Central Visual and Performing Arts High School

Course Syllabus: ENG 450: British Literature / African American Literature
Teacher: Mattler / Grade:12 / Room:316
Course Description/Overview
  • Prerequisites – You should have passed ENG 350
  • Purpose(s)/Goal(s) – Improving reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, discussion and test-taking skills

Course Content
  • Topics/themes/Areas of study – You will study British Literature. This class focuses on a more in-depth analysis literature, and will teach you skills that will help you prepare for college.
  • Skills/Objectives - Improving reading comprehension, writing and test-taking skills that prepare you for college and practical skills for post high school experiences
  • Reading/writing requirements – Since this is a literature class, heavy emphasis will be placed on reading and writing. You will be expected to complete the reading assignments and write numerous essays.
  • Course calendar/schedule outline – see attached

Course Materials
  • Textbooks – You will need your Glencoe Literature book(or novel) every day
  • General supplies (pens/pencils, paper, notebooks etc) – Bring a pen and notebook to class every day, loss of points or disciplinary action will occur if a student is not prepared for class.
  • Other supplies for things like projects will generally be provided in class.

Course Policies
  • Attendance/absences/ tardy – Absences will adversely affect your grade. Students with excused absences will be allowed to make up work without penalty. Students with unexcused absences will be allowed a week to turn in late assignments, but will lose 10% per day that it is late.
  • Make-up/late work – (See above)
  1. Classroom expectations/norms- No talking when it is not allowed (loss of points or disciplinary actions will be taken)
  2. Cheating = F (This includes copying class work. Both cheaters will receive a zero)
  3. Respect your classmates (no taunting, fighting, talking while they are talking)
  4. Do your work when it is assigned. (Once time is called on assignments, class work is due.)
  5. Be here on time and sit down when the bell rings
  6. Leave your electronic devices in your bag (cell phones, ipods, etc.)
  7. Food or drinks should not be out.
  8. Clean up after yourself
  9. Sit in your assigned seats
  10. Do not leave class
  11. Respect school property (no graffiti and take care of books, computers, etc.)
  12. Do not go behind my desk or into any of my cabinets without permission
  13. No cursing
  14. No sleeping / keep your head up
  15. Dress appropriately (no hats, wear your ID, etc.)
  16. Raise your hand if you have a question
  17. Speak politely “Mr. Mattler, could you come over here?”
Discipline for breaking any class or school rules is as follows:
  1. Verbal Warning - “Brianna, you should not be talking right now.”
  2. Loss of Points – “Brianna you have lost your participation points, because you have continued to talk.”
  3. Conference with Student / Call Home – “Brianna, I need to talk with you in the hall.”
  4. Write up – “Brianna you are continuing to break the rules. You are being written up.”\
  5. Removed from Class – “Brianna, you are being removed since you are disrupting the class.”
  • Notebooks, class notes, participation, group work – Your class work will probably account for your biggest grade. Projects, tests, and other assignments make up the other portion of your grade, so make sure you are completing your class work on a daily basis.
  • There will be quizzes occasionally to check for mastery of the vocabulary and reading accuracy
  • Tests will check for mastery of skills and major concepts
  • Homework policy–Generally homework will be unfinished class assignments and reading, so it’s in your best interest to finish work in class. Sometimes homework might be related to the next class, like doing research.
  • Participation Points – Points can be deducted for not participating in a lesson or keeping others from learning.
  • New policy this year for all CVPA students
· Students are expected to complete all assignments by the assigned date.
· If you are sick or miss class for any reason (including excused field trips and performances), it is your responsibility to ask for missing assignments.
· After 3 missing assignments, you will be given lunch detention.
· Your parent will be contacted and notified that you are missing assignments and were given lunch detention.
· Lunch detention will be held in a designated room and you will not be allowed in the lunch room.
· A sack lunch will be provided for you. You will not be allowed to purchase lunch.
· You will remain in lunch detention until ALL your missing assignments are completed for the class.
· Completing a missing assignment does not mean you will get full or partial credit for the assignment.
Grading/Assessment
Grading scale, explanation of gradecalculation, point values/%grade distribution for items graded –
A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = 59% and below
Small assignments, like the “Do Now” will be worth 20 points each.
Larger assignments, such as a daily work assignment will be worth 30-50 points each.
Projects will be worth (depending on the size) 30 – 100 points.
Tests will be worth around 100-200 points each.
Extra credit will be available at times for students who complete all of their work, but in most cases, extra credit will not be available. Complete your class work on time instead of asking for extra credit.
Duringa typical week, you will have around 100-200 points per day. Any missed assignments will affect your grade. Most past assignments will be online if you need to make up work.
I will not accept late assignments after one week. Each calendar day an assignment is late, I will take 10% from the grade.
  • Types of assessments (quiz, unit test, benchmarks, labs, project/performance) – Quizzes will be given frequently to check for daily comprehension, tests will be given to test for complete comprehension of skills.
All assignments will be graded according to level of completion, level of effort related to an individual student’s skills, participation and accuracy. Since most lessons require participation, students must follow the rules and procedures of the class to receive all of their points for a particular lesson.
Extra credit, retesting–In most cases extra credit will not be available. Complete your class work on time instead of asking for extra credit.
  • Progress reports – are given four times a year to let your parents know your progress halfway through the quarter

Course Procedures
  • Course format, how we operate-–The class includes many different approaches to literature: lecture, group work, Socratic seminars, and individual work. We will also be using online resources when they are available, especially mrmattler.com
  • Class notebook/journal/assignment format, student contract – Students will be shown the format of their notebooks in class

To Achieve Success In This Course
Words of wisdom - It is up to you to take responsibility for this class. I will offer you as much encouragement and direction as I can, but this life is ultimately your own, so you need to have an innate desire to better yourself through education. If you follow the rules, do the work, and show an eagerness to succeed, you should do well in the class.
Please tell me if there is something that you do not understand, or if I can help you in any way. Also, realize that we are all different, and not everyone works like you do!
If you need to talk, I am always here to listen.
If you have a good idea for an assignment, tell me, and I will definitely consider it.
You’re a part of the class. Help make the experience in the class fun by participating in the discussions and activities. Life is what you make of it.
Let’s try to learn a lot of things this year, and have some fun too! : )
  • Things successful students do – read, participate, complete work, and turn it in.

Additional Information
  • Extra help – is available upon request
  • Contact information/prep period – / prep period 6th

Scope and Sequence: / English Literature
August 17-19 / Establishing Rules and Procedures
Fostering Class Climate and Community
August 22-Sept 23 / Old English
Beowulf
Ballads
Intro to Essay Writing
Sept 26-October 31 / Middle English
Canterbury Tales
Medieval Romance
Morality Plays
Research for Senior Thesis
Nov 1-Dec15 / English Renaissance
Sonnets and Poetry
Shakespeare
Finalize Senior Thesis /Begin Writing
Dec 16-21 / Semester Exams
Second Semester
January 5-31 / Intro to African American Literature
History:
African Folk Tales
Spirituals
Brer Rabbit
Senior Thesis: Introduction, Cover Page, First Two Main Topics
February 1-28 / Slavery and Post Slavery
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Slave Narratives
Political Speeches
Senior Thesis: MLA, works cited, Essay Mostly Completed
March 20-24 / Spring Break
March 27-May 12 / Autobiography of Malcolm X
Senior Thesis: Completed and Edited
May 15-19 / Exams