English 11 Course Syllabus2016-2017

Ms. Hamm - room E104 Office Hours: M-F 7:30-8:30 a.m and 3:15-4:00 p.m.

Testing center: T, Th 7:30-8:00 a.m and 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Course Overview:

This course examines American Literature from a variety of time periods and a diversity of voices. Students study major writers and their works by drawing connections and extending understanding from the text to themselves and the world. Through collaborative and strategic process, students explore themes and issues related to American identity. Students will analyze readings and then compose responses through discussion, activities, and written and oral expression. The course is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills, view reading and writing as meaningful processes, understand the importance of discussion in academic and social communities, and take control of their literacy development.

Common Units and Themes:

Quarter 1 - Who Controls the Story? What are the dangers of single stories?

Quarter 2 - What are the American Myths?What is the American Dream? Has it changed? What are the costs of achieving it? Does everyone have equal access to the dream?

Quarter 3 - How has the American Culture shaped me?

Quarter 4 - How will I participate in this culture?

Writing:

We will explore the personal narrative essay and thematic analysis of literature. Additional writing will occur on a daily basis and includes the following: journal writing, response writing, fictional narrative writing, expository paragraph and essay practice, and essay test writing.

Vocabulary:

Our vocabulary curriculum is based on the SAT vocabulary. Expect to learn 5 new vocabulary words every two weeks. Vocabulary quizzes take place every two to four weeks. Additional vocabulary will be enhanced through reading. Grammar and writing skills will be built through essay revision and mini-lessons.

Learning Goals and Objectives:

  • Understand that major contributions to the body of American literature have been made by ethnically and racially diverse authors and by both male and female authors. Students will recognize that a literary work may reflect the author’s background, the milieu in which she/he lives, and the audience for which she/he writes.
  • Identify and discuss, with specific references, the common values and themes expressed in the body of American literature.
  • Demonstrate ability to analyze a literary work and to synthesize aspects of several works, making connections regarding theme, style, and/or structure.
  • Produce increasingly complex expository, persuasive, and narrative writings.
  • Demonstrate the ability to develop an original claim about a text and support that claim with specific textual evidence.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with Standard English prose as per department writing rubrics and common core standards (establishing claims, developing claims with evidence, utilizing cohesion, crafting impactful introductions and conclusions, using appropriate style and conventions).
  • Demonstrate an ability to think critically about philosophical, cultural, religious, political, economic, and social issues.

Grading policies/practices:

While grades are limited in their scope, my goal is to have your grade accurately reflect your effort and growth in the class. Daily work and quizzes are worth 5-10 points. Longer tests and writings are usually worth 25-50 points. Major projects, essays, and tests are usually worth 75-100 points. Semesters average 600-850 points. Grades are on the 10% scale (90-100% = A) You have access to the gradebook. Be sure to check it.

Late Work:

Daily work will be accepted late for 50%, unless you have an excused absence. It is your responsibility to find out what you missed and submit the assignment the next day. Projects and major writing assignments will be accepted late with a loss of 10% for each of the first three days and half credit thereafter. Tests or quizzes will need to be made up in the testing center.

Reading Lab:

Reading assignments are 20-30 pages long, and are due 3-4 days of the week. Reading checks are given at the beginning of class for 5-10 points. There may be a few times when you are unable to complete your reading homework for the night, and are unable to take the quiz. To make up 85% of those points, you can come in after or before school, or at lunch for 30 minutes of uninterrupted independent reading time, at the end of which you can take the quiz. It is your responsibility to schedule that time with me.

Warm Ups:

Each day at the beginning of class, you will have instructions for a warm up activity in addition to the reading check response. This must be completed during the warm up time, and you'll receive credit for completing it. To maintain equity in our learning environment, this part of the class must be silent. If you’re absent, you can find the warm up questions on our website. Composition notebooks will be collected periodically for warm up checks.

Attendance and Behavior Expectations:

You are expected to be in class on time. Please respect our classroom community; we need and want you here on time! If you are tardy, please stop by the attendance office for a note before coming to class.

Phones:

There will be sporadic times when you will be asked to use your phone for the class. Other than that, my policy is that phones are not part of this class. I will not check my phone during class, and I expect the same of you. You will be required to put your phone in my desk if it is out during class. Please avoid the hassle.

Website Access:

I have a classroom website on the West Linn High School Website. We will also create a Google Classroom for our class. In addition, online grades will be updated at least every two weeks.

Plagiarism:

Failing to cite your sources in your writing or formation of ideas is intellectual theft. If plagiarism occurs, you will receive no credit on the assignment and will have a conference with me. Please refer to the West Linn High School Honor Code.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" - Nelson Mandela