English 10 - Studies in Comparative World Literature

2013-2014 Course Guidelines and Procedures

Mrs. Watson - wiki page - http://watsonenglish.wikispaces.com/

The Big Ideas:

Sometimes the line between truth and reality becomes unclear.

Knowledge can have the power to change our lives.

Essential Questions for the Four Units:

Fiction/Non-fiction - In what ways can fiction be true?

Point of View - What is truth...with a capital T?

The Importance of Memory - Why is it important to remember?

Speak Up! - Why is it important to pay witness?

COURSE OUTLINE/ASSIGNMENTS:
There is a significant amount of class and independent reading for this course. This course explores a wide variety of genres including dramas, novels, short stories, poetry and non-fiction. In addition to exploring literature, you will also write frequently. We will write fiction and non-fiction, in response to literature, in multiple formats, and for different audiences and purposes. In addition to various writing assignments, you will complete a research unit that culminates in delivering a speech to the class. The research unit reinforces BIG 6 skills and MLA formatting necessary for academic research. Although the course topics and materials are subject to change as needed, you can expect to cover most of the following major works:

Studies in Comparative World Literature, The Transformative Power of Literature Prentice Hall Literature – Platinum Level

In the Time of Butterflies, Julia Alvarez

Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare

Lord of the Flies, William Golding

Night, Elie Wiesel

Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes

12 Angry Men, Reginald Rose

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley

WRITING:

Formal writings/essays

Reading/Writing responses

Creative

VOCABULARY:

Roots, Words in Context

SPEAKING:

Research Speech Unit

Formal presentations

Class presentations

GRADING:
Quizzes will be weekly or bi-weekly and worth points dependent upon number of items. Homework assignments will be worth 5-10 points unless otherwise noted. I will assign a point value to all other essays, tests and projects. Missed homework will usually be accepted late but only with points off (roughly 50% for a day late). Other larger assignments will lose 10% each day.

ORAL PARTICIPATION

It can only help your grade. If you participate daily in discussions, it can help you if you have a seesaw grade.

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES

EXPECTATIONS

1.  Be on time and be prepared. Four lates is a morning or afternoon detention.

2.  Do your best to stay on task.

3.  Constant talking or chatter is not appropriate if someone is speaking, so please be mindful of it.

4.  No food or drink. Water is acceptable, but because of serious food allergies, nothing else is permitted in the classroom.

5.  Refrain from use of personal electronics. Personal electronic devices MUST be turned off and in school bags the day of tests – no exceptions.

6.  Offensive language will not be tolerated.

7.  Any discipline problems could result in detentions, phone call homes and/or discipline reports to the administration.

8.  Cheating will not be tolerated.

Assignments/Papers/Projects - Copying of another student’s work is an automatic zero, and

the person providing the work will receive a zero as well (unless he/she was not aware of it). Plagiarized assignments from research or internet (copy and pasting) will result in a zero as well.

Tests, Quizzes – Unapproved materials used during a test/quiz is an automatic zero. If you

have a roving eye, depending on the roving, it will be a warning then followed by a zero, or

a zero immediately, depending on the situation (automatic phone call home).

ABSENCES

1.  If you are absent right before a test and you return on the test day, you should be prepared to take the test unless I have taught or discussed new information in class that you missed. Email me if you are not sure.

2.  It you are absent the day before a homework assignment is due, you are responsible to hand in the homework if it is feasible. Please look at the wiki or email me.

3. It is your responsibility to schedule a time to make up tests and quizzes and to show me missed

work, and it is your responsibility to inquire about missed classwork and assignments (ask in class,

email, or check the wiki page). Tests and quizzes should be made up within a week.

4.  Quizzes and tests are made up after school, before school, during my non-teaching periods, and

sometimes during class, it depends on the class day.

AND finally………

Try your hardest, be respectful, positive and honest. I will do my best to do the same.