“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” – Ray Bradbury​​​​​​​

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to 11th grade English at CCHS!   This course is based on the premise that English is a skill to be learned and practiced regularly, much the same way you learn to drive a car.   The skills that you develop in this class will continue to be useful to you throughout your entire life!  For this reason, it is very important that you keep up with the assignments, and participate actively to develop these skills.   This course focuses on the advancement of reading literature, reading informational texts, writing, and speaking and listening.

The goals that we will focus on are as follows:

Note Taking – develop note-taking skills based on both materials read and verbally communicated.

Writing – develop strong ability in various genres (narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive writing).

Reading comprehension and literary appreciation – develop critical reading and analysis skills, and continue to strengthen understanding of various literary terms.

Public speaking – strengthen ability to speak both formally and informally in a public situation.

Group work – work successfully in teams to prepare presentations, college readiness, annotating, pulling information from the text, developing a central idea, etc.

College-Readiness – develop skills to succeed in higher learning (college)

Note - All of these skills follow the new Common Core standards

Supplies:

CORNWALL CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

COURSE OUTLINE 

Mrs. Mercado - lmercado@cornwallschools.com

ENGLISH 11R

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” – Ray Bradbury​​​​​​​

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to 11th grade English at CCHS!   This course is based on the premise that English is a skill to be learned and practiced regularly, much the same way you learn to drive a car.   The skills that you develop in this class will continue to be useful to you throughout your entire life!  For this reason, it is very important that you keep up with the assignments, and participate actively to develop these skills.   This course focuses on the advancement of reading literature, reading informational texts, writing, and speaking and listening.

The goals that we will focus on are as follows:

Note Taking – develop note-taking skills based on both materials read and verbally communicated.

Writing – develop strong ability in various genres (narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive writing).

Reading comprehension and literary appreciation – develop critical reading and analysis skills, and continue to strengthen understanding of various literary terms.

Public speaking – strengthen ability to speak both formally and informally in a public situation.

Group work – work successfully in teams to prepare presentations, college readiness, annotating, pulling information from the text, developing a central idea, etc.

College-Readiness – develop skills to succeed in higher learning (college)

Note - All of these skills follow the new Common Core standards

Supplies:

The following supplies are required for success in this course: 1 subject notebook, 1 folder with loose-leaf for notes and handouts, 1 highlighter, pens and pencils (I do not supply these items), Textbooks and novels (supplied by the teacher). A Google Docs account needs to be in place

All supplies are vital to this course.   It is your responsibility to bring all supplies every day! No excuses!

Late/cutting class – This type of behavior will NOT be tolerated!   If you are late to or cutting my class, you will receive a referral by the administration! Your parents will be contacted also.

Cell Phones/IPODS/Electronic Devices - These are not allowed in the classroom and should not be seen.  If this becomes a problem, disciplinary action will be taken.

Conferences/make-ups:

I am available at the following times:

Periods _____ & _______, before or after school

Quarterly grades will consist of the following components(subject to change):

Homework/Classwork - 20%, Quizzes - 30%, Tests 50%

To foster independence and encourage student ownership, the procedure for a student who is unsure about a grade is as follows:

1. Schedule a student meeting with me (most grade questions can be resolved at this step).
2. If the grade in question is unresolved after the student-teacher meeting, please feel free to email me or schedule a parent teacher meeting.

Concerning grades, you should note the following …

I expect everyone to participate.   This is very important!   This means listening, critically thinking and giving feedback based on class discussion.   This could help improve your grade!  When a paper is assigned it MUST be handed in by the assigned due date.   Each day the paper late, 10 points will be deducted from the final grade.   There are no exceptions.

Late Assignments:

Absence is not an excuse for a missing or late assignment. In the age of technology, the expectation is that work is submitted electronically (via the google classroom or email) in the event that a student cannot be present in class. **If the student has no internet access/electronic device, pre arrangements must be made with the teacher. 

Writing assignments (final drafts), projects, or long-term assignments:

10 points off every day an assignment is late.  After five days (including weekends) the late assignment, project or presentation will NOT be accepted and you will receive a 0.  

Homework:

Due to the varied nature of homework assignments throughout the course of a year, the penalties for late work will reflect the expectations of the assignment.

Typically, homework assignments to be reviewed the next day in class will receive a penalty of 0 if not turned in on time. 

Quiz and test make-up:

It is the student’s responsibility to make up quizzes and tests within five days of returning to class. Work not made up in the allotted time will result in a 0.

Conduct/Dignity:

I am looking forward to the upcoming year.  It will be challenging, but also fun and rewarding for you!  Remember that you must have RESPECT and DIGNITY for Yourself, Others and Property! Keeping these rules in mind, we will have a very successful year!

Each student is expected to achieve an appropriate degree of mastery in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking in accordance with the New York State Language Arts Standards. Please visit Engageny.org for questions.

Concerns or Questions:

Please email me with any concerns at lmercado@cornwallschools.com. Check my website on the district page if you have questions about assignments or due dates.

I have read and understand the policies and requirements outlined in this course description and agree to abide by them. Sign and detach bellow.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

________________________________   __________________________

Student’s signature and date                                 Student’s PRINTED name

________________________________

Parent/ Guardian’s signature and date

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” – Ray Bradbury​​​​​​​

Course Description

Evolution of Science-Fiction is a one-semester course which fulfills ½ of the senior English requirement. This course provides an overview of classic and contemporary Sci-Fi literature. The Sci-Fi genre is often dismissed as being of little literary merit. However, the best examples of this genre incorporate elements of mythology, philosophy, history, political science, sociology, and, of course, the sciences (biology, ecology, physics, etc.). This course is based on the reading and discussion of Sci-Fi literature that lends itself to an exploration of the best aspects of this genre. In this course students will explore the realm of science fiction. The exploration is made through short stories, non-fiction articles, novels, and videos.

The course has three main components: reading Sci-Fi literature/viewing videos, discussions with classmates, and writing (both creative writing and analytical/essay writing) The major goal of the course is to refine students’ higher level thinking skills as they read and interpret various works of literary merit. Students will build on their literary analysis skills, learning to analyze literature for its underlying themes and exploring the ways that authors use character, setting, plot, style, and motif to communicate and reinforce themes. Students will experiment with writing techniques to create their own Sci-Fi literature, furthering their understanding of authorial intent and technique. Students will develop their discussion and presentation skills by taking part in daily discussions and by periodically leading discussions and/or presentations.

Students will make connections between the “real” world and the science fiction realms created by visionaries that reside on our planet. Writing assignments and oral presentations for this course will be based on readings, discussions, and research stemming from themes reviewed in class.

The true purpose is to always find the “science” in the fiction.

Course Content & Materials

Copies of all stories and books we read as a class will be provided for students. Our class discussions and activities will be based on a variety of short stories, novels, and videos, including:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The Time Machine/ War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

The Martian by Andy Weir

Additional independent science fiction novel - if time allows

Variety of short stories

Non - Fiction articles

Videos and Documentaries:

Star Wars - A New Hope, Star Wars - The Force Awakens,The Prophets of Science Fiction, Frankenstein, The Time Machine, Zombie films, The Matrix, The Martian, etc…

Supplies

1 folder

1 highlighter

Pens/Pencils

All supplies are vital to this course.   It is your responsibility to bring all supplies every day! No excuses!

Grades in this class are weighted as follows:

Quizzes: 20%

 Tests: 35%

 Formal Writing Assignment: 25%

 Participation & Preparation (Homework): 20%

NOTE – there is no final exam for this course. Each marking period is worth 50% and then averaged together to create your final grade

Conferences/make-ups:

I am available at the following times:

Periods _____ & ______, before or after school

To foster independence and encourage student ownership, the procedure for a student who is unsure about a grade is as follows: 1. Schedule a student meeting with me (most grade questions can be resolved at this step) 2. If the grade in question is unresolved after the student-teacher meeting, please feel free to email me or schedule a parent teacher meeting.

Late Assignments:

Absence is not an excuse for a missing or late assignment. In the age of technology, the expectation is that work is submitted electronically (via the google classroom or email) in the event that a student cannot be present in class. **If the student has no internet access/electronic device, pre arrangements must be made with the teacher.  

Writing assignments (final drafts), projects, or long term assignments:

10 points off every day an assignment is late.  After five days (including weekends) the late assignment, project or presentation will NOT be accepted and you will receive a 0.   

Homework:

Due to the varied nature of homework assignments throughout the course of a year, the penalties for late work will reflect the expectations of the assignment.

Typically, homework assignments to be reviewed the next day in class will receive a penalty of 0 if not turned in on time.  

Quiz and test make-up:

It is the student’s responsibility to make up quizzes and tests within five days of returning to class. Work not made up in the allotted time will result in a 0.

Attendance - It is the student’s responsibility to make up work due to absences.   Tests and assignments are expected to be made up the first day the student returns to school.   Papers, homework and quizzes, that are not completed within one week, will be entered as a zero.  Failing tests and/or essays must be signed by the student’s parent or guardian and returned to the teacher.

Late/cutting class – This type of behavior will NOT be tolerated!   If you are late to or cutting my class, you will receive a referral by the administration! Your parents will be contacted also.

Cell Phones/IPODS/Electronic Devices - These are not allowed in the classroom and should not be seen.  If this becomes a problem, disciplinary action will be taken.

Concerns or Questions:

Please email me with any concerns at lmercado@cornwallschools.com. Check my website on the district page if you have questions about assignments or due dates. Sign and detach below.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I have read and understand the policies and requirements outlined in this course description and agree to abide by them.

________________________________   __________________________

Student’s signature and date                                 Student’s PRINTED name

________________________________

Parent/ Guardian’s signature and date

“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” – Ray Bradbury​​​​​​​

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to 9th grade English at CCHS!   This course is based on the premise that English is a skill to be learned and practiced regularly, much the same way you learn to drive a car.   The skills that you develop in this class will continue to be useful to you throughout your entire life!  For this reason, it is very important that you keep up with the assignments, and participate actively to develop these skills.   This course focuses on the foundations of reading literature, reading informational texts, writing, and speaking and listening.

The goals that we will focus on are as follows:

Note Taking – develop note-taking skills based on both materials read and verbally communicated.

Writing – develop strong ability in various genres (narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive writing).

Reading comprehension and literary appreciation – develop critical reading and analysis skills, and continue to strengthen understanding of various literary terms.

Public speaking – strengthen ability to speak both formally and informally in a public situation.

Group work – work successfully in teams to prepare presentations, complete assignments ,annotating, pulling evidence from the text, etc.

Note - all of these skills follow the Common Core standards

Supplies:

The following supplies are required for success in this course: 1 composition notebook (journal and regents review), 1 folder with loose-leaf for notes and handouts, 1 highlighter, pens and pencils (I do not supply these items), textbooks and novels (supplied by the teacher) You will also need to create a Google Docs account and join the Google classroom

All supplies are vital to this course.  It is your responsibility to bring all supplies every day! No excuses!

Late/cutting class – This type of behavior will NOT be tolerated!   If you are late for or cutting my class, you will receive a referral by the administration! Your parents will be contacted also.

Cell Phones/IPODS/Electronic Devices - These are not allowed in the classroom and should not be seen.  If this becomes a problem, disciplinary action will be taken.

Conferences/make-ups:

I am available at the following times:

Periods  ____ & _____ , before or after school

Quarterly grades will consist of the following components(subject to change):

Homework/Classwork - 20%

Quizzes - 30%

Tests - 50%

To foster independence and encourage student ownership, the procedure for a student who is unsure about a grade is as follows:

1. Schedule a student meeting with me (most grade questions can be resolved at this step) 2. If the grade in question is unresolved after the student-teacher meeting, please feel free to email me or schedule a parent teacher meeting.

Concerning grades, you should note the following …

I expect everyone to participate.   This is very important!   This means listening, critically thinking and giving feedback based on class discussion.   This could help improve your grade!  

Late Assignments:

Absence is not an excuse for a missing or late assignment. In the age of technology, the expectation is that work is submitted electronically (via the google classroom or email) in the event that a student cannot be present in class. **If the student has no internet access/electronic device, pre arrangements must be made with the teacher.  

Writing assignments (final drafts), projects, or long term assignments:

10 points off every day an assignment is late.  After five days (including weekends) the late assignment, project or presentation will NOT be accepted and you will receive a 0.   

Homework:

Due to the varied nature of homework assignments throughout the course of a year, the penalties for late work will reflect the expectations of the assignment.

Typically, homework assignments to be reviewed the next day in class will receive a penalty of 0 if not turned in on time.  

Quiz and test make-up:

It is the student’s responsibility to make up quizzes and tests within five days of returning to class. Work not made up in the allotted time will result in a 0.

Conduct/Dignity:

I am looking forward to the upcoming year.  It will be challenging, but also fun and rewarding for you!  Remember that you must have RESPECT and DIGNITY for Yourself, Others and Property! Keeping these rules in mind, we will have a very successful year!

Each student is expected to achieve an appropriate degree of mastery in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking in accordance with the New York State Language Arts Standards.  Please visit Engageny.org for further questions

Concerns or Questions:

Please email me with any concerns at lmercado@cornwallschools.com. Check my website on the district page if you have questions about assignments or due dates. Sign and detach below.

___________________________________________________________________

I have read and understand the policies and requirements outlined in this course description and agree to abide by them.

________________________________   __________________________

Student’s signature and date                                 Student’s PRINTED name

________________________________

Parent/ Guardian’s signature and date