LIMA 2012

English 11 Honors:American Literature

Course Description

This course is a survey that addresses the development of a uniquely American body of literature through novels, short stories, drama, poetry and historical documents. Throughout the course we will study works spanning from the 17th century through modern times, focusing on major literary movements, significant authors and the use of literary elements. As we read each work we will work to address a variety of essential questions, including: What is the American dream? What influences our choices? How does war affect us as a society? As individuals?

Students will continue to develop critical reading skills to understand, analyze and evaluate literature. We will also using frequent writing assignments to refine our skills in the use of tone, voice, style, and mechanics.

Course Description, cont’d.

Honors English 11 Pilot Program 11 grade honors have volunteered to participate in a

program in which they will implement two model units developed by the Honors Core Units Committee.

These units are all be framed around an essential question, and are designed to increase the level of rigor in high school honors English classes by helping students to develop critical thinking skills and developing the “Habits of Mind” characteristic of Honors level students. Subsequent units will be developed by other 11 grade

honors teachers in the county following the provided framework.

Habits of Mind

As an Honors English Student, I . . . Read widely and often Foster my spirit of inquiry; seek answers Make connections Reflect thoughtfully Refine my thinking Develop my capacity for analysis Write widely and often Revise deeply Demonstrate originality Work diligently

Honors Assessment

This year, your Honors Assessment will be a portfolio, which consists of two separate

sub-portfolios Writing Portfolio Independent Inquiry Project

Honors Assessment Part I: Writing Portfolio

Writing Portfolio & Reflection What is it?

Collection of your writings over the course of the first three quarters of the school year.

You will choose at least three pieces from your writing folder that you feel best demonstrate your progress as a writer throughout the year.

You will write a two-page reflection on your progress. 25% of your final exam grade.

Why do it? Help you recognize your progress as a writer, as well as make

you more cognizant of your strengths and weaknesses as such.

Give you an opportunity to synthesize your documents into one reflective essay.

Give me an idea of the progress that remains to be made throughout the year.

Honors Assessment Part 2: Individual Inquiry Project

Individual Inquiry Project What is it?

By the end of the year, you will have selected or come up with your own “Big Question”, which is by definition difficult to answer or answerable in a number of ways.

• Ex. 11th Grade: Is it patriotic to protest one’s government?• Ex. 10th Grade: What makes a true hero?• Ex. 9th Grade: Is it important to show others you care?

You will reflect on this question throughout the year, both by connecting it to the works we read, and by gathering materials independently from a variety of sources (which will be kept in your writing folder).

At the end of the year, you will reflect on your question and generate an answer to it based on the literature you have experienced and sources (poems, songs, articles, photos, etc) you have gathered.

25% of your final exam grade

SOL

Students will take the Virginia Writing and Reading SOL Exam in March Required for graduation We will prepare for this throughout the year

Student Expectations

Come to class on time you are late after the bell rings, not one minute after, two

minutes, etc… Be prepared for the day’s class with appropriate

texts, completed homework, notebook and writing paper and writing utensils

Show respect for one another, the teacher, the classroom, and yourself. We are a community of learners, and you will be expected to act as such.

Please don’t whineDon’t sit on desks. :)Stay in seats until dismissed by MENO CELL PHONES!!!

Materials/Supplies

#2 pencils and blue or black pensa 3-ring binder with 5 section dividersa notebook/composition book and loose-leaf

paperflashdrivehighlighterspost-it notes

Reading: Major Works Studied

The Language of Literature (text)The Scarlet LetterThe Great Gatsby The Catcher in the RyeA Raisin in the Sun **selected short stories, essaysnon-fiction and poetry

Independent Reading

You will be reading a book independently every quarter 1st and 4th Quarter– American Authors from selected

list 2nd and 3rd Quarter- any book by an American writer

Writing

Persuasive and analytical writing and are prominent focuses for the year.

Other writing exercises Persuasive writing Research-based writing Expository writing SOL prompt writing practice Personal writing in response to literature Narratives Creative writing (poems / short fiction)

Assessments

Quizzes vocabulary, grammar, writing style, literary elements

Homework reading, annotating, other assignments

Discussions small group, as a class, Socratic Seminars)

Writing essays, papers, portfolios, creative

Presentations formal and informal, individual and group

Projects independent reading, research, portfolios

PARTICIPATION

Grades and Assessment

All of your work will be assigned points using performance assessments, rubric scoring, and informal assessment tools. have met the standards for each assignment

Grades will reflect your own personal growth and development.

 

Make-Up Work

Late homework due to forgetfulness will not be accepted.

Major assignments that are late (papers, projects, journals) will be assessed a penalty of at least 10% each day that it is late, per English department policy.

If you are absent, you will have one day for every day you were absent to make up your classwork, or make arrangements for tests and quizzes. Any work that was due on the day you missed will be due immediately upon

your return. That means the next school day, not the next time you have my class. All late

work must be handed directly to me—not left in the office or slid under my door.

SEE MY WEBSITE

Loudoun County Grading Scale

A+: 98-100A: 93-97A-: 92-90B+: 87-89B: 86-83B-: 82-80C+: 79-77C: 76-73C-: 72-70D+: 69-67D: 66-63D-: 62-60F: 59-0