Expository Writing/World Literature – Grade 12
Mr. Low
General Program Description:
English Language Arts at the 12th grade level continues a curriculum of reading, writing, listening and oral communication found in all high school language arts programs. This year the course has been divided into two separate courses: Expository Writing II and World Literature. Seniors will complete Expository Writing II first semester and World Literature second semester.
Expository Writing
The Expository Writing class is a writing intensive class, designed to raise student-writing skills to meet the demands of college level writing. Expository writing by definition is writing to explain or describe something. In this course, as in college level courses, it goes beyond that. The student must first demonstrate a strong understanding of a text and/or a form of oral communication and then take a position on the claims and major points presented, explaining the extent that he or she agrees or disagrees with what has been presented. This kind of writing demonstrates critical thinking and is persuasive.
Learning to read rhetorically is an important skill that is taught as part of expository writing. Students learn to preview a text and look for the subject of the writing, the purpose for the writing, the occasion that it was written for, and the audience it was intended to address. As part of this preview, students evaluate the credibility and background of the writer and the historical context that the text was written in.
Students learn the importance of reading and rereading a text, annotating important ideas and key words, and looking up and defining new vocabulary. Students learn to write summaries and rhetorical précis in order to clarify their understanding of a text.
In examining rhetorical context, students learn about Aristotle’s three modes of persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos. Students will learn to evaluate arguments and craft their own arguments using these modes of expression.
Research papers, research supported proposals, journalistic opinion papers, narratives, definition essays, informational essays, and persuasive position papers all fall within the domain of expository writing, and students will write a variety of expository papers as part of this course.
World Literature
Literature study in the 12th grade is focused primarily on British Literature. Each quarter at least one major work of literature will be studied. Using literature to develop language arts skills necessary for success in the world of work and college is a critical part of the English curriculum.
In studying literature students learn to analyze beliefs, values, traditions, and cultures of other people and compare them with their own beliefs, values, and feelings. Literature provides a way for students to expand their understanding of self and the world. Sensitivity to beauty, use of imagination, and the creative uses of language also result from studying literature.
Lesson plans will be created and adjusted to meet the needs and abilities of all students. Curriculum will be presented using a variety of strategies that meet different learning modalities. All students should feel challenged, and all students should be able to succeed. I am dedicated to the success of all my students.
All curriculums will be developed with a focus on the Common Core Standards and the State GLO’s (General Learner Outcomes).
Grammar and Usage
All year long, classes usually begin with a grammar and usage warm up. This review is designed to be comprehensive, covering skills necessary for clear, effective communication.
General Expectations for Students:
Students are to come prepared to class to learn. That means bringing basics like paper, pens, pencils, a binder or folder, and any books or handouts required for the lesson. It also means coming to class on time with an eagerness to learn. Because regular free reading is a part of the curriculum, students should plan to bring a book or magazine of interest to them to class everyday.
Computer Lab & Internet:
Although it is not essential, all students are encouraged to purchase USB mini-drive for storing work. In order to use the Internet at school, all students must have an Internet permission form signed by a parent or guardian. The Internet is becoming a very important tool in education and business, and I feel it is essential for students to gain experience using it in an academic setting.
This year I’ll be using Google Classroom for many assignments. All students were given school Gmail accounts last year that they can use to log into to Google Classroom. Some tests and quizzes will be administered through Google Classroom, as well as writing assignments.
Homework:
Students are expected to read extensively in areas of interest to them. This is critical in preparation for the research paper students will be required to write in the second quarter and for the extended reading assignment in the third quarter. I expect students to bring their reading materials to class for Silent Sustained Reading Sessions. Most other homework will be related to papers or projects not completed in class.
Student Evaluation and Grading:
All work done in class is scored on a point system, with points converted to percentages. Common Core Standards are used for all major assignments.
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
Points are earned for daily assignments, tests, papers, projects, oral reports and cooperative learning assignments.
Extra Credit:
Extra credit may be accepted after all required assignments are completed. This is up to the discretion of the teacher and needs to be cleared with the teacher ahead of time. No more than 10% of the total points possible may be earned with extra credit points.
Make-up Work:
If a student is absent for any reason, it is their responsibility to find out what they missed and arrange to make up the work. Students will have one day for each day absent to make up assignments, unless there are extreme extenuating circumstances. It is critical that all work be made up prior to the end of a grading period.
Website
I post weekly assignments and a variety of student resources and handouts on my website. I keep a calendar of upcoming due dates there. I also provide links to documents and websites of interest to educators and parents.
Mr. Low’s website
Texts
I use a variety of texts each year in developing curriculum. The following list contains current texts available for my use.
Expository Reading and Writing Course
The California State University Student Reader – 2008
The Language of Literature – McDougall Littell – 2000
This is a large literature anthology containing short stories, poetry, plays, parts of novels, and non-fiction pieces.
Daybook of Critical Reading and Writing
Great Source Education Group – 1998
This text includes a variety of literature organized into five “angles of literacy” providing different ways to look at what is read and written. The five “angles of literacy” are:
1.Interacting with a text by marking or highlighting (We tag text items using post –its or by copying selected items.)
2.Making personal connections to the story
3.Shifting perspective to examine point of view
4.Studying the language and craft
5.Considering how the life and works of a writer enters into a text
Write Source, (Grade 12)- Great Source Education Group – 2007
This writing handbook is specifically designed for 12th grade students. It covers writing guidelines, rubrics, checklists, writing samples, grammatical rules and exercises.
Write for College– Great Source Education Group – 2007
This is an excellent writing and reference handbook for students in both high school and college. Parents are encouraged to consider purchasing this book for home use. It is a book that can benefit students in many different classes. The book can be purchased directly through the publisher or ordered in the first quarter through me.
Reader’s Handbook – Great Source Education Group – 2002
A cross-disciplinary handbook filled with strategies and skills for tackling a variety of texts.
Springboard – College Board
Resources and lessons connected to a variety of literature, focused on the Common Core Standards.
I also use a number of the following novels, short stories, and plays over the course of the year. Following is a list of 12th grade titles currently available for my use.
Hamlet - William Shakespeare
Othello – William Shakespeare
The Tempest – William Shakespeare
Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
Grendel - John Gardner
Oedipus the King – Sophocles
Dubliners – James Joyce
Beowulf – Anonymous
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini