Texarkana Independent School District

Course Syllabus
Course Name: English I

Contact Information
Instructor: Carrie Rayburn Conference Times: A/B Day- 11:28-:1:23

Campus: Texas High School Phone Number: 903-794-3891 ext. 2033

Course Description
Students practice all forms of writing in this course with a focus on expository and literary writing. An emphasis is placed
on organizing logical arguments with clearly expressed related definitions, thesis, and evidence. Students write to
persuade, to report and to describe. English I students read extensively in multiple genres from world literature such as
reading selected stories, dramas, novels, and poetry originally written in English or translated to English from oriental,
classical Greek, European, African, South American, and North American cultures. Students interpret the possible
influences of the historical context on a literary work.

Course Goals
The student writes in a variety of forms.
The student uses writing as a tool for learning.
The student uses a variety of strategies to read unfamiliar words and to build vocabulary.
The student reads extensively and intensively for different purposes in varied sources.
The student expresses and supports responses to various types of texts.
The student analyzes literary elements for their contributions to meaning in literary texts.
The student reads critically to evaluate texts.
The student will work in groups to solve relevant problems.
Guiding Principles
The curriculum will develop the language skills that are essential for effective communication given different
purposes, audiences and contexts.
Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment,
persuasion, and the exchange of information).
Students read a wide range of text to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of worldwide cultures.
Students read a wide range of literature to build an understanding of the many dimensions of human experience.
The curriculum will provide learning opportunities that establish a connection between the communication skills
students are developing and the real-world application of those skills in authentic contexts.
Resources
Texts: Holt McDougal Literature Grade 9
A variety of supplementary texts.
Classroom supplies: 3-Ring Binder- 1 inch (will need 5 dividers) ONLY FOR ENGLISH
Loose-Leaf Paper (wide ruled),
1 Scissor (donated for classroom use)
Pens (Blue or Black Ink Only) and pencils
1 pack of Markers (donated for classroom use)
Kleenex (donated for classroom use
English I Course Policies
This course prepares students by providing in-depth studies of literary units by genre, including poetry, drama, nonfiction,
short stories, research, and novels.

Late work in English 1 courses will be graded 1 day late (next class day) with a 20 pt deduction, 2 days late with a 30 pt
deduction. After that students receive a 50 pt deduction until the week before grades are submitted. Students will not be
allowed to turn in late work the last week of the six weeks without special circumstances. Late work is work that was
assigned when the student was not absent and NOT turned in when the work was due. Missing school for a school event
(school-related absence) is not considered an absence and all work will be due at the beginning of the next class period.
Opportunities for bonus activities related to the assigned material will be given at the discretion of the teacher.
Division of Curriculum and Instruction School Improvement Department Texarkana Independent School District
Evaluation/Grading
Grades shall be determined from a composite of the following: daily papers, notebooks, quizzes, homework assignments,
and teachers observation of participation, skills, demonstrations, compositions, tests, reports, journals and projects.
Your six-week average will be determined using the following percentages:
Homework & Quizzes: 50%
Tests & Major Projects: 50%
Make-Up Work: Students shall make up assignments and tests after absences, including absences as a result of
suspension, but shall receive a zero for any assignment or test not made up within the school policy days (1 day plus
however many days the student missed) following the students return to school.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the use of another persons original ideas or writing as ones own without giving credit to the true
author. Plagiarism shall be considered cheating and the student shall be subject to disciplinary action that may include
confiscation of any or all documents or assignments related to the act of plagiarism. Credit will not be given for any
document confiscated as a result of plagiarism.

Behavioral Expectations
The following policies will be posted in classroom for future reference:
1. Be in your seat before the tardy bell rings and begin the Bell Ringer activity.
2. Bring your materials to class everyday.
3. Be prepared to work cooperatively.
4. Negative verbal or physical interaction not allowed.
5. Follow teachers instructions immediately and without argument.
6. Follow all classroom, teacher, and school policies.
Discipline in a classroom is used to maintain a sense of order to insure that each student has an opportunity to do his or her
best. Necessary measures will be taken to insure an appropriate learning environment. These include verbal warning,
parent contact, team conference, referral to grade-level principal, after-school detention, in-school suspension, expulsion or
alternate placement. Texas High School operates on an eight-step Student Management Plan. Some infractions will result
in the student skipping steps.
Tentative Course Calendar/Schedule for Instruction
1st six weeks Unit 1: Journey with Fiction: Lamb to the Slaughter, Cask of Amontillado, Scarlet Ibis
Independent Reading: Legend- Marie Lu
2nd six weeks Unit 2: Analyzing Informational Text and Nonfiction: The Miracle Worker, The Lost Boys,
The Life of Frederick Douglass- Current Event Articles- A focus on Expository Writing
Independent Reading: That Was Then, This is Now- S.E. Hinton
3rd six weeks Unit 3: Moving Forward through Poetry and Drama: Romeo and Juliet, Selected Poems
and Sonnets
4th six weeks Unit 4: Intentional Persuasion and EOC/STAAR Preparation: Animal Farm
Independent Reading: Maze Runner- James Dashner
5th six weeks Unit 5: Connecting Genres and EOC/ STAAR preparation: Epic Poetry: The Odyssey
Independent Reading: Readers Choice
6th six weeks Unit 6: Inquiring Minds: Research Process STEM Final Project
Choices of texts may be subject to change.

Please sign that you have read, understood, and plan to adhere to the following English 1 requirements.

________________________________________________ ______________________________
Student Signature Date

Division of Curriculum and Instruction School Improvement Department Texarkana Independent School District