Goals:  Academic English 11 will concentrate on American literature.  The course will also reinforce reading, writing, vocabulary, research, and presentation skills.

Objectives:

• The students will be able to understand various concepts in American literature by investigating ideas in course readings.
• The students will be able to recognize thematic and stylistic differences among various authors.
• The students will be able to empathize with various human experiences through literature.
• The students will be able to distinguish between literal and figurative language.
• The students will be able to develop and improve reading skills through the use of reading strategies.
• The students will be able to develop and improve writing skills through the use of the writing process.
• The students will be able to develop personal vocabulary through vocabulary building activities.
• The students will apply speaking skills to class discussions and formal presentations.
• The students will be able to improve use of grammar through daily grammar activities.
• The students will be able to distinguish and demonstrate various genres of literature.

Major Works/Texts:

• Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes:  The American Experience Writer’s Inc.
• The Crucible by Arthur Miller
• Our Town by Thornton Wilder
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
• The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald
• Secret Life of Bees or The Things They Carried (summer reading)

Classroom Guidelines:

• Be courteous to one another.

Do not speak when others are speaking (including your peers, as well as the teacher).

Raise your hand when you want to speak.  Do not call out.

• Come to class on time.  After being late three times, you will be expected to serve a “detention.”
• Be prepared.  You must have a blue or black pen, pencil, notebook, and appropriate texts with you everyday.
• The bell does not dismiss you, the teacher does.
• Sit in your assigned seat.
• The lavatory may only be used at the very end of class.
• No food is permitted in the classroom.
• During the year you will be issued a textbook.  The textbook is your responsibility.  Any damage beyond normal usage will result in fines.  Lost book charges will be a replacement cost.
• Consult your handbook for consequences regarding illegal absences and cuts.
• You will be treated as an adult if you act like one.

Assignments/Evaluations:

1. Total homework, along with class participation, will count for 100 points.
2. Every assignment you miss will count as a zero; after 5 missed assignments you will receive a zero for your homework grade.  Forgetting your text book counts as a missed assignment.
3. The only way to make up for points lost, because of missed assignments, is by participating in class.
4. There will be assorted quizzes, announced and unannounced, as well as performance tasks on the reading assignments.
5. There will be announced major projects/ tests on the assigned readings.
6. There will be assigned vocabulary.
7. There will be two independent readings assigned with book reports.
8. Projects and writing assignments handed in one day late will drop to a “C.” Projects and writing assignments will not receive any points after being more then one day late.
9.   There will be a mid-term and a final exam.

Absence:

Whenever you are absent it is your responsibility to come to me and ask what you have missed, either at the beginning or the end of class.  If you don’t ask, credit will not be given for that assignment.  All handouts will be in a crate located in the back of the classroom. You will have one week from the day you return to make up your work.