English III Syllabus

Posted Date: 08/30/2024

Tentative Course Syllabus 

11th Grade - English III- American Literature and Composition-

Contact information: – Ms. Deborah De Leon, English Teacher, Room 405

Email: deborah.deleon@uisd.net

Phone #: 956-473-5551

Conference Period:  10:05 – 11:25 a.m.

Texts: 

• HMHCO.com (link available on USHS homepage)

Supplementary Texts:  To initiate academic integrity and growth in student writing, the USHS English department supports and encourages use of the Modern Language Association (MLA) Handbook.  Teachers of all grade and academic levels will refer to these texts in conjunction with writing instruction and recommend that students purchase both texts as course supplements.  While copies are available, students that annotate and frequently refer to these texts during their high school English career will reap maximum benefits.  Both the MLA Handbook and Elements of Style may be attained at any book retailer.

Required Materials:  

• Chromebook/Spiral/Journal

• Highlighters (2)

• Blue/black pen/pencils 

Structure of the Course
English Literature and Composition is designed to strengthen and refine your ability to analyze and write about literature. You will:

• hone your ability to look beyond the obvious and make careful observations, inferences, and conclusions.

• gain the analytical skills necessary to succeed on the Literature test.

• discover new ideas and connect them to all areas of knowledge and experience. 

• explore ideas from other cultures and time periods, and how they relate to our Western Culture.

Objectives:  

• Curriculum objectives, assignments, resources, reminders and due dates will be posted on google classroom. 

• Content Objectives 

GRADING

• Refer to UISD Grading Guidelines.

ABSENCES AND MAKE-UP WORK

• `Refer to UISD Student Handbook

LATE WORK

• Homework and daily assignments are due upon request as assigned; they will NOT be accepted late, UNLESS VALID PARENT EXCUSE IS CONFIRMED BY TEACHER.

• 10 points per day will apply to homework.

• 1 letter grade for major projects & essays. 

PLAGIARISM STATEMENT

Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they were entirely one’s own.  Acts of plagiarism might include, but are not limited to:

• using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation

• using the work of another student (e.g. copying homework, composition, or project)

• using excessive editing suggestions of another student, teacher, parent, or paid editor.

A note about what constitutes “excessive editing.”  Students learn to write well by doing just that, writing.  Struggling independently through the writing process produces growth (as well as a certain amount of agony), and eventually the student’s own voice.  When well-meaning parents, siblings, tutors, or others contribute their ideas, words, phrases, revisions, etc. to students’ writing, student writers miss the opportunity to achieve literary self-reliance.

So – what is helping, but is NOT excessive editing?  The answer is: questioning and cueing.  For example: “Is this word strong enough? Interesting enough? Specific enough?”  “Can you think of another word that would fit better?”  “Does this sentence seem awkward?”  “What exactly do you mean?”  “I don’t understand what you are trying to say here; can you say it more clearly?” “This sentence has a powerful verb; can you find one as powerful for that other sentence?”

These kinds of questions and statements allow the students to think and write independently.  Students should be allowed to find their own voices and to develop their own writing skills.  

Plagiarism on any project or paper will result in a zero for the assignment.  Unless strictly stipulated by the teacher, collaboration on written work is not acceptable.  Students who willingly provide other students with access to their work are in violation.

The syllabus below is subject to change based on the semester. 

English III Semester at a Glance (Sprint 2023)

Research Resources:

• MLA Guide: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

• Sample MLA essay: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/13/

• All Sides: www.allsides.com 

• Citation Machine: http://citationmachine.net/index2.php

• EBSCO: http://search.ebscohost.com/  (Username: USHS  Password: panthers)

• USHS LIBRARY: https://ushs.uisd.net/207293_2

• TAMIU Writing Center: https://www.tamiu.edu/uc/writingcenter/handouts.shtml

Attention STUDENTS & PARENTS of 11th grade American Literature & Composition students,

Welcome to United South High School. We are looking forward to a productive and successful year with your son/daughter. The 11th grade year is a time of growth and change for most students, and parental involvement is essential.  Please take the time to carefully read and sign this syllabus with your child. 

I am also requesting that parents provide an updated email address and cell number where you can be reached since I will communicate via Remind and Google Classroom. Due to my inability to leave class during the day, it is sometimes faster to reach me through Remind, Google Classroom or e-mail: deborah.deleon@uisd.net. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions about this syllabus or the class, in general.

I have received, read, and agree with any and all responsibilities this course offers. I also know that this syllabus is available on our class page and is subject to change. I agree to follow through with the course syllabus and work with my son/daughter in order for him/her to succeed. I am aware that my son/daughter can check out a book with Mr. Robert Burrier. I agree that the majority of the assignments will be submitted via Google Classroom, meaning my son/daughter needs access to the internet in order to submit his/her assignments. 

My son/daughter can use the USHS library services before & afterschool as well as during lunch in order to complete all of his/her required INTERNET assignments on Google Classroom (yes, there’s an app for this as well). I am aware that transportation is provided after school, in any case my son/daughter needs to stay to complete assignments or online assignments. I am also aware that extra credit, corrections on low test grades, make up work, or late work will count as Pay Attention to Your Work (P.A.W.). 

I will ensure that my son/daughter come prepared with the required materials and complete every requirement for this class. It is my responsibility to communicate with my son/daughter’s teacher if my child has any special needs, is a truancy problem, or if he/she submits late work. I will also contact the teacher, in a timely manner, when and if my child is at risk of failing or failing the course, or to simply check on my child’s current status in English III. I am aware that my son/daughter will be provided with 2 major timed essays, research projects, and presentations, along with reading at home. and homework deadlines ahead of time, and that it is my son/daughter’s responsibility to complete their work in a timely manner.