English 10 Syllabus 2003-2004
Instructor: Mr. Jeremy VanDerVliet
(802) 265-4966 ext. 253
Course: English
10 & English 10 Honors
Time: periods 3, 4, & 8
Place: Room 6
Objectives: This course is comprised of six sections. Each section will last approximately six weeks. The sections are: A unit on short stories, The Oedipus Cycle by Sophocles, Wiesel’s Night, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Assorted Poetry, and Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Materials: Students will need to bring the following to class each day: his/her Writer’s Inc. book, the current novel (covered), a three-inch three-ring binder with dividers and college rule paper, and a writing utensil (pencil and black pen).
I prefer all work to be typed or written double-spaced in black pen.
The front office or the English Department provides supplies upon request
to any student in financial need.
Instruction: 1) To earn a “C” in this course, simply do what is asked and what is expected. To earn a “B,” go one step beyond what others may think of. To earn an “A,” be excellent.
2) I will keep my lectures short and to the point.
3) I will strive to keep you interested by using the Internet, the library, television, radio, CDs, magazines, newspapers, field trip opportunities, guest speakers, and relevant movies.
4) I will teach you skills that will help you in the “real world.”
5) I will respect you, and I expect the same courtesy.
Assessment: 10% Short Stories
10% Poetry (optional)
10% Oedipus
10% Midterm Exam
10% Night
10% TKM
10% Hamlet
10% Final Exam
Quizzes, Tests, Debates, Impromptu Speeches, Essays, Projects, Homework, Formal and Informal Writing, and Vocabulary will all help determine the grade for each of the six sections (A unit on short stories, The Oedipus Cycle by Sophocles, Wiesel’s Night, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Assorted Poetry, and Shakespeare’s Hamlet).
The Portfolio Assessment will be based on maintaining an organized and complete portfolio which showcases all work for the 36-week course. After Midterms, students may empty their notebooks and start fresh--I suggest that all work be kept for future reference.
The Midterm Exam will cover all work from the fist half of the year.
The Final Exam will cover everything from the second half of the year.
Website: I offer a unique tool. Nearly all of my course materials can be found online through the school Website or by going to www.oocities.org/vandervlietj. There is a chronological list of all projects, notes, study guides, and even some quizzes for each unit of study. Every student has access to this tool. At the start of each year, students and parents are required to fill out an “Acceptable Use Policy” for computers and the Internet. This privilege can be revoked. Beware.
Academic Honesty: Cheating, plagiarism, violation of test conditions, complicity in dishonest behavior, or other falsification of academic work will result in a failing grade for the assignment. All resources that are used need to be adequately cited and documented in MLA format. Depending on the severity of the infraction, other actions may be taken. To simplify, if you borrow words or ideas from anyone or anything, give credit where credit is due.
Makeup Policy: Any student who has an excused absence may have two days in which to make up work. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for work and to schedule makeup tests. If you are suspended, you may hand in work for half credit. Otherwise, I do not appreciate late work. I will only accept late work if it is completed in the Learning Lab, during the After School Success Program, or in an English Lab. Late work is only worth partial credit.
Inclusion: If any student has a documented disability or a special circumstance, please consult privately with the teacher. Special services will be arranged and accommodations made to better suit the learner. Any student may request more time for any assignment if request is made prior to when the assignment is due. Tutoring and the Learning Lab are also available.
This course is based upon Vermont’s Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities which can be viewed at: http://www.state.vt.us/educ/new/html/pubs/framework.html
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.18, 1.19, 1.20, 1.23, 2.1, 2.2, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.14, 3.1, 3.3, 3.7, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.13, 3.15, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17, 5.18, 6.9, & 6.12