English 9, 10, and 11

Mr. Schneider’s Syllabus:  English 9 

Books and Textbooks:  You will receive Elements of Literature:  Third Course.  The condition of this book is fairly good, so please take care of them.  We will do extensive work out of this book, and you will be tested on the comprehension of each passage as well as the vocabulary words from each selection.  I will inform you ahead of time when to bring this book to class.

• We will read a variety of paperback books, including Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird. 
• Romeo and Juliet will also be assigned.
• When reading a larger piece of literature, quizzes will be administered daily.
• Literature circles will also be conducted.  They involve a group of no more than six students listening to an audio book and discussing what was read.

Reading Assignments:  Most of your reading assignments will be completed in class.  There will be a variety of techniques for you to master, including reading aloud, shared reading, and independent reading.

Writing Assignments:  You will write notes and numerous papers/essays from now to May.  Writing charts are to be completed for most essays before the final draft is handed to me.  They will aid you in improving sentence variety, using thorough, complete sentences, and ridding your paper of simplistic language.  Every writing assignment will involve the P.O.W.E.R. method (PLAN, ORGANIZE, WRITE, EVALUATE, and REVISE). 

Oral Communication:  Speeches will be conducted by all freshmen in my class.  We will work on proper and improper ways of delivering a speech.

Computer Work:  We will be using the Netbooks frequently.  The student handbook will assist you in proper usage and expected behavior while working in this setting.

Projects:  We will have several class projects in which I grade you individually and as a group.  Everyone will participate.

Mr. Schneider’s Syllabus:  English 10 

Books and Textbooks:  You will receive Elements of Literature:  Fourth Course.  The condition of this book is fairly good, so please take care of them.  We will do extensive work out of this book, and you will be tested on the comprehension of each passage as well as the vocabulary words from each selection.  I will inform you ahead of time when to bring this book to class.

• We will read a variety of paperback books, including Lay That Trumpet in Our Hands and Juvie Three. 
• When reading a larger piece of literature, quizzes will be administered daily.
• Literature circles will also be conducted.  They involve a group of no more than six students listening to an audio book and discussing what was read.

Reading Assignments:  Most of your reading assignments will be completed in class.  There will be a variety of techniques for you to master, including reading aloud, shared reading, and independent reading.

 Writing Assignments:  You will write notes and numerous papers/essays from now to May.  Writing charts are to be completed for most essays before the final draft is handed to me.  They will aid you in improving sentence variety, using thorough, complete sentences, and ridding your paper of simplistic language.  Every writing assignment will involve the P.O.W.E.R. method (PLAN, ORGANIZE, WRITE, EVALUATE, and REVISE). 

Oral Communication:  Speeches will be conducted by all sophomores in my class.  We will work on proper and improper ways of delivering a speech.

Computer Work:  We will be using the Netbooks frequently.  The student handbook will assist you in proper usage and expected behavior while working in this setting.

Projects:  We will have several class projects in which I grade you individually and as a group.  Everyone will participate.

Mr. Schneider’s Syllabus:  English 11

Books and Textbooks:  You will receive Elements of Literature:  Fifth Course.  The condition of this book is fairly good, so please take care of them.  We will do extensive work out of this book, and you will be tested on the comprehension of each passage as well as the vocabulary words from each selection.  I will inform you ahead of time when to bring this book to class.

• We will read a variety of paperback books, including The Secret Within and Bronx Masquerade. 
• When reading a larger piece of literature, quizzes will be administered daily.
• This course has been designed to help you achieve the highest ACT reading score possible.  Reading will be our primary focus (due to state budget constraints, the writing component has been removed from the ACT exam).  

Reading Assignments:  Most of your reading assignments will be completed in class.  There will be a variety of techniques for you to master, including reading aloud, shared reading, and independent reading.

Writing Assignments:  You will write notes and numerous papers/essays from now to May.  Writing charts are to be completed for most essays before the final draft is handed to me.  They will aid you in improving sentence variety, using thorough, complete sentences, and ridding your paper of simplistic language.  Every writing assignment will involve the P.O.W.E.R. method (PLAN, ORGANIZE, WRITE, EVALUATE, and REVISE).  In short, I want to see early signs of college-level writing. 

Oral Communication:  Speeches will be conducted by all juniors in my class.  We will work on proper and improper ways of delivering a speech.

Computer Work:  We will be using the Netbooks frequently (primarily for ACT online).  The student handbook will assist you in proper usage and expected behavior while working in this setting.

ACT Practice:  We will take practice ACT tests every other Friday and go over the answers on Monday (this WILL count towards your class average).