Course Outline
Overview


English 3R is a comprehensive course designed to sharpen your skills in the use of the English language. The reading selections and writing assignments are rich and challenging; at times the pace of the class will be intense. We will concentrate on analyzing literature by doing "close readings" and on developing other skills necessary for the New York State Regents examination, which the student is required to pass (65 or better). The analytical skills students learn in this class will serve them well throughout the rest of their academic career and in whatever they may choose to do after that. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary development, literature analysis and criticism, critical thinking, synthesis, and writing. Students will be reading a variety of literature: novels, short stories, plays, autobiography, biography, poems, essays, and newspaper/magazine articles. These different types of reading correlate with a timeline beginning with the Great Depression of the 1930's to the Present. The various works of literature will help students develop a firm understanding of the use of literary elements and techniques. As you experience these diverse readings, I suggest you keep in mind the following essential question: How does literature help me understand the world? Vocabulary skills will be taught with the literature as well as from grade-level lists. Students are required to keep a daily journal which will include various reading responses as well as other types of reflective thinking. Reading responses will usually address some element of the text we are reading. My main concern with reading responses is that students attempt to address the question thoroughly and thoughtfully. Reflective thinking entries will usually ask writers to explore broader themes and issues that may be spawned by class discussions about the texts.




Course Policies


“My two GOLDEN WORDS are RESPECT and COURTESY.”


a) Attendance: Attendance in this class is mandatory. Attendance is recorded at the beginning of each class.
b) Tardiness: You are to be on time for class. However, it is expected that you come prepared with a late pass in the event that you are tardy for class. If you are tardy you must accept the consequence without argument.
c) Class Preparedness: You are to submit homework assignments on days they are due at the beginning of class. You are to have your copy of the text we will be discussing in class each day. You are to have a writing utensil and a notebook to take notes in class each day. DO NOT ASK to return to your locker to retrieve an item you SHOULD HAVE brought to class.
d) Class Attention: You are to follow ALL instructions given by the teacher. This includes fire drills, emergency preparedness drills, and test-taking directions.
e) Class Behavior: You are to be respectful of all class members. Rude and disruptive behavior is not tolerated in this class. First offense: student is given a warning. Second offense: student is given an after school detention with the teacher and parents will be given a telephone call. Third offense: student will be sent directly to the Assistant Principal and may be asked not to return to class until a parent conference is held.
f) Student Ethics: All policies regarding student expectations and responsibilities as are published in the Student Handbook will be in effect and duly enforced in this class. I ask that students familiarize themselves with this portion of the Student Handbook.



Since this is a junior regents-level class, we will approach every aspect of our time together with this in mind. You should strive to:
Commit yourself to the study of junior regents-level material,
Discuss literature and other issues with maturity and decorum,
Conduct your studies independently, responsibly, and with integrity
Treat your fellow classmates and teacher with the utmost respect and kindness, and
Approach this class, as with all your studies, with humility and an open mind.



Material for Class:

Wide ruled spiral notebook 8 1/2 x 11
Three-ring binder for relevant handouts, notes, & vocabulary
Wide ruled filler paper for binder
A folder to keep written assignments (writing portfolio)
Blue or black pens that do not skip
Sharpened No. 2 Pencils for Scan-Tron tests
Highlighters (optional)



Preparation: You must own copies of some of the following texts (I will let you know which are required): 1984, Orwell; The Crucible, Miller; Death of a Salesman, Miller; Othello, Shakespeare; A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry; The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne; To Kill A Mockingbird, Lee; and selected short stories, poems and essays from the American Literature anthology. Come to class each day with your books and binders. A carpenter would be sent home if he/she came to work without his/her tools. Your job is to be a student: don’t forget your "hammer!"
This is a tentative listing of the works of literary merit I intend to accomplish this school year.


Notebook: Each quarter, I will evaluate your notebook based on the notes and vocabulary from the literature readings and the notes from class. You are expected to listen and take notes during our class discussions. Train yourselves to become attentive and engaged listeners.


Timeliness: All assignments must be completed on time. Therefore, due dates are considered absolute and rarely extendable. Keep on top of things and train yourself to see conflicts ahead of time.

“Better late than never is not half so good a proverb as better never late!”


Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s WORDS or IDEAS without giving proper credit. This includes paraphrasing a source without giving due credit. Plagiarism is a serious breach of academic integrity and any assignment containing plagiarism earns a zero.


These guidelines will, if they are taken seriously, contribute to your success and achievement in this course. Always feel free to speak to me at any time about any question, problem, or concern you may have about assignments or your work in general. I am here to help you in any way I can, but try to remember that it is important to ask for help when you need it.


Students are responsible for maintaining the integrity of their work. This means the person who lets his/her work get copied gets the same zero as the one who copied it! If you insist on working with a friend on a solo project, make sure the two of you don't pass in the same (or closely similar) work. You may cite similar sources, and may even use some of the same quotes to support your views, but you are all very unique people who interpret and express thoughts differently. This should be reflected in your work


I fully expect you to put forth your best effort for all the work you pass in. Failure to do so will be reflected in your marks.


*** If you have an issue that you feel needs specific attention or consideration, please let me know. In the past, students who have not brought things to my attention have suffered because of their silence. Those who have talked to me have said that I can be accommodating and helpful. At the end of the day, our goal is to not only be English students, but successful English students.


I look forward to having a great year with all of you!



Communication:

Email: gfalcone@buffaloschools.org
School Phone: 816-3888