American+Literature

jhunter@ccps.org ayrodriguez@ccps.org
 * Mrs. Hunter & Ms. Rodriguez **

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General Overview: English 11 focuses on the study of American literature and composition. Coursework is designed to improve your skills in reading, writing, listening & speaking, as well as to increase your understanding of language and literature. The course is designed to gain a rich understanding of both history and literature as they are so deeply intertwined.

“I hold this to be the highest task for a bond between two people: that each protects the solitude of the other.” Rainer Maria Rilke

While we are together we are a team and should work together as a family to ensure the most success possible and bring a sense of joy to the class. Respect for each other’s needs is the key to success!

While we are together I will expect you to be on time & prepared.

In our study of American literature we will cover the following units: Module 1: Patterns the established traits, tendencies or values that shape the potential of the individual, the development of society, and the effectiveness of communication. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty The Declaration of Independence Speech to the Virginia Convention by Patrick Henry “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards

Module 2: Functions is about the quality of the relationship between author’s purpose, style, context, and meaning In Cold Blood by Truman Capote Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau On Civil Disobedience by Mohandas K. Ghandi “The Duty of Writers” By E.B. White

Module 3: Interaction is about analyzing the connection between reader and text. “Teenage Wasteland” by Anne Tyler From “Of Plymouth Plantation” William Bradford “Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen Poe “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin

Module 4: Perspective is about how an author’s beliefs and experiences shape writing style. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien “Ambush” by Tim O’Brien “A New Kind of War” by Ernest Hemingway Interesting Narrative in the Life of Olaudah Equiano

Each unit will include a full length writing project that will be completed over the course of 8-10 class periods and a benchmark assessment that will be given in class. To supplement writing instruction students will also complete the Sentence Fundamentals in Writing, Proficiency in Sentence Writing, and Paragraph Writing programs. These programs will provide the necessary tools students need to score well on the English High School Assessment and to be successful in their future career.

To enhance students’ ability to initiate and participate in class discussion we will also be working through the Touchstones program. Discussions will be conducted on Thursdays most weeks. There may be exceptions as a result of the school schedule and other unforeseen events.

Grading Policy: Summative assessments will be worth 70% of the marking period grade while formative assessments will be worth 30% of the marking period grade. Each summative and formative assessment will receive a percentage grade, which will be weighted according to the length and difficulty. The final exam is worth 20% of the final course grade.

|| Summative Assessments (70%) Written Assignments Quizzes Projects/Presentations || Class work Homework Class Discussion ||
 * Formative Assessments (30%) ||
 * Tests- benchmark

Revision: You may revise & resubmit assignments up to, but no more than, ten (10) days after they are returned with a grade on them. The original assignment must accompany your new version (revision stapled to the front) and re-submitted within two weeks of the day it is passed back in order to receive credit. The revised assignment will be scored according to the same assignment requirements. The highest grade will be placed in the grade book.

Late Work: (this includes work missed due to an unlawful absence) will be accepted up to two days late with a 5% deduction each day and additional 4 days with an additional 9% penalty each day beyond two days. On the 7th day late the assignment will receive an automatic 65%. If you are in school, but lawfully out of class, (i.e. band, & sports), work is still due that day & will be considered late if not turned in on time.

Make-up Work: If you are absent due to a lawful absence, it is YOUR responsibility to submit work due and/or find out about work assigned on that day. This should be done on the day you return by obtaining handouts and assignments from the class folder. Work due on days that you missed will be due upon your return to class. For work assigned on a day you miss, you will have extra days equal to the number you missed. It is also YOUR responsibility to see me to arrange to make-up missed assessments taken on the day of your absence.

Academic Dishonesty: Action will be taken against students who engage in academic dishonesty of any kind. Cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation, or fraud will be referred to the office. Students will be given a 50% in the grade book until a comparable assignment is completed which would count for full credit. Remember Online resources, such as Spark Notes, are not meant to be used as a tool for completing assignments! The copy and paste method is not the proper way to use online resources!

Materials & English Notebook: You will be provided a 3 ring binder with divider. The binder will hold your materials for the writing strategies programs, Touchstones, Classwork, and Essays.

Final Thoughts At the end of the course you will have gained a deep understanding of how to read rigorous texts and possess the ability to write on a more effective level. It is my greatest hope that you will see the joy in language that I am so passionate about! So let’s work together to have a productive, successful and fun semester/year! If you need to contact me you can easily reach me at jhunter@ccps.org. I check my email often and will get back you quickly. I can also be reached at school at (410) 658-9115.