SYLLABUS – ELEVENTH GRADE – AMERICAN LITERATURE



RINGGOLD HIGH SCHOOL

SYLLABUS – ELEVENTH GRADE – AMERICAN LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION

GAIL MCLEOD and LISA SIMMONS

REALIZING THE AMERICAN DREAM

Collaborating Teachers: Mrs. McLeod – gmcleod.rhs@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Ms. Simmons – lsimmons@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Catoosa County Vision: CCPS will be a nationally recognized learning community

whose graduates are prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

School Mission: It is the mission of Ringgold High School to empower our students

through academic excellence.

Course Description: American Literature study in the eleventh grade is designed to focus on the development of American writing as it evolved with the emergence and formation of our nation and its culture. America has a unique society because it was formed by people who were driven by ideals which that compelled them to found a country based on the tenets of democracy. We will conduct our study from a historical perspective beginning with writings from the pre-revolutionary period to the present. The theme of the semester will be “Finding the American Dream,” and that will be the focus of study for each unit. This class will consist of four units:

• An American Sampler – Frontload Historical Periods: Poetry, Non-fiction, and Persuasive Writing—Contemporary Context/Historical Background

• Act Three, Scene One: Staging the American Dream: Development of American Drama

• Make Your Case, Cite Your Evidence, and Present Your Research – Writing the Research Paper

• The Song and Short of It – Analyzing Elements of Literature in Fiction and Poetry: The American Dream

Over the course of the semester, we will read and learn to analyze various works of fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. The students will complete a variety of performance tasks to demonstrate understanding of the standards. We will concentrate on using various writing techniques and on reinforcing skills learned previously. We will also employ paired and group work, oral presentation, and student art, music, and drama. Many of our assessments will be based on student driven learning, differentiated learning assignments, and use of graphic organizers as a springboard for writing and as study aids.

Outside Reading: Students will be required to complete at least four novels, as well as articles, essays, and research materials. Reading is a major component for success in this class. Each reading assignment will be assessed in the form of a writing assignment.

The focus of this course will be to prepare the students for the 11th Grade End of Course Test and the Georgia High School Graduation Test. Students will be expected to come to class prepared and open to learning in a variety of contexts.

Materials Required for Class:

Flash Drive

Three-Ring Binder with Dividers

Notebook Paper

Pencils and Blue or Black Pen

Two folders, one with pockets

GRADING

Grades will be determined through a variety of assessment tools: class work/homework, unit tests or projects, class presentations, and writing assignments. Class participation will determine 10% of the final grade. The End of Course Test will determine 15% of the final grade. Seventy-five percent of the final grade will be determined by class work, writing assignments, tests, and projects. Students who miss class are responsible for making up any work missed in a timely fashion (one week). Mrs. Peters will be monitoring make-up work. Students should consult her upon returning to school after an absence. Some daily work cannot be made up, but the student will not be penalized; however, all tests, writing assignments, vocabulary and grammar quizzes, major projects, etc. must be made up.

A note to parents:

We are very open to dialogue between the teachers and the parents. Please feel free to contact either of us via e-mail or telephone. Please make sure your child has provided us with e-mail addresses and telephone numbers. If you call the school and leave a message for one of us, we will return your call at our earliest convenience. Please note your preference of time for receiving phone calls.

Our e-mail addresses are:

Ms. McLeod: gmcleod.rhs@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Mrs. Peters: cpeters.rhs@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Ms. Simmons – lsimmons@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Please note: RHS has instituted a new tardy and discipline policy, which will be more structured than in the past. Consistent documentation for tardies and in class infractions will be maintained. Please discuss this with your student and remind him/her that there will be immediate consequences for tardies and disciplinary issues.

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