HONORS ENGLISH 10

Ms. Kristen Borthwick

CLASS RATIONALE:  The Honors English program at University School is a preparation for AP English 12.  The Advanced Placement program expects that anyone earning college credit as a result of having successfully made the appropriate score on the AP test in the senior year will have done college-level work in reading, writing, research, analysis, and class discussion in preparation for that test.  Because of the rigorous requirements of the AP program, students in Honors English 10 can expect to spend a substantial amount of their own time reading, researching, and writing (This will be during the regular school year as well as during the scheduled breaks.)  Students should also realize that the workload in Honors English 10 will be on a more advanced level than the workload in General English 10. 

Although there will be other work required throughout the academic year, I have briefly outline four components that will be a major part of the learning experience in Honors English:

1. Independent Reading (SSR):  Students will read a minimum of 190 pages per week outside of class during each nine weeks.  At least two novels each nine weeks must be chosen from the AP Reading list.  Other novels which will fulfill the page requirements can be of the student’s choice; however, they must be at least at the sophomore reading level.  Each book finished will not be accepted towards the page count until students have completed a two page entry in their daybooks regarding the novel.  Students will also be required to complete novel projects each nine weeks.

2. In-Class Essays:  We will be practicing the AP essay format with timed in-class essays.  These essays will be graded using the AP rubric/scale and will be timed (25 minutes).  The essays will be over summer readings, break readings, readings from previous classes, etc.

3. Advanced Placement Terminology:  Students will be responsible for studying and familiarizing themselves with AP literary terms which will be provided in class.  They will be expected to use these terms in the context of class writing and discussion.

4. Mystery Short Stories and written projects:  Students will write various pieces for class throughout the year.  These pieces will include research papers, narrative essays (ie. memoirs), expository essays, and the mystery short story project.

5. Portfolios:  The final exam in English 10 is a portfolio.  Students in Honors English will be required to turn in at least seven pieces of writing and work from the school year with written rationales for each, a two-three page reflective covering their school year with an emphasis on English 10, their daybook in its entirety, and four pieces from other classes from the school year with written rationales for each.

Honors/AP English Program

After much research into what would create a viable and exceptional Honors/AP program at University School as well as consideration of the requests of administration regarding student numbers in the program, University School’s High School English Department has decided upon the following criteria for their program.

1. The Vertical Team Approach—Have a vertical teaming in-service for all teachers involved to create a cohesive program that will begin with students in their sixth grade year and carry through to their twelfth grade year.
2. Open Enrollment in 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th—which means students would self-select for the honors track creating a possibility of two honors English classes in these three grades.
3. AP English (12^th grade)—there would be two prerequisites for qualifying for AP English: a cumulative GPA of 3.2 and a score of 23 on the ACT.
4. Current Students of Honors English 11—students in Ms. Bailiff’s current Honors English class who maintain an 85 or above average would automatically be eligible for AP English 12.  Any additional students interested in taking AP English would need to meet the requirements mentioned in #3.
5. AP Honors Night:  Students and parents interested in participating in the honors program would be required to attend an informative “fair” at the end of each school year.  This “fair” would inform them of the requirements for all AP classes and the rigorous curriculum in each.  This would include AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, and AP US History and would explain that each class will probably require one hour of study time a night.
6. AP/Honors Contract—Students and parents will sign a contract at the beginning of the school year stating their commitment to the honors program and all of its work.  This contract will also state that once the program begins, students MAY NOT switch classes. 
7. Administrative Support—University School’s administration will uphold the contract stipulations, back up teachers for failing students or poor grades, continue to explain to parents the rigors of the AP curriculum and the necessity of students giving each class its appropriate time and attention.

Policy on Plagiarism and Cheating

Definitions: 

PLAGIARISM:

Ø       Webster’s Definition:  “the act of stealing and passing off ( the ideas or words of another) as one’s own; to use (a created production) without crediting the source ~ to commit literary theft:  present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source”

Ø       Your Definition (this means write the definition in your own words):

CHEATING:

Ø       Webster’s Definition:  “to practice fraud or trickery: to violate rules dishonestly (as on an examination)…:the obtaining of property from another by intentional active distortion of the truth”

Ø       Your Definition:

Ms. Borthwick’s Definitions:

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING:

1.        To turn in an essay or other written piece as your own that someone else has written

2.        To copy word-for-word information from other sources (ie. webpage, novel, newspaper article, encyclopedia, etc.) for your own essay or work without properly citing the original source

3.        To paraphrase (or summarize) information from other sources (ie. webpage, novel, newspaper article, encyclopedia, etc.) for your own essay or work without properly citing the original source

4.        To copy your classmate’s written work and turn it in as your own (ie.  answers to homework questions)

5.        To copy your classmate’s answers on a test or quiz

6.        To give or receive answers to a test, quiz, or homework from/to a student in another class period

7.        To use information of any kind (notes, books, handouts) that is not authorized by Ms. Borthwick on a test or quiz

Note:  Putting something in your own words does not mean rewriting it with a few simple word changes.  This is also considered plagiarism and cheating.

PUNISHMENT FOR PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING:

                An automatic zero on the assignment with absolutely no chance of making up the points/grade.

I understand all English Department policies regarding late work, plagiarism, and cheating as well as the consequences if I chose to commit such actions.

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Student Name (printed)

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Student Signature                                                                                                                Date

I understand all English Department policies regarding late work, plagiarism, and cheating as well as the consequences for my student if he/she chooses to commit such actions.

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Parent/Guardian Signature                                                                                 Date