MISSION STATEMENT: Woodrow Wilson High School commits to creating an educational atmosphere where students can excel in a safe,

inclusive and engaging learning community. We strive to instill in our students lifelong learning and an appreciation for diversity by providing
measurable, challenging, and equitable learning experiences. We endeavor to prepare all students for their future roles as citizens in local and global
communities. We actively continue to incorporate the involvement of parents, guardians, and the community in support of our mission.

English 11 Syllabus

Teacher: Mr. Matthew Schares

Contact Information
Woodrow Wilson High School
1401 Elmhurst Lane
Portsmouth, VA 23701
Phone: (757) 465-2907 Fax: (757) 405-1335 E-Mail: matthew.schares@portsk12.com
Cell: (757) 561-8560 – if it is after 4pm, leave a message or text.

Course Description

Pre-requisite:  English 10 Credit:  One

English 11 is a course designed to help students enhance their skills in several key areas of communication,
including reading, writing, and speaking in order to hone their critical thinking, creative thinking, and collaboration
skills as students journey towards being productive citizens in our global society. The philosophy and approach to
this course reflects the belief that critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration and citizenship
are all life skills most vital to success in formal education and the wide world beyond the classroom. At the Honors
level, students should expect an increase in rigor in course content and evaluation.

Overview adapted from the Virginia Department of Education: The eleventh-grade student will be able to
make and analyze informative and persuasive oral presentations, with attention to the accuracy of evidence and the
effectiveness of delivery. An examination of how media influences beliefs and behaviors will be introduced. The
student will continue to develop and expand vocabulary. The study of both classic and contemporary
American literature will enhance the student’s appreciation for literature. The student will be able to identify the
prevalent themes and characterizations present in American literature, which are reflective of history and culture.
Students will also use nonfiction texts to draw conclusions and make inferences citing textual support. The student
will be able to write clear and accurate personal, professional, and informational correspondence and reports for
research and other applications. Grammar development will continue through the application of rules for sentence
formation, usage, spelling, and mechanics. The student will develop informative and persuasive writings by
locating, evaluating, synthesizing, and documenting information following ethical and legal guidelines.

Course Objectives
Standards of Learning

11.1 The student will make informative and persuasive presentations.

11.2 The student will examine how values and points of view are included or excluded and how media influences
beliefs and behaviors.
11.3 The student will apply knowledge of word origins, derivations, and figurative language to extend vocabulary
development in authentic texts.
11.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze relationships among American literature, history, and
culture.
11.5 The student will read and analyze a variety of nonfiction texts.
11.6 The student will write in a variety of forms, with an emphasis on persuasion.
11.7 The student will self- and peer-edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling,
sentence structure, and paragraphing.
11.8 The student will analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and organize information from a variety of sources to
produce a research product.
Required Material

1. 1 1/2-inch three ring binder 5. 5-subject dividers

2. White college ruled loose leaf paper 6. Pens (Blue and/or Black ink)
3. Pencils (for multiple choice bubble sheets only) 7. Dictionary (print or e-text access)
4. Flash drive (strongly suggested)
5. ChromeBook (School Provided)

Primary Textbooks (Provided by PPS)

 HMH into Literature 11: American Literature  Novels (TBA)

First Nine Weeks at a Glance

 Word Analysis  Sentence Fluency
 Using Context Clues  Elements of Literature
 Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics  Figurative Language
 Writing as a Process  Making Inferences
 Elaboration of Ideas  Making Predictions
 Narrowing Topics  Identifying Theme
 Organization and Structure  Characterization
 Standard Conventions of Writing  Research
 Word Choice  Summarizing/Paraphrasing
 Identifying voice, tone, style  Note-taking
 SOL writing deconstruction  MLA Guidelines

Second Nine Weeks at a Glance

 Word Analysis  Making Connections
 Using Context clues  Adding Supporting Details
 Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics  Identifying Main Idea
 Elements of Persuasion  Comparing and Contrasting
 Questioning  Clarifying and Critiquing the Accuracy of Text
 Recognizing Author’s Purpose  Media Literacy
 Clarifying Written Responses  Connotation and Denotation
 Drawing Conclusions  Historical Context
 Visualizing  Reading and Writing Strategy Review
 Recognizing Text Structure
Class Rules and Consequences

Rules Consequences

1. Do not disrupt class during time allotted for 1. Verbal Warning

independent practice, classwork, tests and quizzes. 2. Student/Teacher Conference
2. Do remain in your assigned seat unless you have 3. Parent/Guardian Contact
permission from the teacher to do otherwise. 4. Administrative Referral
3. Do be respectful of yourself and others
4. Do have homework and necessary supplies at your
desk and ready to be utilized.
5. Do follow all Portsmouth Public School District’s
policies.

Make-up Work
In the event that a student has an excused absence, the student will be given time to make up all missed
assignments. Students are given 5 calendar days to submit make-up work. In the event the student is absent
on the day a scheduled test or quiz is given, the student will be expected to take the test or quiz on the first day they
return to class. In addition, all students are expected to turn in any homework assignment due on the day of their
excused absence on the first day they return to class. NO EXTRA CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is deliberately or accidentally failing to cite a source; therefore, presenting as your own work the work of
another person. If it is discovered that you have plagiarized your work, you will have a conference with the teacher.
The second time plagiarism is discovered the student will receive a referral. If it is discovered that you have
plagiarized your work a third time, the result will be an automatic O.

Assignments
All assignments are due on time. Late work will not be accepted unless the student has an excused absence.

Electronic Devices
Cell phones, iPods, laptop computers, calculators, game toys, and other electronic devices are to be turned off and
out of sight during English class unless the teacher has given specific permission for their use. Electronic devices
disturbing the learning environment of the English classroom will be confiscated by the teacher and returned at the
teacher's discretion and convenience. A repeat offence will result in the confiscation of the device by the teacher and
it will be turned in to the office for return to the student (or parent) at the principal's discretion and convenience.

Food and Beverages

Woodrow Wilson High School does not allow students to eat or drink in classrooms. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Leaving the Class
Students are not allowed to leave class without their teacher’s permission and each student must have a pass dated
and signed by the teacher while outside of their assigned class. Passes will be administered at the teacher’s
discretion. During asynchronous periods, if you have to leave for any reason, please make sure that you make the
teacher aware. All asynchronous classes will be recorded for student review upon their return.
Conferences
There are scheduled conference throughout the year. If these dates are inconvenient, you may contact me through
the school (see contact information on page one) in order to schedule a more convenient time.
Grading
    A.   Tests, Projects and Major Papers   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30%
    B.   Quizzes and Essays, Some Oral Assignments (Not including essays on tests, or major papers.) . . . . . . 20%
    C.   Classwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40%
D. Homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10%
Grading Scale

100-93= A 86-83=B 76-73=C 66-64=D

90-92=A- 82-80=B- 72-70=C- 63-0=F
89-87=B+ 79-77=C+ 69-67=D+

Curriculum
The curriculum is based on the Portsmouth Public Schools high school curriculum guide in compliance with the
Virginia Department of Education guidelines.
Dear Parent/Guardian,

Thank you for taking the time to read over the syllabus for Mr. Schare’s English 10 class. I look forward to
working with both you and your Woodrow Wilson High School student. Please feel free to contact me at any time
concerning your child’s academic success.
Please fill out the information requested below and have your student return only this section of the
syllabus indicating that you have read and understood the expectations of the class.
Again, thank you for your cooperation. I look forward to being a part of your child’s success during the
2020-2021 school year.

Sincerely,

Mr. Matthew Schares

English 11

Block _______________

Date Assigned _________________ Date Due______________________________

Date Turned In __________________________

Student’s Name ____________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Name _____________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Street Address

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s E-Mail Address ______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Home Phone # _______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Cell Phone # ________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Work Phone # _______________________________________________________

Best Time To Reach You ______________________________________________________________

Preferred Means of Contact Home Address E-Mail Home Phone Cell Phone Work Phone

Parent/Guardian’s Signature ___________________________________________________________

Student’s Signature _________________________________________________________________

MISSION STATEMENT: Woodrow Wilson High School commits to creating an educational atmosphere where studts can excel in a safe,
inclusive and engaging learning community. We strive to instill in our students lifelong learning and an appreciation for diversity by providing
measurable, challenging, and equitable learning experiences. We endeavor to prepare all students for their future roles as citizens in local and global
communities. We actively continue to incorporate the involvement of parents, guardians, and the community in support of our mission.