Michael Norris
English
NOTE: There is no required summer reading for Mr. Norris' English III courses;
however, reading books from the following list will help prepare students for college.
Summer Required Reading List for 2011/2012 School Year (all grade levels)
All English I, II, III, and IV Honors and Advanced Placement students have REQUIRED
summer reading. These books are readily available at local book stores and libraries. After
completing each novel, students should take “reading notes” on characters, settings, and plot
details and be prepared to take a test on each novel soon after school begins.
English I Honors
students are required to read Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and There Are No Children
Here by Alex Kotlowitz.
English II Honors students are required to read Cry the Beloved
Country by Alan Paton and Life of Pi by Yann Martel;
English III Honors students are required
to read A Separate Peace by John Knowles and The Road by Cormac McCarthy;
English IV
Honors students are required to read Among the Thugs by Bill Buford (New York: Vintage
Books, 1991), The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (New York: Penguin Books 2004), The
Collector by John Fowles (New York: Little, Brown & Co., 1991), The Curious Incident of the
Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (New York: Vintage Books, 2003), and Frankenstein:
Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism by Mary Shelley (New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s,
2000);
and English IV Advanced Placement students are required to read The Awakening: Case Studies
in Contemporary Criticism by Kate Chopin (New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s Press, 2000),
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (New York: Knopf Doubleday, 1995), As I Lay Dying by
William Faulkner (New York: Knopf Doubleday, 1991); Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (New York:
Simon & Schuster, 2004), The Kite Runner by Khaled Housseini (Riverhead Books, 2003),
and Beloved by Toni Morrison (New York: Knopf Doubleday, 2004). For purposes of class
discussion, English IV Honors and Advanced Placement students need to obtain these specific
editions.
Recommended Reading for all Students
A Farewell to Arms
A Raisin in the Sun
Catcher in the Rye
Crime and Punishment
David Copperfield
Don Quixote
Frankenstein
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
In Cold Blood
Inherit the Wind
Jane Eyre
My Antonia
Native Son
Of Mice and Men
Pride and Prejudice
Pygmalion
Slaughterhouse Five
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
The Bell Jar
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
The Martian Chronicles
The Old Man and the Sea
The Picture of Dorian Gray
To Kill a Mockingbird
To the Light House
Tom Sawyer
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Courses Taught by Mr. Norris:
ENGLISH III: AMERICAN LITERATURE/COMPOSITION &
ENGLISH III HONORS: AMERICAN LITERATURE/COMOPOSITON
Contact Information
Mr. Michael Norris
Room 184
217.787.9283
English III and English III Honors Requirements and Expectations 2011/2012
Welcome to English III! In this course, we will read selections by American authors from 1607 to the twentieth century. We will read many short pieces as well as several longer ones (e.g., The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, The Great Gatsby, Spoon River Anthology, Of Mice and Men). My goal is to make these works of literature come alive for you. You will take reading and lecture notes. You will also write reading responses, short answers to questions, poetry, narratives, five paragraph essays, and a research paper. In addition, you will participate in class discussions and make class presentations.
Supplies
Please bring the following to class each day as directed:
• Book: Your textbook is a state-loaned book. I ask that you cover your book by the next day of class and keep it covered throughout the year. I will give “surprise” points occasionally throughout the year for keeping your book covered and in good condition.
• SHG Research Manual (for research paper work) English Research Manual 2009
• Brief English Handbook
• Blue or black pens (NO gel pens or pencils)
• One large spiral notebook – a 5-subject notebook would be best, or you may use a three-ring binder if you
prefer.
• Loose leaf paper – wide ruled, please.
• One two-pocket folder (inside your notebook is great).
Grading/Testing
The grading policy is outlined in your student handbook. Your quarter grade will be broken down into three components:
- 33% is your participation grade (daily assignments, quizzes, homework, and class discussions).
- 34% is comprised of test scores (tests and projects).
- 33% is your composition grade (narratives, essays, research paper, and poems).
Rough Outline of Units to Be Studied
First Semester
- Colonial era
- Revolutionary War era
- Research Paper
Second Semester
- Civil War era
- Industrial Revolution / 20th Century
Expectations
1. Be Prompt.
Be in your assigned seat ready to learn when the bell stops ringing. School policy stipulates that lateness will result in a detention.
2. Be respectful.
Listen when others are speaking. Be considerate of others' questions, statements, opinions, and feelings. Use appropriate language for school. If you have a concern about class content or pacing, please speak to me in private. I will extend this respect to each of my students. Talking, giggling, grooming, writing or passing of notes, cell phones etc. are all disruptive to the learning process and will result in a detention. Please, take care of school property. Eating and drinking in class are not allowed. Writing is to be done on paper - not on desks, walls, etc. Keep you hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
3. Be Prepared.
You are expected to come to class with all necessary materials. This includes the appropriate book, pens, paper, and any required handouts. All homework is to be completed prior to the tardy bell. Late work will receive a grade of "0" except in the case of excused absences. Scheduled tests are always to be made up the day you return to class either before school or during your study period. It is your responsibility to see me BEFORE school about make-ups and missed assignments. Tests are always announced well in advance, so you should be prepared when you return after an absence. You will receive only two hall passes during the course of the semester. I will post assignments, homework, test dates, etc. online.
4. Do your best work!
Make good use of all class time. Only English III work is to be done in this class.
5. Do your homework
You can expect about thirty minutes of homework Monday through Thursday. This will be in the form of reading, writing, note taking, and analysis. During research units, you can expect this time to increase.
6. Be honest.
Do your own work. Cheating or copying from another's work is not tolerated. We will use turnitin.com to check for plagiarism. Please refer to the section on plagiarism in your SHG Research Manual.
7. Be neat.
8. Chewing gum in this class is a privilege. You will continue to enjoy this privilege, if you chew quietly, keep your gum in your mouth, and put your gum in a trashcan when you are done with it.
9. Write a header in the upper right corner on all assignments as follows:
Name (first and last)
Period
Assignment Name
Date (month, day, and year)
Consequences for Breaking Class Rules
Minor Offenses (e.g., talking, not working)
- First of the day – Student is reminded of appropriate behavior.
- 2nd and subsequent:
- I will contact Parent/Guardian.
- You may be moved to a different seat.
- You will receive a detention.
- I may create an individual behavior plan for students with repeated offenses.
Major Offenses (e.g., dishonesty, disrespect)
- First and subsequent
- You will receive a detention.
- I will contact Parent/Guardian.
- I will contact Dean of Students.
- You may receive a grade of 0.
IMPORTANT
If you need help, or are confused about an assignment, please tell me. I will be glad to help you. I expect all of my students to succeed. If I notice that you are having difficulty, I will promptly schedule a meeting with you (and perhaps your parent/guardian, too) to develop a plan to assist you.
The following are the best times to meet with me:
Before school 7:20 -7:50
After school: by appointment
You may call me at home, before 9:00 p.m., if you have serious questions about an assignment.
Phone: 787-9283
