Course Syllabus

EN210A/EN210B: Honors Lit Analysis & Composition II Syllabus

2024-2025

Ms. Ohsman: ohsmana@issaquah.wednet.edu

Room: 2309 Prep: 2308

Welcome to Honors Lit Analysis and Composition II! I am looking forward to working with all of you this year. This syllabus gives a general overview of the course content and expectations. 

Course Overview: 10th Grade Honors Literary Analysis and Composition is a year-long course that gives students a foundation in reading more rigorous texts, thinking critically about complex ideas and writing well in response to those ideas. This course prepares students for AP level English classes and is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for 10th grade. Class time will be spent completing literary analysis, critical thinking activities and discussion. Students in honors should be prepared to spend more time completing writing and reading assignments independently at home. Link to the Issaquah HS course guide can be found here for more details. 

Classroom Expectations: In this class we will respect each other and the classroom environment by being courteous and using appropriate classroom language in discussions and writing assignments. It is essential to come to class prepared by having completed the reading or any other homework assignments. We read really interesting stuff this year and you will only get to experience this if you come to class having read and are prepared to discuss. Ask questions! I am here to support you. I encourage you to communicate with me about any needs, struggles, extenuating circumstances, or successes that you have. I want to make this the best experience possible for you. Talk to me in class, after class, or over email.

Homework: This is a rigorous Honors course that prepares students for AP courses in English. As such, students work both in and out of class to strengthen their understanding of course content. The units of study are often divided into smaller content chunks with due dates, and students complete the homework over time. Students who already possess strong time management skills and relative strength in language arts will likely complete outside work within 2-3 hours a week, though there are individual variances. This includes regular outside reading of class novels and other texts. There will also be times when daily homework expectations must be managed. Weekend homework will occur, but as a rule, students will be given time off from homework during scheduled school breaks.

Social Emotional Learning: In English class we read novels, short stories, poetry and other texts that explore the human condition. Built into our daily activities we will regularly discuss topics that ask students to dig deep and reflect on the lived experiences of people from diverse backgrounds to increase their social and self awareness. These topics include but are not limited to: race, gender, religion, socio-economic status, family dynamics, and mental health. 

Grade Categories: 

• PREP (reading checks, daily responses, exit tickets, warm ups, discussion preparation, etc.) are worth 10% of the grade.
• PROCESS (quote analysis, writing process elements, small projects, formal discussions, etc.) are worth 30% of the grade. 
• PRODUCT (final draft essays, major projects, presentations) are worth 60% of the grade. Estimated frequency 3-5 per semester; at least 2 per semester will be full process essays. 

Late Work:

• PREP: Assignments in the PREP Category may not be submitted late. If a student has an excused absence, they should discuss makeup options with their teacher. 
• PROCESS:  Assignments in the PROCESS Category may be submitted for late credit up to three school days after the posted due date for a maximum of 80% of the assessed score. 
• PRODUCT: Assignments in the PRODUCT category may be submitted until 10 school days before the end of the semester (i.e., January 11) for a maximum of 80% of the assessed score.     

**Assignments in any category that are due within the last 10 school days of the semester will not be accepted late.   

Grading: 

• We will be keeping all grades on Canvas. ONLY quarter grades and semester grades will be found in Skyward. For up to date grades and information on specific assignments please check Canvas!     
• The ELA department does not round final grades, or offer extra credit. 

Recovery of Significant Grades: 

• If a student submits a PRODUCT assignment by the posted due date and earns below an 80%, they will be given an opportunity to conference with the teacher to rework the submission for up to 80% on that assignment according to the specific recovery timeline. 
• Violations of the IHS academic integrity policy will result in a zero on the assignment and no opportunity for recovery.

Grading Scale

Missing Work: When you haven’t turned something in at the due date, I will enter a 0 and missing in the gradebook. The 0 is not necessarily permanent! You are still able to turn in your work and the late work/grace period policy applies. I enter a 0 because it is the clearest way for us to communicate with you and your adults that you haven’t turned something in. 

Technology Policy: Students are not permitted to use their cell phone, headphones, or other technology during class unless given explicit teacher permission. Inappropriate use of technology will result in consequences per school policy. Students will be given one warning, if behavior continues their device will be confiscated for the duration of the period. Repeat behavior will result in a referral, lunch detention and/or parent contact. Students are expected to come with their school issued laptop, charged and ready to go each day. 

Academic Integrity: You are expected to submit your own original work. Contributions from other sources including generative AI must be properly quoted and cited every time.

• Referring to AI & other online sources often leads to inadvertent borrowing of ideas.
• Copying another student’s work (even partially) is considered plagiarism.
• Unless an assignment is specifically designated as a group or partner activity, it should be completed independently.
• Prompts for timed writes and other assessments shouldn’t be shared or discussed.

Materials: You will need the following materials for this class:

• Composition book or spiral dedicated to English 
• Highlighters (3-4 different colors is ideal)
• Post-it notes or page flags
• Blue/black pen and/or pencil 
• Lined notebook Paper

Tentative Overview of Units 

**We may cut or change a few of these based on how the year goes.**