Course Time:
This course is offered on Thursdays.
Prerequisites:
English I
Texts:
- Writers Inc Skillsbook Editing and Proofreading Practice
ISBN- 978-0669471908 - Peace Like a River -by Leif Enger
- other novels TBD
- various short stories, poetry, and essays supplied by tutor
Course Description:
This course will focus on exploring world literature.
Students will respond to the literature in a variety of ways,
including through writing, presentations, discussions, and other creative forms.
Special attention will be given to writing well-structured analytical and researched essays.
Emphasis will also be given to grade-level grammar and mechanics, conventions of MLA, and vocabulary.
Course Objectives:
- To learn to respond critically and creatively to literature.
- To write well structured essays.
- To successfully incorporate research and evidence into an essay.
- To substantiate views on literature.
- To review 10th grade grammar concepts.
- To expand student vocabulary.
Class Time:
- Class time will largely be divided between discussing the literature and learning how to write about it.
- Discussion will guide students into developing complex and informed opinions on the texts,
opinions that will be used to drive their writing. - As part of the writing process, we will regularly workshop essays and engage peer and teacher review.
- Some class time will be devoted to reviewing grammar, mechanics, and usage.
- Vocabulary and grammar assessments will be taken at home on Schoology.
Homework Requirements:
- Most week’s work will require a good amount of reading (50- 80 pages) and the
preparation of discussion questions or paragraph-level responses to the literature. - Reading will be assessed with a reading quiz each week.
- On the weeks where these is little or no new reading, students will be preparing an essay or project.
- Quarters will culminate in essays and/or projects.
- Vocabulary will be assessed quarterly on Schoology.
- Grammar and style work will be assigned form the Writers Inc Skillsbook each week.
Expect 3-5 workbook pages.
Students tend to be able to do this work in less than 30 minutes. - A course calendar will be posted at the beginning of each quarter.
- Additional instructions for some assignments will be shared in class.
- The amount of time spent on English homework each day will vary, depending on the current assignment(s),
as well as from student to student, but students can expect to spend 2-4 hours a week on their English homework.
Parent Expectations:
- Parents are encouraged to read the assignments and review student writing,
but this is not required. - Parents will proctor all tests posted to Schoology.
Grading:
Grades will be calculated by dividing points earned on an
assignment by points possible.
Grades will be calculated by dividing points earned on an
assignment by points possible.
- Discussion Questions/Written Responses: 40 pts. each submission
--Progress in journals will be checked each week a journal writing is due. - Reading Quizzes: 25 pts. each
--Comprehension-style quizzes over the week’s reading. - Grammar In-Class Checks: 20 pts. each check
--Work in Skillsbook will be discussed and checked each class. - Grammar Tests: 100 pts. each test
--Grammar tests will be posted to Schoology and taken at home.
They will be directly based on the student’s work in the Skillsbook. - Vocabulary Tests: 100 pts. each test
--Vocabulary tests will be posted to Schoology and taken at home.
All vocabulary words will be drawn from class readings, class discussions and grade-level appropriate lists. - Essays: 100 pts
--These are essays requiring multiple drafts. - Assessments: 100 pts.
--Assessments will include traditional tests, presentations, and projects (individual or small group).
Supplies:
- required literary works
- three-ring binder or folder
- loose-leaf notebook paper
- pens, pencils, highlighters
- colored pencils