English 11 Second Semester

Ms. Clark Longmont High School 303-776-6014 719-930-0384 (cell) clark_kellie@svvsd.org http://lhsenglish11.wordpress.com/
Im routinely available before school from 7:25-7:40 and after school Monday Thursday (in the Writing Lab.) If these times dont work for you, I am happy to make appointments on an individual basis.

Course Overview Welcome to American Literature! This is the course in which you meet all the authors you hear about when you hear about great writers: Hemingway, Steinbeck, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Poe, Dickinson, Frost, Twain, Fitzgerald, and many more. Well read poetry, plays, essays, novels and short stories an interesting selection of many genres that reflects the developing world of American Literature. This semester course covers American literature from the beginning of the 20th century to modern day. Questions the course will address include: What are the major themes in American literature? How are these themes relevant to modern America? How can an understanding of literary elements enhance our understanding of literature? Assignments In the process of answering those questions students will write expository essays, personal narratives, research, and poetry. In terms of oral interpretation, students will discuss ideas in class, prepare for oral presentations, and dramatize some elements of the literature. Vocabulary skills will be taught throughout the semester, as will elements of grammar.

Assessments
Students will be assessed on the following skills and abilities: Work Habits Arriving prepared and on time and demonstrating effective class participation. Completing homework assignments and turning in assignments on time. Working effectively in groups. Literature: Analysis of literary themes, elements and their application to the world. Papers, Socratic seminars, discussion, exams, in-class work and other projects. Writing, Speaking, & Grammar Timed writings, essays, paragraphs, personal choice pieces and research papers. Polished writing will be graded for development, organization, and grammar. Formal and informal presentations, class discussions, and seminar participation. Grammar worksheets and quizzes Reading Comprehension & Vocabulary Vocabulary quizzes. Comprehension quizzes on reading assignments. Reading response assignments. Research Locating information and evaluating sources. Documenting quoted and paraphrased material.

Classroom Rules 1. Respect people We

follow the STAR philosophy: Safety, Tolerance and Respect. Use a pleasant tone of voice, polite language, and kind words. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Tolerate differences. This is a public placeuse your public voice.

2.

Respect property & Clean up after yourself Properly care for property belonging to the school or others.

3. 4.

Be in your seat when the bell rings Please note the schools tardy policy Arrive prepared and focus Arrive prepared, on time and ready to work each day. Give others your respect. Unless we are working in groups there should be ONLY ONE PERSON TALKING AT A TIME.

5.

Turn off all cell phones Cell phones that are seen will be kept for the remainder of the class period. On the second offense they will be kept by me until the end of the day and after that students will need to retrieve their cell phone from an administrator.

Attendance

It is extremely important that you attend class on a regular basis. Missing class will only cause more work for you. Please be aware of the following LHS attendance policies that will be followed in this class:

Academic Policies
o

50% credit will be given for work missed due to an unexcused absence. Arriving at class more than 15 minutes late will constitute an unexcused absence. After 4 tardies, students will serve a 30 minute before school detention. Tardies will also negatively impact your work habits grade.

Rewrites for major writing assignments are always allowed, but you must turn in a draft and final copy on time. I highly suggest scheduling a writing conference before second revisions. Extra credit will be offered occasionally and only at the teachers discretion. Plagiarized work (which includes writing rewritten or heavily revised by a parent) will receive a zero and will result in a parental contact and administrative referral. Each student will receive two life happens coupons each semester. Each coupon entitles the student to a two day extension on the due date of an assignment. Other late work will receive 50% of the points earned. After 2 weeks, late work will NO LONGER be accepted.

Make-up work (excusedabsenceonly)

Make-up work must be completed outside of class within two days after the student returns to school. It is your responsibility to find out what you missed and make any necessary arrangements to get your make up work completed by the deadline. Please consult the class website for information about missed assignments. Work not completed within the two day period will be considered late and will be subject to the late policy. If special circumstances arise you need to prearrange an agreement with me!

Late Work
o

Course Texts & Materials:

Elements of Literature: The Literature of the United States and its accompanying materials published by Holt. NOVELS Of Mice & Men John Steinbeck The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald VIDEOS for the course will be chosen from among the following selections: A Man for All Seasons

Supply List

Please have the following items by Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 A planner to write down homework assignments (all students received one and need to have it with them each day) A three-ring binder with dividers for this course minimum size 1 Notebook paper (white wide or college ruled)Lots of it! Blue or black pens and pencils Spiral notebookfor use for interactive notebook in this class only!!! 3 X 5 index cards (you will need these during the research unit but they may also be useful in studying vocabulary throughout the year) One highlighter Independent reading book after we get one from the school library You need to have all of the above items with you when you come to class each day.

Divide your binder into two sections: 1) Handouts 2) Completed assignments. Finally, insert a
spiral notebook.