"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

"
Nelson Mandela

Welcome to
Sophomore
English

email: amuir1@email.arizona.edu

phone (text only) 480-2496933 1

Spring Semester
Overview
English II is back! This semester we will continue our inquiry and practice of critical thinking,
reading, and writing. We will continue to discuss short stories and novels and how they
relate to the world around us. As always, our classroom depends on you. Without you, our
class would be boring. Your thoughts, your beliefs, your knowledge, and your power are
indispensable tools in creating our classroom environment. Show us what you got.

Goals
1. Develop our community. Thought does not exist in a vacuum. Dialogue is
necessary to authentic learning and community is essential to dialogue.
2. Question everything. Question what you read (highlight, annotate, predict,
draw conclusions, assert your opinion), question each other (why do you think
that?), and question your teacher (whats your evidence?).
3. Learn like your hair is on fire. Remember, you have access to free education.
According to the UN, 57 million children dont have a school to go to. You do. Take
advantage. Use your education to change the world as you see fit.

Standards
Our curriculum is aligned to AZ Career and College Readiness Standards. As an educator,
these standards outline what I already do in the classroom. These standards prepare
students to tackle future careers and college with great force. Below are some, not all, of
the standards I align our curriculum to:

Language

email: amuir1@email.arizona.edu

phone (text only) 480-2496933 2

Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts,

to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when
reading or listening. a. Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a style
manual (e.g., MLA Handbook, Turabians Manual for Writers) appropriate for the discipline
and writing type. (910.L.3)
Acquire and use accurately general academic and domainspecific words and phrases,
sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness
level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a
word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. (910.L.6)

Reading
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (910.RL.1)
Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature
from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature. (9 10.RL.6)
Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work (e.g.,
how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how a later author
draws on a play by Shakespeare). (910.RL.9)
Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the
reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and
fallacious reasoning. (910.RI.8)

Writing
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid
reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. (910.W.1)
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and
information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and
analysis of content. (910.W.2)
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective
technique, wellchosen details, and wellstructured event sequences. (910.W.3)

email: amuir1@email.arizona.edu

phone (text only) 480-2496933 3

Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including
a selfgenerated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when
appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of
the subject under investigation. (910.W.7)

Topics
Vocabulary
Literary terms, SAT words, examining words in our texts.

Grammar
Practice, practice, practice.

Writing
Cause and Effect Analysis; Narrative; Argument and Persuasion; Original Thesis; Research
Project.

Reading
See Materials.

Materials
Night by Elie Weisel
A historical and autobiographical narrative of
Elie Weisels experience in Nazi Concentration
camps. Elie Weisel creates a sparse and
deeply harrowing novel. Weisel discusses
themes of father vs. son relationships, man
vs. self, man vs. man, and man vs. G-d. Weisel
writes about how history is formed. Our
inquiry with this novel will be revolving
around those themes plus more.

email: amuir1@email.arizona.edu

phone (text only) 480-2496933 4

Antigone by Sophocles
Sophocles continues the tragedy of
Oedipus with this play about his children.
Heralded as classic for centuries,
Sophocles examines his heroine Antigone
and her place in society. What is a girl to
do when her beliefs clash with the law?

III. Short Stories

As always, I provide the short stories in both physical and digital formats.

IIII. Other
Common Threads, Core Readings by Method and Theme, Repetto
Pencils, pen, highlighter.
A sharp mind.
A quick wit.

Expectations
Classroom expectations reflect the expectations of Chaparral and the English Department.
Chaparral is ranked 9th in Arizona. As such, our expectations are aligned with what we
expect of our teachers and other staff.

Be Prepared. Be Punctual. Be
Present.
Tardies
10 tardies, take the class again.

Absent
10 absences, take the class again.

email: amuir1@email.arizona.edu

phone (text only) 480-2496933 5

Late Work
One day late=10% deduction.
Not Submitted Recovery (NSR) can be turned in the last day of each quarter.
NSR=60% deduction and are never eligible for redos.

Make-Up Work
If you are absent or tardy that makes YOU responsible for finding out what you miss. See
the course website. Ask your peers. Then ask me.
If you have strategic absences (you are absent for 3 or more tests) your tests will be written
tests, this includes vocabulary.
If you have work due on an absence you will turn it in the next day. HOWEVER, if you are
absent on a day a PAPER or PROJECT is due, you are STILL RESPONSIBLE for turning your
paper in on the DAY IT IS DUE on www.turnitin.com.

Plagiarism/Cheating
Zero Tolerance Policy. You will receive a 0. You will have no chance to re-do.

Grading
You earn your grade. I am not responsible for your grades, you are.
100% Assessment (90% of the semester grade)
10% Class Discussion
10% In-Class Writing
25% Quizzes/Tests
45% Papers/Projects
10% Final Written Exam
A= 90-100%
B=80-89%
C=70-79%
D=60-69%
F= lets not think about it...

email: amuir1@email.arizona.edu

phone (text only) 480-2496933 6

A Letter To Parents
My name is Alyssa Muir. I am a graduate student at the University of Arizona. I received my
undergraduate degree in English Literature from Arizona State University. I focused on
Postcolonial Discourse. Postcolonial Discourse relies on multiple critical frameworks,
history, and deep discussion. After spending time as a social worker, starting a family, and
moving to Phoenix I realized how much I missed the authentic inquiries that made up my
undergraduate career. Authentic inquiries (school work that has value) and teaching are
my absolute passions. I am honored to be able to work with your children. They amaze me
with their insights on a daily basis. Your student has all he or she needs to succeed. Each
day I transfer just some of my knowledge, but each day I direct your students learning to
arenas in which she or he shines.

email: amuir1@email.arizona.edu

Contact
Email: amuir1@email.arizona.edu
Cell (text only): 480-249-6933

phone (text only) 480-2496933 7