English 12 Syllabus

Semester 2
Mrs. Davis
Contact information:
Kelly.Davis@uticak12.org
4th hour remind.com Text @gak2h to 81010
5th hour remind.com Text @e72da to 81010
6th hour remind.com Text @4gb76 to 81010
This semester we will be looking at the balance of power in society, the American Dream, and how
leaders use language to influence the populace. Our units will go as follows.
3rd quarter: Balance of Power: Leadership for the American Dream
Unit focus: The American Dream, Social mobility, Influence of class.
Anchor Text: The Great Gatsby
Supplemental Texts: Short stories, excerpts, and articles provided in class.
4th quarter: The DNA of Survival: How Leaders Use the Power of Language to Inspire and Influence
Unit focus: Survival, Resourcefulness, Adaptation
Anchor Text: Night
Supplemental Texts: Short stories, excerpts, and articles provided in class.
Media & Technology Policy
Cell phone use is not permitted in class except during special web projects or with teacher approval.
** Taking pictures or video during class is prohibited at all times. Students who ignore this policy will
surrender their cell phones.
Supplies
Pen/pencil, highlighter, paper/notebook for notes, a binder with 5 tabs/dividers
You need to have it with you at all times.
Your binder/folder should have space for:
1. Supplemental texts
2. Reading notes
3. Vocabulary
4. Grammar
5. Writing/Composition/Essay
Grammar
Grammar will be studied through a variety of means including lecture, worksheets, editing, etc. The
following will be covered this semester.
Independent and Subordinate Clauses
Expression of ideas
Parallel Constructions
Tone
Kinds of Sentences
Eliminate wordiness and redundancy
Style Elements
Using Punctuation for effect

Vocabulary
You will have a vocabulary quiz every other Friday. You will receive vocabulary packets about two weeks
in advance. During those two weeks, you complete the packet as a study tool and the entire packet will be
turned in the day of the quiz. The completed packet will be worth 10 points toward your quiz grade.
Essays
You will be writing in this class. There will be formal and impromptu essays. The essays are worth a large
portion of your grade. Failure to complete the essays will severely affect your grade. In accordance with
the Eisenhower plagiarism policy, if any portion of the essay is found to be plagiarized, you will fail the
assignment.
If an essay is assigned in class, or assigned to be typed in class, you must complete it in class.
All essays are due on the assigned due date. If you have printer problems, you need to email me your
paper. See the top of this paper for my email address.
Senior Project
You will be required to complete a semester long research based project that deals with how you want to
leave your mark in society. Details will follow.
Final
The final is cumulative. It will consist of two parts. The district, multiple-choice, common exam portion
will be taken on the scheduled final exam period. There will be a writing portion administered the week
prior.
Extra Credit
I will send out extra credit opportunities periodically through remind.com. The sign up instructions are at
the top of the syllabus.
I am always looking for new books to read. Each student also has the opportunity to gain 5 extra credit
points per month by reading a novel and writing me a 4-5 sentence explanation of why I should read the
book/why I might like it.
Grading
Grading for this class will be based on a points system. There will not be a curve to the final grades.
Percentage
94-100
90-93
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79

Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+

Percentage
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
0-59

Grade
C
CD+
D
DF