MYP Honors English 10

Room 310

Mrs. Ebner

Contact Information:

Emily.Ebner@mpls.k12.mn.us

Office Hours: Mornings: 7:20-8:00

                       Afternoons:3:00-3:30

Course Description/Purpose:

MYP English 10 is designed to fulfill the requirements of the Middle Years Program (MYP) Level 5 requirements and to prepare students to meet the demands of the International Baccalaureate program during their junior and senior years in high school. While it is understood some students may not wish to continue into the IB program, Honors English 10 is designed to prepare the students for what will be expected during their final years of high school.

Year-At-A-Glance (with writing assignments)

*Due to unit lengths and added activities, some of this is subject to change.

Semester 1

English Language Review

Various short stories, literary terms and elements: Comparison Essay

The Color of Water by James McBride: Personal Narrative

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

Macbeth by William Shakespeare: Creative Project

Semester 2

English Language: Structure and Usage

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie: Creative Writing

Life of Pi by Yann Martel: Research/Literary Analysis

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brian

Public Speaking

• Required reading can either be bought in bookstores, online, or checked out in the Media Center. Students are encouraged, but not required, to buy books for the purpose of annotations and notes.

Classroom Procedures/Policies

Assignments/Grades

Your grade will be based on the International Baccalaureate Criteria for MYP Language and Literature Year 5. These criteria will be translated into Learning Targets that will help measure the quality of your work. These criteria are aligned with the Minnesota Core State Standards. The four criteria of MYP Language and Literature are as follows: 

Criterion A: Analysis

How well does the student: 

i.                    analyze the content, context, language, structure, technique and style of text(s) and the relationship among texts

ii.                  analyze the effects of the creator’s choice on an audience

iii.                justify opinions and ideas, using examples, explanations, and terminology

iv.                evaluate similarities and differences by connecting features across and within genres 

Criterion B: Organization

How well does the student:

i.                    employ organizational structures that serve the context and intention

ii.                  organize opinions and ideas in a sustained, coherent and logical manner

iii.                use referencing and formatting tools to create a presentation style suitable to the context and intention

Criterion C: Producing Text

How well does the student:

i.                    produce texts that demonstrate insight, imagination and sensitivity while exploring and reflecting critically on new perspectives and ideas arising from personal engagement with the creative process

ii.                  make stylistic choices in terms of linguistic, literary and visual devices, demonstrating awareness of impact on an audience

iii.                select relevant details and examples to develop ideas

Criterion D: Using Language

How well does the student:

i.                    use appropriate and varied vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression

ii.                  write and speak in a register and style that serve the context and intention

iii.                use correct grammar, syntax and punctuation

iv.                spell, write, and pronounce with accuracy

v.                  use appropriate non-verbal communication techniques from

MYP Language and Literature Guide

The final quarter grades will be determined accordingly:

A=Majority 8’s. No scores under 7. You have no missing work or unexcused late work.

A-=Majority 7’s. No scores under 6. You have no missing work or unexcused late work.

B=Majority 6’s. No scores under 5. You have no missing work or unexcused late work.

B-=Majority 5’s. No scores under 4. Little to no missing work.

C=Majority 4’s. No scores under 3.

C-=Majority 3’s. No scores under 2.

D=Majority 2’s. No scores under 1. May have a missing summative assessment.

F=Majority 1’s or missing or incomplete assessments.

**If you do not complete all of your work each quarter, you will not pass this class. This means if you have any missing assignments at the end of the quarter, you will not pass the class. You must pass this class to graduate from high school.

**About 25% of the scores will be formative scores (homework, quizzes, warm-ups) and about 75% of the scores will be summative scores (projects, papers, presentations, discussions). This means that your projects and end of the unit activities will have more weight in your grade.

I announce specific deadlines and expect the work to be handed in on those dates.

• If you miss a day, check with your peers for notes or assignments.
• Check online, or ask for missing handouts or information.
• If you know that you’re going to be absent, please ask in advance for work. 

Being prepared and making time for your work is your responsibility. 

If you need help with anything or have questions, please remember to ask. I am more than happy to take time before school, or by appointment, to assist with assignments or questions.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is taken as soon as the bell rings each day. Make sure you are at class on time and have all materials needed. Frequent tardies will result in lunch detention and/or loss of participation points.

Behavior/Expectations

Learning is your primary focus in my classroom. You should come to class ready to listen, contribute, and grow as a life-long learner. Four things to follow by:

1. Be on time. Be in your seat when the bell rings.
2. Be prepared. Have necessary materials with you. Showing up without your book, pen/pencil, assignment, or any other item you need will result in ineffective learning and possibly a grade deduction.
3. Be respectful. Treat others how you want to be treated. Use proper language. Do not talk/disrupt when others are talking.
4. Be an active learner. Take part in what the class is doing. You are responsible for your own education and learning!

If any behavior become disruptive to the learning environment, students will first receive a warning to change the behavior. If there is a need for a second warning, students will receive a phone call/email home.

Electronics:

Electronics are not allowed in class. If we need them for a class assignment or project, I will let you know. If a cell phones or iPods are out, I will take them until the end of class. If electronics become a persistent problem, they will be held until the end of the day or given to your assistant principal.

Academic Honesty

Your work demonstrates your knowledge of the course content. Any work that is not your own will result in a 0 for that assignment/test/paper. Refer to your student handbook for clarification on what is considered academic dishonesty, along with other consequences. Honor before grades.

Class Supplies:

You will need a single subject notebook, a folder to hold important papers/readings, and either a pen or pencil. At some point, you may need highlighters or markers for class projects. You may also be required to hand in your notebook throughout the year. Please make sure that your English notebook does not house any important information for other classes.

It is assumed that students have access to a computer and the internet at home. If this is not the case, please discuss with me other options.