English 12 ERWC Syllabus
English 12 ~ ERWC (Expository Reading and Writing Course) Syllabus
Citrus Valley High School, 2019-2020
Course Syllabus – Mr. Partain
Instructor: Mr. Jeff Partain Classroom: C-23
Class Webpage: www.partainsenglishclass.com Email: jeff_partain@redlands.k12.ca.us
Twitter: www.twitter.com/partainsenglish Phone: 909-799-2300 ext. 35323
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This rhetoric-based course was designed by the California State Universities and the California Community Colleges and fulfills the RUSD senior year English graduation requirement. All senior students enrolled in this course must pass both semesters in order to walk and receive a diploma. The goal of ERWC is to develop advanced critical and analytical thinking skills through argumentative reading and writing. Throughout the course, students will engage with texts that deal with controversial contemporary issues. Students will evaluate various authors’ claims and writing styles, and then participate in thoughtful, text-based discussions in order to formulate their own opinions. Students will defend their viewpoints in numerous argumentative essays that will require multiple drafts. It is expected that students in this course are ready and willing to engage in a rigorous intellectual challenge.
The ERWC course is designed specifically to help prepare students for the rigorous demands of reading and writing in the FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE AND BEYOND. This course has an emphasis on the rhetorical thinking, writing, speaking, and reading of expository texts and literature that are predominant in postsecondary schools. The course is intended to promote critical and analytical thinking through the integration of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will work on acquiring skills for reading with COMPREHENSION and ENTHUSIASM, listening with understanding and COMPASSION, speaking with CONVICTION and EFFECT, and writing with CLARITY and PERSUASION in a variety of genres. This course emphasizes that while whatwe read is important, howand whywe read is critical as well.
COURSE GOALS– Students in ERWC will:
ORGANIZATION:
The ERWC course is designed so that every unit follows a similar sequential method of rhetorical reading and writing. Each unit/topic we explore will take 3-5 weeks, depending on the length of the readings, and will follow this sequence:
TEXTS:
Many texts assigned in this course are nonfiction articles and essays from magazines and newspapers. For this course, readings will be distributed in hard copy at the beginning of each unit in the form of a printed student reader. Books, novels, and plays usually include: Brave New World and/or Nineteen Eighty-Four, Into the Wild and Hamlet.
MATERIALS:
Students are required to bring all books and materials to class. Each student will need a 3-ring binderwith standard lined paper, pens, pencils, and erasers. Students will also need a lined composition bookfor interactive notebooks and class notes. Most of our essays will be completed using the laptops provided by the school district. Students will be able to access their files from home utilizing Google Docs or a flash drive.
HOMEWORK & MAKE-UP WORK
No late work will be acceptedwith the exception of make-up work after an excused absence.
A student is responsible for finding out what he or she has missed. Daily class agendas are posted online. Students must request to meet with me in order to take mandatory make-up tests/quizzes following a student’s absence. The English Department does NOT allow extra credit. Choose a dependable peer who can be called for clarification or missed assignments due to absence. A responsible student will return to class prepared (instead of showing up and asking, “What did I miss?”).
CLASS WEBSITE / PLANBOOK.COM / TWITTER:
I utilize the internet and social media to keep students and parents informed regarding class. My class website is located at: www.partainsenglishclass.com You can find numerous assignments, worksheets, as well as a way to contact me if necessary. You will also find a direct link to my online planbook at www.planbook.com I will update this site daily to reflect what instruction is covered in class. I also have a classroom twitter account at: twitter.com/partainsenglish. If you follow my twitter account, I will give you extra participation points at the end of each semester. I post announcements, reminders, last minute changes, and even upcoming test & quiz questions on twitter. Using these resources, you can always be informed and up to date, EVEN when absent.
GRADE BREAKDOWN:
There are categories which will be weighted and factored into the overall grade for this course:
PARTICIPATION GRADE:10% of a student’s grade will be based on participation. Participation includes class discussions, seminars, debates, peer editing and materials check. Points will be deducted for unexcused absences & tardies, failure to participate in class activities, disrupting the class, missing books or materials, and chewing gum. Making significant positive contributions to class discussions will earn back lost participation points. This biggest way students lose points is having a cell phone out during instruction. I have had students receive a ZERO in participation because of cell phone use.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS AND RULES:
Behavior:Our classroom operates on the foundation of respect: respect for self, respect for others, respect for learning, respect for CVHS and its property. Students are expected to be on time for class, prepared, with the appropriate materials. Please read the attached Plagiarism and Intellectual Honestyand Participationhandouts.
Attendance: Students should attend every day. This course moves quickly and students will get behind with absences. Absences will definitely affect a student’s grade. Students are also expected to be on time to class and SEATED before the final bell rings.
Bathroom passes:Students have a passing period between each class and are expected to be in class the entire period. Students lose valuable instructional minutes when they are out of class and roaming students are often a distracting to other classes. Emergencies do occur from time to time and therefore, each student may utilize (4) bathroom passes for each semester. Once those are used students may not leave class (without losing participation points) unless they have provided me with a doctor’s note.
Formal Essays: Final draft writing assignments are due at the beginning of the period on the date given in class, whether you are here or not. Late papers are reduced by 20% per day. “My printer ran out of ink” is no excuse. Come to school early and use the media center to print your essay in an emergency. Do not ask permission to go to the library to print your paper after class has started. All outside class assignments are expected to be word processed or typed unless instructions state otherwise.
Class Environment:
Citrus Valley High School, 2019-2020
Course Syllabus – Mr. Partain
Instructor: Mr. Jeff Partain Classroom: C-23
Class Webpage: www.partainsenglishclass.com Email: jeff_partain@redlands.k12.ca.us
Twitter: www.twitter.com/partainsenglish Phone: 909-799-2300 ext. 35323
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This rhetoric-based course was designed by the California State Universities and the California Community Colleges and fulfills the RUSD senior year English graduation requirement. All senior students enrolled in this course must pass both semesters in order to walk and receive a diploma. The goal of ERWC is to develop advanced critical and analytical thinking skills through argumentative reading and writing. Throughout the course, students will engage with texts that deal with controversial contemporary issues. Students will evaluate various authors’ claims and writing styles, and then participate in thoughtful, text-based discussions in order to formulate their own opinions. Students will defend their viewpoints in numerous argumentative essays that will require multiple drafts. It is expected that students in this course are ready and willing to engage in a rigorous intellectual challenge.
The ERWC course is designed specifically to help prepare students for the rigorous demands of reading and writing in the FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE AND BEYOND. This course has an emphasis on the rhetorical thinking, writing, speaking, and reading of expository texts and literature that are predominant in postsecondary schools. The course is intended to promote critical and analytical thinking through the integration of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will work on acquiring skills for reading with COMPREHENSION and ENTHUSIASM, listening with understanding and COMPASSION, speaking with CONVICTION and EFFECT, and writing with CLARITY and PERSUASION in a variety of genres. This course emphasizes that while whatwe read is important, howand whywe read is critical as well.
COURSE GOALS– Students in ERWC will:
- Analyze an author’s use of rhetorical devices, patterns of organization, and word choice
- Analyze an author’s explicit and implicit viewpoints
- Critique and/or defend an author’s arguments by referring to the text
- Formulate personal viewpoints and make claims based on the text
- Develop multiple academic and analytical essays that are focused and persuasive
- Revise writing to improve argument and organization, and revise the work of peers
- Editing writing for clarity and proper grammar
- Practice strategies for “on-demand” timed essay tests
- Meet the standards of the English Placement Test
- Meet the expectations of college and university faculty
- Meet the California English-Language Arts Content Standards
- Develop literacy skills critical to lifelong participation in the worlds of work and community
ORGANIZATION:
The ERWC course is designed so that every unit follows a similar sequential method of rhetorical reading and writing. Each unit/topic we explore will take 3-5 weeks, depending on the length of the readings, and will follow this sequence:
- Reading Rhetorically (strategies & activities for Pre-reading, Reading, and Post-reading)
- Connecting Reading to Writing (strategies & activities for Referencing Text, Negotiating Voices)
- Writing Rhetorically(strategies & activities for Pre-writing, Writing, Revising, Editing, Evaluating
TEXTS:
Many texts assigned in this course are nonfiction articles and essays from magazines and newspapers. For this course, readings will be distributed in hard copy at the beginning of each unit in the form of a printed student reader. Books, novels, and plays usually include: Brave New World and/or Nineteen Eighty-Four, Into the Wild and Hamlet.
MATERIALS:
Students are required to bring all books and materials to class. Each student will need a 3-ring binderwith standard lined paper, pens, pencils, and erasers. Students will also need a lined composition bookfor interactive notebooks and class notes. Most of our essays will be completed using the laptops provided by the school district. Students will be able to access their files from home utilizing Google Docs or a flash drive.
HOMEWORK & MAKE-UP WORK
No late work will be acceptedwith the exception of make-up work after an excused absence.
A student is responsible for finding out what he or she has missed. Daily class agendas are posted online. Students must request to meet with me in order to take mandatory make-up tests/quizzes following a student’s absence. The English Department does NOT allow extra credit. Choose a dependable peer who can be called for clarification or missed assignments due to absence. A responsible student will return to class prepared (instead of showing up and asking, “What did I miss?”).
CLASS WEBSITE / PLANBOOK.COM / TWITTER:
I utilize the internet and social media to keep students and parents informed regarding class. My class website is located at: www.partainsenglishclass.com You can find numerous assignments, worksheets, as well as a way to contact me if necessary. You will also find a direct link to my online planbook at www.planbook.com I will update this site daily to reflect what instruction is covered in class. I also have a classroom twitter account at: twitter.com/partainsenglish. If you follow my twitter account, I will give you extra participation points at the end of each semester. I post announcements, reminders, last minute changes, and even upcoming test & quiz questions on twitter. Using these resources, you can always be informed and up to date, EVEN when absent.
GRADE BREAKDOWN:
There are categories which will be weighted and factored into the overall grade for this course:
- Writing Assignments - 35%
- Homework & classwork - 25%
- Tests & quizzes - 25%
- Participation / Journals - 10%
- Final Exam - 5%
PARTICIPATION GRADE:10% of a student’s grade will be based on participation. Participation includes class discussions, seminars, debates, peer editing and materials check. Points will be deducted for unexcused absences & tardies, failure to participate in class activities, disrupting the class, missing books or materials, and chewing gum. Making significant positive contributions to class discussions will earn back lost participation points. This biggest way students lose points is having a cell phone out during instruction. I have had students receive a ZERO in participation because of cell phone use.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS AND RULES:
Behavior:Our classroom operates on the foundation of respect: respect for self, respect for others, respect for learning, respect for CVHS and its property. Students are expected to be on time for class, prepared, with the appropriate materials. Please read the attached Plagiarism and Intellectual Honestyand Participationhandouts.
Attendance: Students should attend every day. This course moves quickly and students will get behind with absences. Absences will definitely affect a student’s grade. Students are also expected to be on time to class and SEATED before the final bell rings.
Bathroom passes:Students have a passing period between each class and are expected to be in class the entire period. Students lose valuable instructional minutes when they are out of class and roaming students are often a distracting to other classes. Emergencies do occur from time to time and therefore, each student may utilize (4) bathroom passes for each semester. Once those are used students may not leave class (without losing participation points) unless they have provided me with a doctor’s note.
Formal Essays: Final draft writing assignments are due at the beginning of the period on the date given in class, whether you are here or not. Late papers are reduced by 20% per day. “My printer ran out of ink” is no excuse. Come to school early and use the media center to print your essay in an emergency. Do not ask permission to go to the library to print your paper after class has started. All outside class assignments are expected to be word processed or typed unless instructions state otherwise.
Class Environment:
- Respect others’ belongings and opinions at all times, especially in group and class discussions. Do not be rude.
- Respect the technology in the classroom. Using laptops is a privilege that can be taken away. Having this privilege taken away will make your life (and grade) very challenging in this class.
- When I am teaching, no one else should be talking. When another student is talking, no one else should be talking (not counting group work). You are (almost) an adult – this should not be an issue.
- Be here. Be present. Be prepared. Do your work. Turn it in on time.
- Put away your cell phones. I reserve the right to confiscate cell phones and possibly give them to an administrator. Turn your phone OFF, not on vibrate. We all forget sometimes; just turn it off before it disrupts class. Unless I ask you to take out your phone, you should not have it out and will lose points. Having a cell phone out at any point during a test/quiz or an in-class essay will result in a zero and you will not be able to make up that quiz/test.
- Put away food and drink (besides water) and do not eat during class. Gum should not be seen or heard.
- Keep our classroom clean. Students should clean the area and straighten desks before leaving.
- Remain in your seat during structured activities. It is rude to get up when a teacher is leading the class through an activity.
- Ask for a pass only during emergencies and only when it is an appropriate time to ask.
- Work you expect me to grade must be clearly written in dark pencil, or blue/black ink.
- Tardies are not acceptable. Treat this as a job – get here on time. If you are chronically late, it will affect your grade in multiple ways.
- Plagiarized work will not be accepted and will result in a zero for that assignment (and possible referral). Cheating during tests or blatant copying of assignments (including assignments for other classes) will also result in zeros.