English IV: What Is a Hero?

Please write a page-and-a-half to two-page essay on the prompt:

What is a hero?

Take into consideration:

• how a person becomes a hero


• what a hero does -- or does not -- do


• how a person might be disqualified from being a hero


• one person you consider to actually be "your hero" and why


• how the definition of hero has changed over time

Please do not write about superheroes or hero sandwiches.

English IV: Evolution of the English Language

In class we discussed and took notes on the history and evolution of English. Our discussion was supplemented by the Prezi presentation, below.

BlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Syllabus for English IV

Mr. Mikesell
Rm. 128 / English IV
Tutorial hours: Mon. & Thurs. 4:30–5:30p
Mornings by appointment
cmikesell@dallasisd.org
http://mikesell128.blogspot.com

SYLLABUS
“Life is short. Learn hard.”

Course Outline
Through this course students will continue to develop higher-order thinking skills through the analysis, evaluation, and critique of literature. This course is also designed to lay and/or build upon the foundation for students as they take advanced levels of English. Students will learn from set objectives established for them to be successful in exams, in other classes, and in life.

Class Norms

• Be Respectful


• Be Prepared


• Be Accountable


• Be Self-Monitoring


• Do Your Best

(Campus/district policies will be observed also)

Homework
Homework will be assigned regularly. Much of it will be outside reading; otherwise it will usually be due before the tardy bell rings two days after the assignment. Homework will not be accepted the same period that it is assigned. Classwork not finished in class will be treated as homework, with the same deadlines/penalties.

Late Work
Students who have not turned in homework within the first 5 minutes of class the day it is due will be assigned to the after-school Patriot Academy. Work turned in within two days of the due date will be accepted with a 15% grade reduction. Each week an assignment is late will result in an extra 15% reduction in grade.

Consequences

• 1st Offense: warning


• 2nd Offense: hallway “conference”


• 3rd Offense: call to parent


• 4th Offense: administrative referral

(Fighting, drug- and gang-related activity will result in immediate administrative/security involvement)

Classroom Entry Procedure
To make entry into the classroom as smooth as possible, please make sure you’re observing dress code policies. Do not block the door tucking in your shirt, adjusting your ID badge, etc. Once you’ve entered the room, please get your journal. Find your desk and begin the bellringer exercise. Pencils should be sharpened before the tardy bell rings.

Spelling / Vocabulary / Grammar / Punctuation
All are important, and students are expected to turn in assignments with proper care taken in each of these areas.

Notes and Keeper Sheets
Take notes (we will review the Cornell system in the first semester). You will also be provided with “Keeper” sheets reviewing the basics of key areas we’ll be studying. Keep them all handy. Use them for studying.

Classroom Supplies
You will need these for class:

• A 3-ring binder, at least an inch thick


• 5 dividers for the binder (see English Binder for details)


• A 70-page spiral notebook


• Filler paper (loose-leaf notebook paper)


• Blue or black pens, pencils, highlighters


• A great attitude

Dishonesty
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. At a minimum, zeroes will be recorded in the grade book for either offense, for all parties involved in the cheating or copying. Additional consequences may apply.

Grading Scale (district standard)

• 40% Classwork/Homework


• 25% Tests


• 20% Projects


• 15% Six-weeks Exam

Essays
Writing is an integral part of this course. We will spend time reviewing and learning good grammar usage, style, and voice in class, but for many students class time is not enough. If this is the case for you, attending tutoring will help. The essay can “make or break” your TAKS score as well as your 6-weeks grade.

Leaving the Classroom
Permission to leave the classroom once the tardy bell has rung will be granted in emergency situations. Please monitor your liquid intake: only one restroom pass per student will be granted each month.

Test Make-Up
Students who fail a test will be assigned immediately to Patriot Academy. Students MUST attend the Post-Test Tutorial before they may retest or submit test corrections.

English Binder
You must bring an English Binder to class daily. This is a 3-ring binder at least 1-inch thick (if you are sharing the binder with another subject, it must be larger). There should be 5 tab dividers in the binder labeled as follows:

1. Classwork/Homework


2. Essays


3. Tests


4. Personal Dictionary


5. Extra Paper

Up to two binder grades will be taken every 6-weeks, which will count as project grades.

You CANNOT leave your binder in this classroom. Not only is it a tool to help you study, but in the past, theft/vandalism has been a problem.

Homework: Signed Syllabus + Facebook Fan Page "Like"

Due Friday, August 26, 2011

1. Return your syllabus signed by a parent/guardian.
   
   Lose your copy? Click the link below for your class:
   > Pre-AP English I
   > English II (on-level)
   > Pre-AP English II
   
   Coming soon:
   > Yearbook
   > English IV



2. Click the "Like" button at the top of the right-hand sidebar for website updates via Facebook.
   
   If it is not clear who you are from your Facebook account name, you'll need to let me know so I can give you credit for completing the assignment.
   
   If you do not have a Facebook account, please bring a signed note from your parent/guardian stating that they do not allow you to have a Facebook account.

"Poetry" by Pablo Neruda

After reading the poem, below, find a word or phrase that describes how you feel now, at the beginning of this school year. Copy down that word or phrase and then write why it applies to your life.

Poetry
by Pablo Neruda

And it was at that age… Poetry arrived
in search of me. I don't know, I don't know where
it came from, from winter or a river.
I don't know how or when,
no they were not voices, they were not
words, nor silence,
but from a street I was summoned,
from the branches of night,
abruptly from the others,
among violent fires
or returning alone,
there I was without a face
and it touched me.

I did not know what to say, my mouth
had no way
with names,
my eyes were blind,
and something started in my soul,
fever or forgotten wings,
and I made my own way,
deciphering
that fire,
and I wrote the first faint line,
faint, without substance, pure
nonsense,
pure wisdom
of someone who knows nothing,
and suddenly I saw
the heavens
unfastened
and open,
planets,
palpitating plantations,
shadow perforated,
riddled
with arrows, fire and flowers,
the winding night, the universe.

And I, infinitesimal being,
drunk with the great starry
void,
likeness, image of
mystery,
felt myself a pure part
of the abyss,
I wheeled with the stars,
my heart broke loose on the wind.

(From: 'Memorial de Isla Negra')

We will ALL be sharing our responses out loud, in front of the class.