English I Honors Course Description 2024-25

Ms. Muller HYPERLINK

"mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]

HYPERLINK "https://sites.google.com/site/yolymuller/" https://sites.google.com/site/yolymuller/

Welcome to iPrep! I know this is an exciting and crucial time in your educational development.
We will embark on this journey together. English I Honors is designed to expose students to a thematic
approach in understanding literature. This course will be taught in conjunction with its thematic context
and literary analysis to help students understand and appreciate the literary work. The purpose of this
course is to promote academic excellence in writing, oral communication, and the interpretation of
literature. The content should include, but not be limited to, the interpretation of literature and the use
of the writing process. The course should also include advanced reading skills, techniques of effective
speaking and listening, critical thinking, and study skills and how these skills relate to success in the
world of tomorrow. Composition instruction focuses upon using the writing process in creative,
technical, and traditional academic modes of writing through the writing process (prewriting, drafting,
revising, editing, and publishing); frequent timed and untimed practice is provided. Formal speaking
and presentation experiences are provided. Vocabulary study is done in conjunction with reading and
literature. Technology and digital media is incorporated into all aspects of the course.

Coursework
For this school year students will read several short stories, novels, plays, and other forms of
literature. They will be responsible for all assignments that go along with these readings including
homework/classwork assignments. Students will also have to write essays / research papers throughout
the course. Notes will be given in the form of online searches, online notes, novel notes, and textbook
notes. Academic assessment for these items will be performed and may or may not be announced—so
be prepared-- ALWAYS! Independent and group projects will be administered periodically throughout
the year and must be completed to the standards specified in order to receive full credit. Students must
be prepared to share their thoughts, ideas, concerns and beliefs.
At the beginning of each unit, the thematic context will be researched, reviewed and discussed.
This will be presented in various forms of notes, projects and research assignments as well as
independent reading from our text. Responses and Cumulative Essays will be assigned regularly based
on the information we study, notes we take, books and excerpts we read, etc. Some may be analytical
essays, some commentary, some persuasive, and the like.

Required Reading
Literature (9th Grade) MDCPS online textbook
The Alchemist (summer reading)
Odyssey (textbook)
Romeo and Juliet by W. Shakespeare(textbook)
To Kill a Mockingbird by H. Lee (student purchase)
Siddhartha by H. Hesse
Night by E. Weisel (student purchase)
Independent Reading Novel (student purchase)
Various essays, speeches, short stories, and poetry
*Please note that many of these items are available online as PDFs (Depends on student’s reading
preference)
Academic Expectations
You are expected to prepare for each class by reading the assigned work alertly, curiously, and
critically—that is, in a way that generates meaningful questions and ideas about the reading that you
bring to class and make part of our discussion. The first purpose of this class is not for you to learn set
interpretations of literature, but for you to practice your own. To make sure you make the most of your
reading, annotate. You must adopt the practice of the Irish playwright and critic George Bernard Shaw:

As soon as I open a book, I occupy the book, I stomp around it. I underline passages, scribble in the
margins, leave my mark… I like to be able to hear myself responding to a book, answering it, agreeing
and disagreeing in a manner I recognize peculiarly my own.

Assignment Weights
Daily Assignments -1 grade Quizzes - 1-2 grades
Tests - 2-3 grades+ Projects/Essays/Papers - 2-3 grades+

The grading scale is determined by the MDCPS. Students will be evaluated on essays, tests, quizzes,
vocabulary assignments, writing activities, class participation, and projects. The course will also have
a formal research paper during the second semester.

Additional Considerations
Class participation: Students who are inattentive, who continually miss class, or distract from
class in any way may lose up to ten percentage points from their conduct grade. In addition, computers
(and the charger), notebooks and textbooks (including novels, texts, etc.) are required for class and
must be brought each day.
Plagiarism on any assignment or cheating will result in zero credit. Students must do their own
work at all times. If they need to use a source, then they must correctly cite the source in their work.

Absence/Tardy Policies
When you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed, make it up, and turn
it in in a timely manner. Check the various resource websites to keep up with this information.
Unexcused absences do not allow you to make up the work missed and a Z will be recorded in the
grade book. It is impossible to recreate a missed lesson or a memorable classroom moment.

Required Class Materials:

-Positive attitude, commendable work ethics, and 110% effort (cannot be purchased)
-Laptop with charger, headphones, USB memory, Notebook paper, binder or folder (may share with another
class), pencils, pens, highlighters, one expo marker, and post it notes

Always remember that:

“Reading is not just a matter of standing safely outside texts, where their power cannot reach us. It is a
matter of entering, of passing through the looking glass and seeing ourselves on the other side” R.
Scholes

I will be available for conferences, discussions, help with work, before and after school. I wish that you
ultimately leave this class with a more mature and analytical view of the world and with an
appreciation of the value of intrinsic learning. By being present in class and doing your best work, you
will succeed in this course!
Remember that “How you do your work is a portrait of yourself. Autograph your work with
excellence! I am pleased to have you as a student!

Finally, understand that although the expectations are high and the coursework is rigorous, I believe in
making learning an enjoyable process. Y. Muller

Students and parents should review this syllabus together. Parents should fill out the remaining
information below. This collaboration asserts that you have reviewed the class syllabus / course
description/ rules and procedures and accept not only to follow the course guidelines, but also to
assume the challenges with which you will be presented in a determined and responsible manner.
Open lines of communication are essential for educational success. Please feel free to email me
at any time with questions, comments, or concerns. The preferred method of communication is email
( HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]). Please notify me below
if email is not best for you. I look forward to a wonderful school year! Let’s make the best of this class!

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