Bishop Ward High School

ENGLISH II

ENGLISH II
MRS. AMY JOHNSON
Room 305
Email: AJohnson@wardhigh.org
Voicemail Box: 3294
Course Description Taken from the 2016-2017 Bishop Ward High School Course Catalog:
Classics of world literature will be studied for their literary and sociological significance and will
include poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction. Composition study focuses on the multiparagraph essay and includes expository, descriptive, narrative, and argumentative writing.
Grammar, usage, and mechanics will be reviewed in connection with composition. Vocabulary
study is ongoing throughout the year. This course is part of the Qualified Admissions PreCollege Curriculum approved by the Kansas Board of Regents. (Full year) (Sophomores)
Course Theme: Together, we will explore novels, nonfiction, poems, plays, and other pieces that
provide insight into the theme of Peace and Conflict. We will consider the lessons these texts
have to teach as well as their places in literature, history, and our own lives.
Course Objectives
Students will:
Strengthen their communication skills by reading and writing every class period
Read a wide range of poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction to acquire new information,
to respond to the needs and demands of society, the workplace, and for personal
fulfillment
Analyze texts literary, sociological, psychological, and historical significance
Recognize recurring themes in literature and draw connections between texts and
individual experience
Adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language to communicate effectively with
a variety of audiences and for different purposes
Write creative and effective papers, including literary analysis, personal reflection, and
research
Supplies
All of the following materials should be brought each class period:
Bishop Ward-issued planner
Loose leaf paper
Blue or black ink pens or pencils
Proper books for the day
Assignments, when applicable
Notebook that will be used just for English
Binder, with dividers, that will be used just for English
Folder that will be used just for English
Journal that will be used just for English

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ENGLISH II

Assessment: One of the primary objectives of this course is to improve students oral and written
communication skills. As a result, formal assessments will include presentations and papers in
addition to tests. Students will be assigned reading on a regular basis, and some of these
assignments are expected to be completed outside of class as homework. In addition,
participation in class activities will contribute to students scores and overall success in this
course. Students will have the opportunity to earn participation points each class for their
involvement and effort.

School Grading Scale:

A+
98-100
A
95-97
A92-94
B+
B
B-

89-91
86-88
83-85

C+
C
C-

80-82
75-79
72-74

D+
D
D-

69-71
63-68
60-62

below 60

Course Expectations
BEHAVIOR POLICY: Students at Bishop Ward Bishop Ward are expected to act with respect,
responsibility, compassion, honesty, and fortitude. To enforce these high expectations, I will keep
a behavior chart for each of my students for each semester. Each infraction of the rules will result
in a mark on the students chart. After three marks, the student must conference with me during
the homeroom hour. If a student receives five marks, the student will serve a detention.
Infractions that will result in a mark include the following: arriving tardy to class or leaving class
without permission; a uniform violation; having a cell phone during class without the teachers
knowledge; bringing food, gum, or drink to class; and failing to pay attention. Please note that
more serious violations of the rules, especially disrespect and defiance, will automatically result
in an office referral.
ATTENDANCE: Your attendance has an obvious impact on your own performance, but it affects
your classmates, too. We learn from each other, and we all need to be present in order to benefit
from one anothers perspectives.
TARDINESS: The first way to show a teacher that you care is to come to class prepared and on
time. Students who are tardy will receive a mark on their behavior charts. A detention will be

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ENGLISH II

served after five marks. See the Student Handbook for the full details of the schools attendance
policy.
ABSENT WORK: YOU are responsible for contacting me to make up missing work. If you know
in advance that you will miss class, please inform me in person or via email as soon as possible.
Students will have one day to make up the work for each day they are absent. For example, if
you are absent on Monday, please see me on Tuesday so that you can have your work ready for
class on Wednesday.
LATE WORK:
Daily Assignments: Full credit for an assignment is only possible if it is turned in by the
due date. Students will receive up to 75% of the credit for an assignment turned in one
day late. Students will not receive credit for assignments turned in after the end of the
unit.
Essays and other major assignments: The grade will be lowered 20% for each day the
assignment is late.
COMPLETING MISSED TESTS/QUIZZES: If you know in advance that you will miss a test or
quiz, please talk to me and schedule a make-up as soon as possible. Students are expected to
make every effort to complete the missed test or quiz within a week of when it was scheduled.
DAILY EXPECTATIONS: COME TO CLASS PREPARED AND READY TO WORK.
ADVICE: This year is the perfect time to take ownership of your learning! Dont be afraid to ask
your teachers for help; thats why were here.

Course Outline
Note: This outline is a rough estimate of timing and material. Changes may be made as the year develops.

~Semester 1~
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
~Christmas Break~
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
~Semester 2~
Maus by Art Spiegelman
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Bishop Ward High School

ENGLISH II