10th Grade Syllabus

Welcome to 10th grade ELA and World Literature!  I hope you all had a fulfilling and restful summer. This year we will be exploring a vast array of literature to discover what it means to be human in a scientific and technological age. We will be exploring various literary criticisms and writing a plethora of essays. This course is a pre-AP course. It is our goal to give each and every member of this class the tools they will need to succeed in an AP English course next year, if he or she decides to take it. Students will also be prepared to pass the Grade 10 MCAS, as well as prepare for the SATs in Grade 11.

Before we get started, it is important that we all get familiar with the class requirements and expectations. Our class policies are simple and rely heavily on the Lee student handbook and mutual respect for one another.  This means that we are all required to be active and respectful listeners who use proper manners and have tolerance for differing ideas and opinions.  Students should also respect themselves and their classmates by arriving to class on time, prepared and ready to put forth an honest effort, so that they may take advantage of every learning opportunity provided. This class is academically rigorous and misbehavior or lack of effort will not be tolerated.

You are all talented and bright students capable of great success.  In order to achieve that success you will be expected to take an active role as a learner, complete all of your assignments—you will never be given “busy work”, every assignment has a meaningful purpose—, try your best to remain organized, hand all work in on time, be pro-active about getting missed assignments when absent, and bring a positive attitude into our classroom each day. 

Logistics

Class Materials:

Each student is required to have:

Supplies

• Three-ring binder
• Filler paper/notebook
• Dividers or labeling tabs (to create sections in binder as you see fit)
• Writing utensils (pen is preferred), highlighter
• Book & Unit Materials/Handouts

Office Hours:

Students may meet with me by appointment any day after school. I am also available any morning before school beginning at 7:30 am. If students plan to stay after or come before school, they must let Mrs. Hudnall know they plan to come for extra help. 

Grading Policy:

Tests/Essays:               40%

Quizzes:                      30%

HW:                            20%

Participation/Effort:    10%

Tests/Essays:  There will be a variety of test weighted assignments. Final drafts of essays will be weighted as test grades. There will be tests given at the end of all literature we read. Additionally, a test grade will be given for the collection of Do Nows each quarter.

Quizzes:  Students will frequently take quizzes on the literature we read. Additionally, there will be frequent vocabulary/SAT quizzes. Rough drafts of essays will be weighted as quizzes as well. Late rough drafts will be given a 50%.

Homework:  In order to succeed in this class, it is vital that you keep up with assigned readings. I understand that life can interfere with homework sometimes. You will be given one homework pass per term.  This pass will exempt you from the assignment without any penalization.  You are encouraged to make the assignment up, but it is not required.  After you have exhausted your pass, any missing homework assignments will be given a zero.  Late credit (50%) will be awarded for assignments that are done well and handed in the next class period.

Do Now:  Every day, class will start off with a “Do Now” assignment.  Instructions will be written on the board. You are expected to enter the classroom, get your required materials and begin working on the Do Now before the bell rings. Each quarter these will be checked and an overall grade will be given. .

Participation/Effort:  Everyone begins the quarter with 100% in class participation. You are expected to keep it. Deductions are made for the following infractions: tardiness, not having necessary class materials in class, class disruption, refusal to do in-class work, and not participating in class discussions.

Note: If you would like to submit to Orange Ink, I will offer you 10 points on your lowest quiz grade for the term. This is a one-time deal for the year!

I sincerely look forward to working with you this year. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Mrs. Jessica Hudnall

jmhudnall@leepublicschools.net