ALLIANCE MORGAN MCKINZIE HIGH SCHOOL

Ms. Aguirre, Room 109

aaguirre@laalliance.org
Office Hours: Tuesday from 3:30 4:30
or after school, by appointment

ENGLISH 11
COURSE SYLLABUS
Vision Statement:
Our English Department is committed to utilizing a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that teaches
students to speak, read, write, and think critically in order to prepare them for successful academic and
professional careers.

Course Description:
The English 11 course encompasses American literature and composition where students will engage in a
variety of non-fiction texts that focus on the major literary topics and themes that describe a successful
(or unsuccessful) society. Through close reading and analytical writing, students will become explore how
a writers subject, purpose, and audience merge to form the authors effective message in a variety of
written genres. Students will engage in specific reading, writing, and thinking skills that will prepare them
for testing and college-level experiences.
This course has three specific aims:

To encourage students to read, write, and think critically.

To foster analysis of rhetoric through metacognitive conversation.
To prepare students for the upcoming CAASPP Exam.

Course Outline:
These topics are subject to change due to time constraints, class population, and individual preference:

Speeches and Rhetoric

The American Dream
The Pursuit of Unhappiness

Where Crop Becomes King

Island Civilization
The Hunger Games

Required Class Materials:

Pens (blue/black ink) or pencil

Highlighters
Notebook/Loose-leaf Paper

Correction Tape
Three Ring Binder/Folder (to keep work)
Journal (Composition Notebook)

Course Requirements:
Readings
Students will be required to do close readings and critical analysis of various non-fiction texts and
written works. These texts may include excerpts from novels, poems, essays, or historical
articles/documents.
Class Discussion
Active student participation is crucial to success within the classroom. Students will have the
opportunity to work with their peers and collaborate in a range of activities and discussions.
Students may be randomly called on to contribute to class discussions, and thus are expected to
come to class fully prepared to participate.
Written Journal Responses
The purpose of the journal is to give students the opportunity to write everyday. Students will
critically respond to a provided prompt relating to the theme or idea studied. Journals will be
collected and graded periodically as a means of accountability. Students will be notified in
advance when their journals will be collected.

Grading:
Students will be graded on their written assignments, completed Journal Responses, classroom
discussions, summative assessments, and personal progress within the classroom. If students hand in all
assignments and have made an effort to fulfill the assignments to their best ability, they are guaranteed
to get an excellent grade in this class. The grading scale is based on a points system, and students will be
given points for their work. The grading scale is as follows:
Advanced

Proficient

3.4 and above

3.39 - 2.27

Basic

2.69 - 2.00

Below Basic

NP

1.99 and below

Doing your best work assures a good grade.

Not handing in assignments takes away from your overall grade.

Attendance:
Because the majority of the work will be done in class utilizing reading and writing strategies, writing
prompts, and partners it is extremely important to be in attendance as often as possible.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed from a classmate and to
make up any missed work before the next notebook check or grading period. If you need
assistance from the teacher, please arrange a time to meet before or after school. All
assignments will be placed in the class designated absent folder.
Students must be on time to class each day. They must be in the classroom, seated, and ready
to work before the bell rings. If a student arrives to class after the bell without a note he or she
is considered tardy. Students will receive a warning for the first tardy. Any subsequent tardiness
will result in a detention and an office referral.
Class Policies, Procedures, & Expectations:

Students are expected to abide by the Alliance Morgan McKinzie H.S. Honor Code at all times.
o The teacher will address honor code violations in an appropriate manner (verbal/written
warnings, after school detentions, parent conferences, or office referrals).

Students are expected to come to class each day prepared and ready to participate. There are no
excuses.

Absolutely no cellphone use will be permitted in the classroom. If seen, your phone will be
confiscated and sent to the office.
o Improper use of the iPads will lead to iPad use revoked for the remainder of class period.

Students are allowed two free bathroom passes per semester. After the two passes are used, students
will make up lost instructional time during nutrition/lunch/after school.

Be respectful of the classroom environment and of your peers refrain from using vulgar language,
making a scene, or being openly defiant during class time.

Plagiarism and cheating of any kind are unacceptable. Students caught cheating or
plagiarizing another's work will receive an NP on that assignment and an office referral.

The class policies and procedures are best stated with three simple guidelines:

Please do not pack up when I am still teaching and/or other students are discussing. It is
rude and distracting to all.
Please be respectful to your classmates, your teacher, and yourself at all times.
Follow the routines and expectations of the classroom!

I look forward to working with each and every single one of you J
Lets have a successful and fantastic school year!

ALLIANCE MORGAN MCKINZIE HIGH SCHOOL

ENGLISH 11

Student and Parent Agreement

I have read and understand the preceding information. I hereby express my dedication to my
learning and my dedication to doing the work that I need to do to be successful in this course.

_____________________________________
Student Signature

______________________________________
Student Name (printed)

He ledo y entendido la informacin anterior. Voy a mantener un papel activo en la educacin

de mi hijo y voy a trabajar implacablemente hacia sus metas acadmicas.
I have read and understood the preceding information. I will maintain an active role in my childs
education and encourage him/her to work relentlessly towards his/her academic goals.

______________________________________________
Firma de padre/ Parent Signature

PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION/INFORMACION DE PADRE

PARENT NAME/NOMBRE DE PADRE: ________________________________________________________

CELL PHONE/PRIMARY PHONE NUMBER: ( _______ ) ___________ - _______________
NUMERO DE TELEFONO CELULAR
EMAIL ADDRESS/CORREO ELECTRONICO: ___________________________________________________
PLEASE SHARE ANY IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR CHILD:
POR FAVOR COMPARATA INFORMACION QUE DEBO SABER DE SU HIJO/A:
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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