SPRING SEMESTER:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Selections from The Language of Literature

B. Writing and Composition
During the first semester the focus will be on writing essays and speeches in preparation for the freshmen project in December. Students will prepare narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive and impromptu essays and/or speeches. During the second semester students’ writing will focus on literary analysis. Students will analyze various works of poetry and prose.

C. Grammar and Vocabulary
All study of grammar and vocabulary is intended to strengthen students’ writing and reading comprehension. Students should make a conscious effort to include new vocabulary in their writing and take note of unfamiliar words when reading. Students should expect regular S.A.T. vocabulary and grammar quizzes.

D. Oral and Listening Skills
Students are expected to be articulate. All presentations and reports, whether formal or informal, should be rehearsed and polished. Activities may include oral reports and speeches, panel discussions, "fishbowl" discussions and/or dramatic presentations based on literature.

II. Homework Requirements
Homework may be reading, writing, studying or working on a long-term project. A calendar of assignments is posted on my website. It has all the classwork and homework for the month. In the case of absence, it is the student's responsibility to check the calendar for missing assignments and then act accordingly. Please note that the assignments on the calendar are for reference and convenience. There is no substitute for being in class.

III. Grading Policy
LATE WORK IS NEVER ACCEPTED. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that all work is turned in by the deadline. Work missed due to an absence is to be turned in the day the student returns to class. Long-term projects and essays must be turned in by the due date regardless of whether or not the student is in class. (Check your calendar!) Any missed tests are to be made up within three days after an absence. No make up tests will be given after three days, and no late work will ever be accepted. No exceptions!

Students’ grades will be weighted as follows:
--Writing (essays, speeches, journals) ---------30%
--Tests, quizzes -----------------------------------20%
--Homework ---------------------------------------20%
--Semester Exam/Project ------------------------30%

Semester grades will be calculated as follows:
90 - 100=A
80 - 89=B
70 -79=C
60 - 69=D
59 and below=F
These percentages and corresponding grades are firm. I will not adjust grades up if students are borderline
(i.e.: 89%, 79%, etc.).

Speech Team
I am also the speech and debate coach for FTHS. Members of the speech team compete in several contests throughout the year. Students can choose from a variety of genres including humorous interpretation, dramatic interpretation and persuasive speaking. I strongly urge interested students to see me about the speech team. It is not only fun, but it also looks terrific on college applications!