Course Syllabus

English II- Spring 2021 (Page with Immersive Reader)

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself is changed, but that our power to do is increased.”’ –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Instructor: Ms. Deby Jizi Email: debrajizi@fcschools.net

Classroom: Room 620 Phone: 919-494-2332, extension 287

Tutoring: By appointment Planning Period: 4th, 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. 

Welcome to English II. I am looking forward to working with you this semester. This syllabus is a guide to what we will be doing for the next two quarters. The course will be a journey of self-discovery through literature and writing. We will utilize the NC Common Core Standards as an outline to accomplish this goal. In the end, through the practice of reading, writing, thinking, listening, and speaking, students will develop proficiency in these important life skills. The course ends with a state-mandated End-of-Course English II exam (EOC). 

 

Materials and Supplies: 

These are required each day for class. 

  • Access to Canvas
  • Charged Chromebook
  • Internet access

 

Course Description:

English II is a world literature course designed to familiarize students with both classical and contemporary writings from around the globe. It will include a variety of selected world literature to which students will respond, both orally and in writing. The writing component of the course is based upon the inquiry process, requiring students to ask questions, seek answers, and write about their findings. This will include developing research, critical thinking, and writing skills. Grammar and mechanics will be taught and emphasized through the students’ writing for an audience. 

Goals for this Course:

  1. Explore and analyze literature from around the world and throughout the ages.
  2. Prepare for the 10th Grade English II EOC
  3. Build strong reading, writing, and researching skills.
  4. Develop critical thinking skills and values such as listening, empathy, and reflection.

 

Course Concepts:

In adherence with the North Carolina Department of Public Schools, the strands of Reading Literary Texts, Reading Informational Texts, Speaking and Listening, Writing, and Language will all be developed with assessments to measure growth in all categories. The link for  NCDPI  ELA standards K-12: https://files.nc.gov/dpi/documents/curriculum/languagearts/parents/standards-9-10.pdf

 

 Course Outline:

Writing

  1. Inquiry Process and Project
  2. Researching and Notetaking
  3. Responding to Literature and Poetry
  4. Grammar conventions
  5. MLA format

 

Literature: (subject to change)

  1. Asian Literature: Tao Te Ching and Dhammapada
  2. The Alchemist
  3. Pygmalion
  4. Othello
  5. Various poems, short stories, and non-fiction
  6. Independent reading-student choice

Assignments:

  • Students are expected to read independently each day for a minimum of 15 minutes. 
  • All assignments will be posted on Canvas and all assignment submissions must be made on Canvas. No emailed assignments will be accepted. 
  • Students will keep a digital notebook called a Daybook.  

 

Assignments and Grading Procedures

Grading for the nine-week period will include two categories: formative and summative assessments. Each category will be worth 50% of your quarter grade.

  • Formative assessments are assignments that allow you to practice the skills required for this course. (classwork/ homework). -50%
  • Summative assessments include any assignment where you demonstrate what you have learned (tests/ quizzes/ projects/ essays). -50%

Semester grading will be broken down into three categories:

  • 1st nine weeks: 40%
  • 2nd nine weeks: 40%
  • Final exam: 20%

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Cheating only hurts the one who is cheating. Do your own work. Ask for my help if you need it. Cheating results in an automatic zero and an alternate assignment will be given. 

Students will learn about plagiarism in-depth during this course. They will be required to know the forms of plagiarism and avoid them in their own work. It is my job to teach the students about plagiarism, and it is their responsibility to follow those teachings. 

Those who plagiarize will incur consequences.
First offense, 50% penalty after a call home, and a complete rewrite. 

Second offense = 0% and an administrative and academic file write up. Don’t do it.

 

Grades 

Grades will be entered in PowerSchool within a week of the due date. I will note “incomplete” or “missing” with a zero. 

Assignments that have been attempted (in a serious way) but not completed can be revised for full credit. The goal is to get students to do what they know, ask questions about what they don’t, and to receive feedback from me to help them when they need it most. Zero only stands as long as the assignment is not completed. An assignment that has not been completed is more than a missing grade; it is a missing opportunity to practice highly valuable literacy skills. 

If students are not satisfied with the grade they receive on a paper, they can revise for a higher grade, and all summative assessments in the form of a writing assignment are eligible for revision as long as they are turned in on time.

 

Time Limits for Late/Missing/Revised Assignments

  • Students have a grace period of one day after an assignment is due before points are deducted. Each day thereafter, 10 points will be deducted per day. 

Once the assignment has 50 points deducted, it can still be turned in, but the highest grade possible will be a 50 for formative assignments and 80 for summative assignments.

  • After two days, if an assignment is not turned in, a zero will be entered into PowerSchool which will remain there until an assignment is submitted and graded. 
  • Students have one week after I give feedback/grade an assignment to revise it for additional points.

 

Course Policies and Expectations

Daily Class Meeting and Assignments: 

It is important that you keep up with the daily assignments in this course. Due to current circumstances, I am aware that all students may not be able to attend the live class every day.  If you cannot attend the live class, you need to do the following:

  1. Go to This Week with Ms. Jizi (At the top of each week’s Module in Canvas) and find the day you did not attend the class. Instructions and links will help you complete the day’s assignments. 
  2. Go to the Google Meet Live Class Recordings for the week, and watch the video. You can find these posted each day in the top module on Canvas. 

I want to work closely with each of you to make sure you complete the course successfully. 

 

Attendance Requirements: 

In order to be counted present you must do one of the following:

  1. Attend the online class and type present in the chat.
  2. Log in to the Canvas course sometime during the day and complete the daily assignment. This must be by 11:59 pm. 

If you cannot attend class by doing any of the above, you will need to follow the attendance guidelines in the Student Handbook and provide documentation for absences. 

Personal Responsibility for Learning: 

As teenagers, I understand your need to not be treated like children. With your maturity also comes the responsibility to start taking your learning into your own hands. As you leave your childhood behind, I hope you will see that by taking personal responsibility for your learning, and other areas of your life, you will experience the joy of growing up. Sure, there are always growing pains, but, in the end, you will find that you have become the captain of your ship, which is your life. 

Syllabus Quiz

In order to make sure you have read the information above, you will take a short syllabus quiz on the second day of class. It will count as a formative (reading for information) assessment. 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due