Mrs. Varela
Room C118 Extension 2858
varela.laura@cusd80.com
11th Grade English Course Syllabus
 Perry High School

Course Description
The Junior English course is essential in providing the foundation for advanced English studies. This comprehensive course examines the development of the writing process; the literature studies focus on American Literature, grammar, vocabulary, speaking and critical thinking skills. Students will learn traits from a balanced repertoire of reading and writing while applying skills learned to real-world situations. Students will read from selected novels, as well as short stories, essays, dramas, and poetry. This is an interactive course that requires student involvement including research, debate, and oral presentations which will require the use of multimedia resources. 
PHS Curriculum and the Arizona State Standards: 
Arizona State Standards Mission Statement:  The Arizona State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.

PHS is dedicated to incorporating the Arizona State Standards into the English 11 curriculum and increasing the rigor of our instruction.
Required Texts
•	
•	Pearson My Perspectives: American Literature 
•	Major Works of study listed below
•	Independent Chapter book for reading and reflection

Film in the Classroom
This course examines multiple genres of literature and offers opportunities to view films that are related to the units of study. In most cases we observe film in brief increments; however, we may study a full-length film if necessary. Potential films for class include:

The History Channel: The Salem Witch Trials	
Atlantis: The Lost Civilization (Persuasion)		
The Crucible (1996) PG-13-Daniel Day Lewis	
Biographies of the following: Edgar A. Poe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Benjamin Franklin 			
The Simpsons: “The Raven”
Return to the Wild, Transcendentalism   
The Great Gatsby (2013) Baz Luhrmann	
A Raisin in the Sun (1961) NR (2008) PG-13
Dateline: Why Can’t We Live Together? (A Raisin in the Sun)
Remember the Titans (A Raisin in the Sun) PG

Grading (80/20 course)						____Grading Scale			
Quizzes 15%							90-100		A
Homework 15%							80-89		B	
Journal 20%  							70-79		C
Class Participation 25%						60-69		D
Major Projects/Exams 25%					Below 60	F
								
Concept Focus	Major Works	
First Quarter: 
Foundations of Democracy (Puritanism-Classicism)
	Foundational United States Documents 
 	
Second Quarter: 
Power and Protest (Classicism-Romanticism)
	Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer	
Third Quarter: 
The American Dream (Realism-Modernism)
	The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
	
Fourth Quarter:
Society and the Individual (Modernism and beyond)
	The Crucible by  Arthur Miller 	

Late Work / Absences
Late work is not accepted. Any student who is absent is responsible for make-up work. The student will receive the number of days absent to complete and turn in the work. Absent work not turned in within the given number of days will result in a zero per assignment. Please be advised that work brought in on disks, flash drives, etc. are considered “late” and will not be printed out by the teacher. It is the student’s responsibility to “print” work BEFORE class. 
*ALL PROJECTS (HARD DUE DATES) ARE DUE EVEN IF A STUDENT IS ABSENT FROM MY CLASS

Supplies
One inch three ring binder to keep language arts materials and homework in or a designated place in an academic binder, dividers with labeling capability, composition book, agenda, red pen, blue or black pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters, and lined loose leaf paper.  (NO SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS PLEASE)
Optional: colored pencils, washable markers, and glue sticks. 

Technology Requirements
Turnitin.com is an integral program at Perry High School.  This website allows teachers to review the written assignment submitted and determine the authenticity of the students' papers.  In many cases, this submission is the only proof of a completed assignment, as the teacher scores the paper from the website.  The late work policy listed above applies to any paperless submissions.  In other cases, the teacher requires both a hard copy of the assignment, as well as submission to the website. If an assignment requires the combination submission to turnitin.com, the late work policy will apply for all students, whether present in class the day an assignment is due or not, which automatically allows a 24-hour grace period, and a 10% reduction in the final grade will be applied to all late submissions. Please note, however, that any papers not submitted by the extension period will receive a zero, regardless of a hard copy submission.

Cheating and Plagiarism
Any student caught cheating in class (giving or receiving answers/work) will receive a zero on the assignment. The student will receive a referral and the parents/guardians will be notified. In addition, if a student attempts to resubmit a previous assignment 
Self-plagiarism is a form of cheating and is academically dishonest. It occurs when an author reuses his/her own previously written work or data in a ‘new’ written product without letting the reader/instructor know that this material has appeared elsewhere. This includes reusing any portion of an assignment previously written and/or submitted to an instructor for a grade and/or an assessment. Any act of self-plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, or acts of academic misconduct on any assignment, may result in: failure for the assignment, or failure for the course after a conduct referral has been written.
 
Classroom Expectations
1.	Be RESPONSIBLE
	By being on time and prepared for class daily
	By obtaining and completing all assignments and make-up work using your best effort
	By asking for help when you need it
2.	Be RESPECTFUL
	Of the opinions and property of your peers, teachers, and your school
	Of the learning environment
	Of the person(s) addressing the class by giving them your undivided attention

Bring Your Own Technology
Students and parents will sign an agreement about students using their own technology in the classroom.  This agreement will be discussed within the first few weeks of school.  If a student does not have a signed agreement on file with PHS, he/she will not be allowed to use his/her own technology in the classroom.  Use of such technology is only allowed when the teacher directs students to do so for approved academic purposes. 

Restroom Policy
Every time a student leaves the classroom they are required to sign out and carry a pass. In regards to restroom breaks, understanding, however, there will not be any restroom breaks granted within the first or last 10 minutes of class. Exiting the room for any reason is at the teacher’s discretion, and is a privilege that can be revoked at any time.

Each student will be given “Bathroom Passes” at the beginning of the semester. Once the student’s passes have been used, the student will not be allowed to leave the classroom for the remainder of the semester. At the conclusion of the semester, each “Pass” that the student has not used can be submitted for five points of extra credit

Tardy and Attendance Policy
Promptness is a quality that is absolutely necessary for success in school and at work. Students are expected to be in their seats and working on the posted assignment when the bell rings. Four tardies in PHS classes will result in a written referral, followed by a referral for all tardies thereafter.
Be aware the Chandler Unified School District policy on absences states that a student will lose course credit if he / she records more than seven (7) unexcused/ excused absences. 

Mrs. Laura Varela
English 11 2019-2020

Syllabus Acknowledgement

 (must be returned by July 29th, 2019 to receive points)

STUDENT: 
I have read, understand, and will follow the course syllabus and the school/class expectations and policies.
___________________________________________________________________		
Name (printed)	

__________________________________________________________________		
Signature							
					
GUARDIAN / PARENT: 
I have read the course syllabus, expectations, and policies and will support this student in following these classroom guidelines. 

_______________________________________________________________________	
Name (printed)	

________________________________________________________________________
Signature
	
__________________________________				
Date
				
**Please initial the selections your student has your permission to view (English 11 students may watch clips from the following films this year as time permits.)

TITLE	RATING	PERMISSION – YES  	PERMISSION – NO 	
The History Channel :The Salem Witch Trials	Not rated			
The Crucible	PG-13			
Return to the Wild	Not rated			
A Raisin in the Sun (1961) 	Not rated			
A Raisin in the Sun (2008)	PG-13			
The Great Gatsby	PG-13			
Remember the Titans	PG			

•	Students are not to chew gum, eat, or drink any beverage except water in the classroom.  Students may have CLEAR WATER ONLY!
•	After the 4th tardy, the student will receive an office referral and an after school detention.
•	Students who choose to disregard the dress code policy will be sent to administration where they will be required to change into school appropriate attire.
•	Hats, cell phones, and iPods are not permitted in the building and can be confiscated by a staff member.   Confiscated items can be picked up in the attendance office before or after school.
•	Any student found copying, cheating, or plagiarizing will receive an office referral and a zero for that assignment. 

STUDENT
	ID #	PERIOD	

Student
	Home phone

Work phone

Cell phone
	Email (print)	

Mother/Guardian

	Home phone

Work phone

Cell phone
	Email (print)	

Father/Guardian

	Home phone

Work phone

Cell phone
	Email (print)	

 Please do not write in the area below (this is for teacher use).
Date	Contact	Details