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    Honors 10 Overview: Great Themes in Literature challenges the student to explore the boundaries by which human beings live and the constant questions that man faces during his life. Throughout the year, the class will embark on a journey to consider in perspectives other than their own to address such boundaries and questions.

    What do we, as humans, seek?

    What is the origin of truth?

    What is the relationship between free will and fate?

    What happens when moral codes conflict?

    Are we a product of our environment?

    How does the vicarious experience fare with the direct experiences?

    ·         The driving exploration method of such questions and the writing as a whole will be done through Socratic Seminar. Therefore, most of the reading is to be completed outside of the classroom. Through seminar, we will be able to address student-generated observations, questions, opinions and conclusions. Socratic Seminar is participant based, requiring participants to bring forth discussion rather than relying on teacher-generated question and answer sessions.

    ·         Working with elements of fiction along with supplemental pieces of non-fiction will allow for the movement from literal to interpretive levels of understanding and meaning.

    ·         Each unit will conclude with writing assignments, largely analytical, requiring specific references to the texts.

     
    English 10 Overview: The English 10 curriculum is designed around the central idea that "WHERE you are determines WHO you are".  This year, students will read both fictional and non-fictional pieces that address this idea.  We will explore the development of the text and themes through discussion and activities that deal with the literary elements and techniques employed by the writers.  Students will be able to display their understanding through written assignments, discussions (mostly in Socratic Seminar), tests, quizzes, and research reports and presentations. 
     
    I am a teacher who embraces a highly collaborative environment.  Most days, the students will be working in pairs or in small groups in order to pull apart textual information.  Therefore, the majority of independent reading and writing is to be done at home.  Classroom participation is dependent upon daily preparedness.  Students who come to class prepared will find the most success.
       FOR ALL STUDENTS:
     
     

    I.             Classroom Community

    ·         In order to create a welcoming environment that will foster learning and development, I have two expectations of each student:

    1.        Show respect for all others in the classroom.

    2.       Be open to new ideas that may differ from one’s own. It is important to develop an understanding of others in order to engage in the learning process.

     

    II.           Grading Policy

    Each assignment will have a point value, based on a 100 point scale on Power Schools. 

        • Journal Checks - Weighed up to 10, depending on number of entries at time of collection

        • Essays - Weighed as 6-8 (depending on time allotted for drafting)

          • Outline - 2

          • Drafts - 2 each

          • Final - 2-3

        • Group Assessments - 5

        • Individual Tests (almost always open notebook) 3-5

        • Quizzes - 1

        • Other classwork 2-4

    -          Students will be given 1-2 additional days to turn in any major assignment worth 3 or more sets. However, utilization of additional days will result in a 15-20 point daily reduction of the overall grade. 

    -          All other incomplete assignments will be given a score of 0%.

    III.         Class Participation

    ·     Honors 10 -  Up to 20% of the quarterly grade is based on participation. All - Each day I will note who is attending class in a timely manner and who comes to class not only prepared with the classroom work and homework, but is ready with questions and willing to participate in discussions. It is very important to pay close attention to participation on Socratic Seminar days. 

    ·         At the close of each quarter, I will weigh the participation grade in accordance with the amount of Socratic Seminars held (Honors 10) and opportunities for student discussion. Participation grade will weigh between 10% and 20%. 

    ·         If a student is late to class, he/she will lose 10 points from his/her participation grade. 

    ·         Excused absences will allow for an extra day to complete work with no penalty. Unexcused absences will not allow for an opportunity to make up points.

    ·     Attending class unprepared (without materials, assignments, etc.) will result in an additional 10 point loss to participation grade.