Course Syllabus

Language Arts IV Syllabus 2017-2018

 

 Teacher Information:

Ms. Tracie McFerren

E-mail: tmcferren@biomedscienceacademy.org

Phone: (330) 325-6186 (leave message with office, don’t leave a voicemail) 

 

Introduction:

Welcome to Language Arts IV. This course focuses on British and American literature and will be very writing-intensive as it is intended to prepare you for college and the world beyond. We will study many genres of literature from the Anglo-Saxon period through the Post-modern period. You will be writing literary analyses, research papers, resumes, cover letters, and college admissions essays. My contact information is posted above; please don’t hesitate to email me if you need help with anything.

 

Class Expectations:

• Students are to bring their laptop, ipad, and book (if any).
• Students are responsible for completing and turning in all class assignments on time.
• Students are responsible for all make-up work.
• Students must use class time effectively.
• Students are to complete their own work unless otherwise informed by the teacher. Any indication of cheating, copying, or plagiarism will result in an automatic failure of the assignment.

 

Mastery Grading:

Students are responsible for monitoring their grades online. Please bring any questions or errors to my attention. Please see me as soon as you are having any problems because I want to make sure that you are working at your greatest potential.

 

Assignments:

Assignments will not be accepted late, except in specific rare circumstances. Please notify me immediately when a special circumstance arises so we can work on a plan. Absent/make-up work is to be turned in per school policy (see handbook). If you are absent the day of a test or quiz be prepared to take the assessment the first day back. If you fail to make-up a test, quiz, or any assignment it will be considered not mastered.

 

Participation and Bio-Med Attributes:

Participation is an active way to increase your learning in class. I will be assessing your engagement based upon interesting questions, intelligent answers, being attentive and helpful, etc. This assessment will be averaged in your final grade as a demonstration of BioMed Attributes.

 

Procedures:

Starting – You will need to be in your seat, quiet, and have your assignments ready at the start of class.

Tardiness – Will be strictly enforced by school policy.

Leaving during class – You must have a signed pass to leave class or arrive late.

End of class – You are to remain seated until you are dismissed. Push in your chairs and clean up your area before you leave class.

 

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior:

1^st Offense – Verbal reprimand

2^nd Offense - Call home

3^rd Offense – Detention and call home

4^th Offense – Referral to the office

 

Electronic devices may only be used during class as explained by the teacher.

  

Course Expectations-

Reading

1. Compare organizational structure, figurative language, and literary devices among British and American novels, short stories, drama, essays, and other nonfiction literature.

• Analyzing and interpreting the use of literary devices within the works of literature
• Analyzing major historical developments in language and literature

 

Literature

1. Analyze British and American literature for style, audience appeal, cultural significance, and plot structure.
2. Identify literary elements in British and American literary selections from various genres
3. Determine word meaning in British and American literature through context clues
4. Making connections and real world relevance to the literature
5. Comparing and contrasting various pieces of literature, both in print and in film

 

Writing and Language

1. Write for a variety of purposes, including: Literary analysis, college application essays, research papers, Personal narratives, and compare and contrast essays

• MLA documentation
• Editing and revision process
• Identifying audience and determining appropriate “voice” or style of writing

 

Research and Inquiry

1. Use the research process to manage, document, organize, and present information to support a thesis on a teacher-approved topic of student interest.
2. Clearly understanding the rules of plagiarism and editing and revising to avoid plagiarism. Evaluate oral presentation skills of self and others for effectiveness.