Overview: English 12B is a reading and writing intensive course with a strong emphasis on the Senior Capstone Project. 12B will also focus on reading a wide range of texts that focus primarily on the hero archetype and monomyth structure. Students will improve their ability to write, speak, listen, and perform close reading. Students will also enhance their ability to think creatively and logically as we examine texts, literary theory, language, and writing techniques. The goal of this course is to teach students think critically, write clearly, and read well independently, as well as to display that they have acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully transition from high school to college and the workplace.
We will read several texts together this trimester, though this is somewhat dependent upon the students’ work on the Capstone project. Some of the texts we may read this trimester are Oedipus Rex, Antigone, A Christmas Carol, and Tuesdays With Morrie, among others. We may also watch selected scenes from the musical Into the Woods as well as Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises as we study the concept of the hero archetype as a part of our Hero Catch-Phrase Project.
The primary focus of the trimester will be the completion of the Senior Capstone Project. This will comprise the majority of each student’s grade for the trimester. Essentially, the Capstone Project is a multi-genre research project and presentation on a topic of interest that allows students to prove they have attained the necessary skills and knowledge to compete in college and the workforce. The project also has a social activism component, so it is an opportunity for students to make a positive difference in the world. More information will be forthcoming soon, but students should begin thinking about possible topics for their Capstone Project now.
Necessary Materials: Students should have a three ring binder for this course that they bring every day for notes and assignments. Most of the books we read will be classroom sets students borrow from me and use in class. They should not take these home.
Policies: We will adhere to all Brighton High School policies, particularly the plagiarism and attendance policies. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and should never occur in class. The purpose of every writing assignment is for students to improve their writing; therefore, all work needs to be each student’s original work. Attendance is essential to academic success.
Procedures: Students should be in their assigned seats at the start of class and when the bell rings, and should begin their assignment from The Elements of Style. If a student forgets his or her packet for this, they should complete the assignment on looseleaf paper and transcribe it into the packet at first opportunity. If a student is absent, the day’s assignment will be listed on the class blog (and in the packet), and students can find a PDF version of the text here: ftp://ftp.ldv.ei.tum.de/pub/Scientific_Writing/Elements%20of%20Style.pdf. Each of these entries is worth 5 points, for a total of 280 points for the trimester.
Grading: We will adhere to Brighton High’s standard grade scale. Students’ grades, in general, will be determined by the following:
- The Elements of Style bell work: 280 points for the trimester (56 entries at five points per entry)
- Daily participation: 5 points per day (approximately 300 points total, with around 60 days in the trimester - unauthorized cell phone use during class results in an automatic zero)
- Hero-Catch Phrase Project: 20 points per entry
- Major writing assignments: 100 points
- Minor writing assignments: 25-50 points
- Reading assignments: 1 point per page due
- Senior Capstone Project: Approximately 450-600 points in total
- Other assignments, tests, and quizzes (including the final exam) will have point values that vary.
Internet and Media Policy: At various points this year, we may use the internet in class or view film clips to supplement the texts we read in class. Signing the disclosure indicates the student has permission to use the internet for class assignments and view selected film clips, and that the student pledges to use the internet for purposes of completing the given assignment only.
Lastly, this is my second year teaching at Brighton, and my 20th overall. Previously, I taught middle school English and literature at JE Cosgriff for eight years, and then English at Judge Memorial for ten years. I was also on the boys’ basketball staff at Judge for 22 years, and am excited to start my second on the staff here at Brighton. I have a degree in English and a Utah State Teaching License from the University of Utah and a Masters of Teaching degree from Grand Canyon University. I have published work professionally in publications such as Teaching K-8 Magazine, The Salt Lake Tribune, Middle Ground, and The Utah Council of Teachers of English Journal. My wife, Laura (herself a Brighton graduate), and I have three children: John Marshall, Jacob Atticus, and Sarah Astrid, and a dog named Sienna. I’m happy to discuss any issue with you. I am easiest to reach via email at jeffrey.baird@canyonsdistrict.org. Because I teach in the evenings at the Salt Lake Metro Jail twice a week outside of basketball season, and because we have practice during 5th period and after school during the season, I would ask that if we have to meet for whatever reason that we schedule the meeting for some time before school.
Students should keep a copy of the disclosure and one will be posted on the Canvas class page. Please sign and return the signature page.
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