Course Syllabus
a-g English 12
Section 1012 & 1012.2
Location: Online
Please review the CWCS Master Class Syllabus that will be used in the Parent/Student Orientation course.
Class Information
Instructor: Debbie Nishihama
Email: dnishihama@cwcharter.org
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 11 am - 12 pm
- Semester 1 - First Class Meeting: August 15, 2023
Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/1/23 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline)
- Semester 2 - First Class Meeting: January 9, 2024
Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/19/24 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline)
CWCS’s a-g English 12 online course allows students to study at home while employing technology as a learning tool, meeting with other students in a virtual classroom, and receiving live instruction from a teacher.
Course Overview: This course focuses on reading and understanding common core/state standards in complex English (British) literature. Students will learn to think, analyze, and write thoughtful essays about literary and informational texts. They must complete assigned readings, essays, or other writing projects. For this reason, it is important that they attend class regularly, arrive at class on time, and come to class prepared to participate in meaningful discussions about literary and informational material.
The state standards require students to read stories and literature and more complex texts that provide facts and background knowledge in areas such as science and social studies. Students will be challenged and asked questions that push them to refer back to what they’ve read. This stresses critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills required for college, career, and life success.
The state standards establish guidelines for English Language Arts (ELA) and literacy in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects. Because students must learn to read, write, speak, listen, and use language effectively in various content areas, the standards promote the literacy skills and concepts required for college and career readiness in multiple disciplines.
Curriculum: Required curriculum may be available at the Learning Center on a first-come basis. If needed, ESs can order curricula using the OPS catalog with the most up-to-date pricing.
Textbooks: Students will be using the online version of Collections; the publisher is Houghton Mifflin. The traditional text and the online version come as a package that includes the student edition (hard copy), a Close Reader, and a Performance Assessment booklet. When students check out the package, they will receive a username & password for the digital component. The digital version and the texts will be available for check-out from the learning center on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Integrated Online Student Edition has all the features of the print edition plus Digital Collections, which provide comprehensive standards of instruction in writing, speaking, and listening. Close Read Screencasts provide an audio and visual model of an analytical conversation about the text. In addition, the media resources such as History®, Lifetime, A&E, and Bio are seamlessly integrated into the digital offering. The digital tool also includes the FYI site, which provides curated, contemporary informational text for additional reading and instruction. Digital tools within the eBook enable students to annotate the texts they are reading, save their notes and annotations and then use those notes in the development of compositions or Performance Tasks. The web-enabled HTML5 digital format allows for device-agnostic access to all materials (works on all devices).
Students enrolled in a Canvas English course will be instructed on how to use the digital components of their online textbook.
I provide a PDF for each novel listed below; however, if you desire a physical copy, you can link to Barnes & Noble below and let your ES know
Novels:
1st Semester
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
2nd Semester
Hamlet (Located in the Collections textbook)
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Materials:
- Working external headset with mic (computer speakers do not work successfully with the Canvas setup). Plug-in headsets (rather than Bluetooth) work best with Jigsaw. After the third week of class and no headset, students may begin to lose participation points for the class. Class is much more engaging if all students can talk in class using their mic.
- Binder Paper
- 1" Binder
- Pencils & Erasers
- Composition Notebook
Requirements:
- Class textbook/workbook
- Gmail Account and ability to open/create Word documents and pdfs (Adobe Acrobat Reader).
- Microsoft Word, PDF, or Google Docs are the only acceptable writing programs.
- Reliable Internet access
- Canvas Login link: https://cwcs.instructure.com/login/canvas
CWCS English Department Homepage
Attendance: Attendance is required. The Truancy Policy applies to Canvas courses. An unexcused absence may be counted as a truancy.
- Excused Absence is defined as:
The parent shall notify the teacher by phone of the absence at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets. - Unexcused Absence is defined as:
An absence that does not accompany a parent phone call to the instructor at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.
*If extenuating circumstances do not allow for at least 24 hours, then the teacher must still be notified prior to the start of class; allowances may be made depending on the circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances: car accidents, sudden illness, etc. Students should arrange a "backup plan" in case of unexpected computer problems the day of the class (i.e. make pre-arrangements to go to a neighbor, friend, relative, library, etc.) When students are absent, they must contact the instructor via email.
Absent/Late Work: Please email the instructor through Canvas if you will be absent. Students who turn in assignments late will not receive a grade higher than 75%.
Daily Homework: All of the work for this course is assigned and graded by the instructor. Parents are encouraged to review their student’s work before submitting it. Assignments are submitted through Canvas. You can submit a Word document, PDF or Google Doc (download as a PDF and upload to Canvas). Emailed assignments will not be accepted. All communication will be made through Canvas’ messaging feature.
Please Note: Assignments are subject to change. Students enrolled in Canvas classes should log into the course regularly for up-to-date and detailed assignments. Students who are not enrolled in Canvas classes and who are using the course syllabi can follow the pacing guides’ weekly assignments.
Additional Resources:
TurnItIn
Turnitin is the most effective online technology used to manage the submission, tracking, and evaluation of student papers online. Turnitin provides originality checking, interactive grading, and peer review, and allows instructors to deliver rich, personalized feedback in less time, encouraging notably higher levels of student engagement.
Important Dates 2023-2024: (see also 2023-2024 School Calendar Final)
Aug. 7: First day of school
Aug. 14: First day of fall Canvas Classes
Sept. 1: Add/Drop date
Sept. 4: NO CLASS: Labor Day
Oct. 5 -6: NO CLASS (non school days)
Nov. 10: NO CLASS: Veteran’s Day
Nov. 17- 24: NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Break
Nov 27 - Dec 1: Last Class session this week (a-g)
Dec. 4 - 8: Last Class session this week (all other classes)
Dec. 4 - 8: a-g Finals Week
Jan. 5: First day back to school
Jan. 8: First day of spring Canvas classes
Jan. 15: NO CLASS: MLK Holiday
Jan. 19th: Add/Drop date
Feb. 15 - 19: NO CLASS: President’s Day Observance
March 22 - 29: NO CLASSES THIS WEEK: SPRING BREAK
April 29 - May 3: Last class session this week (a-g)
May 6 - 10: Last Class session this week (all other classes)
May 6 - 10: a-g Finals Week
May 17: Last Day of School
Grading:
|
Attendance/Participation |
15% |
|
Tests & Quizzes |
25% |
|
Writing & Projects |
40% |
|
Final |
20% |
|
100 |
A+ |
|
92-99 |
A |
|
90-91 |
A- |
|
88-89 |
B+ |
|
82-87 |
B |
|
80-81 |
B- |
|
78-79 |
C+ |
|
72-77 |
C |
|
70-71 |
C- |
|
68-69 |
D+ |
|
62-67 |
D |
|
60-61 |
D- |
|
Below 60 |
F |
A Note About Plagiarism: Copying from the internet or any other source, sharing answers with classmates on an assignment, and direct cheating will not be tolerated. For any given offense, there will be a call home, a parent conference, a referral to your administrator, and a zero on the assignment, regardless of the weight. It is just not worth it ~ if you are going to use direct quotes or information from ANY source, please properly reference your information and give credit where credit is due. : )
TurnItIn:
Turnitin is the most effective online technology used to manage the submission, tracking, and evaluation of student papers online. Turnitin provides originality checking, interactive grading, and peer review, and allows instructors to deliver rich, personalized feedback in less time, encouraging notably higher levels of student engagement..
Technology Requirements: Students must have reliable internet access and a headset with a mic. Homework will be completed and submitted in Canvas.
Textbooks: Students will be using the online version of Collections; the publisher is Houghton Mifflin. The traditional text and the online version come as a package that includes the student edition (hard copy), a Close Reader, and a Performance Assessment booklet. When students check out the package, they will receive a username & password for the digital component. The digital version and the texts will be available for check-out from the learning center on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Integrated Online Student Edition has all the features of the print edition plus Digital Collections which provide comprehensive standards instruction in writing, speaking, and listening. Close Read Screencasts provide an audio and visual model of an analytical conversation about the text. In addition, the media resources such as History®, Lifetime, A&E, and Bio are seamlessly integrated into the digital offering. The digital tool also includes the FYI site, which provides curated, contemporary informational text for additional reading and instruction. Digital tools within the eBook enable students to annotate the texts they are reading, save their notes and annotations and then use those notes in the development of compositions or Performance Tasks. The web-enabled HTML5 digital format allows for device-agnostic access to all materials (works on all devices).
Students enrolled in a Canvas English course will be instructed on how to use the digital components of their online textbook.
a-g English 12 – CP 1002 & 1002.2
Pacing Guide – 2023-24
This Pacing Guide is Subject to Change
Check Canvas each week for Weekly Assignments including:
- Weekly Reading Comprehension Questions
- Collection Tests
- Performance Task Writing
- Novel Assignments
Fall 2023
|
Weeks 1 & 2 |
COLLECTION 1 ~ “Chasing Success” READ ANCHOR TEXT: “Marita’s Bargain” p 3 |
|
Week 3 |
MEDIA ANALYSIS: Don’t Eat Fortune’s Cookie p 19 |
|
Week 4 |
READ: The Secret to Raising Smart Kids p 21 |
|
Week 5 |
READ: “A Walk to the Jetty” p 31 |
|
Week 6 |
Watch: Ile p 48 |
|
Week 7 |
COLLECTION 2 ~ Gender Roles READ: “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” p 78
|
|
Week 8 |
READ: “Mallam Sile” p 93 |
|
Week 9 |
READ: “My Father’s Sadness” p 109 |
|
Week 10 |
READ: News Article ~ In a Scattered Protest & Saudi Women Take the Wheel p 123 WATCH: Saudi Women Defy Driving Ban |
|
Week 11 |
READ: “The Men We Carry in our Minds” p 131 |
|
Weeks 12 & 13 |
COLLECTION 3 ~ Voices of Protest READ: “Speech on the Vietnam War, 1967” p 151 READ: “The Crisis” p 170 |
|
Week 14 |
READ: “A Modest Proposal” p 199
|
|
Week 15 |
No Class ~ Thanksgiving Break |
|
Week 16 |
Watch: Third World America p 213 (online text) READ: “Imagine the Angels of Bread” p 217
|
|
Week 17 |
Final Project Presentations |
|
Week 18 |
A-g Finals Week |
Spring 2024
|
Week 1 |
COLLECTION 4 ~ Seeking Justice, Seeking Peace Read: Hamlet (Act 1) pgs 231-235 Read: Hamlet (Act 2) pg 263-282 |
|
Week 2 |
Read: (Hamlet Act 3) pgs 284-309 Read: Hamlet (Act 4) pgs 311-331 |
|
Week 3 |
No Class ~ Complete Assigned Work (Martin Luther King, Jr Day) Read: Hamlet (Act 5) pgs 333-335 |
|
Week 4 |
Media Analysis: Watch: Hamlet (1980) pg 357 Watch: Hamlet 2009 BBC Pg 358 |
|
Week 5 |
Read: Tell Them Not To Kill Me pgs 369-375 |
|
Weeks 6 & 7 |
Read: Blocking the Transmission of Violence pgs 379-390 |
|
Week 8 |
No Class ~ Complete Assigned Work (Presidents’ Day 2/12 - 2/15) Read: Hatred pgs 395-396 |
|
Week 9 |
Collection 5 ~ Taking Risks Read: Beowulf on pg 410-415 (Grendal and Beowulf) |
|
Week 10 |
Read: Beowulf pgs 415-424 (Grendel, Grendel's Mother & The Battle with Grendel's Mother) |
|
Week 11 |
Read: Explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger: Address to the Nation pgs 420-439 |
|
Week 12 |
No Class ~ No Homework (Spring Break 3/1 - 3/15) |
|
Week 13 |
Read: The Deep pgs 433-448 |
|
Week 14 |
Read: The Mosquito Solution pgs 453-467 |
|
4/4 Ww |
Collection 6: Finding Ourselves in Nature Read: Living Like Weasels pgs 477-480 |
|
Week 16 |
Read: Wild Peaches ~ Spring and All pgs 486-488 |
|
Week 17 |
Read: Being Here: The Art of Dan Horgan pg 395-400 |
|
Week 18 |
a-g Finals Week ~ All Homework Due |