Lucy C. Laney High School

Course Syllabus

10th Grade Literature

2016-2017

Teacher: William Dunbar () Room 203

Course Title: 10th Grade Literature

Textbook: Pearson Common Core 10th Grade Literature

Materials

One (1½” – 3”) 3-Ring Binder or larger

Color-coded dividers

Lined Composition Paper

Pen and Pencil *Avoid neon and light color pen ink

Rules and Expectations:

Complete and submit all classwork and homework assignments on time.

Students use the restroom between classes

No food or drink

Students should be prepared daily: be on time; in proper dress; have pen, textbook, and paper.

Be respectful of the learning environment at all times

Your teacher has the right to amend these rules and expectations at any time.

Course Description and Philosophy:

This course is designed to give students a working knowledge of English Literature, from the Rise of Civilization through the Globalization of society. It is also meant to prepare students for college level reading and writing. To do this, we will be reading and analyzing texts that are from a variety of literary periods and texts that speak to a variety of experiences. This will allow us to be exposed to new ideas and to build our literary analysis skills. We will be constantly writing, discussing, and reflecting in order to build our analytical, communication, and writing skills and in doing so, allow us to explore and challenge the ideas presented to us in these literary work. We will do this through literature, dramatic works, journaling, Socratic seminars, informal discussions, and formal writing.

This class will function as an active community of learners. As such, everyone will have a voice that is heard and respected by the entire class. Everyone is required to contribute their thoughts, ideas, work, and goals with the class in order to contribute to the variety of perspectives being studied and to receive feedback to enhance and aid growth throughout the year. Disrespect or lack of engagement in class will not be tolerated.

Quarter 1 / Quarter 2 / Quarter 3 / Quarter 4
First Nine Weeks: Rise of Civilization
  • Review of Study, and Critical Thinking Skills, Literary Elements, and Writing conventions. Literary Analysis
  • Writing Focus – Argumentative / Research
  • Independent Student Readings
Extended Text: Antigone / Second Nine Weeks: Worlds Collide
  • Fictional and Non-fiction Analysis
  • Writing Focus – Various forms of Persuasive and Argumentative
  • Grammar and Vocabulary
  • Independent Student Readings: Short Fiction
Extended Text: Julius Caesar / Third Nine Weeks: Focus- Change and Global Conflict
  • Fictional and Non-fiction Analysis
  • Writing Focus – Research
  • Grammar and Vocabulary
  • Poetry Out Loud
  • Selected Short Story Readings: Kite Runner, Lather and Nothing Else.
Extended Text: Tears of a Tiger / Fourth Nine Weeks: Focus-Globalization
  • Non-Fictional and Poetry analysis
  • Writing Focus – Persuasive
  • Grammar and Vocabulary
  • Selected Poetry Readings
  • Independent Student Readings
Extended Text: Animal Farm

Course Objectives will ensure that students will be able to demonstrate the ability to master the Georgia Standards of Excellence. Some examples of these are:

Independently read a text and complete a text analysis.

Identify and research secondary sources, create research topic, compose research paper draft.

Write research essayin standard MLA format.

Orally present research including visual component.

*The objectives listed represent only a sampling of the myriad objectives of this survey class.

Grading Policy: Students’ grades will be calculated using the following percentages:

  1. Homework15%
  2. Classwork15%
  3. Quizzes20%
  4. Writing25%
  5. Projects/Tests25%

Tutoring

The instructor is available most afternoons for tutoring. However, due to changing schedules, students should make prior arrangements with the instructor.

Make-Up Work

Making arrangements for completing make-up work is the responsibility of the student. DO NOTinterrupt class instruction with your personal requests. Arrangements can be made at a more appropriate time. Make-up must be completed by the student within five days of an excused absence.