English 11 Syllabus & Classroom Procedures: 2009 - 2010
Mrs. Patrick
Welcome to English 11! Throughout this semester, language arts instruction will be based on the objectives of the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC). Preparation for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and completion of a Literary Analysis Paper incorporating research and literary criticism are major features of the English 11 curriculum. Some essential questions that will be explored include the following:
· Who are Americans?
· What does it mean to be American?
· What is the American Dream?
· How has being an American changed over time?
· What does the future hold for America?
· How does American Literature reflect our identity and ideals?
Below is a tentative outline for the course:
Unit 1: Exploring American Identity: To begin the semester, students will be introduced to American voices and have an opportunity to share feelings and ideas about themselves and their places in America. This unit will employ non-print text and focus on the reading and writing of poetry.
Unit 2: The Early Days Through Puritanism (Prehistory to A.D. 1750): Introduces students to writings from Native Americans, early European settlers, and settlers who came to North America to begin new lives. The literature explores the various new ideas and new ways of doing things that shaped our national character.
Unit 3: A New Nation- The Revolution through Romanticism (1750 – 1850): Literature selections highlight the determination and doubts of early Americans in their quest to break free. As the literature progresses, the texts display the maturation of America's literary tastes and talent including selections from Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
Unit 4: The Civil War and Its Aftermath (1845 - 1880): Selections in this unit explore the tragedy of slavery that helped cause the Civil War, and its wrenching impact on all Americans, Northerners and Southerners.
Unit 5: Regionalism and Realism (1865 - 1910): The literature focuses on the experiences of everyday people living in different regions of America. Authors of some selections may include Mark Twain, Kate Chopin, and Jack London.
Unit 6: The Beginnings of the Modern Age (1910 - 1930): The poems and short stories in this unit demonstrate the new directions taken by writers and by society during the early years of the twentieth century, a period of rapid industrialization, advances in society, urbanization, and social change. Other featured literature will include authors and selections from The Harlem Renaissance.
Unit 7: Midcentury Voices & Toward the Twenty-First Century (1930 - Present): The literature targets ideas of personal discovery and people who hold fast to their ideas despite fierce resistance. Authors of some selections may include William Faulkner, Tim O’Brien, and Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Unit: Independent Reading (on-going): Students read self-selected texts, literature circle novels, and assigned texts including To Kill a Mockingbird. Assessment will vary and may include reading response logs, an online book discussion, book projects, and/or tests.
Unit: Grammar (on-going): Students will build upon previous grammar instruction, including understanding sentences, correcting sentence problems, and using punctuation correctly. As students gain expertise with grammar concepts, they will further their understanding by considering the impact of syntax on the meaning of text and practice manipulating sentence structures for their writing purposes.
In addition to these units, literature terms review, vocabulary instruction, and technology skills will occur throughout the semester.
Student Responsibilities & Class Rules
A student’s success in English will be dependent on his/her availability to learn. A safe and courteous class environment is a necessity for all staff and students. Consequently, students have important responsibilities:
• Follow all school procedures and rules (note cell phone policy & academic dishonesty in school agenda).
• Be respectful and cooperative to one another and to staff.
• Be seated and ready to work when the bell rings.
• Bring your SSR novel, your textbook, your agenda, and required supplies to class each day.
• Complete class work and homework attentively and promptly.
If a student fails to meet his/her responsibilities, he/she will receive a warning and the parent may be contacted. If the problem continues, the parent will be contacted, and the student may receive a detention and/or office referral.
Classroom Procedures & Policies
1. Grading Policy
Evaluation will be based on how well students meet their responsibilities toward completing objectives and includes the following: homework, class work, tests/quizzes, and writing/projects. Grading is determined by the total points earned divided by the total points possible. In English 11, students are required to take a midterm test and final exam. The final exam will be worth ten percent of the student’s semester grade.
Midterm reports will be sent home on designated dates. These reports inform students and parents of individual student progress in class mid-quarter. Additionally, it is highly recommended that parents and students access Power School on a regular basis to monitor student progress.
Students must have all assignments ready to turn in at the beginning of class on the due date, unless excused absence is a factor. There is a penalty for late work that is not the result of an excused absence. If a printer problem occurs, a student should use the printers available in the media center before the morning bell or email the assignment directly to me at kapatrick@mail.worcester.k12.md.us. A broken printer will not be an acceptable excuse for late assignments.
2. Agenda
The school agenda is a valuable tool, helping to ensure student success. Every day each student should record the homework assignment by writing it legibly on the dated page. Students should also write reminders for upcoming projects, tests, and/or field trips into the agenda. Additionally, students are required to use the agenda for teacher permission when they need to leave the classroom for the bathroom, nurse, etc. Leaving the classroom will be kept to a minimum.
3. Homework
The student should expect to receive up to 45 minutes of English homework every night, Monday – Thursday. Frequently, the assigned homework will be to read for 20 minutes, do a reading activity, and complete unfinished class work. Additionally, every student should expect to read for at least 30 minutes each weekend.
4. Assignment Expectations
Students will be expected to complete their work neatly and legibly. Final drafts must be typewritten or written in blue or black pen. Each assignment should have a correct heading including the student’s full name, date, course and class period, and assignment title.
5. Absence
Students may be absent from class for illness or emergencies. It is expected that students will be responsible for getting and completing all of their missed assignments. A list of daily assignments is located in the classroom and available at the following website: http://members.thinkport.org/kimgale. A classmate may bring home assignments to absent students. County policy mandates deadlines for absent work unless other arrangements are made with the teacher.
6. Binder & Class Preparation
Students will be expected to keep a three ring binder and required supplies (list given first day of class) for English and bring them to class every day. Students should keep all graded assignments and notes in the binder as they will be needed for exam reviews.
7. Communication
Parents are always welcome to phone or email the teacher. Students are also encouraged to arrange to speak with the teacher before or after school for individual conferences and assistance. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at (410) 641-2171 or kapatrick@mail.worcester.k12.md.us.
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(Student Signature- legible please) (Parent/Guardian Signature) (Date)