Course Syllabus

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Course English II

 

Description Description

English II builds on the skills addressed in English I. Students will study literature, informational texts, grammar, and research. Students will develop skills of literary analysis through the examination of literary techniques and elements. Students will develop their composition skills through the study of usage, mechanics, and documentation. Students will take the EOC exam. English II (or Honors English II) is required for graduation.

Instructor Instructor

Instructor: Haylee Anderson

Email: hayleeanderson@nixaschools.net

Phone: (417) 724-3643

Expectations Essential Skills

  1. Draw inferences (RL.1.A, RI.1.A)
  2. Find, introduce, and integrate evidence in 
    1. literary texts (RL.1.A)
    2. informational texts (RI.1.A)
  3. Determine the figurative and connotative meaning of words and their impact on the text (RL.1.B, RI.1.B)
  4. Analyze theme in literary texts (RL.1.D)
  5. Analyze author’s purpose in informational texts (RI.1.D)
  6. Analyze how word choice, including the use of figurative language, contributes to meaning and tone (RL.2.C)
  7. Analyze character motivation as it develops the theme (RL.2.D) 
  8. Evaluate author’s argument and assess whether the reasoning is valid (RI.2.D)
  9. Find and evaluate multiple sources for intended purpose and audience (W.1.A)
  10. Cite evidence using MLA format (W.1.A)
  11. Blend narrative, expository, and argumentative writing techniques (W.2.A)
  12. Follow a writing process to produce clear and coherent writing in which the organization, development, and style are appropriate (W.2.A):
    1. Statement of theme/purpose (topic sentence)
    2. Evidence/textual support (what)
    3. Analysis/elaboration (how/why) 

Policies Policies

Course Evaluation

Final letter grades will be based on the grading scale listed in the student handbook and are determined using weighted grades in the following categories:

1st Semester

2nd Semester

  5%  Practice

35%  Formative Assessments

50%  Summative Assessments

10%  Final Exam

5% Practice

35% Formative Assessments

40% Summative Assessments

10% EOC

10% Final Exam

 

Late Work Policy

25% late for Practice and Formative during the unit

50% late for Practice and Formative after the unit

5% per school day for Summative up to 25% off according to the following scale:



Days Late

Percentage of Earned Grade

1

95%

2

90%

3

85%

4

80%

5 or more

75%

 

All late work must be submitted ten days before the end of the semester.  

The English department does not offer extra credit.

 

Revisions and Re-Testing

When the English II team offers revisions on major writing assignments, the two grades will be averaged. When an alternate unit test is offered, the higher grade will be entered in the gradebook. Not all tests will have an alternate test.

 

Missed Classes

When a student is absent, it is his or her responsibility to get the missing work on the day he or she returns to class. It is also the student’s responsibility to see that make-up work is turned in on time. Students have one day for each day absent to complete missing work. Students should utilize Canvas to find out what happened in class on the day or days they are absent.  Each day's lesson and related materials are available via Canvas Modules.

 

If a student is absent on the due date for a long-term assignment (such as formal writings), he or she should email the assignment (if possible) or turn it in on the day the student returns to class. Failure to do so will result in a grade deduction as defined in the late work section. If a student misses class for a school activity, he or she is required to turn in any assignments before leaving for the activity. 

 

Students having over eight absences must provide medical or legal verification in order for the absence to be excused. Excused absences allow the student the opportunity to complete missed work for full credit. Unexcused absences will result in the student only receiving a maximum of half credit on any missed assignments, quizzes, or tests.  

 

2020-2021 Grade Policy Addendum

  1. If Nixa High School seated courses become virtual during this school year (for any length of time) the grading policies and procedures will remain as stated in this syllabus.
  2. Fall 2020 Final Exam Policy:  All students must take the final exam unless they can meet ALL of the following exemptions: 
    1. No ISS or OSS in any class/any reason (this triggers accepting final exam grades in all classes)
    2. All classwork/homework completed and turned in by teacher due date (per class)
    3. At least 80% grade at time of final (per class)
  3. Spring 2021 Final Exam Policy:  This policy will be communicated at a later date.

 

Originality

All work must be original to the semester it is assigned and written for this class. Co-written work as well as work adapted from other classes will be assigned a failing grade. Depending on the circumstances, the student may be referred for academic dishonesty.

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Academic integrity is an integral component of the English curriculum; therefore, writing instruction includes the appropriate way to use and document source material to avoid plagiarism. Students will follow MLA Handbook (8th edition) for format and citation of all papers. Students will submit assignments online as instructed.  

*Students must understand the importance of avoiding plagiarism, which includes the following:

  • using source information without sufficient and accurate citing (in-text documentation and on the Works Cited page)
  • failing to document information that is not common knowledge to the audience (all classmates)
  • submitting another person’s work or ideas as the student’s own work or ideas
  • copying, borrowing, re-typing, buying, or stealing information from another person or source
  • submitting previously graded work
  • submitting an assignment or portions of an assignment to more than one class

 

Students should always talk to their teacher if they have any questions about documentation or plagiarism. Additionally, if a student does not know if he or she needs to cite source information, he or she should always error on the side of documentation. Anyone who plagiarizes or is complicit in plagiarizing all or part of an assignment will be required to write a new essay on a different topic. The student must meet with the teacher to select a new topic, and the teacher will establish the due date. Refer to the “Academic Dishonesty” section of the student handbook for additional information. 

 

Cheating

Cheating (copying answers from a classmate and/or using outside resources to gain answers) will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating will receive a zero on that assignment/assessment. 

accommodations Accommodations

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.