Jr.+Syllabi

2011-2012
 * 11th Grade American Literature **

** -Mark Twain **
 * “ The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. ” **

Mrs. Mande Gamble

// amanda.alexander@wm(preferred method of communication) // Conferences done through appointments please.

Required Reading
 The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne // The Crucible // by Arthur Miller // Native American Story (TBA) // // The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn // by Mark Twain // The Great Gatsby // by F. Scott Fitzgerald // Death of a Salesman // by Arthur Miller // An assortment of Classic American Short Stories (including “Sinners in the Hands of // // An Angry God”, “John Henry”, “Paul Bunyan”, “Legend of Sleepy Hollow”) //

Course Objectives:
• Use evidence as adequate support for ideas. • Produce writing appropriate to its form. • Formulate questions that will drive research. • Read critically, including being able to discern what the author <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">is asking the reader to believe, and to evaluate the evidence and means of persuasion. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">• Write thesis-driven, analytic essays for an academic audience. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">• Follow all writing conventions (correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation). || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">• Follow all MLA and/or APA format guidelines; use online resources as tools for following one <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">documentation style. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">• Create a Works Cited Page. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">• Create an Annotated Bibliography. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">• Evaluate effectiveness of expository writing by peers and professionals. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">• Use an effective writing process that includes (but is not limited to) brainstorming, drafting, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">writing, editing, and revising. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">• Use text annotation and/or note taking to read critically. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">• Demonstrate critical thinking skills. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">• Engage in meaningful class discussion by offering substantiated opinions and asking <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">thoughtful questions. ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">By the end of this course, students will be able to…

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**Course Expectations:**
Overall, the most important expectation is for you to come to class prepared everyday. It is expected that reading and writing is completed upon assignment. Engaging in the the literature will make this year much more effective (and engaging!) if you are prepared by having these items completed. Classroom discussions will revolve around various ideas from the literature selections, your writing and other items. Most importantly, I ask that you really TRY and participate!

Independent Reading:
Each quarter students will read a significant American Literary novel of at least 200 pages in length (must be classroom appropriate and cannot be a graphic novel). Novels must be approved before reading begins. Projects are due the Friday two weeks before the quarter ends (ignoring finals), but early is always better and rewarded. Project papers are kept in class. Due Dates will be announced during class and updated on the wiki classroom website.

Electronic Media:
While various electronics have become a daily necessity, they will not be used during class time. Once items become a distraction, they will be removed. This is the only warning. It is school policy that these devices (cell phones, mp3 players, iPods, gaming devices etc.) are not to be used during class time. If you are caught using an electronic device during an assessment, I will consider it cheating and you will be subject to the same penalty. Plain and simple, don't text during this class (or play Angry Birds...)

Cheating:
As I view this class as a college preparatory class, and my goal is to prepare you for your senior year and the rigors of college English, I cannot and will not tolerate cheating in any way. Cheating is using someone else’s words, thoughts, or ideas without acknowledging them in order to gain personal gain. Therefore, whether you are copying someone’s answers, using a cheat sheet, not citing a quote, etc. -- all of it is cheating. I am strict with this, and will assume that if you are talking to or looking at somebody else’s work or something “peculiar” during a test, that you are cheating. If you are caught, you will receive a zero on the assignment as it is not your work; as per school rules, a referral will be written and the administration and your parents will be notified. Second and repeated offenses may lead to suspension, failure, and so on depending on the circumstances. If you are not caught, you have not learned the course material or appropriate ethical behavior, and although that may not have immediate consequences, it will have inevitable consequences. Don’t cheat - it is not worth it.
 * All essays will be turned in via the turnitin.com account. I will** not** accept any paper copies of essays.

**Course Materials**
Either a separate binder or multiple sections in a binder to hold notes (as we will have lecture notes often), returned papers, vocabulary, warm ups, and blank paper. You need to bring the following to class with you each day: binder, paper, pen(s), pencil(s), and required texts. Students in third and fourth period need to bring a read book as well. Not bringing these materials will lead to lowered participation. In order to keep yourself free from distractions, I ask that only these items be on your desk during instructional time. Purses, backpacks, jackets, etc. need to be on the floor or the back of chairs at all times. Failure to comply again will lead to a lowered participation grade.

Due Dates, Late Work and Extra Credit:
Most assignments are due either by the end of the class session or at the beginning of the next and **will not be accepted late**, unless it is a verified excused absence (for half credit). However, it is the student’s responsibility to turn in the work late (without my request) and to inquire about any missed assignments. Until work is made up, it will sit as a zero in the gradebook. If a student misses a quiz or a test (for a verified excused absence), they have one week to make up the assignment, but must do so during a pre-arranged time before or after school or during lunch. If the assignment is not made up during that time or you were out for an unexcused absence or your excused absence is not verified, you will receive a zero. Processed essays are given with usually a week’s notice, sometimes slightly more or less, and will not be accepted late for any reason. Processed essays must be MLA formatted: typed, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman, black ink on white paper,and with proper heading and in-text citations. We are fortunate to use an online tool for essay submissions. That deadline will typically be set at 11:59pm on the due date. There is no excuse if submissions do not make the deadline (computer blowing up, breaking, crashing, or being abducted by aliens..it makes no difference). In class essays may be given with or without notice at anytime. If you are aware of a scheduled absence, please turn in all work before you go and make arrangements with me so you know what you will miss and can stay on schedule with the rest of the class. In the event that assignment are not turned in due to lack of completion, I will not accept them after the last bell of the day. As for extra credit, there will be none.

Behavior and Expectations:
As in any situation or location, I expect you to behave respectfully to yourself, others, and me. It is important that we remember that our purpose in the classroom is to receive an education. Any behavior that limits my ability to teach or the student’s ability to learn will be handled accordingly. As you are all almost adults, I ask you to control your behavior and accept responsibility as you will have to in the future. Out of respect for my classroom and my space, refrain from entering the area around and behind my desk, storage cupboards, and bookcases. If you need something in those locations, receive permission first. Please understand that I require appropriate behavior in words, actions, and attitudes -- whining is disrespectful. Students are expected to be ready for the warm-up by being in their seats with their materials out and ready when the bell rings. Students who are tardy (excused or unexcused) require a pass in order to enter my classroom.

Homework and Reading Assignments:
Homework, of some kind, will be assigned most nights. Typical homework will be reading, which should take at least 30 minutes, but can take much longer. I will try to avoid “busy work” assessments for the class, so long as they are not needed. If students are not reading, pop reading quizzes will be necessary. If vocabulary quiz scores are low, vocabulary exercises will be instituted weekly. I would like to treat you like college bound students, but you must show me your ability to work and succeed at that level of independence.

45%: Formal and Informal Writing Assignments
FORMAL WRITING (100 points) -all formal out of class papers must be typed according to MLA guidelines -turned in on time or early as a printed hard copy (black ink on white paper) -late papers are never accepted INFORMAL WRITING (5 points) -legibly hand-written on 8.5 x 11 inch college-ruled paper in blue or black ink -must fill the page entirely without skipping lines or wasting space

25%: Tests and Quizzes
-both must be taken in ink (unless a scantron test is given) -pop quizzes are given on occasion without notice, especially if students have not been reading -must be made up within one week of excused absence

25%: Homework and Classwork (non-writing assignments) and Projects/Posters/Presentations/Public Speaking
-classwork cannot be made up -homework, if planned correctly, should take about 30 minutes a night (essays and projects take longer) -varies in value according to assignment

5%: Class Participation and Attitude (teacher discretion) (poor behavior can lead to negative participation points)

 * Grade Scale:**
 * 90-100% A 70-79% C 0-59% F**
 * 80-89% B 60-69% D**

Grades will be updated regularly on JMC. Grade reports will only be printed out in the event that a student has below a C average at midterm and quarter. In all honesty, I am terrible at returning papers (other than essays) because it takes away so much time from the class, but all past work is available for students at any time. These items will be stored in bins in the classroom to be picked up at their convenience. I will try to work on returning papers more efficiently, but please understand and respect the fact that we all have things to improve upon. All essay grades can be found online through the turnitin.com gradebook and JMC gradebook. Please refer to those location for grades and commentary on all submitted writing. This website will be used to update both students and parents on what is happening and what will happen. I will try my best to keep this wiki updated on a weekly basis. If you are absent, this will be a great tool for reading assignments to keep you current when not in the classroom.

Due to cheating concerns, tests and quizzes will never be returned but can be looked at by student or parent request.