CLASS SYLLABUS | 2021-2022 Ms.

Erin Morrisey

ENGLISH CLASS
Butler University 2021
e.morrisey@school.district.org
(123) 333-4444 ext. 1234
erinmorrisey.weebly.com
(tenth grade edition)
WELCOME WHAT’S THIS ALL ABOUT?
to tenth grade! I’m excited to get to I believe education’s foundational purpose is to prepare young
know you and to help you grow as a people to become contributing members of society: someone who
linguist, storyteller, and expert knows themselves, who is trying to live out their purpose in the
communicator. world, who communicates well with others, and who strives to
make this world a better place. I believe we can all become better
MATERIALS contributing members of society through the power of language.
You might love language.
Way to access web

Writing materials

You might be wondering when you last picked up a book. You may
Binder/ folder

correct your friends’ grammar or still be scratching your head,

wondering why everyone seems so concerned about comma
placement. In this class, you’ll begin to explore the purpose of
literature in your world, consider the power it has inflicted on
* bring these to class every day *
others throughout history, and learn about contemporary poets,
political speeches, and your classmates’ ideas.
PARTICIPATION
You might notice “Contribution &
Engagement” is 1/3 of your grade.
BIG QUESTIONS THIS YEAR
- What stories do I tell about myself? My world?
What does this mean?
- How can language shape reality?
Neuroscience research (and
- What tools do I have to enact real change in the world?
common sense) tell us that we - How can I understand others better?
learn by talking. Some people are - How can I help others understand me better?
more comfortable with this than
others. Throughout the year, I’ll be
BUT SERIOUSLY… WHAT ARE WE DOING?
measuring the quality of
- Foundations
conversations you have and your
+ neuroscience (Brain Rules excerpts)
engagement with conversations
+ the “what” and “why” of storytelling
when you’re not talking (how you
+ characteristics of quality learners/ readers/ speakers/ listeners
listen, ask questions, take notes,
- How Literature Influenced History (argumentation)
etc.).
+ speeches and Great Works (1984, Animal Farm, or In Cold
Blood)
ASSIGNMENTS + speech & persuasive essay
Group - How Language Shapes Reality (narrative)
Work
Informal
+ contemporary poetry and short stories (Stephen King!)
Writing & + self-selected reading book clubs
Daily Work
Contributions & + creative writing & literary analysis
Engagement - How Language is Power (research)
Formal Writing, + activism, speaking and listening, language in the media, and
Projects & TED talks
Presentations
+ investigative research/ reporting & news spread
 GOALS FOR THE YEAR
- Examine concrete ways language shapes our
world (personally, politically, historically, etc.)
- Practice expressing yourself in various situations
- Articulate the power literature has wielded in
our society
- Excel at thoughtfully listening to others
- Author one presentation/ article/ paper you’re
exceptionally proud of
CLASS STANDARDS
- We are respectful of each other’s ideas.
- We take responsibility for our actions.
- We come to class prepared each day (mentally &
emotionally). If we’re not prepared, we’ll let each
other know.
- We stretch our minds. We expect growth. We
are prepared for challenges.
- We are striving. We are not perfect.

Canvas/Instructure e-Portfolio Google Suite

TECHNOLOGY

- Here, you’ll upload your
assignments and find
resources (i.e. readings,
videos, makeup work, daily
schedules, etc.)
- Access it at
bestschool.instructure.com
- We’ll use an e-Portfolio to
compile our work and, more
importantly, our progress
throughout the semester.
- We’ll talk about this more
later, but we’ll use Weebly
to set up this portfolio.
- Obviously, Google is kind of
a useful tool.
- Specifically, I’m asking you
to set up a Google account
(if you haven’t already) so
you can create & access
Google docs, slides, etc.

* Because this is the 21st century, we’ll be using technology in class. Because the conversations we have in class are the
most important thing we’ll be doing, though, your technology needs to be put away unless prompted. *

ASSIGNMENTS
There are two types of assignments: formal and
informal. Informal assignments are all the things we
do in class or as homework. Formal assignments are
things like essays, presentations, and projects. All
our assignments will be posted on our course
Canvas. As such, almost all our assignments will be
turned in virtually. Upload your assignments to our
course Canvas by 12:00AM (that’s midnight).
RESUBMITTING WORK
I’ll always let you resubmit any formal assignments
you do. We’ll discuss this process more when the
time comes for our first formal assignment, but
know that I create assignments to measure your
growth and understanding, not trick you into doing
poorly. I want you to succeed.
ABSENCES
If you’re absent for a day, look on our class Canvas
and talk to a member of your triad about what we
did. If you’re absent for longer (or if you want more
guidance), email me to arrange a meeting. If you
know you’re going to be absent, let me know a week
in advance.
LATE WORK
I assign homework for two reasons: (1) to prepare
you for something we’ll do in class and (2) to help
you reflect on your learning. If you miss a
homework of the first kind, you’ll have to make it up
during class and miss the activity we do. If the
homework is the second kind, you can turn it in by
the end of the week—after that, the reflection won’t
do much for your learning, so I won’t accept it.

MY PLEDGES DAY 1 HOMEWORK

My goals for this year are to create lessons you find valuable Scan the QR code or
for your life outside of school and to help you find/ develop go directly to our
the tools you need to be successful throughout the rest of course LMS to
your schooling. I pledge to check in with you to see how complete your first
things are working for you in the classroom. I pledge to adapt assignment (the T-
my teaching when it’s not working. I ask that you pledge to Chart I described in
let me know when something is not working, and to try the class today).
adaptations I offer you. Remember—it’s due at midnight tonight!