ENGLISH II nmury@assumptionschools.

com
Ms. Nikki Mury [Link]

COURSE CONTENT: The English II course utilizes the Louisiana Department of Education’s ELA
Guidebook. It is an English language arts curriculum for core instruction. The guidebook units ensure all
students can read, understand, and express their understanding of complex, grade-level texts, ensuring
their readiness for college or a career. Each text collection has a shared idea and contains authentic texts
and novels commonly celebrated by teachers and students. Students engage with the texts and ideas
repeatedly throughout a unit to build knowledge and tackle big ideas. We will explore two of the
Guidebook units this year.
 Unit 1: We will read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and a series of related literary and
informational texts to explore the question: What is the danger of a single story? We will express
our understanding through an essay that analyzes how the differing perspectives of various
characters in Things Fall Apart reveal themes about humanity.
 Unit 2: We will listen to and read Hamilton: An American Musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda, read a
series of related texts (literary, informational, primary source documents), and view multimedia
to explore the essential question: How does Lin-Manuel Miranda tell Hamilton’s story?  We will
express our understanding by writing an essay that analyzes the choices that Lin-Manuel Miranda
makes in portraying history and discusses the effect of these choices on our understanding of
our understanding of either the character, time period, or musical.
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SUPPLIES: The following is a list of supplies that you will need for this class:
 3-ring binder at least 1 inch wide (You may share the binder with other classes’ material).
 Loose-leaf for note-taking, quizzes and essay-writing. (Notebook paper IS NOT acceptable in
portfolios).
 4 tabbed dividers
 Blue or black ink pens for completing assignments to turn in
 Highlighters
 Pencils

We will use many materials throughout the semester. I would very much appreciate—and will give extra
points for—any of the following items:
- Markers - Box of Tissue
- Colors/Color Pencils - Clear Sheet protectors
- Pencils
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CLASS HOMEPAGE: You will be required to visit our class website on a regular basis. You can access the
website at [Link].

ASSESSMENTS: The following is a list of the types of assessments you will be given during each grading
period:
 3-5 written tests (multiple choice & discussion)
 1-3 essays
 1-3 alternative assessments
 participation grade (graded with rubric)
 LEAP 2025 practice exercises and practice tests
GRADING SCALES: Most assessments will be graded on the following scale:
A = 100-93 B = 92-85 C = 84-75 D = 74-67 F = 66 or lower

Participation grade, Quizzes, & Vocabulary Grade will each be graded on a ten-point scale.
A = 100-90 B = 89-80 C = 79-70 D = 69-60 F = 59 or lower

THE BINDER: The goal of the binder is to serve as an important organizational tool in this class.
The portfolio will consist of four sections:

 All work must be shown for writing assignments, including brainstorming, rough drafts, peer
revisions, etc.
 We will clean out the portfolios together at the end of every grading period. Do not discard
anything until this is done.
 Writing assignments should be kept in the portfolio for the entire semester.

WORK PROCEDURES

1. HEADINGS: Please use the proper format for all work handed in on loose leaf or typed:

Full Name English II

Date ___ Block
Title

 Typed essays/writing assignments should be 12 pt. Times New Roman or Arial.

 Both typed and hand-written assignments should be double-spaced.
 DO NOT write on the back of pages; only fronts
 For written assignments, loose leaf paper only; NO notebook paper
 Blue or Black Ink Only; not pencil

On tests, be sure to fill in both the name and the date in the blanks provided. Any work handed in
with incorrect heading or without a name will have points deducted.

2. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: Each time you are assigned an essay, be sure to go through all of the
steps of the writing process, especially revising and editing. Peer revisions and editing are vital to
the writing process. Having someone else’s input is always great, and so is a second pair of eyes
looking for errors.

3. GROUP WORK: During many class sessions, we will work in cooperative groups or with partners.
When we do so, it is important to listen to directions and assign roles within the group, if this
hasn’t already been done for you. All group members are expected to contribute equally.

4. MAKEUP WORK/TESTS: You are responsible for making up any missed work by checking your
assigned make-up folder and/or checking the website. Also, you are to make the work up in your
own time, NOT during class on the day you return. You will only be allowed to makeup a test if
your absence was excused or approved by the office. You are expected to take all classroom tests,
even if you are absent in the days before the test is administered. If you are absent more than one
day, please discuss the situation with the teacher before the test day. Makeup tests could be all
constructed response (short answer and essay).
EXPECTATIONS: As a student in my class, you will be expected to:
 Respect yourself and others
 Follow directions
 Work effectively in pairs, small groups, or teams
 Actively participate in class activities and discussion
 Complete homework and classroom assignments

RULES, PROCEDURES, AND ROUTINES

1. Enter the classroom quietly, sit in your assigned seat, and get prepared for class to begin. You
must be in your desk when the bell rings. Avoid lingering in the hallway or doorway before the
tardy bell rings.

2. Remain seated in your desk until the teacher dismisses the class. The clock and the bell do not
signal pack up time or the end of class. Only the teacher dismisses the class.

3. If you need to sharpen your pencil, do so before the tardy bell rings. Trash should be thrown away
before the tardy bell rings or upon exiting the classroom.

4. Eating and drinking should be done between classes and at lunch, not in the classroom.
5. Going to the restroom and getting water should be done before school, between classes and at
lunch, unless you have a doctor’s excuse. NO EXCEPTIONS!

6. When you would like to ask or answer a question, raise your hand quietly and wait to be called on.
Avoid calling on the teacher to get her attention to address you.

7. Upon completing a test, quietly bring it up to the teacher’s desk, return to your desk, and begin on
your assignment. Avoid talking after turning in your test.

8. When breaking up into groups, immediately gather your belongings, move to your assigned area
quickly and quietly, be seated, and wait for instructions.

9. Avoid entering the classroom in noncompliance of the dress code. EVERY instance will be written
up as a dress code referral. In addition, participation points will be deducted for not following
class rules.

10. Avoid walking in after the tardy bell has rung. EVERY tardy will result in deduction of
participation points for not following class rules. Frequent tardies result in referrals.

11. The school policy regarding use of electronic devices will be followed.
Green Zones: Outside of school building and cafeteria (Rainy days students may use in the gym)
Red Zones: Hallways inside the buildings, student lobby, locker rooms, and restrooms
Yellow Zones: Classrooms (Specific rules for each room are determined by the teacher/adult
responsible for that area)
***Students are NOT allowed to charge cell phones at school***

DISCIPLINE POLICY: The following is a general protocol for handling a student who does not follow
classroom rules/procedures:
 First Offense: Verbal warning and deduction of participation points
 Second Offense: Deduction of participation points and/or parental contact
 Third Offense: Referral