2005-2006 Curriculum Paper

Stanton College Preparatory School
Pre-Advanced Placement English I Curriculum Paper for 2005-2006
Mr. Larry J. Knight, Jr.

Course Description

Pre-Advanced Placement English I places emphasis on reading comprehension, literary analysis, and writing production as processes. Vocabulary development, the use of study/reference skills, and oral communication are integrated into the curriculum. Each quarter will focus on literary analysis of one or two genres of literature, both through written analysis and oral presentation. Each quarter will also include the study of SAT vocabulary words and a grammar and mechanics focus. Standards for the course will be given to students during the first week of school in August. Students will follow a pacing guide reflective of ninth grade Pre-AP standards. At the end of each quarter, students will take a common comprehensive exam. Each of these exams will include vocabulary, literary terms and devices, reading comprehension and analysis, proofreading for grammar and mechanics, and questions pertaining to specific works designated during that quarter. Students will receive progress reports at each mid-quarter week and be required to have the document signed and returned to class.

Course Format

This course is a one-credit course that meets every other day for the entire school year.

Course Curriculum Outline*

Quarter 1 (August 8-October 10):
The Short Story (Reading and analysis of various prose works)
Vocabulary Lists #1-6
Introduction to literary devices and the analysis of fiction
Introduction to the literary analysis essay form and writing process
Introduction to the annotation process
Introduction to grammar and mechanics lessons

Quarter 2 (October 11-December 16):
Nonfiction (Reading and analysis of Elie Weisel’s Night)
Vocabulary Lists #7-11
Continued development of literary analysis essay writing skills
Continued development of annotation skills
Introduction to rhetorical devices and the analysis of non-fiction
The analysis of non-fiction works in preparation for FCAT
Continued development of grammar and mechanics skills
Preparation for Semester (Quarters 1 & 2) Examination

Quarter 3 (January 4-March 13):
Novel Study (Reading and analysis of John Knowles’ A Separate Peace)
Poetry (Reading and analysis of various poetic works)
Vocabulary Lists # 12-15
Continued development of literary analysis essay writing skills
Introduction to poetic devices and the analysis of poetry
Study of various poetic structures (i.e. sonnets, haikus, free verse, etc.)
Introduction to the poetry explication process
Introduction to the process of writing and presenting/reading poetry
Continued development of grammar and mechanics skills

Quarter 4 (March 14-May 25):
Drama (Reading and analysis of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet)
Vocabulary Lists #16-19
Continued development of literary analysis essay writing skills
Introduction to dramatic devices and the analysis of drama
Introduction and study of William Shakespeare
Introduction to and study of Elizabethean Language
Continued development of grammar and mechanics skills
Preparation for Semester (Quarters 3 & 4) Examination

*NOTE: This outline may be modified throughout the school year. Students are urged to listen for changes as they occur, for they will be held responsible for them.

Course Objectives

Students will cover the analysis and evaluation of literature representative of short stories, poetry, novels, and plays.

Students will participate in the production of essays that represent the standard conventions of English and serve as an outlet for both self-expression and creativity.

Students will read at least 25 books, according to county guidelines before the completion of the school year.

Students will expand their vocabulary, analogy and critical thinking skills through the completion of projects and worksheets.

Students will review the conventions of grammar by studying its inclusion in essays, short stories, novels, and other forms of writing.

Students will recognize the universality of the human experience through literature and the building of self-discipline necessary for productive scholarship.

Course Text and supplemental materials

Glencoe Literature The Reader’s Choice (published by Glencoe McGraw-Hill) textbook used throughout the course. This book MUST be covered at all times and appropriately labeled with the student’s name and class period. Students will use other books found in the classroom as well as in the media center. Writer’s Craft (published by Glencoe McGraw-Hill) will be the in-class text to be used for grammar and mechanics focus. In addition, students are encouraged to bring reading appropriate reading materials such as novels, poetry anthologies, and collections of drama to class DAILY. Students will need to obtain a personal copy of Night by Elie Weisel for second quarter study and A Separate Peace by John Knowles for third quarter study.

Course Supplies

Standard 3-Ring Binder to be used for English only
Standard white notebook paper
Composition Notebook Journal
Pens (blue/black/red) (gel pens are not allowed)
Standard wooden number 2 pencils with good erasers or mechanical pencils with ample supply of lead
Standard sized Post-It-Notes (colors may vary)
3x5 note cards
Dictionary and Thesaurus*

*NOTE: This is a REQUIREMENT…students will lose points if they fail to bring them to class DAILY.

Homework/Assignment/Major Projects Policy

Students will complete a group discussion project each nine weeks on the literature that we are studying at that time. During the first quarter short stories will be the focus; during the second quarter the project will focus on Night, A Separate Peace and poetry will be the topics of individual third quarter projects, and Romeo and Juliet will be the topic of the fourth quarter project. Students should expect to read selected works in the text, complete homework assignments, and study for tests and/or quizzes each night. In addition, major writing projects will be assigned as well. All work is to be completed independently, unless otherwise stated (see section on ACADEMIC INTEGRITY).

*NOTE: Homework and upcoming assignment, test and essay due dates will be posted in the classroom daily. Students are urged to copy this information as they will be held responsible for it.

Writing Policy

Students in all grades will produce a minimum of four writing assignments each quarter. The minimum word count per quarter at the 9th grade level is 1,000 words. At least three quarters of this minimum writing will be literary analysis and receive substantive subjective and objective teacher feedback. Space will be provided in class for the essays to be kept.

Course Evaluation

Student mastery of the course will be measured using a total points system. This system is used to calculate a percentage by dividing the total points earned by the total points possible. Students’ grades will be based upon their performance on in-class assignments, projects, tests, quizzes, and in-class participation. Grade logs will be distributed and students/parents will be responsible for keeping them current. The adopted Duval County standard grading scale will be used.

Attendance Policy

Students are allowed the four absences per grading period prescribed by the District attendance policy. If a student misses five or more days during a given grading period, he/she will be required to take the mastery test in order to pass the course for the quarter in question. The mastery test involves a comprehensive testing of the student’s knowledge of ALL of the material covered during the grading quarter in question. Failure to complete the mastery test will result in failure of the quarter during which the absences occurred. Once a student has missed seven days during a grading period, a second mastery test will be administered, again covering material covered in the grading quarter. If a student is absent nine days in a grading period, a third mastery test will be administered. The progression will continue for eleven, thirteen, fifteen days, etc. Failure to complete ALL required mastery assignments will result in a failing grade for that grading period.

All tardies will be handled through the school’s attendance office. A GRADE OF ZERO (0) WILL BE ISSUED ON ANY WORK TO BE SUBMITTED IF TARDY IS UNEXCUSED.

Make-Up Policy

Students must provide excused re-admit upon their return to class and will be responsible for making up missed assignments in a timely manner. According to District/school policy, students have the same number of days missed to make up missed work. Once that time period has expired, students will not be able to turn in the work and will receive a failing grade for the assignment(s). UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ANY UNEXCUSED LATE WORK BE COLLECTED.

Stanton Academic Integrity Program

Statement to the student body from the Honor Review Board:

1. Cheating is not gamesmanship; it is unethical.
2. Because the cheating of one individual can affect others as well, a student’s cheating behavior becomes the concern of more than one person.
3. In addition to adhering to the verbal and written instructions given to students regarding cheating, students should simply exercise common sense when making choices about any academic behavior. All students should avoid the appearance of impropriety when it comes to their integrity and honesty.

Descriptions of behaviors that will be judged as cheating:

1. The providing of advanced information regarding a quiz, test, or any other assignment/project where providing advanced information to the students is inappropriate.
2. The reading, making notes from, or copying of another student’s answers.
3. The possession of test questions or any other prohibited material.
4. The use of a source not credited in the appropriate and accepted fashion (This is called plagiarism. Please see handout for detailed description with examples. Students and parents are held responsible for this information.).
5. DOUBLE SUBMISSION OF ANY ESSAY MATERIAL WILL BE CONSIDERED CHEATING.
6. The turning in of another student’s work.
7. Looking at another student’s paper during a quiz or test.
8. The use of “cheat notes” during a quiz or test.

*NOTE: The teacher’s judgment is FINAL. This does not mean that the teacher cannot change that judgment later, but that there will be no debate between teacher and student about student’s behavior.

The teacher will define the term “prohibited material.” Another teacher may not allow what one teacher allows. Students need to communicate with their teachers and know what the boundaries are in each class.

Consequences as school policy:

1. The student(s) involved in the incident will receive NO CREDIT (0) on the assignment in question.
2. The teacher will write an Integrity Referral to be filed in the Student Services Office. A copy of the referral will be sent to the student’s home and the parents will be contacted.
3. The teacher is at liberty to determine any additional consequences.

Teacher Contact Information

Voicemail: 143
Email: knightl1@educationcentral.org
Help Session: Appointment only (After-school @ 3:30 PM)
Parent/Teacher Conference Opportunities: Monday-Friday, 2:00 PM (A days) 12:00 PM (B days)
Contact Guidance office for appt. @630-6760 x 115

*NOTE TO PARENTS: This document was sent home. It requires your signature and must be returned to school. You may however, make a copy for your personal records.