Peekskill High School

Welcome to my class page!

 

Email: jtelesco@peekskillschools.org (best way to reach me)

Phone Number: 914.737.0201

 

All major assignments and announcements are posted in Google Classroom.  Parents can join Google Classroom as long as their child is enrolled in the class.  Just send me an email and I will send you an invitation to join the class.

 

 

 Course Description:  English 11 further refines student skills as readers, writers, speakers, listeners, and thinkers. Curriculum incorporates both literary and informational texts, including class units examining the portrayal of the American dream in literary works ranging from the 18th century until today. Once again, a core component of the English curriculum is independent reading, which requires students to continually strengthen literacy skills and broaden intellectual horizons through reading choice texts. Students will also complete a wide range of writing assignments (argumentative, narrative, and informative/explanatory) over varying periods of time (long term, on demand). As the final assessment, students are required to take the N.Y.S. E.L.A. Regents examination in June and also compile a final portfolio. NCAA approved course

  

English 11 Grading Policy:

Classwork: 40%

The class will be run like a workshop with many assignments to complete while in the classroom. Classwork includes group activities, note taking, class handouts, pre-writing, and any other assignment completed in class. 
Participation in this class may look different for each student.  We will brainstorm a list as a class. 

Assessments: 50%

This is a writing course; so expect to do a lot of writing this year. Expect to revise each piece multiple times. Students will be given the opportunity to submit rough copies and final drafts of all writing assignments.  You will be graded on the process of writing, not just the final product. The number and types of assignments will vary each quarter.
Students will be assigned one project per quarter. Projects will involve an oral presentation and possible group work.  

Homework: 10%

There isn’t a ton of homework in this class because the class is run as a workshop.  You will be given plenty of class time to complete your work. However, from time to time, assignments will be given that I expect you to complete outside of class.

 

Homework Rationale:

• Homework should demonstrate that it was completed with care and accuracy.
• Homework should be completed to the best of each student’s ability.
• Homework should be returned to school on time.
• Homework will be graded based on completion 

 

English Department Homework Policy and Rationale:

According to research done by the National Education Association (NEA), “at the secondary school level, student homework is associated with greater academic achievement.”  Not only does homework support students in developing core skills as readers, writers, and thinkers, it supports them in building a strong work ethic and developing time management skills that lead to ongoing success, especially in college where much of the work is done outside of class.  In alignment with the NEA’s guidelines, our homework assignments usually fall into one of three categories: “practice, preparation, or extension.”  

The goals of homework assignments include practicing in order to master skills introduced in class, preparing for success in both the short and long term, and extending learning through completing assessments that are always started in class.  Students are generally given more than one day to complete homework assignments and given opportunities to work with teachers during callback to receive clarification and support. It is without question that “we learn by doing” (Aristotle); therefore homework plays a vital role in furthering the education of students that occurs both in school and at home.