Olympia High School

English III - Syllabus

Mr. Jerry Kenney

407-905-6400 X 3117

kennyg@ocps.net

Statement of Purpose:

The purpose of this course is to provide integrated educational experiences in the areas of reading, writing, listening, viewing, speaking, language, and literature appropriate befitting citizens who will be entering the workplace following specific post-secondary academic, professional, or skill training.

 

General Course Objectives:

After successfully completing this course, the student will:

  1. Use reading strategies effectively to construct meaning from a range of technical, informative, and literary texts.
  2. Use process writing strategies effectively to meet the needs of a variety of audiences, writers, and types of information being communicated.
  3. Select and use appropriate speaking, listening, and viewing skills to clarify and interpret meaning in both formal and informal situations.
  4. Understand the common features of a variety of literary forms.
  5. Respond critically and aesthetically to literature.
  6. Demonstrate understanding and use of appropriate language for effective visual, oral, and written communication.
  7. Select and use a variety of electronic media to create, revise, retrieve, and verify information.
  8. Demonstrate critical understanding of mass media and its use.

 

Course Content:

The content of this course will follow the program elements of SpringBoard, a comprehensive structured approach to English III designed by the College Board.

 

Materials Needed:

  1. A 1-2” 3-ring binder
  2. 5 dividers labeled in order:
    1. Bellwork  2. Notes & Exercises  3. Grammar & Vocab  4. Reading  5. Writing
  3. Paper (loose-leaf, please.)
  4. Writing utensils (pen- blue or black only, pencil, highlighter, colored pencils/markers)

 

Behavioral Guidelines for Success:

All standards of behavior are based on expectations of mutual respect for each other as human beings who have come together for the purpose of learning and intellectual growth.  I expect you to treat me and your fellow students with respect, and you should also expect to be treated with respect.

 

There are a few simple rules that everyone must follow in order to create an adequate atmosphere that promotes respectable behavior and an environment that is conducive to learning. All students must abide by each rule; failure to do so will result in the appropriate disciplinary action.

  1. Because you cannot possibly know anyone else’s story, neither judge nor speak ill of others.
  2. Come to class on time. Students are considered tardy to class if they are not in their assigned seat when the tardy bell rings.
  3. Be prepared DAILY with books, notebook, writing utensils, and any assignments that are due.
  4. Follow directions the first time they are given.
  5. Points will be taken from any assignment that is illegible or that is in any color ink other than the standard blue or black.
  6. Raise your hand to be recognized before speaking. No talking out of turn or talking to other students during instructional time.
  7. No eating, drinking, or personal grooming in class; we have a cafeteria and rest rooms for those purposes.
  8. Refer to the student handbook and this syllabus for policies on discipline, tardies, absences, make-up work, and cheating.
  9. Students must have their student handbook/hall pass to leave class.
  10. When a student has an excused absence or tardy, he/he must make arrangements with Mr. Kenney to make up the missed work. Assignments not made up will be given a grade of zero.
  11. After returning from an excused absence, students have the number of days they were absent, plus one, to turn in any assignments they missed. If a student misses school on the day an assignment is to be turned in the assignment must be turned in immediately upon return.
  12. Work not handed in will be given an automatic grade of zero until the deficit is corrected.
  13. All make up work will be concluded after the normal school day (unless otherwise instructed), and make up assignments will be given to the student before or after class only.
  14. Work that is not turned in on time will be penalized ten points per day for each day late until the grade reaches fifty percent.

Behaviors that interfere with classroom policy will be punished with teacher assigned detentions. If habitual disregard of the classroom policy is exhibited parents will be informed and automatic office referrals will be given.

 

Evaluation:

Evaluation will occur throughout the semester. Some of the methods of evaluation will include Socratic seminars (oral participation), projects, compositions, quizzes, homework, tests, and class participation. Grades are based on all work throughout the nine-week period and a comprehensive final exam will be given at the end of each semester. The final exam will count 10% of the final grade. The Orange County Public Schools’ grading scale is as follows:

A= 90-100       D= 60-69

B= 80-89         F= 59 or below

C= 70-79

 

A student’s average will be computed on a points earned/points possible scale. Each assignment will include a point value determined by level of difficulty and time allotted for completion.

 

Progress Reports:

Progress reports will be issued at the mid-point of each nine-week grading period. If a student is absent on the day progress reports are issued, she/he will be responsible for obtaining a report from the teacher. If a student is not failing a class at progress report time, but then begins to do poorly, parents will be informed as soon as possible, either by phone or by written notice. No student will receive an F in any class unless the parent has been notified on the progress report or by follow up contact.

 

Please note that Mr. Kenney reserves the right to make changes in this syllabus
as he deems necessary.

 

KEEP THIS SYLLABUS IN YOUR NOTEBOOK AT ALL TIMES

Please return this portion of the syllabus, signed by you and your parent to Mr. Kenney the next class meeting.

 

 

I have read Mr. Kenney’s course syllabus for English III. I understand that any questions concerning this class may be addressed to the teacher by calling Olympia High School at (407) 905-6400 X3117 or by email at kennyg@ocps.net.

 

Thank you for your cooperation and support in making this a successful school year!

 

 

 

__________________________                    _______________________

(Parent Name Printed)                                                  (Student Name Printed)

 

__________________________                    _______________________

(Parent Signature)                                                         (Student Signature)

 

 

Parent’s email address not accessible to the student: _________________________

Daytime Phone: ___________________

Evening Phone: ___________________

 

If there is anything you or your student feel I need to know in order to better serve their needs, please let me know.

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