syllabus


 * Honors English 11**
 * Ms. Martens-Baker**
 * 402-478-4171 ext. 109**
 * smartens@esu3.org**

Welcome to Honors English 11! Being an honors student involves privileges as well as responsibilities, opportunities as well as challenges. This is the place where you should feel comfortable to share your knowledge and explore your interests, to pose thoughtful questions, to learn independently, and to expand your repertoire of thinking and communication strategies.


 * Format**
 * Our semesters will be organized into two thematic units: “Nature and the Environment” and “The American Dream” first semester and “Self and Society” and “Diversity, Discrimination, and Tolerance” second semester.
 * For each unit, we will begin with a list of questions relating the unit’s theme to the literature and to our experiences and contemporary Americans. Discussions will be based on these questions, since they will also be the choices for the in-class essay exam.
 * We will be working on a 6-8 page research paper due second quarter focusing on the impact of the media on American society.
 * We will be working on independent Honors Projects involving significant works of American Literature not otherwise covered in class. These projects will culminate in papers and presentations given to the class and to our community guests toward the end of the year.
 * Time permitting, we will expand our study of literature to encompass film and we will research and share our work regarding important directors.
 * We will be taking writing assessments on persuasive writing in October and March.
 * We will be testing for state standards 12.1.2, 12.1.3, 12.1.4, 12.1.5, and 12.1.8.

unit tests, essay exams, reading responses, unit-related activities, comparison paper, independent study project, honors project presentation, final exam
 * Grades**


 * Expectations**
 * Be in your seat when the bell rings. The third tardy and every tardy thereafter will be an office referral.
 * Bring your planner, book, pen, notebook, and class folder with handouts to class everyday.
 * Respect the room, the material, the teacher, your fellow students, and yourself.
 * Do not talk when someone else is talking during instructions, presentations, or classroom discussions.
 * Do not bring food or beverages into the classroom except water.
 * Share the responsibility for the tone of the classroom every day and strive to make it positive and productive. Distractions that interfere with another student’s ability to learn or the instructor’s ability to teach will not be tolerated.
 * Talk to the instructor if you are having difficulty with assignments or with any other aspect of the class.


 * Policies**
 * Ask to leave the room only at appropriate times and with a pen and planner ready and open to the current day.
 * You will receive two late passes for each semester. Without a late pass, late work will only be accepted for half credit. You may only use two late passes for each semester. You will not earn extra credit for unused late passes.
 * The grading scale follows handbook guidelines. Borderline grades will be determined by participation and effort.
 * Students who are absent are responsible for requesting makeup work and notes.