English Language Arts Ten

Course Outline

Mrs. McQuillan Thomas, Instructor

Classroom 256

Office 271      

Goals and Objectives

Students will:

Ø      develop effective speaking and listening skills

Ø      learn and utilize the spoken and written language of employability

Ø      learn and implement PSAT, SAT, Maryland High School Assessment test taking strategies

Ø      develop and implement cooperative and peer learning strategies

Ø      explore the human experience through literature

Ø      analyze literature and identify common themes in a survey of literature.

Ø      evaluate text for author’author , diction, and tone

Ø      employ the modes of writing in a variety of assignments utilizing correct grammar and mechanics

Ø      utilize the writing process including prewriting, editing, and revision for compositions

Ø      prepare written critical analysis of literature from a variety of literature selections

Ø      substantially increase vocabulary

Ø      utilize computer technology to prepare word processed documents, power point presentations, and research projects

High School Assessment Core Learning Goals

Goal 1 - The student will demonstrate the ability to respond to a text by employing personal experiences and critical analysis.

Goal 2 - The student will demonstrate the ability to compose in a variety of modes by developing content, employing specific forms, and selecting language appropriate for a particular audience and purpose.

Goal 3 - The student will demonstrate the ability to control language by applying the conventions of Standard English in writing and speaking.

Goal 4 - The student will demonstrate the ability to evaluate the content, organization, and language use of texts.

Texts

            Language of Literature Book Ten

            Grammar Usage and Mechanics Workbook

             Interactive Reader Plus Workbook

            *Additional texts and resources will be integrated and utilized as needed

Literature Selections

*The Prince George’s County Public Schools English and Language Arts Department may alter the above selections as needed or required.

Method of Assessment

            Students will be assessed by means of quizzes, unit tests, essay writing.  Weekly vocabulary development quizzes will occur at a regularly scheduled time.

Homework

            A thirty-minute reading session and a review of class notes and vocabulary should be a part of your nightly assignment; thus you always have homework.  Nightly assignments will be given on a regular basis and are often projected in advance.  Students are to copy assignments into their agenda book/ planner daily.  All homework is due on the given due date. No late homework will be collected without a note or yellow slip, which documents a legal tardy or absence.

Make-up and Late Work Policy

            Homework, class work, and projects may only be submitted late without penalty when accompanied by an excuse note, which much contain one of the following reasons: illness of student, death of a close relative, documented case of bus not making a scheduled pick-up, quarantine, court summons, severe weather conditions that would endanger the child, suspension, principal-approved college visit, interscholastic sporting event, conference, or field trip Homework will not be accepted late when students are in class on the due date, but do not have assignments.  Compositions and projects will be accepted late for up to three school days after the due date.  Each day that the composition or project is late the maximum grade earned will be reduced by one letter grade or by ten percent.  After three days, no assignment will be accepted. (No exceptions)

Classroom Expectations

1)      Students are to be prepared with all necessary supplies each class session.

2)      Uniforms and ID badges must be worn in class at all times. (Please note if student must leave class during a Uniform sweep, all assignments collected and/or missed will receive a zero and cannot be made up.)

3)      Cell Phones must be off and out of sight at all times.

4)      When the instructor is speaking students are not.

5)      There is to be no talking or any form of communication during PA announcements.

6)      Students have three emergency restroom passes per semester.  Once they have been used, a student will not be permitted to leave the classroom unless it is a dire emergency, which would require an assistant principal or security officer to escort the student from class.

7)      Any student earning a grade below 70% is required to attend Spartan Hour until the grade is 70% or more.

Cheating and Plagiarism Policy

            Students are to submit their own work at all times.  Any work that is not the work of the student will be given a grade of zero.  If a student is caught cheating during any type of assessment, he or she will receive a zero on the assessment. 

Plagiarism, the act of taking someone’s published work as his or her own, is a serious offence.   If a student submits work that has been published by someone else as his or her own, severe actions will be taken.  The assignment will be given a zero and a PS74, discipline referral, will be submitted to the student’s administrator.

Grading Factors

Assessments 50%

Homework 25%

Class work 25%

Office Hours

            Students may see me in room 271 between 7:15 and 7:30 a.m., during the the Spartan Hour in room 256, or after school from 2:30-3:00 p.m. for make-up work or assistance with any assignment.  Additional time may be available upon request with prior notice.

Prince George's County Schools’ Website: www.pgcps.org (Grades available on SchoolMax)

LHS website: www1.pgcps.org/laurelhs/

Instructor’s Telephone 301-497-2050 ext. 407 (voice mail is available 24 hours a day)

Instructor’s Email: Miche.McQuillan@pgcps.org

Instructor’s Web page: http://new.schoolnotes.com/MichelleMcQuillan/

HSA Information and Resources

Students who are currently enrolled in English Ten for the first time will take the English High School Assessment on May 21, 2012.

Minimum Passing English HSA Score

396

How Can I Help My Child Prepare for the High School Assessment?

Steps to accessing the online courses for parents*

1. Go to msde.mdk12online.org.

2. At the Desire2Learn login screen, enter the following information:

Username: hsaonline

Password: student

3. Once you have logged in, the best place to begin is with the tutorials. The “New Users” section on the right lists tutorials that show you how to use the online courses.

Visit Favorite Links for additional HSA Information