Course Syllabus

Whitney High School

LA III Honors
Instructor: Emilie Cavolt/ Patrick Gale
E-mail: ecavolt@rocklin.k12.ca.us/ pgale@rocklin.k12.ca.us
Voicemail: 632 6500
Office Hours: Available after school and by appointment
A.
Class Description
Honors English is a challenging course that develops all four realms of Language Arts: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will read
assigned literature, as well as selected outside novels. Extensive writing will be developed through a variety of techniques and styles, and students
will be engaged in activities that develop speaking, listening, and presentation skills. The expectation for students who choose to enroll in this class
is that they are serious four-year college bound students. Work habits and academic performance are expected to exceed that of students in the
college prep English classes.
B.

Class Essential Learning:

Throughout the class, you will need to demonstrate your learning as you progress through Californias established standards. There are many assignments to help you demonstrate this
learning. The following state standards will be assessed:
Reading
1.0 Students apply their knowledge of word origins to determine the meaning of new words encountered in reading materials and use those words accurately
2.0 Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They analyze the organizational patterns, arguments, and positions advanced.
3.0 Students read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their studies of history and social science. They conduct in-depth analyses
of recurrent patterns and themes.
Writing
1.0 Students write coherent and focused essays that convey a well-defined perspective and tightly reasoned argument. The writing demonstrates students' awareness of the audience
and purpose. Students progress through the stages of the writing process as needed.
2.0 Students combine the rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description to produce texts of at least 1,500 words each. Student writing demonstrates a
command of standard American English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0.
Written and Oral English Language Conventions
1.0 Students write and speak with a command of standard English conventions.
Listening and Speaking Strategies
1.0 Students formulate adroit judgments about oral communication. They deliver focused and coherent presentations of their own that convey clear and distinct perspectives and solid
reasoning. They use gestures, tone, and vocabulary tailored to the audience and purpose.
2.0 Students deliver polished formal and extemporaneous presentations that combine the traditional rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description. Student
speaking demonstrates a command of standard American English and the organizational and delivery strategies outlined in Listening and Speaking Standard 1.0.

C.
Units of Study
The following units are the major components of the year:
1. Techniques of literary analysis via a study of novels, plays, poetry, and short stories
2. A study of SAT vocabulary
3. Assessment of reading from the recommended AP Literature list
4. A Study of diction, syntax and grammar
5. Close test analysis to determine tone, literary devices, and authors purpose
6. Development of college-level writing and analysis skills
D.
Thematic Units of Study
The following units are the major components of the year:
1. Man vs. Nature
2. The Struggle between Masculine and Feminine Power
3. Sin and Redemption
4. Innocence vs. Experience
E.

Core literature for this year (purchase of these texts are recommended, but not required):
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen
King Lear by William Shakespeare
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
At least two books from the AP recommended book list (available on the website)

F.
Essential Skill Policy
To successfully pass any Language Arts course at Whitney High School, the student must accomplish two tasks. The first task is to maintain a
minimum score of 70% during the semester. The second task is to show proficiency in all essential skills assignments. Failure to accomplish either of
these tasks will result in a no credit. The ESA will clearly define a set of skills necessary for a passing grade. If the skills are not achieved, then the
student will have to correct his/her assignment to show mastery; however a maximum 70% score will be received. Essential Skill assignments must
be turned in on the due date or a 30% deduction will be given. ESAs are due on the due date. If the student is absent on the due date, then the
student should email an electronic copy to the teacher on the due date and a hard copy must be turned in on the date returning to class.
G.
Grading Policy:
To successfully pass any course at Whitney High School, the student must accomplish two tasks. The first task is to maintain a minimum of 70%
during the semester. The second task is to show proficiency in all skills tested. Failure to accomplish either of these tasks will result in a no credit.
As this is an Honors course, students will receive an extra G.P.A. point upon successful completion of the course.
Grading Scale:
Excellent
100 A+
99-92 A
91-90 A-

Commendable
89-88
B+
87-82
B
81-80
B-

Mastery
79-78
77-72
71-70

No Credit
Below 70

C+
C
C-

*A students grade for the class is weighted on the following scale.

60% Essential Skills Assessments
30% Daily work: Quizzes, graded class work, and homework
10% Participation: Vocabulary practice, study guides, etc.
This means a majority of the overall grade in the class will be based upon performance on ESA assignments.
H.
Turnitin.com
This website cross references student work with all previously submitted work and the World Wide Web to ensure academic integrity at Whitney High
School. Students will be required to submit all essential skill assignments and take home writing to turnitin.com before they will receive a grade on
that assignment.
I.

Academic Integrity

Plagiarism is taking someone elses work or ideas and passing them off as ones own. The Language Arts department will not tolerate plagiarism or
cheating. Any instance, regardless of how small, of plagiarism or cheating will result in the following consequences:
For a Daily Work or Participation assignment: a zero will be given for the assignment. The student will not be given the opportunity to make-up the
assignment.
For Essential Skill Assessment: The student will rewrite/retake the assignment. The student will receive a grade of minimum mastery.
J.
Late Work Policy
All daily work must be turned in on time or a zero will be assigned. Essential Skill work turned in late will earn a 30% deduction.
1.
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K.
INTERVENTIONS: The Language Arts Department:
assigns preferential seating to students who need extra support.
chunks large assignments into smaller tasks to check for comprehension.
offers one on one tutoring during teacher office hours.
posts grades online and student contracts when a student falls in danger of not passing.
L.

HOW TO ACHIEVE A STAMP FOR EXTENDED LUNCH

1. The student is currently passing the course with a 70%.

I, _______________________________ , have read and understand the Language Arts III Honors syllabus.
_______________________________
Student Signature

________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature

_______________________________
Student Printed Name

________________________________
Parent/Guardian Printed Name