Block 2 : English IV

English IV (Senior English): Course Description

Overview -- This course will focus more on the original meaning of "education" -- on the idea of leading out of students ("e" = out; "duc" = lead) their natural abilities and developing them further. It will emphasize moving to higher levels of thinking and feeling/valuing for personal growth and preparation for the future.

Objectives -- The course will attend to the English Language Arts Curriculum Framework set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Education and to the Gateway Regional High School Curriculum Map drawn from the state framework. At the same time, there will be a particular objective in line with the overview stated above. It is for students to get to know themselves in a deeper sense in relation to English and in relation to others. The English part in terms of literature will focus on British literature but with some attention to world literature; that is the direction for seniors here at Gateway as at many other schools, just as American literature is the focus for juniors.

Evaluation -- There will be graded homework, graded speaking and listening activities, quizzes, tests, writing assignments, a final exam, and the daily "Gateway Regional High School Student Accountability Rubric," which counts for 20% of the final grade.

Standards -- While following the overall standards of the school, I stress the following:

Treat everyone respectfully, well, the way you would like to be treated -- the golden rule!
Support the whole learning community, this class, of which you are an important part. Individual needs or problems that do not fit into class proceedings at a particular time need to be addressed with me when I am free: during announced consulting time in class, before first block, at break, between class times, or after school.
Come to class on time, with all necessary materials, fully prepared, including after an absence.
If you have a planned absence, request assignments in advance. For an unexpected absence, find out about work done in class and assigned as homework by asking a reliable classmate. Calling the office to request the information is another way to take care of your responsibility. (As I develop this website, you may wish to consult it to find class notes and homework assignments.)
Follow all directions carefully.
Stay on task whatever it might be; complete all activities/work to the best of your ability and on time. Makeup of missed work due to absence will be permitted only for a valid reason such as illness, crisis, or other work-preventing reason.
Do not distract others, especially by nontask "talking." Do not get out of your seat without permission or direction.
Raise your hand to be called upon for speaking that will be a contribution to class proceedings. The contribution may be an answer to a question, a related question of your own, or a related idea, thought, experience, or similar sharing. Complaining and unsolicited suggestions about teacher matters of decision are not welcome.
As part of striving to be a good critical thinker, strive to be open, fair, nonjudgmental.
Respect property. Cover your books no matter how old they might be. Do not write on books or desks.
Requests to be excused from class or for a short time should be only for special need or emergency. To be excused in such cases, request a pass and use the "Sign Out - Sign In" sheet on the shelf below the telephone by the door. Any problems with leaving class will affect your course grade through the Student Accountability Rubric and may be addressed through disciplinary action in accordance with school policy.
Class will continue until the time it is due to end or until signaled by me; stay in your seat until then.

Failure to follow behavioral standards will result in disciplinary procedure. For a teacher detention, a student must serve the detention at the assigned time (school matters take precedence over after-school work or personal preference/convenience).

Outlook -- I look forward to working with you. There is so much negativity about education in America, about homework, about this and that; it's easy to fall into that negativity. We will aim to be much more positive. In fact, a positive attitude or approach serves better than mere intelligence. For my part, I will work hard to help create a good learning experience for you overall.