Honors American Literature/Contemporary Comp

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Syllabus, Grading Policy

Welcome to English 11A/B Honors American Literature/Contemporary Composition. The syllabus for this class is posted in the box above. The dates are approximate and may change depending on events such as fire drills, assemblies, or guest speakers.
All major assignments are to be typed and saved on a flash or hard-drive. You must be able to reproduce your work in case your essay is lost or misplaced. All work is to be turned in at the beginning of the class in which it is due. Do not wait until the night before to begin printing out any major assignment. Unexcused late work will lose points on a daily basis until it is submitted, and cannot be turned in after a unit is completed. We will be taking notes daily, both in class and on outside assignments.
Student grades are based on achievement in the following categories: classwork, homework, participation, essays, exams, and individual/group projects.
Grading Scale
90 – 100 = A
80 – 89 = B
70 – 79 = C
60 – 69 = D
59 and below = F
Grades will be posted in Engrade. Students will receive their password by the second week of school.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Book Club

You have until June 3 to finish your book, at which time you will take an in-class essay test. As you read (or at the beginning or ending of each day's reading), take notes on significant moments. Your classwork assignment is to take notes on 20 significant moments on the graphic organizer. If you need more space, use more boxes, or type it on a computer. You will use the notes to help you write your essay. You may proofread your essay on Friday, June 4, but keep in mind we will be on a shortened schedule due to the All School Fair.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Be Prepared for Playwriting Sessions

If you did not bring your envelope with all your writing exercises, remember to do so on Thursday. You don't need to bring a posterboard on Thursday. Julie's directions were to get a posterboard to have at home so you can work on your collages, which you will bring with you on the last session in January.

Quotation

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?...
Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you....
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson

About this class

This is a survey course of American literature which includes speaking, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. The objectives are: to examine the development of American literary themes from pre-colonial times to the present; to develop an awareness of literary genres; to enhance student skills in the analysis of literature.

Students will present oral recitations of poetry and participate in class discussions and small-group activities. Students will read numerous excerpts from American literature as well as at least one novel and one play. Students will write essays responding to literature and analyzing major literary works. Finally, students will develop critical thinking skills by analyzing tone, style and theme to compare and contrast various works of American literature.