English IV Grading Policy

English IV

Grading Policy

Mrs. Ramay

Grades in English IV are based primarily upon these components: essays, homework, quizzes, tests, miscellaneous assignments and projects, oral assignments, and class participation.

Assignments are weighted based on their complexity. Every assignment in this class fits into one of four categories:

12-Point Assignments 8-Point Assignments 4-Point Assignments Credit/No Credit

11-12       A                7-8      A                4      A

8, 9, 10    B                5-6      B                 3      B

5, 6, 7     C                3-4      C                2      C

2, 3, 4      D                1-2      D                1      D

1, 0          F                   0      F                0      F

Nearly all 8-point and 12-point assignments may be revised in order for the student to improve his or her grade. Some 4-point assignments are revisable too. But unless a student turns in the assignment on time he or she may not revise for a higher grade. Revisions are due prior to the end of a semester. Due dates are announced well in advance.

Students who wish to improve their scores on longer assignments may revise them until the end of the semester when a due date will be given. 

If a student is unable to do her or his best on an assignment by the due date, they may submit what I call a “place holder” that shows their intent to complete their assignment at a later date. The new individual due date will be determined by the student and me. This allows students who find themselves overwhelmed or confused more time to do their best work. If the student fails to complete the assignment by the due date she or he will receive a grade indicating the absence of the assignment which will equal a failing grade.

Students maintain writing folders holding all of their writing. These are used for parent conferences as well as student conferences.

English IV is an elective English course for seniors. Because it meets the A-G requirement, most students taking this class plan to attend some kind of post secondary institution. The course is designed to meet the needs of many kinds of student choices: community college, trade school, military, CSU, UC, and private colleges and universities. 

As with all courses offered in the English Department, these students read for 20 minutes each period, write daily, study language and vocabulary. They are expected to complete about 30 minutes of homework each night. 

The central focus in literature is the study of themes within the world’s great works. To this end, students read from Sophocles to Toni Morrison. They are exposed to many voices of our world’s cultures. Students are asked to listen to what these voices say to them and then practice ways of connecting with and reacting to the views of these great writers. This is often a student’s first experience with linking his/her ideas with someone far beyond them. It is a struggle for some, and an opportunity for most of them. 

Additionally, students write for a variety of purposes ranging from their personal essays for college and scholarship applications, as well as literary analysis. This course is rigorous and especially challenging for students unwilling to study outside of the classroom.

They read challenging novels together as a class, and study literature independently. They keep reading and writing notebooks. Students also prepare for the CSU English Placement Test and the UC Analytic Writing Placement Exam. 

 Textbook: X. J. Kennedy’s Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama

• The teacher will choose additional texts recognized as works of significant literary merit.

Core literature

• Hamlet
• Oedipus Rex
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
• The Zoo Story
• The Metamorphosis
• Stories by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• Short Stories
• Essays
• Expository Texts
• Speeches
• Poetry