11th Grade English Language Arts



10th Grade English Language Arts

Ms. Abernethy and Ms. Murphy

Appoquinimink High School

Room B212

TEXTS

▪ The Language of Literature (McDougal Littell)

▪ Various readings, novels, and plays will be assigned throughout the year, including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, and The Scarlet Letter (Honors).

▪ Summer Reading Selections: Turn of the Screw, How to Read Literature Like a Professor (Honors), and choice books

▪ Literature circle novels, including The Bell Jar, Slaughterhouse Five, A Farewell to Arms, Beloved, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and The Catcher in the Rye,

COURSE MATERIALS:

Students are expected to bring their English materials each day to class. Literature books are to be covered throughout the semester. Students are responsible for replacing damaged or lost books/materials. All students are provided with textbooks and literature circle novels.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is a survey of American Literature from approximately 1600-1950. It is intended to help students trace the development of American thought as revealed through literature and to increase students’ knowledge and understanding of American history. To make the material as relevant as possible, the entire course is framed around the idea of discovering the American Dream: What is it? Whose is it? Where does it come from?

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Evaluate literary devices and their usage

• Demonstrate a developing mastery of analytical and creative writing skills

• Apply a variety of reading strategies in order to understand many types of texts

• Explain the development and major components of American thought, as evidenced through the nation's literature

• Utilize an expanded vocabulary, which will prepare them for standardized assessments, improve their writing, and strengthen their interpersonal communication skills

• Apply a refined understanding of the grammatical structures of the English Language to their written and spoken communication

COURSE OUTLINE AND TIMELINE:

*This timeline is only estimation and is subject to change at the teachers’ discretions.

Week 1: Expectations and Summer Reading

Week 2-3: Origins and Encounters

Week 4-7: Colony to Country, Enlightenment, and The Crucible

Week 8-9: The Spirit of Individualism

Week: 10-11: Gothic Literature, including The Scarlet Letter (Honors)

Week 12-14: Conflict and Expansion, Women’s Voices

Week 15-16: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Regionalism and Realism

Week 17-18: The Great Gatsby, Harlem Renaissance

Week 19-End of course: Rhetoric and Speeches

WEBSITE:

o Appoquinimink High School Web Site:

o Appoquinimink High School now offers parents and students online access to course grades. Please click the appropriate link on the AHS home page (under “Parents”).

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

You Can Expect…

1. That we will be in class (on time) every day we are able.

2. That we will treat you fairly and with respect.

3. That we will listen to you when you’re speaking.

4. That we will be here to provide extra help.

5. That we will come to class with a positive and enthusiastic attitude.

6. That we will follow the rules according to the “Student Code of Conduct.”

I Expect…

1. That you will come to class (on time) every day you are able.

2. That you will treat your classmates and me fairly and with respect.

3. That you will listen when I, or one of your classmates, am speaking.

4. That you will come in for extra help when you need it.

5. That you will come to class with a positive and enthusiastic attitude.

6. That you will follow the rules according to the “Student Code of Conduct.”

7. That you will do your own work!

GRADING

▪ You can expect to be graded fairly. Please feel free to see either of us, should you ever have any questions about a grade.

(Grade sheets will be available upon request.

o Parents – You may contact us by phone or e-mail. You also have online access to grades through the Home Access Center.

o Students – You may request a grade sheet at a convenient time before or after the school day (or during lunch or HR).

▪ We will grade a variety of assignments, including class work, homework, group work, discussion responses, outside reading, writing, projects, tests/quizzes, presentations, and participation. Some work will not be graded but should still be completed in order to reinforce skills and concepts relevant to our studies.

▪ Please do not ask us about your grade during class time. If you have a question or concern about your grade, please see either of us to schedule an appointment.

▪ All scores will be recorded in our computer grade book, and assignments will then be returned to you. Please be sure to keep all assignments, as these will help you prepare for unit assessments and final exams.

A NOTE ABOUT HONORS CLASSES

In general, honors classes are more rigorous than CP courses. While the same curriculum will be studied in both levels, honors classes will move at a faster pace, complete more outside reading, submit additional essays, and have a greater expectation for working independently than students in CP classes.

ASSIGNMENTS

▪ All work falls into one of two categories: Process or Product.

o Process assignments are formative assessments (practice): class work, homework, group work, rough drafts, some quizzes, and participation. These assignments will account for 30% of your overall grade.

o Product assignments are summative assessments: essays, projects, tests, and quizzes. These assessments will account for 70% of your overall grade.

▪ Process assignments may be handed in late but may not receive credit.

▪ Product assessments must be turned in on the due date. A product assignment that is submitted after the due date will receive a point deduction.

o Late Bin: (only two things go in the late basket—NO regular homework or class work)

1. Make-up Work (see below) - Work that you are turning in from an excused absence (according to the guidelines set forth in the agenda book).

2. Late work - Assignments that are not being turned in during whole class collection. Please keep in mind that late product assessments will receive a point deduction.

3. Any work placed in the late basket that does not meet the above specifications will be returned, with no credit given.

▪ Correct heading is required on every assignment in the upper right-hand corner, as follows:

Joe Smith

8/27/07

Ms. Abernethy (or Ms. Harvie), Pd. 2

▪ Keep track of your stuff! There will sometimes be extra handouts available in the back of the room (under the Late Bin), should you accidentally misplace something; however, please don’t use this as a reason not to stay organized. You will be much more productive if you keep all your materials in one, well-organized, space.

▪ Graded papers will be placed in your class folder on the bookshelf (under your class’s bin) and should be passed out by students who arrive early to class. Remember that this is a way to demonstrate our AHS expectations.

▪ All papers must follow the English Department Policy for paper submission (see below).

AHS English Department Essay Guidelines

Unless otherwise noted by your teacher, all essays should[1]:

• Be typed, double-spaced, 10 or 12 point, Times New Roman.

• Include a cover page (done in APA or MLA format).

• Follow APA or MLA standards, as determined by grade level.

• Have margins between 1” and 1.25.”

• Be submitted on white paper with black ink.

• Be ready to be turned in when class starts (this includes stapling).

• Follow all instructions regarding length.

• Be free of plagiarism (see explanation below).

• Be well-proofread and relatively free of grammatical and typing errors.

• Be submitted by your class period on the due date.

o Issues with computers, disks, Internet, printers, etc. are not excusable reasons for late work.

▪ Students should consider bringing their work on a thumb drive, when possible.

▪ Students experiencing issues with printers can always e-mail the paper to the teacher and submit a hard copy as soon as possible.

▪ Computers and printers are available in the library before HR, during lunch, and after school.

▪ When possible, some teachers may allow students to use the student computer before class to print out your work.

o Papers submitted late, except in the case of an Excused Absence will receive a point deduction (see Code of Conduct/Agenda Book for a definition of “Excused Absence”).

LITERATURE CIRCLES

• Literature Circles are an on-going part of our curriculum. Students choose books supplied by AHS and are put into groups with other students who wish to read the same one. Reading for literature circles will be done primarily outside of class time. We will be more than happy to help students who need assistance choosing a suitable novel.

• An overview of the literature circle selection for 11th Grade ELA can be found on the first page of this syllabus.

HOMEWORK

In addition to the independent reading and written responses for literature circles, students are expected to spend time EVERY NIGHT preparing for weekly vocabulary and grammar quizzes, class discussions, unit tests, essays, projects, etc.

Students should utilize their personal agenda books (provided by the school) to record and organize their assignments.

• Even on nights when students do not have a specific homework assignment, they should spend 10-15 minutes reviewing their notes from that day’s class period.

MAKE-UP WORK

• All work missed because of an excused absence (as recorded in e-school) may be made up for full credit. You will be given one day for each day absent to hand in missed work. Students are not permitted to make up work from an unexcused absence. (Please see agenda book for clarification.)

• It is your responsibility to find out what you missed while you were gone. Start by asking a trusted classmate, but also be sure to check with us. Please take care of this as soon as you return from an absence, so that you don't fall too far behind.

• Any tests or quizzes are to be made up outside of class. See either of us to schedule an after school appointment. You have ONE WEEK to make up a test or a quiz. Tests/quizzes that are not made up within that time frame may receive a zero. Tests and quizzes are announced in advance. It is your responsibility to find out if you missed a test or a quiz. Please don’t depend on us to remind you.

• Make-up work may not be accepted unless accompanied by a fully completed late form. The folder with late work forms is located next to the bookshelf in the back of the room (in the Late Bin).

• Please don’t do a “fly-by turn in” of your late work (at our desk, in the hallway, etc.). It will likely be misplaced. Do not place late work on our desk. Place all late work and make-up work in the appropriate basket.

• Please understand that we will try hard to return your late/make-up work in a timely manner, but we usually don’t get to it until after we’ve returned the work that was submitted on the due date.

PLAGIARISM

▪ Appoquinimink High School takes plagiarism very seriously. Any evidence of plagiarism may result in a zero on the assignment. Teachers are under no obligation to allow a student to revise any work that contains plagiarism. Please refer to the Code of Conduct for disciplinary actions related to plagiarism.

“WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?”

“Plagiarism means using another's work without giving credit. You must put others' words in quotation marks and cite your source(s) and must give citations when using others' ideas, even if those ideas are paraphrased in your own words” (sja.ucdavis.edu/avoid.htm).

“Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work as your own. Plagiarism is theft of intellectual property. The most obvious form of plagiarism consists of stealing an author's exact words and failing to use quotation marks or to cite the author. However, other more subtle degrees of plagiarism exist” (springfield.k12.pa.us/rguide/page7.html).

“Provide citations whenever you use:

direct quotations

paraphrases and summaries

borrowed ideas

facts that are not common knowledge” (hamilton.edu/academics/resource/wc/ AvoidingPlagiarism.html).

“To avoid plagiarism, you must give credit whenever you use

another person's idea, opinion, or theory;

any facts, statistics, graphs, drawings--any pieces of information--that are not common knowledge;

quotations of another person's actual spoken or written words; or

paraphrase of another person's spoken or written words.

These guidelines are taken from the Student Code of Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct”

(indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html).

ASSIGNMENTS AND DUE DATES: See Class Calendar, provided by Ms. Abernethy and Ms. Harvie.

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS POSSIBLE IN ELA (for parents but also helpful for students):

• Check your student’s notebook to help with organization, review grades, and look at note-taking strategies.

o Review his/her class notes. Feel free to ask questions to check for understanding. If something is unclear, have your child write a question in his/her notes and ask us the next day.

o Be sure that work is filed properly: Work should be divided into one of five sections. These include Homework, Vocabulary/Grammar, Writing, Notes, Misc. (this fifth category may vary).

o Encourage students to use graphic organizers: We have studied the Cornell Method for note-taking, and we have made several diagrams for better understanding stories.

• Check your student’s agenda book each night.

o Homework is listed on the board daily.

o We’re happy to sign agenda books, if you think it would help your student be more successful.

• Help students learn patterns.

o Vocab word lists are due every Monday, unless otherwise noted.

o Vocab quizzes occur every Friday, unless otherwise noted.

o Homework is often heavier on weekends than during the week; students will have HW every night.

• Encourage your student to come in for extra help.

o We are available almost every day after school and are more than happy to meet with your student. Please have the student come to arrange a time to meet.

o Meetings usually require about 30 minutes but can be scheduled as necessary.

• Ensure that your student comes to school every day.

o Absences make it difficult to keep up, especially on a block schedule.

o Please avoid making appointments during ELA class, though we know it is sometimes unavoidable.

• Check grades on Home Access

o We will do our best to enter grades promptly.

o A grade of a “1” means that the student turned it in, but we have not graded it. This will help us keep on top of submission of assignments.

o A grade of a “0” may indicate that the assignment has not been submitted at the time of grading.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

• Please feel free to contact either of us at any time. You can reach Ms. Abernethy at Jennifer.Abernethy@appo.k12.de.us, or 302-449-3840, ext. 2212; you can reach Ms. Harvie at Tina.Harvie@appo.k12.de.us, or 302-449-3840, ext. 2123.

• Parents/Guardians, please be sure to return the “Letter to Parents” with your contact details so that we can reach you in an efficient manner.

SUPPLY LIST

▪ 1 three-ring binder (minimum 1” thick)

▪ One set of dividers (minimum of 5)

▪ A journal (marble covered comp book)

▪ White, ruled binder paper

▪ Blue or black pens

▪ Pencils

▪ Highlighters

▪ Index cards (colored and white)

▪ Any books assigned

▪ Extra printer cartridge—This item is OPTIONAL, but encouraged. (Please plan ahead for printer ink issues. Running out of ink is not a valid excuse for a missing assignment).

▪ Computer Disk for School Work (Flash Drive recommended)—This item is OPTIONAL but strongly encouraged!!!

Please see us if obtaining supplies is an issue.

APPOQUINIMINK HIGH SCHOOL

English 11 CP and Honors

Terms of Agreement

As the teachers of this course, we are committed to abiding by this syllabus. The dates and timelines are subject to change based on students’ understanding of the material. Any changes will be communicated to the class by the teachers.

By signing this “Terms of Agreement,” you are affirming that you have read and agree to abide by the guidelines, policies, and agreements stated in this syllabus.

As a student of this course, I have read and agree to abide by the guidelines, policies and agreements stated in this syllabus.

_____________________________________ _____________________

Student Signature Date

As the parent/guardian, I have read and agree to support this student in an effort to follow the guidelines, policies and agreements stated in this syllabus.

_____________________________________ _____________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

This document should be signed by the student and parent and returned to Ms. Abernethy or Ms. Harvie in B212 by the end of class on Friday, August 28, 2009.

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[1] Essays that do not follow these guidelines may be returned to students without a grade. Revised versions may be counted late. Alternatively, teachers may choose to accept the essay and simply deduct points from the final grade. (Adopted: 8/09)

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