Pickens High School Faculty

Course description

All English courses develop descriptive, personal narrative, expository, and persuasive writing skills and includes grammar, mechanics, and usage.  English 10 students will be introduced to a variety of authors and selections from world literature, poetry, short stories, novels, drama, and classical mythology.  English 12 students will focus upon a concise study of British Literature to include the Anglo-Saxons, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Restoration, Romanticism, Victorianism, and 20th century works.  All English course students will engage in the research process.  These courses stress vocabulary development and require written literary analysis through discussion of the elements of literature.  In addition, Students will develop thinking, organizing, interpersonal communication (both verbal and nonverbal), and use of analogies, metaphors, and their application to writing.
The purpose and goal of the Journalism course is the planning, creation, promotion, and production of the school yearbook, The Draca. 

For the English courses emphasis will be placed on writing accurate, concise, and grammatically correct essays, as well as analyzing literature in open discussions.  Class participation, group projects, presentations, and writing assignments such as a writing/poetry portfolio, a persuasive essay, a literary analysis essay, and literary analysis projects are just a few examples of possible assignments.  You will complete daily journal entries and/or writing/vocabulary activities on a topic given at the beginning of class.  You will answer questions, research topics, contribute to intelligent discussions, and learn in the process.  You will complete a MLA formatted research paper with a works cited page. Outside reading assignments are an essential element of this course and should be considered as “daily” homework assignments.  You are expected to keep track of due dates and diligently prepare for all assignments.  Organization, analysis, standard grammar, and professionalism are expected from every student, every day.

If you miss school and have an excused absence, you have up to five days to complete the work, including taking tests or quizzes, writing papers, or completing journal entries.  You should miss school only if it is absolutely necessary; it is harder to make up work on a block schedule.  If you do not make up your work within the five days, you automatically receive a zero for every missed item.  It is your responsibility to acquire the make up work from Mr. Wilkie.

All textbooks and novels will be supplied to you.  All textbooks must be covered!  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for all textbooks and novels supplied to you.  You will be assessed a fine for lost and damaged books.

Textbooks and Novels assigned by Mr. Wilkie in English 10:
Holt: Elements of Literature – Fourth Course
Warriner’s Holt Grammar Handbook
Vocabulary Workshop: Level E
The Stranger
Julius Caesar
Fahrenheit 451*
Night – by Elie Wiesel*
Edith Hamilton’s Mythology*

Textbooks and Novels assigned by Mr. Wilkie in English 12:
Holt: Elements of Literature – Sixth Course
Vocabulary Workshop: Level G
The Canterbury Tales
Beowulf
Hamlet
The Mayor of Casterbridge
Dracula*
*Other texts may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor.

1. 1-inch Notebook (3 ring) with pocket dividers and college rule paper
2. Blue or Black ink pen, # 2 pencils

Your notebook should be organized into sections.  Suggested organization:  vocabulary, classwork/homework, literary notes, study guides

I have five simple rules in my class:
1. Have all appropriate materials and supplies at your desk and be seated when the bell rings.
2. Respect the people, equipment and furnishings of room 424.
3. Adjust your voice level to suit the activity.
4. Follow directions the first time they are given.
5. Observe all rules in the student handbook.
• Tutorials will be provided to students after school by appointment on Wednesdays.
• I highly encourage all of my students to have access to a computer at home for assignments.  I will have four computers in my classroom dedicated to word-processing and PowerPoint if needed after-school.
• I like projects, and I encourage creativity.  I’m open to all ideas when it comes to projects.
• The easiest, and most efficient way for you (or parents) to contact me is via e-mail.  My e-mail is: stevenwilkie@pickens.k12.ga.us.    I typically respond to e-mails on the same day.  Telephone messages to me will be returned only between 10 and 11 PM.