A Letter from Ms. Plazola

Dear Parents,

                Welcome to the new school year at Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School. It is my pleasure to have                                                                   in my 10th grade English class. This school year we will cover different forms of literature in class, including short stories, novels, and plays, etc. Text selections will offer students a broad view of the events, people, and concepts that have shaped the world we live in today.

                In order to begin the school year successfully, please read the following course syllabus—outlined are class rules, course guidelines, and my expectations for each student. Should you or your child have any questions or concerns, please contact at me at the school (213) 765-2088, ext. 211 or via email at socorroplazola@yahoo.com. 

                Again, I look forward to working with you and your child this coming school year.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Socorro Plazola

English Teacher

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10th Grade English

 

Course Description

            This course is designed to provide a balanced language arts program that offers students with opportunities to interpret literature and make meaningful connections between the text and their own personal experiences, culture, or viewpoints. Class activities and assignments will be geared specifically to allow students to explore and interact with any literary piece via listening, thinking, speaking, and writing.

            The thematic framework provides students with an opportunity to use their skills as they explore new ideas and values from various perspectives, lifestyles, cultures, and attitudes.

 

Course Objectives

            During the semester, periodic “benchmark” assignments will be completed by each student to demonstrate his/her developing writing skills and reading comprehension. Each of the following learning experiences are designed so that each student may achieve proficiency for the CA Language Arts Content Standards measured on state assessments such as the Standard 9.

·         Benchmark #1: Persuasive Writing

·         Benchmark #2: Research Paper

·         Benchmark #3: Literary Analysis Essay

 

Instructional Activities

            Along with the above requirements, students will be expected to take notes, quizzes, tests, complete homework assignments which are always used as part of the following day’s class assignments, conduct presentations, and compile a portfolio of their work.

 

CA CONTENT STANDARDS: The following standards will be addressed in various assignments throughout the course.

Reading:

  • 1.1_Identify and use the literal and figurative meanings of words and understand word derivations.
  • 1.2_Distinguish between the denotative and connotative meanings of words and interpret the connotative power of words.
  • 2.2_Prepare a bibliography of reference materials for a report using a variety of consumer, workplace, and public documents.
  • 3.3._Determine character traits by what the characters say about themselves in narration, dialogue, dramatic monologue, and soliloquy.
  • 3.6_Analyze and trace an author’s development of time and sequence, including the use of complex literary devices.
  • 3.7_Recognize and understand the significance of various literary devices, including figurative language, imagery, allegory, and symbolism, and explain their appeal.
  • 3.10_ Identify and describe the function of dialogue, scene designs, soliloquies, asides, and character foils in dramatic literature.
  • 3.12_Analyze the way in which a work of literature is related to the themes and issues of its historical period. (historical approach)

 

Writing:

  • 1.1_ Establish a controlling impression or coherent thesis that conveys a clear and distinctive perspective on the subject and maintain a consistent tone and focus throughout the writing.
  • 1.2_Use precise language, action verbs, sensory details, appropriate modifiers, and the active rather than the passive voice.
  • 1.3_Use clear research questions and suitable research methods.
  • 1.4_Develop the main ideas within the body of the composition through supporting evidence (e.g. scenarios, commonly held beliefs, hypotheses, and definitions).
  • 1.6_Integrate quotations and citations into a written text while maintaining the flow of ideas.
  • 1.9_Revise writing to improve the logic and coherence of the organization and controlling perspective, the precision of word choice, and the tone by taking into consideration the audience, purpose, and formality of context.
  • 2.2-2.5_Write in various genres of literature: expository, analytical, persuasive, research reports, and business letters.

 

Listening and Speaking:

  • 1.3_Choose logical patterns of organization to inform and to persuade, by soliciting agreement or action, or to unite audiences behind a common belief or cause.
  • 1.4_Choose appropriate techniques for developing the introduction and conclusion.
  • 1.5_Recognize and use elements of classical speech forms in formulating rational arguments and applying the art of persuasion and debate.
  • 1.6_Present and advance a clear thesis statement and choose appropriate types of proof that meet standard tests for evidence, including credibility, validity, and relevance.
  • 1.7_Use props, visual aids, graphs, and electronic media to enhance the appeal and accuracy of presentations.
  • 1.9_Analyze the occasion and the interests of the audience and choose effective verbal and nonverbal techniques (e.g., voice, gestures, eye contact) for presentations.

Materials Needed

  • 1-2” Three Ring Binder (hard cover)
  • Spiral Notebook (for journals/notes)
  • Thesaurus and Dictionary---You WILL USE them, so GET them!!!
  • Highlighters
  • Pens/Pencils/Paper—Have at least 1 colored pen for corrections. Bring PLENTY of paper!
  • Post-its or index cards

 

Writing Assignments

  • All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Have them out and ready to be checked!!!
  • All papers must have a proper heading, be clean, and not be covered in graffiti or doodling.
  • Please write clearly—cursive or printing is fine. If I can’t read it, I won’t grade it.
  • Keep your work together—staple, paperclip, or write your name and period on all papers.
  • Use blue or black ink only!!! 
  • Do not use slang in your work, unless I o.k. it for the assignment.
  • ALWAYS check your work before you submit it. Check that it is complete and has clean spelling and grammar.

 

Policies and Procedures

  • Tardies: See school policy. Be in your seat or you are late. I will assign detention or call parents if tardies become a problem.
  • Detention: Detention may be held in my class after school once parents have been notified. Extra assignments may be given.
  • Late work: Will be accepted one day late, but will lose 10% of its value. So a “B” paper turned in late, will be given a “C.”
  • Extra Credit: Will be given to students with a “D” or “F” at teacher’s discretion. Parents will be notified.

 

Behavior

  1. Show respect to your classmates, and expect to get it back.
  2. Do not interrupt the teacher or a student while they are speaking.
  3. Do not bring food to class. Water bottles are o.k.
  4. Keep your desk areas clean. Pick up your trash.
  5. Cellphones and pagers MUST be turned off or put on vibrate. Ipods and Discmans MUST be out of sight. If I see it, I take it. Confiscated items will only be returned to the parent, who will be notified by me.
  6. Profanity and harassment of any kind WILL NOT be tolerated.

 

Grading Policy

Grades are based on a 4 pt. scale (or multiples of 4), unless I announce differently.

4=A, 3=B, 2=C, 1=D, 0=F

Class breakdown:

 

Class participation (homework, classwork, reading assignments, journals, etc.)

30%

Presentations

10%

Major writing assignments

30%

 Tests/Quizzes/Final Exam

30%

                                                                                 100%

 

 

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RECORD OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

 

Dear Students and Parents:

 

Please sign below and return this portion of the course syllabus to the teacher acknowledging that you have reviewed the syllabus and are aware of the English Department’s policies, as well as my own classroom guidelines.

 

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Estimados estudiantes y padres:

 

Por favor firme y regrese esta porcion a la maestra como reconocimiento que ud. entiende y esta de acuerdo con las reglas y la informacion sobre las polizas del departamento de ingles, incluyenda las reglas de esta clase.

 

 

I, ___________________________________, have read and understand the class guidelines.

Yo,      Student name/Nombre del estudiante                  he leido y entiendo las polizas de esta clase.

 

               

_______________________________________      __________________

Student Signature                                                                                               Date

 

_______________________________________      __________________

Parent Signature                                                                                                 Date