Mr.

Verdin
English II American Literature & Composition | B108
630.428.6000 x4740
jason_verdin@ipsd.org | mrverdin.weebly.com







Course Description:
English II is the study of American Literature. In this course we will focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Students will (1) study various genres of literature through analysis of the themes below; (2) refine writing skills; (3)
participate; and (4) practice listening skills and group dynamics.

Major Themes:
1. Acceptance: Seeking Identity
2. Adversity: Facing Conflict
3. Awareness: Owning Consequences
4. Aspirations: Pursuing Happiness



Texts/Materials:
1. Various novels, articles, speeches, and multimedia.
2. The English Department recommends the purchasing of novels read throughout the school year in order to enable
students to highlight and provide marginal notations. An opportunity to purchase paperbacks is offered in class from
the departments bookstore during one of the first weeks of school. We will go to the book fair on Thursday, August
28
th
.
3. Blue or black ink pens, pencils for scantrons only, dry erase marker and a highlighter
4. Separate notebook for note taking/in-class activities
5. Class folder or binder to keep handouts and assignments
6. Assignment Notebook

Classroom Rules:
1. No electronic devices (headphones, cell phones, and so forth) are allowed to be used in class, unless we are doing a
BYOT activity. Unauthorized technology usage results in your phone being taken and a referral being given
2. Be in class on time and in your seat when the bell rings.
3. Keep desks and aisles clear of purses and backpacks.
4. No eating in class.
5. Bring all materials to class; use the restroom and water fountain during passing period.
6. Do not pack up your materials before the bell rings unless you are given time by the teacher.
7. Remain in your seat until the END of the class period do not line up at the door.
8. Respect is expected at all times between students and teachers. Listen to one another. If a student is disrespectful or
disruptive, he or she will be reminded of appropriate behavior. If the inappropriate behavior persists, he or she will
be asked to leave the classroom, and a referral will be made to the dean.
9. Please refer to your student handbook regarding further details on these policies.

Tardy Policy:
It is essential that you arrive to class on time and prepared. Excessive tardiness will not be tolerated. You must be in your
seat when the bell rings. If you are late, the following will occur:
1
st
and 2
nd
tardy: warning
3
rd
and subsequent tardies: referral to the dean, who will determine any further course of action
**You will be issued a tardy if you arrive to class without materials and need to go to locker to retrieve them.
Weebly:
I dont use Edline. The class website is mrverdin.weebly.com. All assignments, class calendars, syllabus, study guides, and
class notes can be found there.

Honor Code:
Academic integrity is built upon strong personal character. Honestly, trust, fairness, respect and
responsibility build and sustain character. Character is uniquely yours, cared for over time, and
preserved by each decision you make. Growing it is a sign of personal strength and empowerment.
A lack of integrity is an act of weakness and surrender.
Neuqua Valley is committed to upholding these values even as the temptation is to live something
less. The immediate benefits of short-cut thinking are enticing. They lead the way to points but land in
a place absent of pride and prestige.
After first offense, student receives a 0% on assignment/exam and contact with parent/guardian,
Neuqua Valley Book Fair Prices
A Lesson Before Dying (Ernest J. Gaines) $14.00
The Catcher in the Rye (J.D Salinger) $9.00
The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway) $12.00
A Raisin in the Sun (Lorrain Hansberry) $8.00
The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald) $15.00
Total: $58.00
**Make checks payable to NVHS
**Must include phone number and student ID on your check

A: 90-100% D: 60-69%
B: 80-89% F: 59% and below
C: 70-79%
An 89.9% is still a B+. The same goes with all
other letter grades.

guidance counselor and department chair. After second offense, 0% for assignment/ exam, failure for the semester,
withdrawal from course, and contact to the above people again.
English Department Grading Policy
The gradebook is updated every three weeks, or sooner, as assignments are completed. Semester grades will be determined
by the accumulation of points earned in the following weighted categories:
Participation: 10%
Although it is not collected every day, it is essential that all assignments are completed with care, as they are the basis for
most daily quizzes. Includes assigned reading, homework, and being prepared for class by bringing materials.
Speaking and Listening: 20%
Includes group work, full-class discussion, Socratic/fishbowl activities, presentations, and non-verbal participation (listening
to peers while they speak/give speeches, not falling asleep in class, notetaking)
Assessment: 20%
This category includes quizzes, tests, projects, and presentations. Quizzes will be given regularly after nightly reading
assignments, and tests are administered after major units of study. If you are absent for a test, quiz, or in-class essay, you
must make up the work on the day you return, during your option period, unless prior arrangements have been made.
Writing: 30%
This category includes all major writing assignments: in-class essays, out-of-class essays, process paper elements, outlines,
and research projects.
Final Exam: 20%
The final exam component of English II consists of three sections: an in-class essay that will be administered on the actual
final exam date, a multiple-choice portion with grammar questions and questions from close reading passages, and a
speaking/listening portion that is to occur on a date before the final exam. It will be in the format of a Socratic seminar.
Students will apply knowledge of literary devices, reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, and argumentation
through evidence. Please note: students MUST be present for the Socratic seminar. It cannot be made up or excused from the
final.
Semester Grade = 80% Final Exam = 20%
Extra Credit:
Extra credit will be used only to enhance the students understanding, mastery, or appreciation of the material covered in
class. It will be used solely as an extension of the learning process; thus, it will not be given to save or raise a grade as a
last ditch effort to pass at the end of the semester. A maximum of 5% may be available through extra credit, and it is only
available to students with no missing work or without extreme absences. Extra credit points are added to the Participation
category of your grade, and is added in at the end of each semester.

**You EARN your grade. Understand that the work that you do (or dont do) determines the grade that you earn in this
class. I will not bump grades.

Alpha scores may be listed in the online grade book. The following Alpha scores may be used:
X: Exempt Z: Zero Missing and calculated as a 0%
A blank does not mean that you received a zero; it means it has not been inputted into the grade book.
Submission of Work/Late Work:
Homework is due at the start of the class on the due date assigned. If I do not receive your homework by the start of class,
then it is late. It is your responsibility to have typed assignments done and printed by the due date. Asking to go to the library
to print an assignment is a late assignment.
If you are late with a minor assignment (ex. daily assignments, short writing assignment, etc.), you may turn it in up
to five days late to receive half credit. After five days, the assignment becomes a zero.
If you are late with a major assignment (ex. paper, project), one day late will receive a maximum grade of C and
drop one letter grade for each day late. After 5 days, the assignment becomes a 0%
It is your responsibility to obtain any assignment missed due to an absence. Remember it will always be listed on Weebly.
You will also receive reading schedules, and even when you are absent, you are expected to be up to date. Any work assigned
prior to an absence is due the day you return. Assignments must be turned in prior to or on the scheduled due date when not
attending class due to an extracurricular activity or planned absence. Finally, if you are absent on the due date of a major
writing assignment, you are still expected to turn in/email me a copy of your essay. If I do not receive it, the essay will be
considered late. Upon your return to class, you must submit a hard copy of the writing assignment. Please refer to your
student handbook concerning extended absences and make-up work.

Communication:
I am here to help you! Let me know how I can help you succeed this
year. If you have a personal concern that you need to communicate with
me, please e-mail me anytime. I check my email often. Also, if you are
absent, remember I expect you to check Weebly, ask myself on what was
missed, and check your SCHOOL ASSIGNED email accounts. Be aware of
the updated grading scale: