10th Grade American Literature

Course Guidelines

(Co-Taught College Prep)

Dear 10th Grade English Students:

I sincerelyWELCOME you to English II: American Literature! My anticipation is for this class to be a refinement of literary skills, including critical reading, thought-provoking writing, and effective public speaking. This course should guide you to be a more confident student, for you will be sharpening and developing writing skills, reading skills, and communication skills.

As always, each class is the complete outcome of what you make of it, and this is not an exception. Iexpect you to enter this class open-minded, respectful, willing to participate and communicate, and prepared. I hold myself to high expectations; therefore, you, as well, will be held to a high standard.I am looking forward to an enjoyable, stimulating, challenging, and funsemester together!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Small and Mr. O’Donnell

Mrs. Jacki SmallMr. Josh O’Donnell

215-420-5888215-420-5582

Room H215Room H215/Mod 1

HATS Period 3A/B in H215HATS Period 3A/C in H217

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

While involved in this class, you will learn the changes, struggles, and successes of the American people over the past 400 years. Though the curriculum does not always go in order, you will have a specific understanding of how our culture has evolved over the centuries, and what has caused this. Together, we will study art, music, and literature to gain a deeper understanding of those around us—the people who make up America. Two of our major themes will be the recognition of self/understanding one’s identity and how that identity can be affected by outside influences and the American Dream. Furthermore, my goal is to increase your vocabulary strengths and communication skills through writing practices.

PLEASE FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING WHILE IN CLASS:

Good attitude
Responding and participating
Attentiveness
Asking questions
Following directions
Completing assignments
Challenging yourself and not being afraid to make mistakes
Concerning yourself with improvement and not points
Organizing information in binder, notebook, folder
Making up work when necessary
Note taking
PLEASE AVOID THE FOLLOWING WHILE IN CLASS:
Disrespect
Uncooperation
Frequently leaving class for bathroom, locker, etc. use
Sleeping/putting head down

Disruptive talking/Abusive language

Cell phone/ipod use—will be confiscated upon notice

Late arrival

o3 unexcused = write-up

Eating food

COURSE CONTENT:

Independent reading

Grammar Edits

Keystone focus

Vocabulary

oAssigned from curriculum

Homework

Various Writing opportunities

Literary works:

oShort Stories, poetry, essays,Of Mice and Men, The Crucible, The Great Gatsby

Literary Movements:

oTranscendentalism, Anti-Transcendentalism, Gothic, Realism, Modernism

Artifact Research Paper

Tests/Quizzes

Final exam

GRADING:

  1. Grades are earned by you, and they are a numerical representation of your achievement.
  2. You must pass this course with a minimum of 60%.
  3. Your Artifact Paper is worth 20% of your 4thquartergrade.
  4. Your Final Exam is worth 20% of your semester grade.

Your first/third quarter grade will be based upon the following scale:

CATEGORY / WEIGHTED PERCENTAGE
Reading / 45%
Writing / 45%
Homework / 10%
TOTAL / 100%

Your second/fourth quarter grade will be based upon the following scale:

CATEGORY

/

WEIGHTED PERCENTAGE

Artifact Paper

/

20%

Reading

/

35%

Writing

/

35%

Homework

/

10%

TOTAL

/

100%

Semester Grade = Quarter 2 (40%) + Quarter 3 (40%) + Final Exam (20%)

Late and Missed Work:

  • All long-term assignments are expected to be turned in on their due dates.
  • Late work will be accepted with the understanding that there will be a 15% deduction every day, including weekends, until the assignment is turned in.
  • Daily homework assignments must be turned in the following day to receive full credit, otherwise they will be a zero
  • Work that is missed because of excused absenteeism will be given equal amount of time to complete it as you missed.
  • Work that is missed because of an unexcused absence will result in a zero
  • It is your responsibility to find out what work you have missed and/or make arrangements to take a quiz/test. This can be done before school or HATS period.

Attendance:

  • An unexcused absence/class cut will result in a zero for all work missed.
  • You MUST show Mrs. Small your excused pass from attendance upon your return
  • Please refer to the student/parent handbook for Hatboro-Horsham School District attendance guidelines.

Cheating/Plagiarism:

  • Cheating/Plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment. Repeated offenses may result in a failure for the course.
  • Please refer to student handbook for further guidelines concerning this matter.

Weekly Homework Texts/Emails:

  • Mrs. Small will send out weekly homework blasts to both parents and students using remind101. This is an excellent way to stay on top of both daily assignments and long term projects. If you are interested in signing up for email texts or emails please see the attached instruction page.

Turnitin.com:

  • All students are required to turn in research paper via turnitin.com. Please see Mrs. Small’s website for more details.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I am very excited to teach your student this semester. I hope that by the end of this semester, all will have a greater appreciation and understanding of the components involved in this course, especially the literary and writing elements.

In order to ensure this, I would like to thank you ahead of time for reviewing this packet of information with your child. Although each of these students has reached the high school level, they will undoubtedly need and appreciate your support throughout the coming months, whether they ask for it or not! I truly believe one of the greatest factors of success is open communication between parents, students, and teachers. Therefore, you will not only be an important asset and mentor for your child, but also a tremendous help to me. Let us please keep the lines of communication open. If there are any problems, issues, or matters of concern, please feel free to address them with me.

Please sign this form and include your email address. I will keep the lines of communication open by emailing important messages to you through email. Please have your student return this form by ______. This will allow me to know that you and your child have both read the packet and are acquainted with the expectations and requirements of my course. Please also see the back of this paper for the movie permission slip. Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Small & Mr. O’Donnell

Jacki SmallJosh O’Donnell

215-420-5672215-420-5582

I understand the expectations and requirements of this course and I agree to comply with these guidelines.

Print Student Name ______Class Period: ______

Student signature ______Date: ______

Student main email: ______

Parent or guardian name: ______

Parent or guardian signature ______Date: ______

Parent or guardian email: ______

*Emails will remain confidential and are for the purpose of communicating messages from this course.

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Your student is currently enrolled in one of my Language Arts classes. While these classes primarily draw on the student’s reading and writing skills, I am also trying to develop these students as independent and analytical thinkers. On rare occasions, a great aid in this effort is to show curriculum-based films (either segments of said films, or to watch them in their entirety). All movies shown in class will either dramatize the work being read, provide further historical background about the author, explain the period and/or place in which the text was written, or relate to key themes in the literature which we are studying.

While the purpose of this permission slip is ultimately to determine whether or not your student may view films in class, it is also my hope that it prompts a conversation between you and your child about what goes on in class each day. Being informed of your student’s academic endeavors is perhaps the best way to foster a communicative and analytical learner.

If for any reason you are concerned with the films to be shown or have a particular request for your child’s viewing needs, do not hesitate to contact me via my school email: .

Sincerely,

Mrs. Jacki Small & Mr. Josh O’Donnell

English Teacher Special Education Teacher

Do NOT cut here; Tear off whole page!

Print Student Name ______Class pd ______

Parent or guardian signature ______

Please check one of the following:

______My student MAY watch curriculum-related films.

______My student may NOT watch curriculum-related films. I recognize that he/she will be responsible for an alternate assignment.