Harrells Christian Academy Course Syllabus
Course Title: English III
Credit Hours: 1
Grade Level: 11
Description:
This course focuses on Literary forms and their expression throughout the course of American history. The class will follow a roughly chronological progression of writing beginning with pre-1750 and following the basic categories below:
- Beginnings -1750
- A Nation is Born (1750-1800)
- A Growing Nation (1800-1870)
- Division, Reconciliation and Expansion (1850-1914)
- Disillusion, Defiance and Discontent (1914-1946)
- Prosperity and Protest (1946-Present)
Within each segment of the course, a variety of literary forms will be studied. Literary forms will include novels, short stories, poems, drama, myths/folk stories/legends and non-fiction prose. Technology skills will be addressed regularly. In addition, there will be an intensive focus on the effective use of literary devices and critical thinking skills.
Textbooks: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: The American Experience.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002.
Writing and Grammar. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
Prentice Hall, 2008.
Vocabulary Workshop Level F. New York: Saddler-Oxford, 2008.
Major Works:
Death of a Salesman
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The Crucible
Fences
Ethan Frome
Huckleberry Finn
The Great Gatsby
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Ordinary People
Instructor Contact: Mrs. Sandy Strock
(910) 532-4575
sstrock67@yahoo.com
Required Materials:
Pens (Blue, Black and at least one Red)
Pencils
Two highlighters – any color
Sticky notes – 3x3 size
Pocket folder for home/school use
Loose-leaf paper
3-ring binder
Separate spiral notebook or section of binder for notes/ journals
Access to Internet and Microsoft Office
Memory stick highly recommended
Tissues for classroom use appreciated J
Major Course Objectives:
Students will develop their skills in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening effectively for the following areas:
- Demonstrate increasing insight and reflection upon print and non-print text and personal experience
- Use a variety of media research to effectively inform audiences about and explain insights regarding culture and language
- Exhibit increasing sophistication in defending and defining argumentative positions on literary and non-literary issues
- Critically interpret and evaluate experiences, literature, language and ideas to develop thematic connections and synthesize ideas
- Interpret and analyze a variety of texts to deepen understanding of the United States
- Apply conventions of grammar and language usage
Sample list of Reading assignments:
Outside reading novel, in-class silent reading, oral poetry reading, in-class oral reading of stories, in-class and outside non-fiction texts
Sample list of Writing assignments:
Persuasive essays, narratives, comparative essays, notes, short answer test questions, journals, newspaper articles, creative stories, creative poems, analytical essays, PowerPoint presentations, reflections, speech notes, research paper
Sample list of Speaking assignments:
Small and large group discussions, pair and shares, stand and deliver, oral report on outside reading, journal sharing, and poetry open mic, debate
Sample list of Listening assignments:
Small and large group discussions, debate, pair and shares, evaluation of student reports, video presentations, and lectures
Writing skills are really grammar and usage skills. As such, there will be a consistent emphasis on the form as well as the function of all student writing. Students will regularly practice specific skills and study grammatical concepts in and out of the context of any given unit. There will be regular drills on parts of speech, effective sentence structure and mechanics. Sometimes these will be derived from the larger texts being studied, and other times they will be supplemented or exclusively derived from the Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar textbook.
Requirements & Grading:
Marking period grades will be based on the average of test grades, quiz grades, homework and class participation. Class Participation will be worth approximately 20% of the marking period average, while tests, quizzes and homework will vary.
Major tests will usually be writing assignments and will be graded using a rubric that follows NC standards. Quizzes will be short answer, multiple choice or other small assessments. Homework assignments will vary widely in format, and may encompass tests or quizzes on occasion. I do not generally give homework assignments that are due the next day, but prefer longer-term tasks that require more involvement and flexibility. Writing assignments may usually be revised for increased score, with the exception of reading checks, on-demand essays and open note activities. Other exceptions may apply and will be indicated.
Course grade will be calculated as follows: Marking period averages (50%) + midterm (25%) + final exam (25%) = 100%
* Class Participation includes:
- required materials ready
- homework assignments and outside reading completed
- attendance in class
- active participation in discussions and group work
- completion of in-class activities and assignments
- taking notes during lectures, discussions and videos
- seeking extra help when needed
Revisions: Revisions are a major portion of learning to think and write more clearly and concisely. I do not expect you to do everything you are capable of without direction. If you could, then I am superfluous! Major essays and many smaller writing activities may be revised during the current marking period and resubmitted for the new grade. I do not penalize honest first attempts by withholding points from the final grade for initial mistakes. Your revised grade will reflect the work you did when you (and I) are satisfied that you have done your best. More than one revision of a major assignment (like the research paper) may occasionally be necessary, and will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Policies & Procedures:
A.K.A Our Daily Grind:
Literature is valuable because it offers us the opportunity to investigate the human condition and potential. We will be discussing numerous aspects of the outside world and the human heart as revealed/inspired by our readings. To whit, there can be no discussions without active participants. Active participants are on time, prepared, and engaged. They are respectful of each other and willing to speak their mind as well as listen attentively. When something confuses active participants, they ask questions and try to get clarifications. When they disagree, they politely and clearly explain their position and concerns.
My expectations are simple and are listed here in brief.
- If it is wrong, don’t do it. If it is right, do.
- The only foolish question is the one to which you already have the answer. ASK!
- Coming to class on time and prepared is not optional.
- “I was absent” is NOT a valid excuse. If you are absent it is YOUR job to find me and arrange make-ups.
- Try your best. Always.
As for the other minor rules like bathroom and drinks, etc., I believe in maximum freedom until and unless people show me they are not able to function appropriately (see Rule1) and then life gets progressively more restrictive. We will deal with whatever arises as it does.
Home contact: I will be requesting contact information at the beginning of the year. This will include your home phone, address, email and parent/guardian name. I can then theoretically find you if I need to for some reason. My first preference is email, as I prefer that method for myself. I will only contact you at home if there is a real need. Your time out of school is your time. I will also attempt to address any class issue with you before “going over your head”. THERE IS ONE VERY IMPORTANT EXCEPTION. If you do something that may harm you or someone else, or someone else’s property, I will take whatever measure I deem necessary. THIS INCLUDES PLAGIARISM!
Speaking of PLAGIARISM: If a student hands in an assignment as his/her own that is someone else’s intellectual property (this includes copied work, as well as uncited research work) then this is considered PLAGIARISM. Plagiarized work will automatically result in a zero for the assignment (that cannot be revised) and a call to the parents/guardians. Additional penalties may also be incurred if the situation warrants.
Timeline:
Major Works by Marking Periods:
1 st – Death of a Salesman, The Crucible, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
2 nd – Huckleberry Finn, Poetry
3 rd – Ethan Frome, Research Paper – American issues
4 th – Great Gatsby, Their Eyes Were Watching God
5 th – Their Eyes Were Watching God, Fences
6 th – Short Story
