English 2, 2022/2023

Course Syllabus

Mr. Cohen

P120                377-4888 ext. 42667                 [email protected]

Required Text:            Holt Grammar Handbook. Holt Literature and Language Arts Text

Core Novels:                Lord of the Flies

Course Theme:            This course is designed to help students improve their reading, writing and critical thinking abilities.  Students will write several formal and informal papers and will read a variety of texts.  Class participation in the form of response groups and discussion will be an integral part of the course.

Recommended Supplies:
Blue and/or black pens.
Red pens
Binder/notebook dedicated to this class to help you keep track of notes and handouts. (1-1/2” three-ring binder should suffice)
Loose leaf notebook paper, college ruled.

Optional Supplies:       Colored pencils.
Notebook dividers to help keep yourself organized.

Requirements & Assignments

Classwork & journal (15% of your total grade), homework (15%) and active participation during in-class discussions (10%) These will focus on your grammar lesson and reading assignments.    

Weekly Reading and/or Vocabulary, Grammar Quizzes (15%) and Tests (25%) and essays (20%)

Final Exam: Your final will involve a cumulative objective test and an essay.

Evaluation:  Grades are given based on straight percentages.  This means that if a student finishes with 79.9%, they will receive a “C”. 

90-100 %          A         80-89 %           B          70-79 %           C          60-69 %           D          50 % and below            F

Policies & Expectations

Attendance:  Don’t miss class unless you absolutely must.  Students are responsible for keeping track of all missed assignments and must make up work, and tests according to Board Policy.  Make up work will not be granted unless a student has a legitimate excuse for being absent.

Late Work:  All assignments are due by the date shared at the time each assignment is given out, unless otherwise proscribed by IEP, 504, or prior arrangement.  In accordance with PVPUSD Board of Ed policy 6154 I do accept late work with penalty. For each day an assignment is late, 10% will be automatically deducted from an assignment bottoming out at a possible 50% loss. Work submitted more than five days late and before the late work deadline will be worth up to 50% of the original points. Late work deadlines are the Thursday before Semester Finals week at 3pm (December 17 for Fall and June 1 for Spring)

Paper Format:  All take home papers should follow MLA guidelines as described in your text. Please type everything, Times New Roman, 12pt font.

Participation:  Students will be required to work in peer revision groups; therefore, you must have a draft of your paper for class on draft days.  Reading assigned materials will be crucial for the flow of the class.  If it appears that people are falling behind in reading assignments, I will give pop quizzes.  Above all, students should know that I find everything we are reading and discussing infinitely interesting, and they should too.

Plagiarism:  Plagiarism is the willful use of another person’s words or ideas without citation.  We will discuss the subject at great length, so it shouldn't be a problem.  Any student who is caught plagiarizing will receive a zero for the assignment in question and notice of the infraction will be sent to the counseling office.  I take plagiarism very seriously and I will catch you.  If at any time you have questions regarding the rules of citation ask me.

Class Rules

1. First and foremost in my classes, RESPECT. All students will be respectful towards teachers, guests, and fellow students at all times. This will go a long way towards creating an environment where can all learn from each other.
2. No electronic devices of any kind should be out in class at any moment.  I will observe and enforce the official district electronic communication device policy to the letter. 
3. There is no eating in class whatsoever.  Please do not have food in the room.  We have an ongoing ant and rodent problem, not to mention that some of us have food allergies.  Do not have food out in class.
4. Bathroom breaks will be readily given.  Do not abuse the privilege.  Students should not be gone for more than a few minutes, should not take their phones and should not return with food.
5. If you see cheating, report it—it’s hurting your grade.  I will try to catch anyone who breaks the school’s academic integrity policies.  It is cheating to discuss a quiz in passing periods with students who have yet to take it.  I will adhere to the PVPHS Academic Integrity policy.
6. Students may not be out of class in order to participate in any activity for another class or club without my prior consent.
7. Work hard. The things we do in class may not come as easy for you as it may for others. We all have different strengths and experiences. Keep an open mind and keep on working. I will do everything I can to make sure you succeed, but I can only help you if you are helping yourself.