |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Sharp, distinct controlling point made about a single topic with evident awareness of the task. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Specific, substantial, and/or illustrative content demonstrating strong development and sophisticated ideas. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Sophisticated arrangement of content with evident and/or subtle transitions. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Precise use of a variety of words and sentence structures to create consistent writer’s voice and tone appropriate to audience. || <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Evident control with few errors and sophisticated use of conventions. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Meets the standard |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Apparent point made with sufficient awareness of the task. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Sufficiently developed content. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Functional arrangement of content that sustains a logical order. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Functional use of a variety of words or sentence structures. || <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Sufficient control of grammar, mechanics, usage and sentence formation. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Below the standard |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Evidence of a single controlling topic, but with no apparent point |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Limited content with inadequate elaboration or explanation. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Confused or inconsistent arrangement or content with or without attempts at transition. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Generic word choice and limited control of sentence structures that inhibit voice and tone. || <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Weaknesses are obvious. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Little evidence of standard |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Minimal evidence of controlling topic. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Superficial and/or significantly limited content. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Minimal control of content and arrangement. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Minimal variety in word choice and minimal control of sentence structures. || <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Significant weaknesses in control of grammar, mechanics, usage and sentence formation. || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: right;">Student Name _
 * |||| <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Focus |||| <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Content  |||| <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Organization  || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Style  || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Conventions  ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Definition |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">A single controlling point made with an awareness of the task about a specific topic. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">The presence and development of facts, examples, anecdotes, details, opinions, statistics, reasons, explanations, and/or ideas. |||| <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">The order developed and sustained within and across paragraphs using transitional devices and including introduction and conclusion. || <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">The choice, use, and arrangement of words and sentence structures that create tone and voice. || <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">The use of grammar, mechanics, usage, and sentence formation. ||
 * |||| <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Focus |||| <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Content  |||| <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Organization  |||| <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Style  || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Conventions  ||
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; text-align: center;">Criteria ||||   ||||   ||||   ||||   ||   ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">4 **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">3 **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">2 **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">1 **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">ACKNOWLEDGMENT **

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Student

__<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">I have received and read Mrs. Ruoss' English-College Prep-10 Course Expectations. __

__<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Signature _____ Date__ _

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Email _

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Check all that apply: <span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> I have access to a computer at home to type English assignments.

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> I have an internet connection at home.

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Other

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Parent/Guardian

__<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">I am aware that my child received a copy of Mrs. Ruoss’ English-College Prep-10 Course Expectations, and have also reviewed the information. __

__<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Signature _____ Date__ _

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">In the event that a contact needs to be made regarding your child, please provide an email address and phone number where you would prefer me to leave messages/information.

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Email:

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';">Phone Number:

<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style','serif';"> Circle One:Cell Home Work