RICHARD WRIGHT PCS

G 10 r t a h d e

AMERICAN LITERATURE 2012-2013

T E R A T U R E AMERICAN LI

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Unit 1

utline rse O

The New World

Unit 2

ERS F E AT U R E D W R I T nt
1600- Prese

A New Nation
Unit 3

Mrs. Totten, B.S. English Professor American Literature 2012-2013 Academic Year Twitter: @tottenenglish

Phone Number: 202-388-1011 Text: 202-643-TOTT (8688) Email: ETotten@richardwrightpcs.org Room: 226; Meeting Times: A/B Day Class Blog: www.theihopp.blogspot.com

American Romanticism
Unit 4

Cour se Des cr i p t i o n
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 and syntactical methods as well as through sophisticated vocabulary and diction.

A Troubled Young Nation

Unit 5

Emerging Modernism
Unit 6

Challenges and Successes of the 20th Century

Co u rse of S t u d y : A m e r i c an Li t
Unit 1: The New World
Students will examine the works of some of the earliest settlers and consider the signicance of the intersection of Native American, European, and African Cultures. They explore whether conicts 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.

es ategori C Weight
Classwork
Unit 2: A New Nation
Students trace the movement towards revolution, the colonists desire to establish a new government, and analyze the expression of conict 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.

10% 15% 20% 35% 20% 100%

Homework Quizzes Assessments Projects

(Tests, 10-day, Midterm, Final)

Unit 3: American Romanticism

Students explore this period as Americas rst prolic 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 4: A Troubled Young Nation

Students 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,

ng Scal Gradi
P ercenta ge % Letter Grade

Above 100 96-100 95 93-94 90-92 87-89 83-86

A+
A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF

Unit 5: Emerging Modernism

Students explore Robert Frosts vision of nature 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 Century

Students will trace the ourishing 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.

79-82 77-78 76 75 72-74 Below 72

2 P 5 e P r o W in e t e s k

Classroom Expectations: The 4Ps

Be PREPARED Be PRODUCTIVE Be POLITE
PROFESSIONAL DRESS & SUPPLIES You must come to class dressed professionally, in a COMPLETE uniform, and with all the necessary materials. Please check your attire and your supplies before entering the classroom. Those violating the uniform policy will not be allowed entry into class. Lack of supplies earns an infraction that reects in your Weekly Expectations Grade. EXCEPTIONS TO LATE WORK POLICY We all have experienced times in our lives when we were unable to meet our responsibilities because of a personal emergency. Life isnt always predictable, so the ability to adjust to new circumstances is essential for our success and happiness. If you experience a personal emergency that aects your ability to meet a deadline, you must have a conversation with me about your issue BEFORE the due date. If I feel your situation is a valid emergency, I will extend your due date. However, if you wait until the due date to inform me that you cannot meet the deadline, I will be unable to make any accommodations for you. If you choose not to discuss your reasons with me, I will assume that you chose to spend your time on leisure activities, or you simply did not care to complete the assignment. USE OF CLASS TIME You are allowed to socialize before and after school, between classes, and at lunch. When you enter the classroom, you are at work. We often work in collaborative groups and engage in class discussions. You are expected to ask clarifying questions and/or contribute to the ow of learning, NOT take away. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO WORK ON ANOTHER SUBJECTS ASSIGNMENTS IN ENGLISH CLASS. If I see work from another subject in English, I will take it and I will keep it. Likewise, SLEEPING OR PUTTING YOUR HEAD DOWN (in any fashion) IS UNACCEPTABLE. I highly recommend that you respect yourself enough to get adequate rest to perform your job each day learning. GREETINGS I will greet you at, and dismiss you from, the door every day. Always give eye contact and work on that handshake! Since were all human, we can expect that all of our days will not be pleasant. However, those with whom you interact should not become victims to your negative attitude. If you are having a bad day, please inform me during our greeting at the door and if needed sit quietly by yourself in the reading area, continue to be productive with the assigned tasks, and return to the community when youre ready. No penalty. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR You are expected to demonstrate mutual respect for your teachers, any other adults, and your fellow students. Roughhousing, Teasing (a.k.a jonin),bullying, intimidation, and general disrespect (foul language, etc.) or rudeness will NOT be tolerated under any circumstances. If an oense is committed the following will occur: First Offense: Verbal Warning Second Offense: Infraction earned against Weekly Expectations Grade; Move to the Seat of Opportunity Third Offense: Referral to Dean of Students; Removed from class; Phone call home.

Be PROMPT
ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES, TARDIES AND MAKE-UP WORK In order to succeed in English 10, you must attend class regularly. The more you attend, the better you will do (funny how that works). If your absence is unexcused, you may not make up missed work and you will lose FIVE points off your Weekly Expectations grade. If your absence is excused, you MUST make up missed work or you will earn a zero. The best way to see what you missed is to check the class twitter feed (@TottenEnglish), check the folders on the wall by the door during the rst 10 minutes of class (after R.E.A.C.H), or check the class blog: www.theihopp.blogspot.com I will not provide missed work during class time. Please plan accordingly to attain your work (i.e. after school, or during lunch time). Please note that you have one day for each day you were absent to make up missed work. Please understand that you are responsible for nding out what you missed after an absence and turning it in within the required time. I will not track you down. Tardiness is not acceptable in the workplace; therefore it is unacceptable at school. You will earn an infraction that aects your Weekly Expectation Grade. (See Discipline Rubric and charts posted in class.)

Required Materials & English 10 Notebook Setup

Required Materials
1 1/2 inch 3-ring binder with College Ruled paper One 1-subject spiral notebook (Journal/R.E.A.C.H) 7 dividers Pens Black and Blue (no metallic gel pens or neon colors) 1 clear portfolio sleeve (used for maintaining
foldables)

Notebook Setup
Syllabus signed by student and parent/guardian Divider #1 - Classwork Divider #2 - Literary Terms & Vocabulary Divider #3 - Notes Divider #4 - Writing Assignments (Rough Drafts & Final) Divider #5 - Homework Divider #6 - Assessments & Quizzes Divider #7 - Rubrics & Resources

No. 2 Pencils Highlighters One USB Flash Drive (at least 4GB) Post-It Notes
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 have any 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: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________