ENGLISH 7/8 GRADE 12

British & World Literature

INSTRUCTOR: MRS. A. FELIX-BROWN, MS. S. SEMROC, student teacher
CONTACT: ahna.felix-brown@detroitk12.org (best method)
Email for students: mrsafb12@gmail.com
semrocsa@msu.edu
(313) 416-4600 (Leave a message with a secretary)
Renaissance High School
RM. 222

COURSE DESCRIPTION

English 7/8 is an integrated language arts course in which students are asked to reflect upon and respond
to the literature of Britain and the world classics. Drawn from seven historical time periods, these
selections alone provide a valuable mind-expanding experience to students, but when taken with the
comprehension-building lessons, projects, and activities that accompany them, they influence the student
to become more strategic in their reading, more imaginative in their writing, more profound in their
thinking, and more astute in their judgment. Pupils will acquire the ability to weigh pertinent questions
about what was read to recognize literary elements in the writing, to engage critically and constructively
in the exchange of ideas during group discussion, and to write engaging papers reflective of the complex
level of thinking the course is designed to develop. In addition to influencing students to value the
cultural contributions of the galaxy of groups, this course will increase the students readiness for the
College Entrance Exams they will be taking, as well as other aptitude and achievement tests affecting their
lives.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Scholars should be able to demonstrate the following objectives upon completion of this course:
To write five different types of essays (narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive, etc.)
To effectively respond in writing in three ways: quick write, extended and constructive response
To respond reflectively in writing
To effectively peer edit written pieces
To recognize and create common poetic forms (free verse, sonnet, lyric, epic, etc.)
To deliver a 3-5 minute informational speech

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
McDougall Littell Literature: British Literature

CLASSROOM RULES
The classroom is a learning community; thus the following expectations are in place:
1. Come to class on time, with a good attitude and with your supplies.

2. Sleep and groom yourself at home; eat and drink in the cafeteria, not in the classroom.
3. Respect yourself and others. Profanity and insults intended to belittle others will not be tolerated.
Likewise, dress in the Renaissance dress code.
4. All school rules will be enforced. Outerwear must be in lockers and electronic devices are not
permitted.

MATERIALS
Scholars are expected to bring their supplies daily. PLEASE NOTE that students will be required to
complete outside projects and/or assignments that may require the purchase of additional supplies,
paperback novels, and attending the public library.
Notebook (with pockets)
Collegiate dictionary/Thesaurus
Blue/Black ink pen
Colored Pen/Markers
Flash Drive
Composition Notebook (Journals)
College Rule Loose-leaf Paper
Access to a computer/Internet or any local public library

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT
You will need access to a computer and the Internet to retrieve/complete class work, projects, and to
access schoology.com. If you do not have access to a computer or the Internet, you may use a computer
in the schools library, the computer lab (if available) or public library.

GRADING SCALE/WEIGHT
Keep in mind that EFFORT does not determine your grade in this class. Making consistent effort should
help you do well on assignments, but only the quality of your work determines your grade. To earn the
highest grade, your assignment submission must demonstrate superior quality. Extra credit will not be
given. You must earn your class grade through the percentage score of all graded work. Final grades
adhere to the following scale. I do not add extra points to bump up your numerical score at the end of
the semester, so make sure you take advantage of opportunities to raise your grade throughout the
semester.

A = 90 100
B = 89 90
C = 70 79
D = 60 69
F = 00 59

Projects/Papers 30%
Tests/Quizzes 20%
Class work 20%
Homework 20%
Class Participation 10%


POLICY AND PROCEUDRES:
1. CELL PHONE USAGE: Scholars should refrain from sending text messages, sending and receiving cell
phone calls, surfing social media sites, and taking pictures during class time. Such activity is distracting,
disrespectful to the educational process, and put your academic standing in jeopardy. If for any reason,
you need to contact your parent, or vise versa, please visit the counselor center prior to class.

2. PASSES: Scholars are expected to take care of all personal business prior to class. Only in cases of
extreme emergency will students be issued a pass to the lavatory. If you have a medical condition that
recommends that you have restroom privileges, please bring in a note. No passes will be issued to lockers.
3. Class work/Homework: Scholars will be assigned work to complete during the class period. Unless
otherwise specified, all assignments will be worth 100 points. Homework will be assigned at least three
times a week. The point value of the homework will vary, depending upon the length and difficulty of the
assignment. Most homework assignments will be either 50 or 100 points. Please keep all work until the
end of the semester as it serves as your insurance policy.
4. Paper Format: All written and typed work should follow the MLA format. Typed: a) Papers should be
doubled-spaced with one-inch margins, and use Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri font at 12 points. b)
Students name, class/hour, and date should be double-spaced, and appear in the upper left-hand corner.
c) Next, skip a line after the date, and center the title of the assignment. e) Then skip another line after
the title to begin the assignment. d) For multiple pages, type your name in the header: last name first,
first initial, and page number. e) Staple your papers in the upper left-hand corner. Do not use paper clips,
folders, or plastic covers.
5. Late Assignments: Late assignments will not be accepted. This means you must pay attention to
deadlines!
6. Make-Up Work: There is a direct connection between absences and grades. An absent student is one
who is not learning. Only students returning from an absence with a note will be allowed to make-up
missed assignments. Missed assignments can be found on schoology.com or issued by the teacher. It is
highly recommended that students use schoology.com, All missed assignments must be submitted by the
end of the week. No carryovers.
7. Academic Integrity/Plagiarism: education. If you are caught violating my rules on plagiarism, you and
the person you copied from will receive an automatic zero (0) on the assignment. Make sure your work is
your own!
8. Class Participation This includes group and class discussions on a variety of topics and read aloud.
Your thoughtful and informal participation demonstrates that you feel you have a stake in the class. I,
therefore, strongly encourage you to become an active member of the class as it forms over the course of
the semester/year.


ASSIGNMENTS
Earn your overall grade for this course through the quality of your work on the following assignments:
1. ACT Prep/Do Now: (10 points per entry) Scholars will be required to write daily journals in their
journal notebooks. Students will complete the journal during the first 10 minutes of class. Each journal is
worth 10 points, and must be at least a page in length (college rule). All entries must be in chronological
order and pages should be numbered in the upper-right-hand corner. Journals will be graded at the end of
each card-marking period.
2. Student-Led Projects and Presentations (100-500 points): Each semester scholars are required to
complete at least one or two projects/presentation per card-marking period.
3. Writing Assignments (100 points each): Throughout the semester, students will be assigned a number
of short and long writing pieces (reflection papers, how-to papers, speeches, etc.). These will be informal
pieces designed to help you master various forms of writing, and practice crucial skills needed to pass the
ACT Writing test.
4. As well as various other assignments.

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

September
Beowulf
The Seafarer

October
The Canterbury Tales
Robin Hood and the Three Squires
Get Up and Bar the Door
November
Macbeth
Pastoral poems and Sonnets
Sonnets 18, 29, 116, 130
Psalm 23
The King James Bible
Ecclesiastes
The Prodigal Son

December
from The Rape of the Lock
The Modest Proposal
The World Is Too Much For Us
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
January
She Walks in Beauty
When Two Parted
Ode to a Grecian Urn
Novel Unit
February
The Lady of Shalott
My Last Duchess
Dover Beach
When I Was One and Twenty
Ah, Are You Digging On My Grave?
March
Novel Unit
April
Research Paper/ Project
May/June
A Cup of Tea
The Duchess and the Jeweler
The Rocking Horse Winner
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
The Demon Lover
Shooting An Elephant
From The Speeches
Telephone Conversation
From No More Strangers Now
Devoted Son

I,



the student, have read and understand the course
syllabus. I will finish all projects, papers, course work, and study to increase my
knowledge base. I will be respectful at all times. I will adhere to all information listed in
this course syllabus.


I,



the parent, have read and understand the course syllabus.
I will assist and encourage my child to study, complete all assignments to ensure
success. I can be reached at phone
number__________________________________________ or Email
address__________________________________________________________________
should any questions or concerns arise.
I, the teacher, will be prepared to assist your child to successfully complete the
objectives of this course. I will give individual help and encouragement as needed and
will diligently attempt to prepare your child for college and beyond.