Phone: (203) 977-4739 Email: [email protected]
This course examines the interpretation of literature through the mediums of the short story, the novel, and expository articles. Instruction focuses on written and oral expression including the persuasive essay and literary response with attention to research, editing, and oral expression skills. This course covers a wide range of world literature including: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, short stories, and drama. The year will consist of seven units over two semesters. The rationale for these units comes from both our district ELA curriculum and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which can be found online at: http://www.corestandards.org/.
Literature:
Semester One:
· Unit 1 Literary Analysis: Lord of the Flies
· Unit 2 Informational: selected essays, articles, and visual texts
· Unit 3 Drama: Othello
Semester Two:
· Unit 4 Synthesis: Brave New World
· Unit 5 Poetry
· Unit 6 Literary Analysis 2: Catcher in the Rye
Learning Expectations:
Throughout the year you will be assessed in one of the school wide learning expectations. The English department focuses on the first academic expectation which states that students will have the skills and knowledge necessary to read and understand complex texts from all content areas, including visual texts, in order to extract information from them. You will be assessed at the end of quarter 2 and again at the end of quarter 4. Assessments will be made using the attached rubric and will be based on performance throughout each semester and not on one single assignment. A score indicating your progress will appear on both the quarter 2 and quarter 4 report cards.
Grading Scale:
A = 93-100%
A- = 90-92%
B+ = 87-89%
B = 83-86%
B- = 80-82%
C+ = 77-79%
C = 73-76%
C- = 70-72%
D+ = 67-69%
D = 63-66%
D- = 60-62%
F = 0-59%
Grading Policy:
Based on the student’s ability to think and write critically, analytically, and creatively using examples from all areas of study, student evaluation will include:
a) individualized assessment of formal and informal writing assignments
b) regular quizzes and tests, projects, journals, portfolios, notebooks, and homework
c) active involvement in class activities
Each marking period grade comprises 20% of the year grade (4 marking periods = 80%); a January midterm exam and a June final exam each count as 10% of the year grade (20% total). Averaging and weighting grades from items indicated below will determine each marking period grade.
Categories
Weights
I. Long-Term Assessments
District Provided
Process Pieces
Independent Reading assignments
Projects and Presentations
II. In-Class Assessments
District Provided
Timed Writes
Timed Writes
Reading Assessments / Constructed Responses
Quizzes / Tests
Discussions (participation in, reflection on)
III. Homework
District Provided
None
Teacher Created (may include)
Relevant and challenging work that reinforces the learning objective
Work that allows the teacher to check student understanding
10% maximum
per District HW Policy
IV. Classwork
District Provided
None
Teacher Created (may include)
Annotation Practice
Discussions (preparation for)
Note-taking
Tutorials
Initiation / Conclusion Activities
Daily Material:
Three-ring binder with loose-leaf or spiral notebook with perforated edges, pen or pencil, and book.
Writing:
Writing is an ongoing process. An emphasis is placed on learning to write a well-supported, insightful, coherent analytical paper. Students are encouraged to write formally and informally in order to decipher meaning from information, make connections, and shape raw data into workable patterns. A minimum of eight pieces of writing are required. This ongoing process will include:
a) personal and creative writing (narratives, journals, poetry, short stories)
b) reviewing and exercising strategies for the CAPT
c) mastering thesis papers and persuasive essays on literature analysis
d) vocabulary study in preparation for the SAT
e) grammar instruction in identified areas
f) editing and revision skills
Quizzes/Tests:
Quizzes will be given regularly. They will cover material learned through homework, class assignments, and discussions. Almost all quizzes will be announced. (No major “Pop” quizzes.) Tests will be given upon completion of a chapter, unit, or book.
Homework:
Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday. In order for full credit to be received on each assignment, the following criteria must be met:
- The assignment is handed in the next class meeting. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED (emergencies and particular situations will be taken into consideration). If you are having difficulty with an assignment, it is your responsibility to see me beforehand. You can also get help before or after school.
-The assignment is neat and complete on loose-leaf or on worksheet assigned.
-Missed work must be made up in a timely fashion.
Class Participation:
1- Be on time. You will have six minutes passing time. After those six minutes, you will be marked tardy. (There is no grace time.) Repeated tardiness will result in either after school or administrative detention and a call home. Tardiness will have an impact on your grade due to missed instruction, so make your best effort to be on time.
2- Be prepared. Have your notebook, pen or pencil out when you arrive to class.
3- Respectful behavior. You are required to be respectful of the teacher, students, and classroom. Disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated! Have the maturity to adapt to your environment.
Plagiarism:
All final process essays will be submitted via http://www.turnitin.com. If any student shares work or copies the work of someone else without proper citation, there will be severe consequences. Remember, cheating will not be tolerated. I expect you to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. You must earn your grades, not borrow them!
General Information:
School attendance policies apply. Three tardies = one absence. More than seven absences = Failure for the quarter. More than 28 absences= Failure for the year
See me if a problem arises or you need help, do not wait. I am available for extra help before school around 7am. I will also be available after school.
1. MAILBOX: Located in the main office.
2. Cheating is a serious offense and any student caught in a questionable situation will lose credit for the assignment without the opportunity for makeup.
3. Plagiarism is cheating and carries the same result.
4. Class attendance and participation are important. Be on time for class.
5. All students must maintain a notebook. Be prepared daily with your book, pen or pencil, and notebook and be seated for class when the bell rings. Notebooks should be organized and contain all assigned work. Some tests will be open notes so it is important to maintain a complete and organized notebook. They may be collected and graded.
6. Strict adherence to dress code including NO HATS.
7. NO student is allowed to take out/use electronic devices in the classroom. If an electronic device is seen or used, it will be confiscated. Students will not be permitted to use headphones or use their phones in any manner in class, as per school policy.
8. NO FOOD OR DRINK EXCEPT WATER
9. Fair play and courtesy are expected. Rudeness and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Respect for all people in the class, by all people in the class, is required.
This course examines the interpretation of literature through the mediums of the short story, the novel, and expository articles. Instruction focuses on written and oral expression including the persuasive essay and literary response with attention to research, editing, and oral expression skills. This course covers a wide range of world literature including: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, short stories, and drama. The year will consist of seven units over two semesters. The rationale for these units comes from both our district ELA curriculum and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which can be found online at: http://www.corestandards.org/.
Literature:
Semester One:
· Unit 1 Literary Analysis: Lord of the Flies
· Unit 2 Informational: selected essays, articles, and visual texts
· Unit 3 Drama: Othello
Semester Two:
· Unit 4 Synthesis: Brave New World
· Unit 5 Poetry
· Unit 6 Literary Analysis 2: Catcher in the Rye
Learning Expectations:
Throughout the year you will be assessed in one of the school wide learning expectations. The English department focuses on the first academic expectation which states that students will have the skills and knowledge necessary to read and understand complex texts from all content areas, including visual texts, in order to extract information from them. You will be assessed at the end of quarter 2 and again at the end of quarter 4. Assessments will be made using the attached rubric and will be based on performance throughout each semester and not on one single assignment. A score indicating your progress will appear on both the quarter 2 and quarter 4 report cards.
Grading Scale:
A = 93-100%
A- = 90-92%
B+ = 87-89%
B = 83-86%
B- = 80-82%
C+ = 77-79%
C = 73-76%
C- = 70-72%
D+ = 67-69%
D = 63-66%
D- = 60-62%
F = 0-59%
Grading Policy:
Based on the student’s ability to think and write critically, analytically, and creatively using examples from all areas of study, student evaluation will include:
a) individualized assessment of formal and informal writing assignments
b) regular quizzes and tests, projects, journals, portfolios, notebooks, and homework
c) active involvement in class activities
Each marking period grade comprises 20% of the year grade (4 marking periods = 80%); a January midterm exam and a June final exam each count as 10% of the year grade (20% total). Averaging and weighting grades from items indicated below will determine each marking period grade.
Categories
Weights
I. Long-Term Assessments
District Provided
Process Pieces
- Units 1, 3, 6
Independent Reading assignments
Projects and Presentations
- Summer Reading
- Group and Individual
- Both Essays and Projects
II. In-Class Assessments
District Provided
Timed Writes
- Units 2, 4, 5
- Q1: 2 (Units 1, 2)
- Q2: 1 (Unit 3)
- Q3: 1 (Unit 6)
Timed Writes
Reading Assessments / Constructed Responses
Quizzes / Tests
Discussions (participation in, reflection on)
- Socratic Seminars
- Philosophical Chairs
- Debates / Mock Trials
III. Homework
District Provided
None
Teacher Created (may include)
Relevant and challenging work that reinforces the learning objective
Work that allows the teacher to check student understanding
10% maximum
per District HW Policy
IV. Classwork
District Provided
None
Teacher Created (may include)
Annotation Practice
Discussions (preparation for)
Note-taking
Tutorials
Initiation / Conclusion Activities
- Do-Nows
- Entrance / Exit Slips
- KWL Charts
- Venn Diagrams
- SOAPStone, TPCASTT
- Dialectical Journals
Daily Material:
Three-ring binder with loose-leaf or spiral notebook with perforated edges, pen or pencil, and book.
Writing:
Writing is an ongoing process. An emphasis is placed on learning to write a well-supported, insightful, coherent analytical paper. Students are encouraged to write formally and informally in order to decipher meaning from information, make connections, and shape raw data into workable patterns. A minimum of eight pieces of writing are required. This ongoing process will include:
a) personal and creative writing (narratives, journals, poetry, short stories)
b) reviewing and exercising strategies for the CAPT
c) mastering thesis papers and persuasive essays on literature analysis
d) vocabulary study in preparation for the SAT
e) grammar instruction in identified areas
f) editing and revision skills
Quizzes/Tests:
Quizzes will be given regularly. They will cover material learned through homework, class assignments, and discussions. Almost all quizzes will be announced. (No major “Pop” quizzes.) Tests will be given upon completion of a chapter, unit, or book.
Homework:
Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday. In order for full credit to be received on each assignment, the following criteria must be met:
- The assignment is handed in the next class meeting. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED (emergencies and particular situations will be taken into consideration). If you are having difficulty with an assignment, it is your responsibility to see me beforehand. You can also get help before or after school.
-The assignment is neat and complete on loose-leaf or on worksheet assigned.
-Missed work must be made up in a timely fashion.
Class Participation:
1- Be on time. You will have six minutes passing time. After those six minutes, you will be marked tardy. (There is no grace time.) Repeated tardiness will result in either after school or administrative detention and a call home. Tardiness will have an impact on your grade due to missed instruction, so make your best effort to be on time.
2- Be prepared. Have your notebook, pen or pencil out when you arrive to class.
3- Respectful behavior. You are required to be respectful of the teacher, students, and classroom. Disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated! Have the maturity to adapt to your environment.
Plagiarism:
All final process essays will be submitted via http://www.turnitin.com. If any student shares work or copies the work of someone else without proper citation, there will be severe consequences. Remember, cheating will not be tolerated. I expect you to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. You must earn your grades, not borrow them!
General Information:
School attendance policies apply. Three tardies = one absence. More than seven absences = Failure for the quarter. More than 28 absences= Failure for the year
See me if a problem arises or you need help, do not wait. I am available for extra help before school around 7am. I will also be available after school.
1. MAILBOX: Located in the main office.
2. Cheating is a serious offense and any student caught in a questionable situation will lose credit for the assignment without the opportunity for makeup.
3. Plagiarism is cheating and carries the same result.
4. Class attendance and participation are important. Be on time for class.
5. All students must maintain a notebook. Be prepared daily with your book, pen or pencil, and notebook and be seated for class when the bell rings. Notebooks should be organized and contain all assigned work. Some tests will be open notes so it is important to maintain a complete and organized notebook. They may be collected and graded.
6. Strict adherence to dress code including NO HATS.
7. NO student is allowed to take out/use electronic devices in the classroom. If an electronic device is seen or used, it will be confiscated. Students will not be permitted to use headphones or use their phones in any manner in class, as per school policy.
8. NO FOOD OR DRINK EXCEPT WATER
9. Fair play and courtesy are expected. Rudeness and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Respect for all people in the class, by all people in the class, is required.