Ms.

Sumter

Junior Honors English

Welcome to Ms. Sumters Juniors Honors English Class!

Books are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life!
Welcome to my classroom! I am glad you are going to be a part of
this exciting year of English. I look forward to working with you on
writing and exploring literature!

Contact Information: My hope is for communication to be simple and easy. I am always

available by email and my classroom phone. My email address is: [email protected]
and my phone number is 623-606-5597. The best time to reach is during my prep hour between
11:05am 12:00pm.
Daily Schedule:
Period 1: 8:00am-8:55am
Period 2: 9:00am-9:45am
Period 3: 10:00am-11:00am
Period 4 (Prep Hour): 11:05am-12:00pm
Lunch: 12:05pm-12:35pm
Period 6: 12:40pm-1:35pm
Period 7: 1:40pm-2:35pm

Course Description: This writing-intensive course explores academic prose, including various
types of essays, arguments, and constructions. This course is designed for academically
advanced, highly motivated students who were successful in English 3-4 H or are recommended
for placement. Writing, speaking, and presentation skills are further refined in the context of
analytical and persuasive writing. Intensive and comprehensive study of American literature is
pursued. Library research is stressed.
Important Events:
Quarter 1: Early American Literature Colonial and Puritan
Quarter 2: Early American Literature Romanticism and Transcendentalism

Ms. Sumter

Junior Honors English

Quarter 3: Poetry Reading, analyzing, comparing, contrasting, and writing poetry

Quarter 4: Research Paper Source Citation, Writing, Research

Course Competencies:
I. Understanding Rhetorical Contexts
A. Circumstance
B. Purpose
C. Topic
D. Audience
E. Writer
II. Defining Effective Processes
A. Invention
B. Drafting
C. Feedback
D. Revision
E. Presentation
III. Thinking, Reading and Writing Critically
A. Reading to discover
B. Reading to analyze rhetorically
C. Writing to discover
D. Writing to communicate
E. Writing to reflect
IV. Knowing Conventions
A. Format
B. Structure
C. Documentation of sources
D. Mechanics
Required Reading:
Lunsford, Andrea A. et al. (2013) Everythings an Argument (6th ed.). Boston, MA:
Bedford/St. Martins. ISBN 978-1-4576-3149-8
Julie West Johnson - Literature 11 Yellow American Literature - Boston Mcdougal
Littell/Houghton Mifflin - 1987 - ISBN: 0866097740
Write Source: Skills Book
Students will need a student planner and composition notebook, which they are expected
to bring to class every day.

Ms. Sumter

Junior Honors English

Grading System: Students will be as sessed on all classroom activities and assignments. The
teacher will follow any accommodations and modifications as included per IEP and 504 Plans.
Grades will be determined on the following grading and weight scales. Students and parents may
access their grades through StudentVUE/ParentVUE accessible through the Washington High
School website at http://washington.guhsdaz.org/.
Semester Grading Scale (18 weeks):
90%
10%

1st Quarter/Term & 2nd Quarter/Term (cumulative)

Final Exam (5% Reading Exam, 5% Writing Exam)

Semester Grading Scale (based on 90% of semester grade):

- In Class work (Class Work/Group Work/Bell Work):
- Minor Assignments (Reading Logs/Homework):
-Major Assignments (Essays/major projects):
-Structured Assessments (Quizzes and Tests):

Grading Scale:
100 90%:
89 80%:
79 70%:
69 60%:
Below 60%:

A:
B:
C:
D:
F:

5pts. Per Week

20pts. Each
100pts Each
25-50pts. Each

Superior
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Failing

Classroom Procedures:
Beginning of class
Students will be greeted at the door and as they walk in, students will be reminded to pick
up materials from the materials station for the days class if needed. Also, students will need to
submit homework to the homework station on the teachers desk. Students will sit at their
desks and copy down their schedule/agenda for the day, in their composition notebook, so that
they know what their plans are. After that, students will complete bell work in order to get the
day started. Bell work will be completed in their composition notebooks. While students are
working on their bell work I will take attendance and input it quickly. We will go over the bell
work as a class.
Ending Class
Depending on the days lesson, students will complete closure in order to wrap up the
day, meaning students will have an exit ticket at the end of class to summarize the days learning.

Ms. Sumter

Junior Honors English

Closure should only take about two minutes. Afterwards, they will be given ample time to pack
up their belongings and check the floors for any trash that needs picking up in order to promote a
clean and tidy work space. Students will remain seated quietly after packing up their backpacks
and cleaning up trash. Students will not leave the classroom until I dismiss class by saying,
Have a good day.

Collecting Homework
All homework will need to be collected at the beginning of class to ensure that
independent practice is completed. All homework will be graded according to the point totals
provided previously. Each homework assignment is worth 20 points. Students must turn in their
homework to the homework station as they walk into the classroom. After every student has
handed in the homework and started their bell work, I will go through the stack and check to see
who has not turned in the work. Students that have not turned in homework will be quietly
reminded that no late work is accepted and that they have until the end of the day to turn in their
work.
Handing-Back Homework
In order to maintain privacy of grades, I will be the only one to return any work.
Homework will be placed on each individuals desk, face down before class starts, or during bell
work. All homework will have feedback on it so that every student will know what they did well
and what they can improve on.
Material Distribution
As previously stated, students will collect any materials needed for the day at the
beginning of class as they enter the room. If any textbooks are needed, they will collect their
textbook at the start of class as well. Every student will be assigned a number that matches a
corresponding book. Students may only use the book that matches their personal number, unless
otherwise directed by the teacher.
Student Absences
Every student must copy down every days agenda. This is to ensure that every student
knows what has taken place in class each day. When students are absent, they can expect their
classmates to know what was done in class. I will also keep a log of each days agenda. Next to
the homework station, I will have an absent folder. There will be an individual tab for each
class period. The student can flip to their class period to find the agenda and any missed

Ms. Sumter

Junior Honors English

handouts with their name on it. Students must add the absent days to their composition book with
a note saying they were absent. I will be keeping track of student absences.
Late Work
Late work will not be accepted. All homework will be checked at the beginning of class.
Those that did not turn in homework will be reminded of the no late work policy. The only
exception to this rule is that students have until the end of the day (before I leave campus) to turn
in any work not turned in at the beginning of class. If needed, a student can come to the
classroom to complete the work. However, for smaller assignments I will take the best 15 out of
20. Everyone has off days and I am aware of that. By taking the best 15 out of 20 grades for
small assignments students will still have a good chance of doing well, even if they have an off
day. Big projects are mandatory. Even if a student is absent, the project is still due and no
extensions are given.
Grading Policy
I will keep a paper record of grades throughout the year so as to make any needed
changes. Grades will be updated in the parent portal every Tuesday. Small assignments will be
given back sooner than longer assignments. Small assignments, such as homework, will be
returned as soon as the same class period or the next day. Longer assignments, such as essays or
unit tests, will be returned two-three class periods after being completed. The grading scale is
based on points. In class assignments, such as bell work, are worth 5 points per week. Minor
assignments, like homework and reading logs are worth 20 points. Major assignments, like
essays and projects are worth 100 points. Structured assignments like quizzes or tests are worth
25-50 points. Quizzes are worth 25 points, while tests are worth 50 points.
Bathroom Policy
Being in the classroom is of the upmost importance in order to learn the material
presented. So as to not make for distractions, only one boy and one girl will be permitted to use
the restroom per class period. If needed, accommodations for students with medical conditions
can be made. The teacher reserves the right to say no at any time when asked if a student may
use the restroom.
Parent Communication
My email address and classroom phone number are provided on the first page of this
syllabus. I generally arrive to school around 7:30am and I leave by 4pm in order to help students.
Before and after school is also a great time to get in contact with me if needed. I will ask parents
for their email address and phone number at the end of the syllabus. In addition, I will ask that
you leave a preferred method of communication. I am always willing to work with parents in
order to communicate. Please, do not hesitate to call or email me.

Ms. Sumter

Junior Honors English

Considerations for Diverse Learners

To ensure that every students needs are being met, all procedures and policies will be
explicitly explained and modeled at the beginning of the school year. Students will practice all
procedures until thoroughly understood. If students forget any of the procedures or policies the
class will practice them again until understood. Aside from following any IEPs and 504
accommodations, all procedures and policies will be simple enough for students to understand
and accomplish. Also, all procedures and policies will be posted on the class bulletin boards for
students.
Rules and Consequences
Aside from teaching the rules, all rules will be posted on the classroom bulletin boards as
a reminder. Teaching the rules and having them posted will be helpful to all students and the
teacher. All expectations will help provide structure within the classroom to save time for
learning. My set of rules correlates with my personal philosophy of teaching. I want no child to
be left out of learning and the rules I have help create an environment in which all students are
able to learn and grow.
The rules for my classroom are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Only one person speaks at a time by raising their hands and waiting to be called on
Stay in your assigned seats unless directed otherwise by the teacher
Keep your bodies and objects to yourself
Any outside problems will be left at the door to make room for learning
All books will be handled with care

The consequences for breaking the rules in my classroom are in order of offense:

First Offense- Warning/Conference

Second Offense- Call Home
Third Offense- Detention
Fourth Offense- Administration Referral

Disclaimer: The teacher reserves the right to skip steps based upon the severity of the violation.

My Vision: My hope for this school year is simple; I want everyone to feel safe as they enter my
classroom. I want all students to learn and be successful. I know that every student is capable of
succeeding and I am here to help with that. I look forward to a wonderful year with you!

Ms. Sumter

Junior Honors English

Teacher Signature: __________________________________

I understand the policies and procedures that Ms. Sumter has outlined for her Juniors
Honors English class. My student and I have received a copy of the class syllabus and
calendar for the 2014-2015 school year.

Students Name: ___________________________________ Class Period: _______________

Parents Signature: ________________________________________

(Please detach and return to Ms. Sumter by the end of Week 1)