2010/2011 Syllabus

Mr. Mikesell
Rm. 128 / English II (on-level and pre-AP)
cmikesell@dallasisd.org
http://mikesell128.blogspot.com
Tutorial hours: Mon. & Thurs. 4:05–4:30p
Mornings by appointment

SYLLABUS
“Life is short. Learn hard.”

Course Outline
Through this course students will continue to develop higher-order thinking skills through the analysis, evaluation, and critique of literature. This course is also designed to lay and/or build upon the foundation for students as they take advanced levels of English. Students will learn from set objectives established for them to be successful in exams, in other classes, and in life.

Class Norms

• Be Respectful


• Be Prepared


• Be Accountable


• Be Self-Monitoring


• Do Your Best


• (Campus/district policies will be observed also)

Homework
Homework will be assigned regularly. It will usually be due before the tardy bell rings two days after the assignment. Homework will not be accepted the same period that it is assigned. Classwork not finished in class will be treated as homework, with the same deadlines/penalties.

Late Work
Students who have not turned in homework within the first 5 minutes of class the day it is due will be assigned to the after-school Patriot Academy. Work turned in within two days of the due date will be accepted with a 15% grade reduction. Each week an assignment is late will result in an extra 25% reduction in grade.

Classroom Entry Procedure
To make entry into the classroom as smooth as possible, please make sure you’re observing dress code policies. Do not block the door tucking in your shirt, adjusting your ID badge, etc. Once you’ve entered the room, please get your journal. Find your desk and begin the bellringer exercise. Pencils should be sharpened before the tardy bell rings.

Spelling / Vocabulary /
Grammar / Punctuation
All are important, and students are expected to turn in assignments with proper care taken in each of these areas.

Notes and Keeper Sheets
Take notes (we will review the Cornell system in the first semester). You will also be provided with “Keeper” sheets reviewing the basics of key areas we’ll be studying. Keep them all handy. Use them for studying.

Classroom Supplies
Bring these to class every day:

• A 3-ring binder, at least an inch thick


• 5 dividers for the binder (see section on English Binder)


• 2 2-pocket portfolios


• Filler paper (loose-leaf notebook paper)


• Blue or black pens, pencils, highlighters


• A great attitude

Dishonesty
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. At a minimum zeroes will be recorded in the grade book for either offense, for all parties involved in the cheating or copying. Additional consequences may apply.

Consequences
1st Offense: warning
2nd Offense: hallway “conference”
3rd Offense: call to parent
4th Offense: administrative referral
(Fighting, drug- and gang-related activity will result in immediate administrative/security involvement)

Grading Scale (district standard)

• 20% Classwork


• 20% Homework


• 20% Projects


• 25% Tests


• 15% Six-weeks Exam

Major Texts

• Mythology**


• Antigone*


• How to Read Literature Like a Professor**


• Lord of the Flies**


• The Pearl**


• A Christmas Carol**


• Othello**


• Julius Caesar


• Animal Farm*


• Fahrenheit 451**

*On-level class only, subject to change
**Pre-AP class only

Essays
Writing is an integral part of this course. We will spend time reviewing and learning good grammar usage, style, and voice in class, but for many students class time is not enough. If this is the case for you, attending tutoring will help. The essay can “make or break” your TAKS score as well as your 6-weeks grade. Pre-AP students will be responsible for completing at least one Independent Writing Assignment (IWA) per six-weeks.

Leaving the Classroom
Permission to leave the classroom once the tardy bell has rung will be granted in emergency situations. Please monitor your liquid intake: only one restroom pass per student will be granted each month. Student must have student planner in order to receive restroom pass.

TJ Battle Book
This year, TJHS will provide each student with a binder. This will be your “Battle Book.” It is required that you bring it to school EVERY day, as your 5th period teacher will be checking it. It will have 8 dividers, one for each period of the day. Under the English tab, the following must ALWAYS be present:

1. Syllabus for this class (this sheet)


2. Assignment sheet
   (which you must maintain)


3. Personal Dictionary

English Binder
In addition to your Battle Book, you must have a 1-inch English binder (color does not matter), which only contains material from this class. You must have this binder EVERY day, because you will use it EVERY day.

1. You will need to have 5 dividers:


1. Notes/ Handouts


2. Graded CW/ HW


3. Tests/ Quizzes


4. Literary Terms Dictionary


5. Extra Paper


2. Up to two binder grades will be taken every 6-weeks, which will count as project grades.

You CANNOT leave your binder in this classroom. Not only is it a tool to help you study, but in the past, theft/vandalism has been a problem.