Shakespeare Course Syllabus

Cicely Tyson Middle/High School

Mrs. Pedersen
Room #127
School phone number: (973) 414-8600
E-mail: heather.pedersen@eastorange.k12.nj.us
Website: www.inetteacher.com
Credit hours: 5.0
Dear Students,
Welcome to Shakespeare. Im your instructor, Mrs. Pedersen. Over the next 40 weeks we will come together to explore
Shakespeares works and to discover their relevance to other creative works and our lives.

Course Theme
Shakespeare wrote:
"All the world 's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their
exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts" - (Act II, Scene
VII).
This year, we will focus on discovering the players and the parts they played. We will then work together to discover their
relevance to our lives.
Course Goals/Essential Questions
As we learn together, we will continue to work toward the following objectives:
Understanding Shakespearean language
Identifying the primary themes.
Researching each Shakespearean works impact on society.
Adapting the work to make it relevant to our lives.
Applying our PA and personal interests to our study of Shakespeare.
Methods of Instruction
Class instruction will include: reading and watching of various Shakespearean works, performing key scenes,
listening to related music to enhance our understanding, receiving benchmark lessons using the Smartboard and
PowerPoint/Prezi, having group discussions (Socratic circles), completing learning station activities, as well as role
playing, independent learning, small group instruction led by your teacher, and using our PA's to connect to
literature. Small group instruction and learning stations will be led by student leaders (who will rotate throughout the
course).
Course Component Specifics
The year will be divided into 2 sections: Semester 1 will focus on drama; Semester 2 will focus on comedy.
Classwork
Because understanding and connecting to Shakespeare will require all of us to work together, classwork is very
important and will be 35% of your grade. Your classwork grade also includes a weekly classwork grade. Each weeks
grade will be entered into Focus and averaged with your other classwork grades.
*5 Possible Points/Meeting Classroom Expectations
-meeting classroom expectations, including being seated, with all required materials out, and ready to work WHEN
the bell rings
-coming in quietly with a pass, if you are occasionally late
-only making limited visits to the rest room and lockers/other classrooms to get materials limits

*5 Possible Points/Classroom Community Member-consistently showing respect for self and others at all times in both words and actions
-staying on task

-helping each other (as appropriate)

*5 Poss. Points/Coming Prepared

-you come prepared with pen/pencil/binder (without borrowing one) and any other assigned materials for that
unit.

Homework-Because this is a project based/unit based class, you will have long-term assignments and a
related assignment calendar. Please see the class website for additional resources and homework updates. Because the
assigned homework is designed to ensure you complete high quality assignments/projects, homework must be on time.
Homework will count as 15% of your grade.
Writing/Projects- Each All writing will follow MLA format. Go to the following link for more help:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ We will also use googledocs for long-term and short-term writing
projects and peer/teacher written response. You will write 1-2 formal papers and complete 1-2 formal projects each
semester. These papers and projects will help us connect our interests and experiences to Shakespeares themes and
characters, as well as enable us to make them accessible to 2014 audiences. Papers and projects will count as 35% of your
grade.
Tests/Quizzes-They will be averaged into the same category. You will have approximately 2-3 formal
tests/semester. Each test will be based on the work you are reading. You will also have approximately 1 quiz/week that
will be given in a variety of ways including verbally, through acting, and in writing (both independently and in groups).
Tests will count as 15% of your overall grade.
Late Work-Since meeting due dates is an essential part of preparation for the future AND necessary to
understand the class lessons, all unexcused late work will earn a 10 pt. deduction/day. If you are absent due to lateness
to school, see me immediately upon arriving to school. Your work will count as late for that day, but you must get the
work due the next day to avoid lateness and to ensure understanding of the material. If you are leaving early for a dentist,
etc., please drop off the work prior to leaving the school and see me to discuss that days lesson/assignment.
Excused Absences-You will have 1 day to make up the work for each day of EXCUSED absence from school.
Excused absences include:
1. Absences to participate in official school/district activities (performances, field trips, athletic events, etc.) with
notification from the teacher/administration
2. Absences for medical reasons
3. College Visits
4. Pass indicating with Administrator/Guidance/Nurse/CST/Social Worker/Discipline
5. Passes indicating you are with another teacher must be cleared first by the period teacher if it may involve
being more than 10 min. late.
Making Up Work-Assignments will be posted on the website AND placed in the class binder. See
me for explanation/details PRIOR to the due date. If you miss class, make arrangements with me as soon as possible to
arrange time for your make-up assignments. You are responsible for getting class notes from a classmate. Make-up
assignments are due by the end of the class following the missed class for EXCUSED absences.
Office Hours (Extra Help): 1 day/week I will be available for help after school. This day may change, but
will be posted in the class and on the website at the beginning of each week. I am also available during lunch (by
appointment).
Plagiarism-This is the taking from OR giving of your work to another student. It is also taking your information
from another source and not giving that source credit. Plagiarism and cheating have no place in a community of
scholars. Have the confidence in yourself to give your original best. This is all that is required of you. If you are
struggling, ask for help.

Course Requirements and Grading

To summarize, your grade will be made up the following percentages:

Tests/Quizzes
-Approximately 1 quiz/week
-Approximately 1 major test/work studied

Projects/Papers
35%
-Related to Shakespearean Work Being Studied
-1 paper/marking period
-1 major project/marking period.

Class Participation
35%
-Weekly class participation grade (outlined above)
-Class journals
-Station/in-class activities

Homework
As Assigned

15%

15%

How to Reach Me
See the information on the top of this syllabus. Response to e-mails will be within 24-48 hours (if sent during the
week). Website will usually be updated weekly.
Date of the 1st Parent/Teacher meeting
November back-to-school night.
Required text/E-book/Online Resources Used
Plays (to be announced)
Printed copies and online versions available (http://shakespeare.mit.edu/)
Supplies:

One 3-ring binder (1 to 1 1/2 inch) and divider tabs with paper
One single-subject notebook OR composition book
Pens/pencils (#2)
Highlighter

Quarter/Unit 1 Schedule
List of Essential Questions:
o What are the elements of a Shakespearean tragedy?
o What are foibles and why are they essential to Shakespearean tragedy?
o What are the keys to understanding Shakespeares language?
o How does fate play a role in peoples lives?
o How does the past impact the future?

WAYS YOU, AS A STUDENT IN MRS. PEDERSENS CLASS, CAN HELP YOURSELF SUCCEED

Be willing to see things from a new point of view.

Be involved in the class.
Keep all class materials organized in your binder and complete assignments on time.
Make sure you understand new terms and concepts and ask questions when confused.
Cicely L. Tyson Community School for Performing and Fine Arts Middle/High School where:
We aim high. We soar high.