Introduction to Literature 2

Course Syllabus -- Spring 2003

Ms. Gina Ahnen

 Room 214
Phone: (303) 689-6100 extension 2214
Voice Mail: (303) 764-3203 mailbox 21400
gina_ahnen@dpsk12.org

Course description:

This is a semester course focusing on reading, literary analysis, writing and presenting at the high school level. Students will develop reading and writing skills, focusing on a variety of formats and genres. Students will continue to work on improving grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization. This course is required for high school graduation and an end of course assessment will be given at the end of the semester.

Materials:

You will need:

  • Your ID

  • Blue or black pen

  • Loose leaf paper

  • Three ring notebook

  • Spiral notebook

  • A place to write down assignments

  • Textbook and book we are reading at the time

Each student will be assigned a textbook during the second week of school that they will be responsible for during the school year.
Reading for the semester:

Selections from the textbook
  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
  • Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
  • Choice book from list to be given later

Attendance:

Attendance is essential for you to do well in this class. 

The policy regarding school absences and tardies will apply.  Students who have more than four unexcused absences during a six-week grading period will fail the six week, unless the attendance appeal board has approved them. 

Tardies will be handled as outlined in the student handbook. 

Students are expected to be in class on time every day.   This means you have your ID and you are in your seat beginning your journal when the bell rings.

If you are absent IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU MISSED (ON YOUR OWN TIME).  You may talk to someone in the class before you come to class, see me before or after school or arrange to see me at lunch. 

Your grade will be based on the following:

20%- Journals
  • Journals should be done in a spiral notebook that is kept in your three-ring notebook and collected on a weekly basis. Journals will be a reaction to a quote done the first ten minutes of class. You will be expected to begin writing as soon as the bell rings. Your journal entries should be legible and thoughtful.

40%-Short writing assignments, classwork, and creative writing assignments
  • All writing assignments should be kept in your binder after they are returned to you so that you can refer to them later.

40% Longer assignments, quizzes and tests
  • Papers in this category should be typed and REVISED before they are turned in.
  • Projects should be done with pride and neatly presented.
  • If you get below a C on any of these projects, you will be expected to revise and the assignment and turn it in again. We will discuss this further when you receive your first assignment.
Grading:

A --- 93-100%

B --- 84-92%

C --- 72-83%

D --- 65-71%

F ---  65% and below
Please do not bring food or drink other than water into the classroom.  Also, make sure cell phones are turned off before you come into the classroom.
Other things you should know:

I am here to help you! I am available before school, during lunch and during my planning periods. You may also contact my voice mail or e-mail me and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

The Writing Center is also an invaluable resource for you!  You will receive extra credit, as well as improve your reading and writing skills, if you take papers to the writing center to get help on them.  It is open every day during the day, and periodically I will send students down to work on papers or projects.

You should expect to read, write and discuss everyday in class!

Ms. Ahnen's Syllabus Page

South High English Faculty

South High Reading and Writing Center