Course Syllabus – English 3-4
Instructor: Rob Potts
Room: 371
Hours: 7:30am – 3:30pm (or by appointment)
Phone: 623-435-6200 Ext. 2371
Email: rapotts@guhsdaz.org
Course Description: English 3-4 focuses on helping students achieve grade level proficiency in reading, writing, oral communication skills, usage, and mechanics. Students will read and analyze works from a variety of genres, including novels, short stories, and poetry. The course emphasizes the attainment of skills necessary to help each student succeed on the AIMS test. Students are required to compile a writing portfolio which includes the following:
ü Baseline Writing
ü Practical Writing (Letter of Complaint or Compliment)
ü Literary Analysis - Literary Response
ü Research Writing – Persuasive Report
ü Expressive Writing – Reflective Personal Narrative
ü Expository Writing - Persuasive Essay*
* This writing product is the GUHSD Assessment for Sophomores.
Grading: Students will be graded based upon their performance on the above writing products as well as on tests and quizzes related to the materials read throughout the course. It is important to note that students will also be graded based upon their efforts to complete in-class work and to participate in class discussions/activities. The following is the grading scale and assignment weighting for this course:
90-100 = 1 Essays = 30%
80-89 = 2 Tests = 30%
70-79 = 3 Quizzes = 20%
60-69 = 4 Class Participation = 20%
Below 60 = 5
Students will receive grade updates periodically. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that assignments are completed and submitted in a timely manner.
Make-Up Policy: Any assignment missed as a result of absence from class will be due at the end of the period on the fifth (5th) school day following the student’s return to class (with the exception of a school excused absence).
Assignments not meeting these timelines will be considered unacceptable and will earn a score of zero (0). It is the sole responsibility of the student to obtain missing work from the teacher.