Mrs.
Pierce
English 10
2015-2016
Dear Students/Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to English 10! Please take a look over this syllabus. If you have any questions, feel free to
email me at apierce@colliervilleschools.org or call the school to leave a message. I look forward to a
great school year!
Course Website: http://colliervillehs.colliervilleschools.org/~apierce
Follow the class on Twitter for updates, changes in the schedule, etc: @thatsPIErceEng
CLASS GOALS
Understand and implement close reading
techniques.
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and
analyze in detail its development over the
course of the text, including how it emerges and
is shaped and refined by specific details;
provide an objective summary of the text.
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to
support an analysis of a text.
Compose for different audiences and purposes,
through the process of reading, writing, and
discussing texts.
REQUIRED READING
Choice Fiction
Lord of the Flies, William Golding
The Glass Castle, Jeanette Walls
The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd
Julius Caesar, Shakespeare Barrons Side by Side
REQUIRED ITEMS:
3 ring binder
Notebook paper
1 composition book
1 box of Kleenex
Pens and pencils (blue and black ink pen only)
Highlighters
Flash drive
The goals of this class are fairly simple: READ THINK DISCUSS WRITE
GRADING SYSTEM
o At least 12 grades per quarter
o Total points earned divided by total points
possible
o Reading check quizzes
o Out of class essay/discussion questions
(major works)
o Projects associated with major works
o Major writing assignments
o In-class essays
o Other in-class writings
o Practice multiple-choice tests: End Course,
etc.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT
o Be on time.
o Be respectful.
o Be prepared.
o We will follow all CHS rules.
o You need to be in your desk when the class
starts.
WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS EVERY DAY:
o 3 ring binder
o Notebook paper
o Pencils and pens
o The assigned text for the day
Overview of the course
First Semester
- Elements of Fiction
- Novel: Lord of the Flies
- Elements of Argument and Persuasion (MLK)
- Drama- Julius Caesar
- Grammar, Writing, Research, and End of Course
Skills
Second Semester
- Poetry
- Novel: The Secret Life of Bees
- Elements of Nonfiction
- Novel- The Glass Castle
- Grammar, Writing, Research, and End of Course
Skills
**Syllabus may be subject to change**
DISCUSSION NORMS
o Keep the task at the center
o Be present and engaged
o Monitor air time and share your voice
o Challenge with respect
o Risk productive struggle
o Balance urgency and patience
o You may not leave the room unless there is an
emergency.
Reading Check Quizzes: You may be given a short reading quiz over the nights homework at the start
of class. There are no retakes on reading quizzes since we usually go over the reading in class that
day. Therefore, if you are not keeping up with reading, your grade will be dramatically affected. Bottom
line: read!
Rewriting Major In-Class Essays: You may re-write any major in-class essay during the nine weeks it
was assigned. Bring the essay with you on the day you are re-writing. A conference with the teacher is
required before you re-write. The final grade will be determined on a case-by-case scenario.
Grades below 70: If you score below a 70 or below on an assignment, test, or quiz, you may resubmit
the work for additional credit. However, you must attend Academic Support for English or complete
some remediation assignment in order to receive this benefit. You will need to schedule an appointment
with me for the make-up and AS. The new score will be determined on a case-by-case scenario.
The retake must be completed within two weeks of the date that the assignment was given.
MAKEUP POLICY
A. Unexcused absence - no makeup allowed
B. Excused absences: 1. Homework CHS policy= one day for each day missed. Weekly homework
assignments are posted on my web page. 2. Tests/quizzes/essays - Makeup days are by appointment
only (after school from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.) in Room 150. Tests, essays, and quizzes must be made up
within one week of the absence. You are responsible for make up work. I will not search for you to tell
you what you have missed. Have a buddy in the class to keep you updated and check the course
website if you miss a day.
Semester Exams: Students will be expected to take a first semester exam, covering ALL content of
the semester. This exam will count for 20% of the overall first semester grade. Second semester is still
under review and may change but currently students will be expected to take a second semester exam
that will count for 20% of their overall grade.
PENALTIES ON WORK
A. Academic Dishonesty will result in steps in accordance with the school handbook rules.
Examples of dishonorable conduct and academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:
Giving or receiving unauthorized aid on or during quizzes, tests, or exams
Copying or allowing someone to copy homework or other assignments work.
Submitting work completed or previously submitted by classmates, relatives, parents, tutors, or
others as your original
Downloading an essay or other work from the internet and turning it in as original work
Copying information from outside sources such as online translators, Sparksnotes,
Cliffsnotes, or any website and presenting it as your original work
Plagiarism of any kind, including failing to cite source material, intentionally or unintentionally, in
a written assignment
Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on the assignment and a disciplinary referral to an
administrator.
B. Late work / Academic Support--- This semester any assignment that is not turned in on time will
have the following penalties:
1st day late: 10% off of final grade
2nd day late: 20% off of the final grade
3rd day late: AS will be assigned and the highest grade possible will be a 70
We will follow CHSs Academic Support policy. If you are absent when an assignment is due, you must
have it with you on the day you return.
C. GENERAL RULES FOR PAPERS: Unless otherwise instructed, I require that out-of-class
assignments be typewritten, 12 point font, Times New Roman, and double spaced. You will use the
standard MLA manuscript format (adopted by the CHS English Department) to head and set-up
all papers. You can google this format if you are not sure what it looks like.
Extra Credit:
There will be multiple opportunities for extra credit in my class. There will be two types of extra
credit: 1.) General there will be a separate category in my grade book where most extra
credit will be listed. This will continue to accrue until the end of the nine-week grading period.
2.) Assignment specific this will be extra credit that will be added to the final grade of an
assignment/ test/ quiz. The grade will be listed in PowerSchool as the final grade plus the
extra credit (ex: final grade: 80 + 10 pts extra credit = listed grade of 90).
No Names / Absent-Returned papers folders
Any work that does not have a name on it will be put in the No Name folder taped to the side
of the gray standing file cabinet next to the door. If you are absent, please my website under
English 10, then Assignments.
Classroom Buddy
I advise you get the name, phone number, email, etc. from another classmate so that you can
get information on missed work and notes from this buddy.
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**HOMEWORK GRADE**
PleasereturnonlythisportionofthesyllabustoMrs.PiercebyWednesday,August6th
fora10pointhomeworkgrade.Pleasekeeptherulesandproceduresforyour
reference!
I have read the attached English 251 - Rules and Procedures. I understand its contents and
agree to abide by its rules while I am enrolled in Mrs. Ervins English class.
Student Name (please print): ___________________________________________________
Class Period: __________
Parent/ Guardian Signature and Date: ____________________________________________
Parent email address: ________________________________________________________
Phone number: _____________________________________________________________
**EXTRA CREDIT**
Parents: In addition to sending in the syllabus acknowledgement letter, please send me an
email requesting that I add an additional 10 points to this homework assignment. Periodically,
I will email parents with updates and news, so please use an email address that you frequently
check. Please include your students name and class period in the subject line of the email. I
need to receive these emails by Friday, August 14th 2014. My email address is:
apierce@colliervilleschools.org.
CHSBookOrderForm20152016
(Pierce)
CHECKSDUETOSCHOOLBYFRIDAYAUGUST21,2014
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Students may avoid the hunt for books during the year and contribute to the
English Department funds by ordering one, some, or all of the following books that
will be required for outside reading in English class this year. Profits will be used to
purchase supplies and equipment to enhance the instructional program at
Collierville High School. This is the only time that the high school will be making an
order. If you chose not to order at this time, your son or daughter will be
responsible for finding these books and having them in class on the dates
specified.
Mark an X next to the book(s) you want to purchase, add up the sum, and
make checks payable to Collierville High School English Department. Please do
not send cash.
Thank you for your support!
Required Texts:
CHS cost:
______Lord of the Flies by William Golding
ISBN-13: 978-0399501487
______The Glass Castle: A Memoir
ISBN-13: 978-0743247542
$10.00
$16.00
______Julius Caesar (Barrons Shakespeare Made Easy)
$6.50
ISBN-13: 978-0812035735
______The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
ISBN-13: 978-0143114550
TOTAL AMOUNT _______________
Student Name (Please Print) __________________
Students Period # ________________
$16.00
Teachers Name ________________________
