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Course Syllabus and Classroom Procedures Cheraw High School ◊ English III

Iris Brigman

Contact Information:

Name: Iris Brigman Room: 103Phone: (843) 921- 1000E-mail: ibrigman@chesterfieldschools.org Planning Period: 4th BlockWebsite: www.chesterfieldschools.org

Course Description:

English III is the study of American literature and English grammar and composition, which provide an academic foundation for teaching communication skills. This course will sharpen reading, writing, listening and speaking skills of students.

Important Dates:Interim Reports September 19thEnd of 9 weeks October 22nd (45 days)Report Cards October 24th

Interim Reports November 22nd

½ day Students November 26th

Fall Break November 27-29th

½ day Students December 20th

Winter Break December 23rd – January 2nd

Inservice Students Out January 3rd

End of 9 weeks January 10th (90th day)

Exam Exemption Policy:

Exam Exemption Policy:Seniors: A average; total absences (excused or unexcused) may not exceed 4 in a semester course

**Students may not exempt SC mandated End of Course (EOC) exams. The exam exemption policy does not excuse students from class on any days prior to the actual exam or from any exam review related assignments.

STANDARDS FOR ENGLISH III

College and Career Ready Standards:Inquiry Based Literacy Reading-Literary TextReading-Informational TextWritingCommunication

Supplemental Materials Needed: NO FIDGIT SPINNERS ALLOWED IN CLASS-Two or three inch, three-ring notebook divided into sections. Sections: Daily Board Work, Literature, Novels, Grammar, Writing-Loose-leaf paper.-Number two pencils and black ink pens (no other color allowed).-Red Ink Pen and highlighter-1 set of index dividers.-1 pack of sheet protectors.-1flash or jump drive

Major Instructional Goals:Grammar:

1. Fragments/Run-Ons2. Parts of Speech3. Phrases/Clauses4. Agreement of Verbs and Pronouns5. Usage of Verbs and Pronouns6. Common Usage Problems7. English capitalization, punctuation, and hyphenation conventions

Vocabulary: Will be taught through the novel, short stories, dramas and nonfiction pieces during the semester.

Writing: Writing will be addresses through a writing program, Teaching the Multi-paragraph Essay, done early in the course. This unit will teach the basic format of paragraphs and multi-paragraph essays. After that, the students will have a number of writing assignments from daily board-writings, to literary and personal essays, to research-based writings. Writing will be integrated into everything that is done in the course.

Parallel ReadingA. Novels will be done with reading and viewing. For time sake, some parts will be covered

through video and other parts will be read.

To Kill a MockingbirdThe Great GatsbyThe Scarlet Letter

B. Plays

The CrucibleA Raisin in the Sun

Short stories, poems, speeches, nonfiction pieces will be taught through the units covered during the semester.

Grading System: 30% - Portfolio and Essay Writing

20% - Tests / Projects20 % - Outside Reading Requirement 20% - Quizzes / Classwork10% - Homework

Extra Credit is rarely given. If it is given, it is never done for one or two students, but will be an opportunity made available to all students.The grading scale that will be used in this class will be the one outlined in your student handbook.

Make-up policy: Please see your handbook for the school guidelines concerning lawful and unlawful absences and make-up work. I would stress that the burden falls to the student to arrange make-ups. Students should check the makeup board and folder on the first day back to school. Work must be made up within five days. All make-ups must be done during the RAP Time. Extra help will be provided during RAP Time.

Grade ReportsParents are encouraged to pick up the Power School forms from the main office. This will allow parents and students to access grades at any time. It also provides an email link to the teacher. My email is ibrigman@chesterfieldschools.org

Classroom Policies:

1. Label all papers with the following information: Name, date and class period on the upper right; assignment title on the left. (Except for letters)

2. Do not ask to go to another teacher’s class. If the teacher wishes to see you, he or she should send me a note. 3. Come to class prepared. Do not ask to go to your locker, car, etc. to retrieve needed supplies or assignments.

4. Homework will not be accepted late. No exceptions. If it is not turned in when called for, it is a zero.

5. All other assignments are due when called for. No exceptions. If you hold your work and turn it in later, it will still be considered late, even if it is during the same class period.

6. Students should use the restroom between classes. They will be given two restroom passes for the year. After the two passes are used, detention will be assigned.

7. Students who misbehave with a substitute will be assigned three days of detention with me when I return.

ConferencesTeacher-parent conferences may be held during my planning period 1:25 – 2:55 or before and after school. Please give 24-hour notice when a parent conference is wanted.

School Wide Discipline PlanPhilosophy Reasonable behavior is essential for effective learning. I believe all students can behave appropriately in my classroom. It is essential that students not stop the teaching/learning process by misbehaving. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to maintain an orderly environment in the classroom by establishing practices, which elicit appropriate behavior and deal consistently with inappropriate behavior, which is chosen not the result of a condition over which the student has no control. I believe that one of the most important services I can provide students is letting them know where they stand. This requires explicitly stated rules and expectations and consistent follow-through. This management plan will assist me in my attempts to incorporate my discipline philosophy into my classroom activities on a daily basis.

Classroom Rules:1. Come into class quietly and sit in assigned seat. You will be marked tardy if you are not in your seat

when the bell rings.2. Remain in your seat the entire class, unless given permission to move by the teacher.3. Talking without permission is considered disruptive behavior.4. Come to class with all necessary materials.5. Putting your head down on the desk is not allowed.6. No gum, candy, food, or drinks will be allowed.7. Throwing things in the classroom will be considered disruptive.8. Horse playing will be handled as disruptive.

Consequences:1st Offense – Student Warning2nd Offense – Parent letter or note and student lunch detention (writing 1 discipline sheet)3rd Offense - After school detention (writing 2 discipline sheets)4th Offense - Referral to the office

Actions That Will Be Referred Immediately:1. Arguing in anyway with the teacher is considered disrespectful.2. Disrespectful comments or actions toward the teacher will not be tolerated. Examples: rolling of

eyes, mumbling under breath, questioning of authority, etc.3. Profanity of any manner. Even using the letter of the word in the same context.4. Picking, harassing, or bullying other students in class.

OUTSIDE READING REQUIREMENT1. I have an outside reading requirement in all of my classes. You may read any book that you have

not read before.

2. I expect the books to be appropriate for your age and ability. If they are not, you will not get credit.

3. If I question the choice of a book, I may ask for a note from your parents.

4. You may get your books from any source – the school or public library, your house, borrowed from someone, a book you bought.

5. Book reports on your outside reading will count 20% of your grade. The pages required for Tech Prep students are 300 each 9 weeks and 600 each 9 weeks for CP. It is the total number of pages you read that will determine your grade, not the number of books. If you read more than the required number of pages in a grading period, the extra will carry over to the next grading period.

6. Most of the reading will take place outside of school time, but all students will have an average of 10 minutes for silent reading three times a week. The school also allows 30 minutes of silent reading time once every week. You may not read a textbook during this silent reading time.

You must bring your outside reading book and read for the entire time without making any distracting behaviors.

7. A book does not have to be completed to receive credit for the pages you read. You must read at least 25 pages, though, before you decide to stop. See me for a book chat on whatever pages you did read.

8. Books with pictures will count less.

9. You must have the book with you to do a book chat. No book – No report. Watch for the deadlines that are posted. One half of the required pages will be due before Interim and the other half before the end of the 9 weeks.

10. You can do only one book report per calendar day.

11. No magazine articles, newspaper articles, poems, or short stores. Books only.

12. You may receive page credit for approved books through book chats; teacher made tests, and / or an accelerated reader test (if available).

13. Books with movies are not allowed and will not receive credit.

Video Permission Form

Dear Parents:

We will be viewing the following movies during our English III class, and I would like your permission before allowing your child to view the films.

To Kill a Mockingbird and the movie Hey Boo (background for Mockingbird)The CrucibleDr. King’s “I Have a Dream”Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne The Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldA Raisin in the Sun by Loraine Hansberry

We are viewing Mockingbird, The Crucible and The Great Gatsby, The Scarlet Letter and A Raisin in the Sun to supplement reading the novels and plays. These movies will add to their understanding an appreciation of the works. We will watch Dr. King’s and Sojourner Truth’s speech as an example of persuasive techniques, prior to them writing their own persuasive speeches. “The Fall of the House of Usher” will be shown as a part of a Poe unit of study.

Dr. Bryant, Cheraw High principal, has approved the use of these videos in class. However, if you do not wish for your child to watch these movies, an alternate assignment will be given. No penalty will be imposed.

If your child has permission to view these films, please sign below.

My child, ________________________________________, has permission to view these videos in Mrs. Brigman’s class.

Parent/Guardian’s signature ________________________________________

Respectfully yours,

Iris Brigman