Morgan Park High School



Morgan Park High School

1744 West Pryor Avenue

Chicago, Illinois

(773) 535-2550



English I: Survey of Literature

Parent Letter/Course Syllabus

2009/2010

Instructor: Mr. Clemmons

Room: 252, 322, 310, and 312

CPS email: jtclemmons@cps.edu

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Greetings! My name is James Clemmons and I am your child’s freshman English teacher. I’m excited about the opportunity to get to know you and your child, and I’m looking forward to a happy and productive school year. This is my second year teaching at Morgan Park. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master’s degree in Arts and Teaching.

As an educator, I value my job and the opportunity to teach your child the requirements he/she will need to be successful both inside and outside the classroom. Your child’s success in my classroom is my number one priority. The following syllabus will provide you with general information about our classroom and how I plan to teach your child. Please read it with your child, sign, and return the last page to school by October 5, 2009.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 773-535-2550. My email address is jtclemmons@cps.edu. Thank you!

Sincerely,

James Clemmons

Course Title and Description

English I: Survey of Literature is the first of four required courses in the English sequence and serves as a foundation for further English coursework. The content of this course is designed by SpringBoard, a College Board Program. This unique program is based on extensive research with college faculty, middle school and high school teachers, and content experts from across the country. The comprehensive program, framed by the skills and understandings identified by college faculty as needed for success in college level-work, integrates diagnostic assessments and instructional materials.

With SpringBoard, Morgan Park High School will be allowed to increase the number and broaden the diversity of students prepared for college-level work when they graduate from high school or when they participate in the Advanced Placement Program. Springboard will help teachers to: support high expectations for all students, prepare all students for success in AP and college, articulate the rigorous, but attainable, set of reading and writing skills needed for academic success, and strengthen students’ problem-solving, critical thinking, and reasoning skills.

The College Board Standards for College Success bridge the gap between high school and college expectations. They draw upon international, national, and state standards. This course will also be aligned with Standards for Transition, College Readiness, and Work Keys.

Parents and students may access the SpringBoard Program at springboard

Primary Text: SpringBoard Work Book. Students will be required to bring this book to class everyday.

Supplementary Text: Timeless Themes, Timeless Voices (Prentice Hall Literature 2002 Gold Level)

***Subject to changes

Additional Requirements

• Students will be required to maintain a Working Portfolio that consists of three sections: Class Notes, Bell Ringers/Journal Entries, and Handouts/Saved Work

• Students will be required to select and obtain one novel to read independently from attached list.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are clearly defined in the Illinois Learning Standards and College Board Standards for College Success.

Illinois Learning Standards

State Goal 1: Reading with understanding and fluency

State Goal2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras, and ideas

State Goal 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes

State Goal 4 Listen and Speak effectively in a variety of situations

State Goal 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess, and communicate information

College Board Standards for College Success (CBSCS)

Reading

Standard 1: Respond to Texts and Put Texts in Context

Standard 2: Interpret and Analyze the Communication Context

Standard 3: Interpret and Analyze Text Elements and Structures

Standard 4: Reflect on and Direct Processes for Constructing Meaning

Writing

Standard 1: Engage Ideas and Audiences Through Texts

Standard 2: Evaluate and Revise Texts

Standard 3: Present Technically Sound Texts

Standard 4: Research

Course Syllabus

Students of Survey of Literature will encounter and analyze:

|UNIT/DURATION |TEXTS |EMBEDDED ASSESSMENTS |

|Unit 1: Coming of Age (4 weeks)|Various poems, songs, short stories, and novels |Creating a Soundtrack for the Novel |

| | |Presenting an Interview |

|Unit 2: Short Story |Poetry and short stories |Creating and Presenting a Scrapbook |

|(5 weeks) | |Setting the Mood |

|Unit 3: Poetry |Poetry and songs |Creating a Poetry Anthology |

|(6 weeks) | |Researching and Presenting a Poet |

|Unit 4: Drama |Romeo and Juliet |Presenting a Research Exhibit |

|(6-7 weeks) | |Performing a Scene |

|Unit 5: The Media (5-6 weeks) |Edward Scissorhands and nonfiction articles |Creating a Storyboard |

| | |Creating an Ad Campaign |

|Unit 6: The Novel |To Kill a Mockingbird |Presenting a Chapter from To Kill a Mockingbird |

|(6-7 weeks) | |Writing an Analytical Essay on Coming of Age |

Class Materials

The following materials are necessary for the success of students of English I:

A generous supply of Notebook paper (loose leaf-college ruled)

Post-Its (Sticky note pads)

1 inch or .5 inch three-ring binder with dividers and tabs (No padded binders or Trapper Keepers)

Pens- black and blue

Pocket Dictionary

Thesaurus (optional)

Suggested Materials for home:

Scissors

Glue

Markers/Colored Pencils

Stapler

Construction paper

Three-hole puncher

Classroom Expectations

Students are expected to:

• Wear IDs at all times.

• Be in class on time with all materials.

• Use appropriate language and respect others at all times.

• Not bring food or drink into the class.

• Not bring cell phones or other electronic devices in the class (in accordance to Morgan Park’s Uniform Discipline Code).

• Complete all homework and class assignments on time (NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED).

• Dress appropriately (in accordance to Morgan Park’s Uniform Discipline Code).

Grading Scale (English Department)

A 100-90

B 89-80

C 79-70

D 69-60

F 59-below

Level I Assignment Categories

Class Work 30%

Homework 10%

Test/Quizzes 30%

Projects/Papers 15%

Midterm/Semester Exams 15%

Homework Policy

Students of Survey of Literature are expected to complete any and all homework assignments. Students are only allowed to make up assignments and exams if they present a parent note/official school reinstatement for excused absences.

Attendance Policy

Students are encouraged to attend school everyday. If students have more than ten (10) unexcused (quarterly) absences and more than twenty (20) unexcused semester absences, they may fail the course due to missing an extensive amount of course content and instruction. This is in accordance with the attendance policy of Chicago Public Schools.

Students are responsible for making arrangements with teacher if they are absent on the day of an exam.

Teacher Schedule

|Period |Course |Room |

|1 |Survey of Lit |252 |

|2 |Survey of Lit |312 |

|3 | | |

|4 |Survey of Lit |322 |

|5 | | |

|6 |Survey of Lit |312 |

|7 |Freshmen Seminar |310 |

|8 | | |

|9 | | |

School Contact Information

Please call Morgan Park at (773) 535-2550 to make appointments for parent-teacher conferences. You may also access additional information regarding school guidelines and general information on our website at

Thank You,

James T. Clemmons

English Department

Morgan Park High School

1744 West Pryor Avenue

Chicago, Illinois

(773) 535-2550

MorganPark.

English I: Survey of Literature

Parent Letter/Course Syllabus

2006/2007

Parental Agreement

Student Name__________________________________________Division____________Class Period________

__________________________________________

Student Signature Date

________I have read and discussed with my son/daughter the expectations and guidelines of English I: Survey of Literature.

__________________________________________

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Signature Date

Day Phone: (__ )_______________________

Evening Phone: (___)____________________

Email: ________________________________

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