SYLLABUS - EC

English Communications 2
Instructor - Mr. Ward
tward@esu10.org

Goals - For students to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of reading, writing and speaking as means to communicate thoughts and ideas effectively.
Objective - Students will read a variety of poems, short stories and novels, write comparatively, informatively, technically, and creatively, conduct informative research, and develop oral presentation skills.
Content - The class will read from anthologies and novels, plus examine other art forms to investigate form and meaning, and interpretation, in other words, to see how artists and authors communicate their meaning. From these, papers will be written to investigate different areas of style, form and content, and at times will be followed by oral presentations. Class discussions will accompany each activity, and writing steps will be practiced and implemented.
Grading Policy - The class will be graded in four areas: Participation - 25%, Homework - 20%, Classwork/Quizzes - 25%, Tests, Papers, and Projects - 30%.
Participation - Students will begin with 100 points. Deductions will be made for the following infractions on each occasion:
Absence (any reason) - 6 points
not participating - 2 points (not having necessary materials, disrespect, not keeping up with reading, etc) Points for absences can be made up by completing the regular classwork, which may be a writing assignment, notes, quiz or test, or summary of a reading assignment. It is up to the student to get missed assignments and turn them in. A ≥Participation Points Request≈ form should be attached to each assignment turned in for making up participation points. Students have one week from the day they return to make-up points and work for absences. Make Up assignment should be headed, ≥Make up for Absence on date --≈ across the top. Points taken for not participating cannot be made-up.
Assignments to build up a failing grade during each quarter can be arranged during a conference with student and parents/guardians and after all other to date work has been turned in. These assignments will not take the place of an assignment, only help with the grade. (This option becomes invalid after grades have been turned in for the quarter.)
Homework is due and should be completed by the beginning of class the next school day after it was assigned. Late assignments are penalized 25 points. Classwork is due at the end of the period unless otherwise indicated. Teacher reserves the right to give unannounced quizzes at any time. Tests will be in a variety of forms; multiple choice, short answer, essay, etc. Silence will be maintained during the time of the testing or a detention will be give. Projects will need to be completed in their entirety before being turned in. Incomplete projects will not be accepted. Papers All papers/ assignments will be headed with the student≠s name, date and assignment. Papers will all be typed in 12 point, double space, and normal margins, with a cover page. Late papers will be docked five points per day up to one week past due date.
What are the key components of a research paper? A research paper is one where students interpret information that students' gather through using select expert sources. This is to prove ones point or view in the writer voice. All sources are cited parenthetically in the text and on a work cited page. (Work cited page is all sources cited in the text of the paper) (from Lexington High School Principal Advisory Committee, January 2004) Typically, a research paper should only contain about 15 - 20 of cited information in support of the thesis.
Materials - Students are to be prepared for class with paper, pen or pencil, and their class books. It is recommended that a binder be used to keep material in. Otherwise, a student can use a spiral notebook and have a means of organizing the papers, handouts, notes and daily vocabulary.
The binder could be divided into the following categories:
1) Teacher handouts (including syllabus) 2) Notes and Writing Assignments 3) Word of the Day vocabulary - write new words and definitions plus an original sentence. Write date given by each word. 4) Vocabulary book work 4) all returned assignments, quizzes, tests, projects
Word of the Day Vocabulary is to be maintained daily. They will be called for at least every two weeks. Students will write a paragraph every two weeks of the 10 words covered during that week. Studetns will be also have a quiz over the 10 words used in the paragraph.
*Parents will be notified when students are failing, or near failing by mailing a copy of their grade report. *It is the responsibility of the student to keep up with the work and turn in assignments on time. Problems with finishing on time should be brought to the attention of the teacher before the deadline. Cheating and plagiarizing will be given zeros.

Expectations: Come to class with the right materials for that class. (paper, books, pen or pencil, assignment) Be in your assigned seat during class when the tardy bell rings. Raise your hand if you need to leave your desk to sharpen a pencil or other need. Return directly to your chair. Don≠t attract attention to yourself. Your feet should be on the floor, not on the furniture, and your hands should be kept to yourself. To use the restroom during class results in 10 minutes of time owed to the teacher after school that day. No locker passes. If you forget something, you suffer the penalty. Be courteous and respectful to others and their opinions. Don≠t talk when someone else is - wait your turn.