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Felix Contreras » 10th Grade ELA Course Syllabus

10th Grade ELA Course Syllabus

WELCOME TO 10th GRADE ELA!

…..with Mr. Prock & Mr. Contreras

“It pays to be a winner!”

Class Syllabus


In this course, you will learn how to:

 

  • Read critically so that you do not fall for hoaxes and fake news. No, that gorilla did not give birth to a zebra.
  • See the world within yourself. You are bigger than Kanye’s ego.
  • Communicate in ways that show the world that you belong- in job interviews, in an academic setting, in social situations, and all with confidence. Hi, my name is Slim Shady.
  • Work together to build a community of support and collaboration. There’s no I in TEAM. 
  • Write and speak powerfully so that people will listen and understand, be entertained, moved, and persuaded. “Cuz I am the champion and you’re gonna hear me rooooaar.”
  • Revise a piece of writing until it is the very best it can be. Started from the bottom, now we’re here.
  • Be curious by actively learning about yourself and people who are different from you. I watched a documentary about Papua New Guinea and its people. It was fire.
  • Make strong arguments about issues that are important to you, convince people to consider your opinion. Why? It’s lit when you’re right.
  • PASS THE REGENTS!
  • Have an awesome life and change the world!

 

 

Unit 0- Boot Camp (Sept-Oct). Let’s review and get into shape.

 

 

Unit 1 – “Ourselves and Others”  (Oct-Nov)

Essential Questions: 

  • Why should we build communities that are supportive and accepting of all?
  • What are the forces and ideas that unite us all?
  • Can we overcome our differences in order to make the world a better place to live?
  • What role does tolerance play in society? 
  • How can individuals contribute to improve society for the benefit of everyone? 
  • When should an individual stand up to assert their rights?

 

Unit 2 – “Responses to Change” (Nov-Dec)

Essential Questions:

  •  Why are some individuals resistant to change?
  • What can a person learn about themselves as they face change?
  • How can individuals best negotiate challenging life changes?
  •  Why are some changes viewed as negative and others positive?
  • How can one person make a difference to effect ‘positive’ change within their society?
  • How does one respond when faced with difficult circumstances?

 

Unit 3 – “How We See Things” (Jan-Feb)

Essential Questions:

  • How is life different for different people?
  • How is your reality different from mine?
  • What other lenses do we look through?
  • How is our connection to something reflected in our interpretation?                             

 

Unit 4 – “Absolute Power” (March – June)

Essential Questions:

  • Is power always corruptible?
  • If one is powerful, are they obligated to use it for good?
  • Can we achieve our ambitions without stripping away our virtues?
  • Should we try to change our  flaws  or accept the hand that fortune gives us?
  • Are people born wicked or do circumstances change them?                       

 

Grading and Policies (subject to change)

Scholarship 80%

  • Classwork……………………….50%
  • Exams…………………………...20%
  • Homework……………………....10%

 

Participation 20%

  • Remote: Discussion board/chat/check-ins
  • In-class: Discussions/debates
 
1. Tests/Quizzes: Periodic exams and quizzes will be given to determine the students’understanding of material. Occasional “pop quizzes” will be administered.
2. Unit Final Projects and Essays: All final essays are expected to follow the writing revision process. This will consist of a rough draft, at least ONE revision and editing session and a rewritten final draft. 
3. Classwork and Homework: All work is expected to be completed on time. If a student struggles with the work, they should reach out to the teacher for clarification.
4. Extra Help: Usually if a student is having a problem with some material, the question(s) can be cleared in just a few minutes with extra help. Please ask questions when you are confused or unsure. We love it when students care about their education. 
5. Absences: When possible, the students should notify his/her teachers prior to the absence from class. Please email your teacher to let them know.
6. Academic Honesty: Plagiarized work will receive a 0. This includes copying your friends’ work (or having them copy yours) or copying information from the internet without citing the source. If you are having trouble completing an assignment, please come talk to me- I’d rather it be late and done well than plagiarized.

 

All class rules will focus on the SAFETY, ORDER, & RIGHTS of students and teachers.

 

A. Safety- Physical and emotional safety of students and teachers are protected.

 

B. Order- Order is to be maintained, so that students have a chance to learn and participate, and the teacher has a chance to do his/her job and help students grow.

 

C. Rights- teachers have a right to do their jobs and feel secure, while students have a right to learn and feel secure, in the classroom.

 

OUR class rules are:

1. We will all speak respectfully to one another.
2. We will all try to be better students (and teachers).
3. We will all try to be better humans.
4. We will all try to remind one another to be better humans.