MR. MARTIN'S ENGLISH III
FALL 2010-SPRING 2011
PLEASE READ AND SCROLL DOWN TO FIND THE CONTINUING ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE CLASS THIS YEAR. ALL POLICIES AND PREPARATIONS AS WELL AS EXPECTATIONS ARE LISTED BELOW. I WILL HAVE ALL ASSIGNMENTS, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ON SCHOOLNOTES.COM. THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE GENERALLY CHANGED ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS OR EVENINGS. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR READING SCHOOL NOTES ON A DAILY BASIS. NOT BEING PREPARED BECAUSE YOU DID NOT TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO READ THE NOTES IS NO EXCUSE! YOU MUST CHECK THE NOTES DAILY OR WEEKLY FOR CHANGES AND BE PREPARED THE FOLLOWING WEEK WITH NOTES, READINGS, QUESTIONS, HOMEWORK OR ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS REGARDING YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES.
DAILY CLASS REMINDERS
Always bring a notebook, your text book, your vocabulary workbook and a pen to class.Be sure to have all your books covered at all times. Either paper covers or the sock covers are fine, but you must have the book protected and have your name, class, period, my name and book condition on the inside cover. This is mandatory and will not change throughout the year. Vocabulary is done on a weekly basis (3 units at a time). Tests are inclusive of definitions, spelling, part of speech and usage of the word in a sentence. You will be expected to complete the Reading Comprehension sections as well and they, too, will be a part of your vocabulary tests. Discipline is expected as is daily attendance. If you are absent for an extended period of time, you will be expected to make up the work and have it complete upon your return.If you miss a test, you will be expected to make it up on the day of your return. No excuses. Homework will always be posted on a weekly basis on schoolnotes.com. There is never an excuse not to know. Any behavior that is not in keeping with "the St. Joe's way" will not be tolerated. This includes lack of cooperation, rude comments, an intent to harm or slander another student or his personal property. If you should have a "problem" with me, come to me and discuss it. Negative comments or profane language will be grounds for penalty resulting in detention, central detention or stronger measures, if necessary. Your parents will be notified and asked to attend a conference with me on a predetermined date.Should you have any questions or problems with class preparations, please see me. Notify me as soon as possible, if you have any special conditions that might inhibit you from performing at your highest level of ability.
ENGLISH III HOMEWORK
February 4th-6th
*After having reviewed the concept of the ENGLISH SONNET with respect to structure, rhyme scheme and metrical patterns, we are now ready to work on the sonnets for applications of this information. Please read the following sonnets: Spenser's Sonnet 75, Sidney's Sonnet 39, Shakespeare's Sonnets 29, 106, 116 and 130. In addition to reading these sonnets, you are expected to make notes for each of the sonnets. Your notes shall include: you concept of the meaning of the sonnets, the metrical pattern being used, and the rhyme scheme being used. There are many words that are either footnoted or given a marginal note to help in your understanding of the pieces. If there are additional words you do not understand, please use a dictionalry. ALL MATERIAL IS DUE ON MONDAY.
*Be sure your Vocabulary Workbook has been updated to include Lessons up to and including lesson 21.
*Begin reviewing the introductory pages to the English Renaissance. You have been assigned pages 221-235 in the past. You will be tested on this material. Review it closely. The test is scheduled for Wednesday, February 9th.
SUPER BOWL ON SUNDAY NIGHT! STEELERS OR PACKERS?
ACCELERATED ENGLISH III
FEBRUARY 4TH-6TH
*BE SURE YOUR VOCABULARY WORKBOOK HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCLUDE EVERYTHING UP TO AND INCLUDING LESSON 21. THIS SHOULD ALREADY BE COMPLETED.
*READ THE FOLLOWING SONNETS AND POEMS FOR MONDAY: SPENSER'S SONNET 75, SIDNEY'S SONNET 39, SHAKESPEARE'S SONNETS: 29, 106, 116 AND 130. HAVE A SUMMARY OF THE CONTENT OF EACH PIECE, THE RHYME SCHEME BEING USED AND THE METRICAL PATTERN BEING USED. PRACTICE IDENTIFYING THESE ASPECTS OF THE SONNET STRUCTURE.
*REVIEW ALL INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION FOR CELEBRATING HUMANITY AND THE ENGLISH RENAISSANCE ON PAGES 221-235. YOU WILL BE TESTED ON THIS MATERIAL NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH.
*PROJECT ACCELERATION CHECKS ARE OVERDUE. IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE BRING THE CHECKS IN ON MONDAY. THE AMOUNT IS $225.00 WRITTEN OUT TO SETON HALL UNIVERSITY. WRITE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER IN THE LOWER LEFT BLANK ON THE CHECK. I HAVE A LIST OF CURRENTLY PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES, IF YOU SHOULD WISH TO LOOK AT IT. THIS IS A NATION WIDE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES MANY DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND IS A PRIME OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN COLLEGE CREDITS WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL. IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE ACCEPTANCE OF CREDITS, PLEASE CONTACT THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE OF THAT UNIVERSITY.
SPECIAL NOTE TO MEMBERS OF ACCELERATED CLASSES:
As a member of an accelerated class, you are expected to perform above and beyond what is acceptable in a regular English class. You are expected to have the following articles on a daily basis: a pen, a spiral notebook just for this class, your text, and a series of paperbacks including: your vocabulary workbook,Raffel's translation of "Beowulf," Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," Shakespeare's "Othello," Williams' "The Glass Menagerie," Wilson's "Fences" and your summer reading novel, "THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG AT NIGHT." The latter will be tested the first week of class. This test will be both multiple choice and essay. Your essay must have an introduction, body and conclusion. The body will include specific examples to support your thesis. This must be comprehensive and accurate not poorly written or prepared. Begin the year strongly not negatively.All books must be covered and have your name and identifying number in them. You can expect to have homework daily. This must be titled, dated and include any questions assigned. Any time you read, you will be expected to take notes automatically. No need to ask! Homework is expected to be completed on time and completely. Partial homework is unacceptable as are any excuses. If you have been ill, a doctor's note is expected. Any missed tests will be made up on the day you return. Any missed homeworks must also be completed upon your return.Should you have any questions are problems, see me first; do not go to someone else or simply complain. Let's try to amend any problems firsthand and immediately. Discipline is expected. Anything contrary to expected standards of mine or St. Joe's will not be tolerated and will be subject to penalty.Assignments will always be found on a weekly basis on schoolnotes.com. No need to ask. Simply check this daily especially if I should make any alterations.Work ahead not behind! If you need clarification, see me! As a member of this class, you will be asked to participate in Project Acceleration. The program allows you to obtain college credits when taking my course. The particulars are below. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain additional college credits at a highly reduced price. I encourage you and would like to see 100% participation in this valuable opportunity! Remember an accelerated class means just that; you are expected to perform on that level nothing less. Always try to excel to the best of your ability. That is why you were recommended and accepted to this course! Please have all your books covered to protect them, even if you own them. Include your name, course, period and instructor's name on the cover or inside the text book cover. Write in ink not pencil so that this cannot be erased by another. Thank you for your cooperation.
NOTE ON PROJECT ACCELERATION
This program allows students to obtain college credits while still in high school. I had to be reviewed, submit a syllabus and be observed by professors from Seton Hall to determine my acceptability to the program. It is a wonderful opportunity of which to take advantage. There are many colleges and universities involved in the program. It does not mean you must attend Seton Hall. The fee for the course is $75.00 per credit. Since it is a three credit course the total amount for the semester is $180.00. The same amount would be payable in the spring semester. Given the rising costs of college, this is a terrific savings. Many colleges would charge $2700.00 dollars per course so $225.00 is minimal. I encourage you to participate and discuss this with your parents. I will be receiving information from Seton Hall University as to which universities are currently participating and will discuss the opportunity in class next week. There are registration forms to fill out and a certain level of work to be attained (usually at least a B in the course.) See me if you have any questions or if your parents require any further information.The fee for this course has nothing to do with your regular St. Joe's tuition. It is an additional program which is the reason for the additional charge. Checks should be made out to SETON HALL UNIVERSITY. INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER IN THE LOWER LEFT CORNER OF THE CHECK. GRADES ARE ASSIGNED ONLINE UPON THE END OF THE SEMESTER. BE CLEAR THAT YOU ARE GOING TO REGISTER TWICE DURING THE YEAR; ONCE IN THE FALL AND AGAIN IN THE SPRING TO COINCIDE WITH COLLEGE SEMESTERS. YOU WILL WANT TO DO AS WELL AS POSSIBLE AND AIM FOR A MINIMUM OF A B GRADE IN THE CLASS TO OBTAIN THE ADVANCED CREDIT.
CLASS POLICIES AND MARKING SYSTEM FOR ALL COURSES:
Get a good start on your year. Work hard and accurately. There is no time for negligence or forgetfulness. I hope to try some innovative approaches to class such as: group work, peer evaluation and editing, individual research, "jigsaw" approach to literature, music, art OR historical perspectives and dramatic readings. Be prepared to volunteer or be called upon. You must participate in class as it will be reflected in your grades. Your grade is determined by test results, research papers, class participation, notes and any additional assignments that may arise. I determine my grades by adding the point value of each test(usually beginning with 100)as a total and dividing by the number of tests.This will produce your raw average. I then consider any missed homeworks, participation and notebook checks for which you will also be assigned a grade. If I determine your notes are unacceptable or incomplete, then you must make the necessary corrections or additions for the next class. MOST IMPORTANTLY, PLEASE REMEMBER WE ARE USING A GRADING SYSTEM CALLED POWER SCHOOL. THIS REQUIRES ME TO ENTER ALL GRADES VIA COMPUTER. YOUR GRADE IS BASED UPON THREE MAJOR CRITERIA: HOMEWORK, TESTS, AND WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE NOTES ON ASSIGNED READINGS FROM THE TEXT AND TO MAINTAIN A NOTEBOOK THAT INCLUDES COMMENTARY FROM THOSE READINGS. EACH GRADE WILL BE ENTERED AND THE COMPUTER IS PROGRAMED TO DETERMINE YOUR GRADE FOR THE QUARTER, SEMESTER AND FINAL GRADE. QUARTERLY GRADES ARE ALL BASED ON A POINT SYSTEM OF A POSSIBLE 100 POINTS FOR EACH ASSIGNMENT. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS YOU HAVE RECEIVED ON AN ONGOING BASIS WHEN YOU OPEN POWER SCHOOL. THOSE ATTAINED POINTS WILL DETERMINE YOUR GRADE FOR THE QUARTER. EXTRA CREDIT IS USUALLY NOT ASSIGNED; HOWEVER, EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE ACCORDED CONSIDERATION. CONSEQUENTLY, THERE IS NOT ROUNDING UP. ANY ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS WOULD HAVE TO BE DETERMINED PRIOR TO MY HAVING INPUT THE GRADES. ALL ENTRIES FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS CAN BE ACCESSED FOR YOUR BENEFIT AS WELL AS YOUR PARENT'S, BUT YOU WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO SEE YOUR OWN GRADES. Class notes and notes on any homework assigned must always be taken. It will be considered a given that notes are to be taken any time a reading assignment or general homework is assigned. You will be asked to regularly submit your notebooks for grading purposes. The entries must be made on time, be dated, have a heading for the assignment and the page numbers that had been assigned. The notes are to be written in pen only. Never pencil. It must be neat, legible and comprehensive. Notes are to be written in paragraph form not outlined. Do not offer a short, incomplete and sloppy version. This will not be accepted and will be assigned a zero. You must be given my initials, the date graded and the grade assigned for this to be entered in my gradebook. If you should be absent when notebooks are checked, if will be expected on the next class day you attend. No excuses will be accepted!
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