Philosophy     My goal is to develop your interest in and commitment to the power of the printed word, and to improve your ability to communicate effectively in various modes--verbally, visually, electronically, written--your ideas, feelings, and insights into yourselves, the texts, and the world around you. I believe that you must take responsibility for your own learning; that error is good and necessary; and that you must have choices whenever possible so that you will be as intellectually and emotionally engaged in your learning as possible. My role is to help you accomplish these goals any way I can, teaching you how to use what you know to understand what you donÕt.

 

One very special aspect of this course is the integration of English and History. This collaboration varies over the course of the year, sometimes involving common assignments. At other times the two classes complement each other but do not directly connect their assignments. Mr. Firpo and I are always talking about what you are doing so we can make regular connections between the two classes.

Texts              

á      Montana 1948 by Larry Watson (summer reading)

á      To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee (summer reading)

á      Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya (summer reading)

á      The Odyssey, by Homer (Fagels translation)

á      Jasmine, by Bharati Mukherjee

á      Kitchen GodÕs Wife, by Amy Tan

á      World Writers Today (anthology)

á      The Book of Luminous Things, edited by Czeslaw Milosz (anthology)

á      The ReaderÕs Handbook: A Student Handbook of Reading and Thinking (textbook)

á      WriterÕs Inc.: A Student Handbook of Reading and Thinking (textbook)

 

Reading           Students in this course will:

á      Learn and use a range of reading strategies.

á      Read for a variety of purposes and in different ways.

á      Read a range of types of texts (e.g., literary, informational, graphic, commercial).

á      Annotate and take notes on texts in order to write about and better understand them.

á      Read engaging outside books that amount to at least 1000 pages.

á      Examine, reflect on, and monitor your own reading processes.

á      Make inferences, draw conclusions, and understand literal and figurative meaning.

 

Writing            Students in this course will:

á      Write regularly for a variety of purposes (e.g., to think, to persuade, to explain).

á      Learn and use the Six Trait Analytical Writing model.

á      Write a variety of types of texts (e.g., letters, essays, speeches, poems).

á      Learn how to assess and improve their own writing.

á      Generate their own writing topics and questions to help them write.

á      Employ a variety of strategies to guide them through their writing process.

á      Use computers to format, edit, and publish what they write.

 

Language         Over the course of the semester students will:

á      Learn those academic terms needed to succeed in this class and on state exams.

á      Learn the difference between connotative and denotative meaning of words.

á      Expand their vocabulary through direct, weekly instruction of words and roots.

á      Think about words as ideas and use these ideas to extend their thinking about texts.

á      Study how literary, commercial, informational, and political texts use language.

 

Speaking          Students in this course will:

á      Deliver formal and informal presentations to the class for various purposes.

á      Speak without reading from notes.

á      Look at the audience while speaking in clear, coherent language that all can hear.

á      Use PowerPoint or other multimedia tools to enhance your presentation.

á      Anticipate and meet the audienceÕs needs while speaking.

 

Academic

Literacy           Students in this course will:

á      Takes notes using a variety of techniques.

á      Utilize different test-taking strategies.

á      Manage their time, workload, and responsibilities to ensure balance and success.

 

Research          Students in this course will:

á      Use Internet earch engines and other sources to find information.

á      Evaluate the quality of resources they encounter while doing research.

á      Employ the ÒBig6Ó process for research.

á      Generate, refine, and investigate their own---and assigned---research questions.

á      Present and defend their ideas at the end of the research project.

 

Policies            The following policies are designed to ensure effective learning and maintain a culture of high clear expectations for all students in the classroom:

á      Late Work: I do not accept it unless it is due to an excused absence.

á      Attendance: See school attendance policies for more information.

á      Academic Honesty: Work must be your own. If you copy another studentÕs work, you both receive a 0. See school policies on cheating and plagiarism for more info.

á      Grading (see attached sheet for complete explanation).

á      Honors Status: Students must maintain at least a B- to remain in honors classes.

 

How to

Reach Me        I encourage both parents and students to communicate any concerns, questions, or needs as they arise. Email is a blessing to us all; I encourage you to use it, but please consider the length and frequency of your messages. My email address is: jburke@englishcompanion.com; my website is www.englishcompanion.com. I promise to do my best to reply in a timely fashion.

 

Signing this document indicates that you and one of your parents have read and understood this document. Moreover, by signing it you agree to the policies and standards outlined herein.

 

Student Name and Signature                                                                                       Date                          

 

Parent Name and Signature                                                                                         Date