ENGLISH 11 SYLLABUS. Ms. Millsap Course Description

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1 ENGLISH 11 SYLLABUS Ms. Millsap Course Description English 11 examines the evolution of American literature from the pre-colonial period through modern day. Students will explore the classic literature that has helped to shape American culture, heritage, and identity. By reading a variety of genres of American literature with historical context, students will deepen their understanding of America. Throughout this course, students will advance their communication skills with new vocabulary and a variety of written assignments to meet and exceed the California Common Core State Standards for 11 th grade. Essential questions: What does it mean to be an American? What is the American Dream? Is the American Dream the same for everyone? Is the American Dream accessible to everyone? How does literature and history interact? Course Goals Students will read a variety of texts proficiently and independently. Students will identify multiple themes and perspectives in American literature. Students will compare multiple interpretations of the same source text. Students will draw meaning from literary choices including word choice, context, ordering of events, tone, and author purpose. Students will implement textual evidence to support various types of writing. Students will refine writing skills through daily practice and a variety of assignments. Texts and Course Outline The following texts are required for the next year. It is your responsibility to get each text. These texts can be purchased, checked out from the library, rented, or printed from the internet. Semester One Introductions: The American Identity This Boy s Life, Tobias Wolff (Summer reading) Unit One: Origin Stories The Crucible, Arthur Miller Unit Two: The Building of the Nation

2 The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin Unit Three: American Romanticism Variety of poems Semester Two Unit Four: American Realism & Naturalism McTeague, Frank Norris Unit Five: The Roaring Twenties & Harlem Renaissance The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald Unit Six: Modernism WWII Variety of articles and speeches Unit Seven: American Dreams and Nightmares Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk Lit Circle books TBD *A note to students and guardians: All material has been reviewed for appropriateness and necessity within the curriculum. Please let me know if you have any concerns. Materials Notebook Three ring binder Dark ink pens (black or blue) Highlighters Colored ink pens (for editing and revision at least 3 different colors) Weekly Assignments: Reading Short writing/journaling Vocabulary Quizzes Long Term Unit Assignments: Discussions Group and individual projects Timed writing Essays Artistic response and statements Assignments

3 Classroom Rules and Policies Classroom Expectations In our classroom, 1. We are respectful. 2. We engage in discussions: Choose words carefully and actively listen. 3. We ask questions. 4. We clean up after ourselves: Take pride in the space we share. 5. We learn from mistakes. 6. We do our best: Give 100% during class time. 7. We collaborate with one another. 8. We are responsible for our actions: This includes assignments, class behavior, and outside of class behavior. 9. We believe in our best selves. 10. We behave as scholars in the classroom, using appropriate academic language. Grading Grades are earned throughout the semester in a variety of ways. One assignment will neither break nor make your grade. It is important that you participate and complete your work throughout the entire semester. Classwork/Homework/Discussion: 20% Essays: 25% Projects: 15% Exams/Quizzes: 25% Final Exam: 15% Per CHAMPS grading policy, there are no minuses or plusses attached to letter grades. Grades are determined by the following breakdown of percentages: A = 89.5% or higher B = 79.5%--89% C = 69.5%--79% D = 59.5%--69% F = 49.5% or lower Late Work Students will always be given enough time to complete work and are expected to use their time wisely; However, if you fail to complete the work or are absent/tardy for an assignment, it is your responsibility to find a copy of the assignment in the binder marked Missing Work for

4 the appropriate class. Once completed, turn in the work to the tray labeled Missing Work Turn In for the appropriate period. This process will be reviewed in class during the first week. Some classwork and discussion assignments cannot be completed late. Late work will not be accepted after five school days from when it is originally due. For major assignments: In accordance with the CHAMPS English Department Late Work Policy, students will lose 10% of the possible points on the assignment for each day that the assignment is late (for up to five school days). If you have an excused absence, the deduction will be delayed for one school day (or the amount of school days you had an excused absence). Beginning of Class Protocol Class begins when you walk in the door. As you walk in the door for class, be sure to look at the top black tray to see if there is a handout for the day. If there is a handout, grab one and take it to your desk. Next, look at the board for further instructions regarding seating, laptop use, or activities. Tardy Policy Come to class on time and prepared with all necessary materials. Being prepared for class means bringing your notebook, all the needed writing utensils, and the appropriate text. In class, we often work as a team and when one person is late, it can be very disruptive. Excessive tardies are referred to administration for disciplinary actions, in accordance with the CHAMPS tardy policy. Bathroom Policy Be sure to use the restroom before or after class. If it is an emergency, you are responsible for determining appropriate times to ask to use the restroom. Only one student at a time may use the bathroom pass. You must trade your cell phone for the bathroom pass and leave your phone on top of your desk until you return from the bathroom and return the pass. Technology As stated in the CHAMPS Student Parent Handbook, electronics are not allowed during class time. The inappropriate use of technology can distract other students and teachers. Consequences for cell phone or technological use include notation in the behavior log and confiscation. Please be sure to turn off or silence your phone before class starts and completely put away headphones. Sneaky attempts to try to look at your phone or text are not as sneaky as you think. There may be times where I include cell phones and other personal technological devices during class time. I will give you clear instructions when these times come. Otherwise, put the phones away. Food

5 No gum, food, or sugary drinks allowed in class. We want to keep our space clean! Water is always allowed in class. Academic Integrity CHAMPS has a strict policy against plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act of copying another s work as your own. Do not choose to turn in work that is not your own. This includes but is not limited to: copy and pasting directly from the internet, copying a friend s work, and using ideas from websites without correctly citing them. Repercussions for plagiarism can include: receiving a zero on the assignment, an regarding the situation to your parents, noting the situation in the behavior log, and suspension. In college, there will be steeper consequences for these actions like being removed from your program; Therefore, do not start the habit now. If you find an idea online that you would like to expand upon, be sure to cite it properly if the assignment allows. MLA citation formatting is easily found online at Purdue OWL. Original, high quality work is expected from every student without excuse. & Contact The best way to contact me is via . If you send me an before 5 PM, I will most likely respond to it within the same day. After 5 PM, I will most likely respond to your the following day. *Policies, texts, and course outline are subject to change by teacher as needed.

6 Once you have read the syllabus, please sign below and cut at the dotted line (keeping the syllabus for future reference). Turn this in by: 8/ We have read and understand Ms. Millsap s English 11 syllabus and policies. Student name (printed): Student signature: Parent name (printed): Parent signature: Date: Period: