Fairmont Area Schools
Mr. Sturdy
Room E133
Course: American Literature
This is a course of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will read a variety of selections of literature. Students will also write to create understanding of the texts they read.
Essential Learning: The student will have an appreciation for literature as art, be able to pick out the literary aspects of a piece of literature, be able to discuss literature on the figurative and literal level, and understand the historical and social significance of the work.
Unit of Study: Reading Fiction.
The student will read fiction selections from the following text: Into The Wild,
Black Boy, The Catcher in the Rye, Dead Poets Society, Monster
Quarter 1:Into The Wild
Black Boy
Catcher in the Rye
Quarter 2: Catcher in the Rye
Dead Poets Society
Monster
Essential Questions are imbedded in each individual unit of study.
Units in American Literature
Into The Wild
Unit lasts: 2-3 weeks
Essential Questions:
- What themes are examined?
The Wilderness“Freedom”
ForgivenessIdentity (lacking and finding)
Relationships between people and principles
- How does the author achieve an effect through the use of literature?
Discussion on how Krakauer structured his novel.
- What is the author’s tone?
- How can the literature relate to the events of the day and to the lives of the readers?
Find common ground between readers and Chris McCandless. Relate themes to everyday life in our generation.
- Who might be a Chris McCandless in the 2000’s?
Black Boy
Unit lasts: 3-4 weeks
Essential Questions:
- What themes are examined?
Abuse of powerComing of Age
IntoleranceRacism
Finding Oneself
- How does the author achieve an effect through the use of literature?
Discussion of how Richard Wright used his own story to make the reader realize the plight of people of color.
- What is the author’s tone?
Irony, sarcasm, bitterness, pain, hopelessness
- How can the literature relate to the events of the day and to the lives of the readers?
Discuss what is happening presently and how the ideas of the novel can be related to present day events.
- How do the symbols used in the literature help to enhance the story and give greater meaning to the author’s intent?
Work to explore the symbols and recognize the messages sent to the reader through the symbols.
- Why is this piece of literature important historically?
Black History
Jim Crow Laws
Civil Rights Movement
Brown vs. The Board of Education
Catcher in the Rye
Unit lasts: 3-4 weeks
Essential Questions:
- What themes are examined?
Mental IllnessComing of Age
Teen PressureFinding Oneself
IsolationGrief
LiesTruth
Family Mentors
- How does the author achieve an effect through the use of literature?
Salinger uses the central character of Holden Caufield as a teen age “everyman” exploring the difficulties of teens growing up.
What is the author’s tone?
Irony, sarcasm, bitterness, pain, hopelessness
- How can the literature relate to the events of the day and to the lives of the readers?
Discuss what is happening presently and how the ideas of the novel can be related to present day events.
- How do the symbols used in the literature help to enhance the story and give greater meaning to the author’s intent?
Work to explore the symbols and recognize the messages sent to the reader through the symbols.
- Why is this piece of literature important historically?
The 1950’s and teen expectations
Present day teenagers and expectations
Dead Poet’s Society
Unit lasts: 2-3 weeks
Essential Questions:
- What themes are examined?
Coming of AgeFinding one’s own path
EducationTeen Pressure
Parent PressureTeaching
InfluencePower
ControlSuicide
- How does the author achieve an effect through the use of literature?
The film is used to help the students see where they are in terms of finding their own path like Thoreau says to do.
What is the author’s tone?
Looking to find one’s own way, irony, sarcasm, frustration, pain, hopelessness
- How can the literature relate to the events of the day and to the lives of the readers?
Discuss what is happening presently and how the ideas of the film can be related to present day events.
- How do the symbols used in the literature help to enhance the story and give greater meaning to the author’s intent?
Work to explore the symbols and recognize the messages sent to the reader through the symbols.
- Why is this piece of literature important historically?
Exploring the classic poets and how their words can be related to present day.
Shows the students the importance of education, free expression and finding one’s own way.
Monster
Unit lasts: 2-3 weeks
Essential Questions:
- What themes are examined?
Coming of AgeCourt System
Racism Juvenile Incarceration
Social IsolationFriendship
Loyalty
- How does the author achieve an effect through the use of literature?
The film is used to help the students see the use and abuse of the legal system. They will read about how juveniles and adults see the law.
What is the author’s tone?
Helplessness, frustration, irony, loss of hope
How can the literature relate to the events of the day and to the lives of the readers?
Discuss what is happening presently and how the ideas of the film can be related to present day events.
- How do the symbols used in the literature help to enhance the story and give greater meaning to the author’s intent?
Work to explore the symbols and recognize the messages sent to the reader through the symbols.
- Why is this piece of literature important historically?
Shows how the legal system works with juveniles and how juveniles are treated according to social status, race, gender.
Summative Assessments
- Written responses to fiction selections
- Class participation and discussion
- Quiz and test
Key Activities and Resources
- A variety of supplemental texts are used to assist with teaching the course.
- Black Boy by Richard Wright
- Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- Dead Poets Society—film
- Monster-Walter Dean Myers
My philosophy
- I want you to succeed. I would not have become a teacher if that wasn’t true.
- If you’re willing to put an effort into YOUR education, I will be there to support you in every way possible.
Ground Rules
Follow the Cardinal Expectations –
* Act in a Safe and Healthy Manner * Treat all Property with Respect * Respect the Rights and Needs of Others * Take Responsibility for Learning
Give me your attention when asked
No side conversations
Be on time for class; this class begins when the bell rings
No blurting out
Do what is asked respectfully
Please do not touch my possessions
Don’t line up at the door – stay seatedin your deskuntil you are dismissed by me
You must wear your ID badge appropriately (below the neck, above the waist, front of torso)
Phones must be on silent
Keep backpacks out of the walking path.
You are expected to bring your leisure reading material with you every day. If you have this
class during 5th hour reading time, expect to silently read during that time. No exceptions!
Understand the expectations with assignments, homework, tests, quizzes, and required materials
Late Assignments/ Incomplete/Partial Credit:
Unless arrangements have been made or a due date has been changed, all assignments are due during class on the date assigned. If you are absent, the assignment is expected the day you return. For multiple days absent students must make a plan with me. I will reduce assignments by one letter grade for each day it is late. Some assignments/assessments may not be given credit if turned in late. Students will be expected to work with me after school if grades are being affected by late work habitually. Please speak with me if we have an issue or a situation.
Make Up Work:
If possible, get make-up work prior to being absent. For multiple days please make arrangements for work to be picked up from the office or from Mr. Sturdy before the days occur. A plan must be made in a conference meeting with Mr. Sturdy when multiple days are missed.The assignments are expected the day a student returns to class if one day or one class period is missed.
Students are expected to complete ALL assigned reading and be prepared for class. During the course of the year, we will engage in-depth analytical reading, also known as close reading. Students are expected to keep notes, annotations, and/or complete assignments for each text.
Plagiarism Statement:
Plagiarism means copying someone else’s writing and ideas and turning it in as your own original work. This includes copying from a student’s paper or worksheet/assignment, newspapers, magazines, on-line sources or any other print sources. You will be considered to be cheating for roving eyes, cheat sheets, open books, notes or materials during test without explicit teacher approval, and other forms of cheating. Using Spark Notes instead of reading the text is considered cheating!! Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated! Penalties range from receiving no credit for the assignment to being dropped from the class with an “F”.