American Literature–English 11

 

K. Hourihan

English 11

2011-2012

hourihank@lynnschools.org

lynnclassicalstaff.org

Night Back–Monday, or any day I’m around

 

 

Class Expectations:

1.  I expect you to follow ALL school rules while in my class.

2.  I expect you to be respectful at all times.

3.  I expect you to be prepared!

4.  I expect you to keep a positive attitude.

5.  I expect you to put your best effort into everything we do.

6.  I expect you to be accountable for YOUR work.

7.  You can expect me to be fair, honest, and pleasant!

8.  You can expect me to NEVER give up on you!

 

Supplies:

1. Bring a binder for handouts/notes

2. Bring writing utensils!!  PLEASE!!!

3.  Once books are issued, BRING YOUR BOOK!!!

4.  Bring outside reading material in case there is ever downtime

 

Class Policies/Procedures:

1. Be on time!

2. Respond to quote in first 3-5 minutes

3. Quote journals STAY in classroom!

4. Long Block days are Vocabulary/Grammar days–expect a quiz eve long block!

5. You are dismissed when I dismiss you–don’t pack up and leave until I say so!

 

Grading Parameters:

40% Assignments (Classwork, Homework)

60% Assessments (Tests, Quizzes, Essays, Projects)

 

Course Objectives:

Students will be able to identify major trends in the shaping of American Literature, from its earliest beginnings to its present day form.  A special focus will be placed on the concepts of the American Identity, American Culture, and the American Dream.  Also, students will be able to advance their writing skills in the areas of clarity, voice, organization, coherence, diction, mechanics, and depth.

 

Syllabus: Course Overview

 

FIRST QUARTER: Puritans through Revolutionaries

 

Language Objectives: Students will be able to increase vocabulary through study of SAT vocabulary and embedded vocabulary.

Writing Objectives:  Students will be able to write, edit, and revise essays through study of their own, their peers’, and published texts.

Grammar Objectives: Students will be able to identify and correct problems with sentence structure, agreement, and modifiers

Multimedia Objectives: Students will be able to integrate technology into their study of American Literature with use of the internet, powerpoint, videos, webquests, and podcasts.

Literature Objectives: Students will be able to trace the literary origins of America by studying the works of William Bradford, John Smith, William Byrd, Anne Bradstreet, Jonathan Edwards, Edward Taylor, Ben Franklin, John Henry, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, DeCrevcoeur, etc.  Students will also be able to identify and define literary elements, terms, and techniques employed by the above authors.

 

SECOND QUARTER: American Romanticism, Renaissance, and Realism

 

Language Objectives: Students will be able to increase vocabulary through study of SAT vocabulary and embedded vocabulary.

Writing Objectives:  Students will be able to write, edit, and revise essays through study of their own, their peers’, and published texts.

Grammar Objectives: Students will be able to identify and correct problems with modifiers and punctuation

Multimedia Objectives: Students will be able to integrate technology into their study of American Literature with use of the internet, powerpoint, videos, webquests, and podcasts.

Literature Objectives: Students will be able to identify the various literary movements that evolved as the national body of literature expanded.  Such authors as Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ambrose Bierce, William Cullen Bryant, Mark Twain, etc.  Students will also be able to identify and define literary elements, terms, and techniques employed by the above authors.

 

THIRD QUARTER: Transcendentalism, Poetry, and the Novel

 

Language Objectives: Students will be able to increase vocabulary through study of SAT vocabulary and embedded vocabulary.

Writing Objectives: Students will be able to write a step-by-step Research Paper

Grammar Objectives: Students will be able to identify and correct problems with vague and unclear diction

Multimedia Objectives: Students will be able to integrate technology into their study of American Literature with use of the internet, powerpoint, videos, webquests, and podcasts.

Literature Objectives: Students will be able to identify the tenets of Transcendentalism and its lasting place in American Literature.  Students will also be able to identify poetic trends and devices employed by various American poets.  Also, students will be able to examine the structure of the novel, and identify major literary devices that are employed throughout.  Such authors as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, etc. will be explored.

 

FOURTH QUARTER: Nonfiction and Drama

 

Language Objectives: Students will be able to increase vocabulary through study of SAT vocabulary and embedded vocabulary

Writing Objectives: Students will be able to use acquired knowledge of literary techniques and elements to create original writing.

Multimedia Objectives: Students will be able to integrate technology into their study of American Literature with use of the internet, powerpoint, videos, webquests, and podcasts.

Literature Objectives: Students will be able to identify elements of drama, and further explore non-fiction.  Authors TBD.

 

 

IMPORTANT DATES FOR JUNIORS:

 

Test Dates:

September 11–ACT Test

September 18th–MS. HOURIHAN’S BIRTHDAY!!!

October 1st–SAT @ LEHS

October 24-31–MEPA-R/W for ELL students

November 5th–SAT @ LCHS & LEHS

November 9th–MCAS Math Retest

November 14th-16th–MCAS ELA Retest

December 3rd–SAT @ LCHS

January 23rd–SAT @LCHS

February 1-2–MCAS Biology

February 29th–March 2nd–MCAS ELA Retest

March 5th-6th–MCAS Retest Math

March 5-16th–MEPA R/W

March 10th–SAT (not in Lynn)

March 20-29–MCAS ELA

May 5th–SAT @ LEHS

May 15th-16th–MCAS Math

June 2nd–SAT @ LCHS

June 5th-6th–MCAS Science & Technology

 

 

 

A COUPLE OTHER THINGS:

 

Summer Reading–IT COUNTS!!  All students were required to read Dark Tide.  On September 26th, all students are required to turn in/present the projects they completed in their English, History, and Science classes.  This project is counting as a TEST GRADE in this class.  Really.  So, that said, please do not start the year with a O% test average.

 

Attendance– Everyone knows the “forced F” rule.  That applies on a class by class basis as well; in that, if you miss MY class 7 times (because you were at the nurse, in guidance, tardy, dismissed, etc.) it is up to me whether or not to fail you.  If you’re present in class, it stands to reason that you will do better.  There are many in-class assignments that will only count if passed in during that class period.

 

Bathroom– If you have to go, you have to go.  Please, however, reserve your requests to the very beginning, or the very end of class.

 

Nurse– Please don’t abuse our nurse!  She is here for valid medical reasons, not simply because you want to leave class for a few minutes.  Be courteous.

 

Food/drinks–As a school policy, food is not allowed in the classrooms.  Drinks are banned, as well.  However, I’m fine with water in my room, and anything that won’t leave a sticky mess on the floor if spilled .

 

Dress Code–Always comply with the school dress code.  Also, there will be no YANKEES logos allowed in my classroom at anytime.

 

Swearing/Cursing–You should watch your language at all times in school, but especially so in an English class!  Poor language/ethnic slurs offend me.  Please be respectful of me and refrain from such language while in my presence.

 

Maintenance of Classroom–DO NOT leave your stuff in my room!  Please do not leave paper and trash on my floor!  I have enough trouble keeping my own mess sorted, I really do not have the time and energy to keep up with yours!  Thanks