Freshman English: Course Outline and Grading Policy



CADET NAME:

GRADE 11 BRITISH LITERATURE

COMPANY: PERIOD:

CPT FETTERMAN

Shannon Hall Room 214

Phone: (610) 989 - 1404

Email: bfetterman@vfmac.edu

Class Webpage:



Course approved online dictionaries:

• (the definitive source and record of the English Language)

•

•

Office Hours: I am available every day for extra help outside of class. See me or email me to set up an appointment!

MATERIALS

• Required Texts- provided by teacher:

o 1984 (George Orwell)

o Frankenstein (Mary Shelly)

o SAT Prep (Collegeboard text)

o Uncharted Territory (textbook)

o Othello (William Shakespeare)

• Three-ring binder (FOR ENGLISH ONLY)

o Should have 4 sections: literature/writing/Do Now/Vocabulary

o Paper, pens, pencils, highlighter, Post-It Notes, USB / Flash Drive

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this one-year course cadets read, discuss interpret and analyze major literary works by British authors. Through discussions, reading and writing analytical essays, students explore hoe the social, economic, and political context of American society is reflected in the work. In addition, students explore how literature has impacted American society. Students identify major literary periods, write analytical essays that use textual evidence to support their positions, and compare/contrast major literary works while connecting these themes and periods to specific events and moments in American History. In addition, cadets participate in intellectual symposiums and discussions, create in-class presentations, and produce multimedia to demonstrate their learning to others.

The twin pillars in any English course are reading and writing – skills much in demand in the career/professional world. I will do everything I can to help you sharpen these skills and to prepare you for what awaits you beyond the walls of the classroom.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Develop students who are college & career ready in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

• Refine their reading skills & read for deeper meaning with a repertoire of reading strategies

• Communicate effectively (both the written and spoken word) and to adapt in relation to varying demands of audience, task, purpose, etc.

• Evaluate, value and utilize / leverage relevant evidence to support their positions.

• To educate boys to meet their responsibilities with the highest standards of moral character and ethical behavior.

• To encourage cadets to be considerate of others with a sense of duty, honor, loyalty and courage as outlined in the VFMAC cadet honor code and Guidon.

CLASS WEBSITE

It is an extension of the classroom and is designed to foster communication between parents and students and to enhance the success of ALL students. It is updated DAILY so that cadets know what is due for each day of the week. You are required to check it DAILY. It contains student resources, links, etc. to help cadets succeed in class.

GRADING

A. WEIGHTED GRADING SYSTEM (subject to change)

- Homework 15%

- Class Participation 15%

- Vocabulary 10%

- Tests/quizzes 30%

- Writing 30%

B. Semester Grade: 40% MP1 + 40% MP2 + 20% Midterm or Final exam

LATE WORK

Late work should not exist in this military academy where discipline, pride and honor are the bedrock on which it is built. When an assignment is due, it is due whether or not your body makes it to class. ATHLETES- when you have early dismissal on game days: If you are going to miss a class, check in with me during passing times (between classes) to show me the homework due / submit any assignments that are due / check the HW board to see what is due tomorrow. That said, acceptance of latework is at the discretion of the faculty officer, is subject to point deduction and shall not exceed THREE days.

ATTENDANCE / MISSING A CLASS

You are expected to check the class website for the homework / missed assignments / classwork – especially when you are not in class. Athletes – you are held responsible to this standard. If you are going to miss a class – you are still held responsible for the Homework!

All class absences and unexcused lateness will be reported to the Assistant Headmaster at the end of each Class Period. The Assistant Headmaster will determine if the absence is excused or unauthorized.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The Academic Honesty Policies of Valley Forge Military Academy are directly linked to the Cadet Honor Code of, “I will not lie, cheat, steal nor tolerate those who do.” No level of academic dishonesty will be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, Internet cutting and pasting, submitting the same work in multiple classes without approval, unsanctioned collaboration, misrepresenting oneself or another’s actions to a Faculty Officer, forging a signature on a class assignment or project, taking credit for group work in which the cadet did very little and violating Federal Copyright laws.

Any cadet suspected of violating any of the aforementioned policies will be referred to the Headmaster of the Academy.

FORMAL PAPER GUIDELINES:

For Rough Draft:

may be hand written in pencil or pen

For Final Draft:

Must be typed and double spaced

3. one staple belongs in the upper left- hand corner

HOMEWORK

Students will be assigned ½ hour – 45 minutes of homework daily. Homework is a natural extension of the educational program as it is assigned for the cadet’s benefit. It contributes to the development of independence and responsibility on the part of the cadet. It is assigned and assessed daily.

MY COMMITMENT TO QUALITY:

I am relentlessly committed to the VFMAC core values and an achievement-focused classroom culture by “sweating the small stuff.” Pride is why. This course is designed to further develop the language arts skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking in an effort to link these skills together. The twin pillars of this course are reading and writing; engaging in one enhances the skills of the other. The higher level thinking skills used in this classroom include analysis, interpretation, synthesis, and evaluation. It is through these challenging skills that we reach our highest potential. Each cadet in this class DOES have the opportunity to reach that level. I will seek to benefit each cadet in terms of his strengths and him overcome any academic weaknesses. Keep in mind that responsibility and honest effort will assist you in your climb toward excellence. I am approachable, available, and seek to positively influence all cadets’ success. Our communication throughout the school year will be a catalyst toward that success. Together, we will honor yesterday, embrace today and Forge the future!

Courage - Honor - Conquer

PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK

Dear VFMA cadet:

As a faculty member in this fine institution you have my word that my commitment to your success in my class is iron-clad. It is galvanized by my faith and by my conviction to the Academy mission statement and core values. Additionally, I hope that you find my passion for teaching, literature and writing inspiring. You are in a great year where you should be inspired; you face the challenge of your FOCUS. Now is the time to focus and decide where you want to position yourself for the future. Your commitment to academic excellence will help you. My classroom motto has always been “Excellence, no excuses.” I hope we can embrace excellence together as we Forge your future.

This will confirm you have read and are familiar with the attached guidelines and requirements contained in this course syllabus. Your signature below is your pledge that you will familiarize yourself with and abide by the information contained within.

Captain Fetterman

English Department Chairman

American Literature / Creative Writing / Exploring Cinema / AP Literature / British Literature

Shannon Hall room 214

Please cut along the dotted line and return the slip

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PRINT CADET NAME: CLASS PERIOD:

CADET SIGNATURE: DATE:

This will confirm you have read and are familiar with the attached guidelines and requirements contained in this course syllabus. Your signature above is your pledge that you will familiarize yourself with and abide by the information contained in this syllabus packet.

CPT FETTERMAN

Valley Forge Military Academy

Shannon Hall Room 214

Phone: (610) 989 - 1404

Email: bfetterman@vfmac.edu

COURAGE - HONOR - CONQUER

NAME: JOURNAL WRITING

MR. FETTERMAN

DATE: PERIOD:

“Where am I now in the movement of my life?”

The first 5 – 10 minutes of class will often be dedicated to journal writing. Because of this, I want you to be aware of its importance. You should get a personal journal that you can use for this class. It can be as simple as a marbled copy book or spiraled notebook (check the nearest dollar store) but it should NOT be a three-ring binder or loose leaf paper.

Because you have the opportunity to write about your personal life on some days, I WILL NOT READ STUDENT JOURNALS. When I collect these, I will check for the amount of entries and length. That’s it. To read them would be an unethical violation of privacy. When I give class time to write, I expect that you write for the entire allotted time. Keep the pen moving and the thoughts flowing. It is also an exercise in creativity.

Why are we journal writing each day?

▪ There is a genuine reciprocity between reading and writing; engaging in the skill of the one, enhances the skill of the other. It is my personal goal to make each student a more successful / confident reader and writer. Journal writing is a catalyst in that process.

▪ The process of writing is necessary to make your feelings and experiences tangible for further development. Some people don’t know how they feel until they see what they’ve written.

▪ It provides a safe haven from the pressures of the outside world where we can quietly assess our relationship to life. You write in total privacy. Neither you nor anyone else will judge or analyze your life.

▪ It affords you the opportunity to write down a nonjudgmental record of the inner and outer events of your life. After you read back the entries you have made over time, it offers a valuable means of maintaining a perspective on your own life in the midst of movement and change.

▪ My hope is that you enjoy writing and that it sparks some creativity within you. Furthermore, I hope you learn to use journal writing as a valuable tool to learn about yourself, sort out your feelings, and reflect upon your own self-development / growth.

What will we write about?

▪ Literature

▪ Current events

▪ Your personal life

▪ Your choice

▪ Controversial issues

▪ Basically, I will put a daily prompt, quote, current events issue, topic, etc. on the board and then ask you to write for 5 to 10 minutes. It’s a great way to focus your mind and engage the creative part of your brain that processes language when you write. Some days, it will help you activate prior knowledge for what you are about to learn. Other days, it might be …”a method for understanding the reality that lies beneath the conscious level.” - Carl Jung.

DICE TOSS

ACTIVE READING

1. RECALL - describe what was just learned

← Facts

← Plot / Sequence

← Events / Characters

← Detail

← Summary

Example:

← Explain the sequence of events in a novel or short story.

← Explain how Odysseus tricked and escaped from the Cyclops.

← How did Beowulf arrive at the land of the Danes?

← Give the definition of an epic hero.

← What was Victor Frankenstein doing in the North Pole?

2. COMPARE - Compare what was just learned with something else

← Analogy

← Ratio

← Comparison

← Similarity

Example:

← What are the similarities between Animal Farm and the Russiun Revolution?

← In the novel Frankenstein, how is fire used as an analogy for knowledge?

← In Romeo and Juliet, how does the Friar’s fatherly advice compare with the Nurse’s?

← Compare Macbeth’s attitude in the “Tomorrow” speech with his attitude in Act ii.

3. CONTRAST – Contrast what was just learned with prior knowledge

← Contrast

← Difference

← Distinction

← Discrimination

← Differentiation

Example:

← How is Victor Frankenstein different than his creation?

← What is the difference between irony and satire?

← How is Shakespeare’s style of writing different from that of Chaucer’s

4. CAUSE – EFFECT - Describe a cause/effect relationship that exists in what was just learned.

← Cause

← Effect / result

← Consequence

← Inference

← Prediction

← Hypothesis

Example:

← What are the effects of Santiago’s decision to row very far out to sea?

← What caused Victor Frankenstein to want to create life / cheat death?

← What single event cause Juliet to kill herself?

← What are the effects of Merlin’s teachings on the way Arthur lead his people?

5. EVALUATE – Analyze what was just learned

← Analyze / Evaluate

← Value

← Judgement

Example:

← Was Ahab right to push on after the Whale?

← Was Victor Frankenstein at fault for the people his creation murdered?

← What led to Macbeth’s downfall?

6. APPLICATION – Apply what was just learned to a real-world / modern situation.

← Function

← Purpose

← Relevance

← Persuade

Example:

← How is what we just learned useful to modern times?

← How is what we just learned relevant to today?

← How is what we just learned similar to modern day problem / issue?

Name: REVISION POLICY

Mr. Fetterman

Date: Period:

You are free to revise a “final” paper once per marking period. I will read your revision and give you the higher grade. For the sake of helping you manage your time and to prevent fifty papers from landing on my desk on the last day of the marking period, please observe the following procedure:

1. If you wish to revise for a higher grade, you must formally propose your plan to me(with proper heading) within three school days of receiving your paper back(graded). In one paragraph, answer the following questions:

A. What will the aim of the revision be? (i.e. organization, thesis statement revision, evidence, etc.)

B. Why is revision necessary?

C. When will you complete the revision? We will have to come to a consensus on this)

2. Once you turn in your proposal, I will indicate my approval / disapproval. I will not approve, for instance, a revision which concerns itself only with grammar or mechanics because you will be correcting those things anyway.

2. Once you have my approval, you may proceed with the revision. I will not accept your revision after our agreed-upon due date.

4. If I don’t approve your revision plan, I’ll give you some suggestions, and you will have to submit a new proposal.

5. You may not submit a third proposal.

6. When the due date arrives, turn in the following items ( with the proper heading) in a file folder:

A. Your final draft (with my comments and grade)

B. Your revision

C. Our written revision agreement

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CADET NAME

MY NAME

DATE:

PERIOD:

CREATIVE TITLE

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