totten american lit syllabus
TRANSCRIPT
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7/31/2019 Totten American Lit Syllabus
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R I C H A R D W R I G H T P C S
10th
Gr
ade
1 6 0 0 - Pr e s e n t
Mrs. Totten, B.S. Phone Number: 202-388-1011
English Professor Text: 202-643-TOTT (8688)
American Literature Email: [email protected]
2012-2013 Academic Year Room: 226; Meeting Times: A/B Day
Twitter: @tottenenglish Class Blog: www.theihopp.blogspot.com
FEATURED WRITERS
his course will focus on the
study of American Literature
where students will become
aware of the great, controversial, and
beautiful ideas contained in American
Literary History. Not only will this
course develop a students
understanding of the history and
cultural progress of our country, but it
will also look at some of those
unfavorable scars that have yet to
heal. In addition to an intense
examination of the rhetoric of
American literature students will be
expected to summarize, analyze, and
evaluate the literature covered
through written journals, blogs, vlogs,
glogs, essays, multimedia projects, and
oral presentations.
Students will also continue to improve
their writing skills by understanding
that form is related to function, that
meaningful writing requires authors to
choose the most effective voice and
genre according to their purpose and
audience. Students will also express
maturity in their writing through a
variety of sentence structures andsyntactical methods as well as through
sophisticated
vocabulary and
diction.
Unit 1
The New World
Unit 2
A New Nation
Unit 3
AmericanRomanticism
Unit 4
A TroubledYoung Nation
Unit 5
EmergingModernism
Unit 6
Challenges andSuccesses of the
20th Century
Course Description
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Classwork 10%
Homework 15%
Quizzes 20%
Assessments 35%(Tests, 10-day, Midterm, Final)
Projects 20%
100%
WeightCatego
riesCourse of Study: American Lit
Unit 1: The New WorldStudents will
examine the works
of some of the
earliest settlers
and consider the
significance of theintersection of Native
American, European,
and African Cultures.
They explore whether conflicts were
inevitable and how language and
religion served as barriers and as
bridges. Students look for and track
emerging themes in American
literature, such as the new Eden and
the American dream. Finally, art
works from the period are examined
for their treatment of similar themes.
Unit 3: American RomanticismStudents explore
this period as
Americas first
prolific one of
literature by
examining works
from Cooper and
Irving to
Hawthorne,
Melville, Poe,Whitman, Emerson, and Thoreau.
Students will wrestle with how the
romantics perceive individualism and
how this focus on individualism relates
to other themes in American literature.
Unit 2: A New NationStudents trace the movement towards
revolution, the colonists desire to
establish a new government, and
analyze the expression of conflict
between various groups. Students
compare the radical purpose and tone
of the Declaration of Independence to
the measured and logical tone of the
Preamble to the Constitution. They will
begin to recognize the emerging theme
in American literature of American
exceptionalism.
Unit 4:
A Troubled
Young
NationStudents will
examine the
literature of
the late nineteenth century in America,
exploring themes such as the
challenges of westward expansion,slavery, the changing role of women,
regionalism, the displacement of
Native Americans, the growth of cities,
Unit 5:
Emerging
ModernismStudents
explore
Robert Frosts
vision ofnature as
modernist
rather than
transcendental
in its perspective. They will also examine
the Harlem Renaissance literary
movement through the works of Zora
Neale Hurston, Countee Cullen, Langston
Hughes, etc.
Unit 6: Challenges and Successes
of the Twentieth CenturyStudents will trace the flourishing of the
American short story and the
development of the novel and dramas
since World War II. The unit also
explores works by Richard Wright and
Ralph Ellison, whose texts expose
tensions within the emerging African
American literary tradition.
GradingScale
Percentage
%
Letter
Grade
Above 100 A+
96-100 A
95 A-
93-94 B+
90-92 B
87-89 B-
83-86
C+
79-82 C
77-78 C-
76 D+
75 D
72-74 D-
Below 72 F
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Classroom Expectations:The 4Ps
Be PROMPT Be PREPARED Be PRODUCTIVE Be POLITEATTENDANCE,
ABSENCES,TARDIES ANDMAKE-UPWORK
In order to succeed inEnglish 10, you must attendclass regularly. The more youattend, the better you will do(funny how that works). If
your absence is unexcused,you may not make upmissed work and you willlose FIVE points ofyourWeekly Expectations
grade. If your absence isexcused, you MUST makeup missed work or you willearn a zero. The best way tosee what you missed is tocheck the class twitter feed(@TottenEnglish), check thefolders on the wall by thedoor during the first 10minutes of class (afterR.E.A.C.H), or check theclass blog:
www.theihopp.blogspot.com
I will not provide missedwork during class time.Please plan accordingly toattain your work (i.e. afterschool, or during lunchtime). Please note that youhave one day for each day
you were absent to make upmissed work. Pleaseunderstand that you areresponsible for finding out
what you missed after anabsence and turning it in
within the required time.I will not track you down.
Tardiness is not acceptablein the workplace; thereforeit is unacceptable at school.You will earn an infractionthat affects your WeeklyExpectation Grade. (SeeDiscipline Rubric and chartsposted in class.)
PROFESSIONALDRESS &
SUPPLIES
You must come to classdressed professionally, in aCOMPLETE uniform, and
with all the necessarymaterials. Please check yourattire and your suppliesbefore entering theclassroom. Those violatingthe uniform policy will notbe allowed entry into class.Lack of supplies earns an
infraction that reflects inyour Weekly ExpectationsGrade.
EXCEPTIONS TO LATEWORK POLICYWe all have experiencedtimes in our lives when we
were unable to meet ourresponsibilities because of apersonal emergency. Lifeisnt always predictable, sothe ability to adjust to new
circumstances is essential forour success and happiness.If you experience a personalemergency that affects yourability to meet a deadline,
you must have aconversation with me about
your issue BEFORE the duedate. If I feel your situationis a valid emergency, I willextend your due date.However, if you wait untilthe due date to inform methat you cannot meet thedeadline, I will be unable tomake any accommodationsfor you. If you choose not todiscuss your reasons withme, I will assume that youchose to spend your time onleisure activities, or yousimply did not care tocomplete the assignment.
USE OF CLASS TIME
You are allowed to socializebefore and after school,between classes, and at lunch.When you enter theclassroom, you are at work.We often work incollaborative groups andengage in class discussions.You are expected to askclarifying questions and/orcontribute to the flow oflearning, NOT take away.
IT IS UNACCEPTABLETO WORK ONANOTHER SUBJECTSASSIGNMENTS INENGLISH CLASS. If I see
work from another subject inEnglish, I will take it and I
will keep it.
Likewise, SLEEPING ORPUTTING YOUR HEADDOWN (in any fashion) ISUNACCEPTABLE. I
highly recommend that yourespect yourself enough to getadequate rest to perform yourjob each day learning.
GREETINGS
I will greet you at, anddismiss you from, thedoor every day. Always
give eye contact and workon that handshake!Since were all human, wecan expect that all of ourdays will not be pleasant.However, those with
whom you interact shouldnot become victims to
your negative attitude. If
you are having a bad day,please inform me duringour greeting at the doorand if needed sit quietlyby yourself in the readingarea, continue to beproductive with theassigned tasks, and returnto the community when
youre ready. No penalty.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIORYou are expected to
demonstrate mutualrespect for your teachers,any other adults, and yourfellow students.Roughhousing, Teasing(a.k.a jonin),bullying,intimidation, and generaldisrespect (foul language,etc.) or rudeness willNOT be tolerated underany circumstances. If anoffense is committed thefollowing will occur:First Ofense:Verbal WarningSecond Ofense:Infraction earned againstWeekly ExpectationsGrade; Move to theSeat of OpportunityThird Ofense:Referral to Dean ofStudents; Removed fromclass; Phone call home.
25
Poin
ts
Per
Week
http://www.theihopp.blogspot.com/http://www.theihopp.blogspot.com/http://www.theihopp.blogspot.com/http://www.theihopp.blogspot.com/http://www.theihopp.blogspot.com/ -
7/31/2019 Totten American Lit Syllabus
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Required Materials &English 10 Notebook Setup
11/2inch3-ringbinderwithCollegeRuled
paper
One1-subjectspiralnotebook(Journal/R.E.A.C.H)
7dividers
PensBlackandBlue
(nometallicgelpensorneoncolors)
1clearportfoliosleeve(usedformaintaining
foldables)
No.2Pencils
Highlighters
OneUSBFlashDrive(atleast4GB)
Post-ItNotes
Syllabussignedbystudentandparent/guardian
Divider#1-Classwork
Divider#2-LiteraryTerms&Vocabulary
Divider#3-Notes
Divider#4-WritingAssignments
(RoughDrafts&Final)
Divider#5-Homework
Divider#6-Assessments&Quizzes
Divider#7-Rubrics&Resources
Required Materials Notebook Setup
English II Expectations Contract
I have read and understand the class syllabus and policies for the 10th grade English II-American Literature class. If I haveany questions and/or concerns, I can contact Mrs. Totten via email, phone, text, or I can request a scheduled conference.
Please sign and return (1) copy of this form with your child to verify that you have received the syllabus.
Students Name (Printed) _____________________________________________________________Students Signature ___________________________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name (Printed)__________________________________________________Parent/Guardians Signature _________________________________ Date: ___________________Parent/Guardian Home Phone _______________________________ Cell/Work: _________________________Professional Email Address ______________________________________
Emergency Contact Name ______________________________ Emergency Contact Number_________________________
___________I would like to participate as a volunteer parent at Richard Wright PCS.___________I would NOT like to participate as a volunteer parent at Richard Wright PCS.
Notes/Questions/Comments:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________