Mr. Hudson’s Neighborhood

Honors English II Syllabus
Mr. Hudson
2009-2010

I. Classroom Policy
A. Participation is required
B. Objectives and assignments will be written on the board each day. You are responsible for recording this information and completing the assignments on time.
C. Obtaining and completing make-up work is YOUR responsibility. There will be a binder in a designated area that will keep a record of everything covered in class on a particular day. If you are absent, you need to consult the notebook to see what you have missed. Copies of any handouts given will be placed in the notebook as well. In accordance with county policy you will have one day per each day absent to make up any in-class or homework assignments. when you return from an absence. Missed quizzes and tests will need to be made up on the day you return. Class time will not be used for make-up work. If you cannot make something up the day you return you MUST make arrangements with us to make it up or it will be counted as zero. You will need to schedule a time before or after school on the day you return to make up missed quizzes/ tests. Any make-up work not turned in on time will be recorded as a zero…NO EXCEPTIONS!
D. You will be responsible for reading both in and out of the classroom. Short, unannounced check quizzes may be given to make sure you are completing the assigned reading. If you do not do the assigned reading, you will not pass.
E. Each day when you come in, you will be responsible for recording and correcting daily language practice sentences in your notebooks. This will make-up 15% of your overall six weeks grade.
F. You will be responsible for several vocabulary units each nine weeks. We will have a vocabulary quiz over each unit.
G. You will be responsible for keeping a notebook with all notes, vocabulary, and writing. You need to bring your notebook to class EVERY DAY. It will be checked once or twice every nine weeks for 5% of your grade.
H. Students will be assigned and work from the following texts:
a. HRW Elements of Literature, Fourth Course
b. HRW Elements of Language (Grammar textbook and workbook)
In addition to these texts, you will be asked to purchase three novels per semester and a vocabulary workbook. I will let you know in advance when you need to buy a novel.
I. As part of this course, you will be participating in a weekly blogging activity. More information on this will come later.

II. Needed Materials
1. Three-ring binder
2. Paper
3. Writing utensils (pencils and pens—blue or black ink only)
**You will be notified if additional supplies are needed**

III. Grading Policy
Homework/Classwork: 15%
DLP 5%
Quizzes 25%
Tests 30%
Notebook: 5%
Writing 20%

IV. English Notebook Requirements
Maintaining an organized notebook is necessary if you want to succeed in this class. All notes that you take in class, handouts you are given, and other such materials should be kept in your notebook and filed in an organized manner. I would suggest dividing a binder into the following sections: DLP, Writing, Reading, and Gateway. Notes and handouts should be placed in the proper sections for easier access later. In addition, this syllabus should be kept in your notebook at all times. I will be conducting two or three random notebook checks throughout each nine weeks. These checks will count as 5% of your overall nine weeks grade.

VI. Classroom Rules
High school students should know how to conduct themselves in a classroom. If you would like to be treated as adults, you must behave like adults. All school rules apply. As a matter of common courtesy, please observe these few additional rules:

1. Be Prompt: Be in your assigned seat and ready to begin when the bell rings. (Not running through the door as the bell is ringing—this will be considered a tardy). Tardiness will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.

2. Be Prepared: Bring all needed materials with you to class (Books, paper, writing utensils). Have all pencils already sharpened. GO TO THE RESTROOM BEFORE CLASS!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!! Coming to class unprepared will result in disciplinary action.

3. Be Productive: Expect a full class period of work.
Class time will not be used for personal matters (i.e. work from another class, personal grooming, etc.). Complete all assignments on time, including make-up work. Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. You will be given an automatic zero with no make-up allowed.

4. Be polite:
Show respect for others and their property
Show respect for school property
No food or drinks allowed in my classroom. This includes gum and candy!
Please pick up after yourself. Place all trash in the trash can, not in the floor around your desk.
No rude or disrespectful language will be tolerated
If you have a question or comment, raise your hand and wait to be called on.
No talking during announcements, when another student is talking, when the teacher is talking, or at other inappropriate times.

VII. Consequences
As with anything else in life, your actions must have consequences. Likewise, your behavior in this class will also have consequences. If you choose to continually break our stated classroom rules, the consequences will be as follows:

First Offense: Warning
Second Offense: Writing assignment
Third Offense: Call to parents
Fourth Offense and after: Discipline Referral will be sent to administrator

In addition to our classroom consequences, your behavior in this class will be reflected in your nine-weeks conduct grade. Your conduct grade will be determined as follows:

Zero classroom incidents = Excellent
One or two classroom incidents = Satisfactory
Three classroom incidents= Needs Improvement
Four or more classroom incidents = Unsatisfactory

A Disciplinary Referral (i.e. you are sent to the office) will result in an automatic Unsatisfactory conduct grade for the nine weeks.

Your behavior could also have positive consequences including:
1. work posted in classroom
2. letter of praise or call of praise to parents
3. other rewards

I have only the highest of expectations for all students. I have complete confidence and trust in each of you. I am looking forward to an outstanding year together. Let’s work together to make this the best year possible

VIII. Tentative Course Outline
**Additional reading assignments both in and out of the classroom may be given as time permits. In addition, the novels for the second semester may change, so I wouldn’t recommend buying them until the second semester**

Semester One:
Reading:
Short Stories
Nonfiction
1984
Night
Of Mice and Men (Independent Reading)
Allusions Project

Grammar:
Parts of speech
Parts of/Types of Sentences
Usage of verbs and pronouns
Phrases Clauses
Vocabulary

Writing:
Five Stages of the Writing Process
Paragraph Construction
Creative
Narrative
Persuasive
Literary Analysis

Semester Two:
Reading:
Drama
Poetry
Poetry Project
Twelve Angry Men
Julius Caesar
Fahrenheit 451 (Independent)
Selections from the King Arthur legends
An additional novel may be required, time permitting

Grammar:
Usage Problems
Sentence Combining

Writing:
Research Paper
Persuasive
Literary Analysis

Gateway Review