Back to School Links
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Mr. Penney's Classes
Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Period 1: ENG II Honors. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Period 2A: ENG II. 11:50 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.
Period 3: ENG II Honors. 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Period 4: ENG II Honors. 2:25 p.m. - 3:25 p.m.
Tuesday/Thursday
Period 5: ENG II Honors. 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Period 6B: ENG II Honors. 11:35 a.m. - 1:05 p.m.
B Lunch: 12:20 - 1:00.
About Teacher

Phone: 210-356-1400
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
B.A. English, University of Texas at San Antonio. ESL Certified.
Mr. Jason Penney
This is my 16th year in education and my 2nd year teaching English at James Madison High School.
My passions include: family, football, and a wide range of music.
Before teaching, I worked in radio as a sports broadcaster.
Syllabus
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James Madison High School
ENG II & ENG II Honors
Instructor: Mr. Jason Penney
Room: E 20
Email: jpenne@neisd.net
Teacher Web Page: https://www.neisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=8041#calendar74491/20190822/month
Course Description
English II, the foundational English course for 10th grade students, is composed of genre specific units incorporating the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, including reading/literary study, writing, inquiry and research, listening, speaking, and presenting. The intent of this course is to equip students with the communication and thinking skills essential for success in social, academic (including SAT, ACT and STAAR/EOC) and real-world situations.
ENG II Units Overview
First Semester
Unit 1A: Foundations of Reading, Responding, and Interacting with Literature
Unit 1B: Analysis & Composition of Literary Text: Fiction & Literary Nonfiction
Unit 1C: Analysis & Composition of Literary Text: Poetry
Unit 2A: Analysis & Composition of Informational Texts
Unit 2B: Analysis & Composition of Argumentative Texts
Second Semester
Unit 3A: Analysis & Composition of Literary Texts: Drama
Unit 3B: Rhetorically Analyzing and Producing Argumentative Texts
Unit 4A: Connecting Messages across Literary, Informational, and Argumentative Texts
Unit 4B: Researching, Synthesizing, and Producing in Multiple Genres and Modes
Grading, Tutoring, and Retesting
Grades are provided to communicate a student’s mastery of the content and skills outlined in the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). Grade categories are as follows:
Daily Work: 40%
Assessments/Projects: 40%
Digital Notebook: 20%
Late work will incur a 20% penalty. If a student fails a test, s/he may attend tutoring to retest and have the opportunity to earn up to 70% on the assessment. Tutoring times are:
Monday 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Friday Appointment only.
For details about reteach/retest, credit protection please refer to the Grading System/Explanations in the NEISD Student-Parent Handbook. https://www.neisd.net/cms/lib/TX02215002/Centricity/Domain/205/2019-2020%20Secondary%20Handbook.pdf
Students may receive one of the following conduct grades on report cards: E (Excellent), S (Satisfactory), N (Needs to Improve), or U (Unsatisfactory). Conduct grades may impact eligibility for exam exemptions per district policy.
Parent/Teacher Communication
Email is the best way to communicate with teachers because there are no phones in classrooms. Phone calls made to the front office will be returned by teachers within 24 hrs. The phone number for the Madison office is 210-356-1400. Student grades are always available for review on Skyward, which is available through the school’s and/or NEISD website.
Please make sure that parent contact information in Skyward is current.
Classroom Conduct
Please arrive on time to class, virtually or in-person (if/when the time comes), prepared with necessary materials, and ready for the day’s agenda and activities. You are expected to be polite and courteous to your teacher and fellow classmates. This is a safe, welcoming learning environment where all individuals and points of view are respected and appreciated. As a student, you are expected to work hard and put forth your best effort each day.
Respectfully,
Mr. Jason Penney
English Teacher, James Madison High School
ENG II and ENG II Honors
ENG II Team Leader