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Thea Bowman Leadership Academy

11th Grade American Literature

Syllabus 2017-2018

Instructor / Mrs. Christine Weatherby, BA, MAR, MAT, Ed S
Location: Room 113
Email:l
Mrs. Weatherby’s Website:
Connections Textbook Website:

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce you to some of the authors, texts/genres, and themes that are representative of some of the major periods in American Literature.Throughout this course, you will use critical and creative thinking to respond to a myriad of questions and perspectives-including, but not limited to the: “philosophical, ethical, and aesthetic” (IDOE Standards). As you progress throughout the course, you willalso weave in your experiences to construct your own definition(s) about what it should mean to be dually – human and American. Throughout the course, you will also have the opportunity to share pieces of your own story as part of a larger tapestry that forms our dynamic American narrative.

Course Learning Objectives: By the end of this course you will…

1-Utilize critical reading strategies to read a variety of texts from both primary and secondary sources.

2-Recognize the author’s main ideas and make inferences where matters are implicit.

3-Critically research, evaluate, analyze, synthesize, connect, reflect, argue, and apply theinformation presented, from a variety of texts, whichwill contain multiple perspectives (points of view) on a given issue.

4-Enter the conversation by formulatingoriginal responses that are critical and/or creative.

5-Cite evidence from a variety of texts to support and/or challenge existing ideas.

6-Recognize/utilizestructural patterns of organization in both reading and writing.

7-Analyze relationships by usingpatterns of organization and strategies like: compare/contrast and cause/effect.

8-Identify/use rhetorical appeals such as but not limited to: ethos, pathos,logos, and Kairos.

9-Evaluate the credibility of sources, authors/speakers, andevidence.

10-Identify and avoid the use of logical fallacies to maintain ethical persuasive techniques.

11-Identify various appeals and strategies used to persuade a given audience.

12-Use the writing process to produce quality narrative, informative, and persuasive writing/speaking.

Most days, you will follow the schedule below: *49 minutes total

5 minutes / Bell Warmers – At the end of 5 minutes, the leader from your group will put these in the correct bin.
5 minutes / Grammar, Reading, or Skill Building
10 minutes / Interactive Lecture
12 minutes / Group/Team Activity -or, peer review
5 minutes / Discuss/Debrief
5 minutes / Homework Instructions - Make sure you understand the homework assignment!
5 minutes / Survivor Team Challenge Recap
2 minutes / Tidy up for the next class

Giving Honor & Respect:

“Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education”- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Students are expected to conform to the rules/policies specified by Thea Bowman. Foremost, we believe that we should always fall under the authority of our leaders and the rules that govern us at Thea Bowman. We honor the sacrifices/struggles of those that have lovingly paved the way for us. In response, we know that we have a responsibility to contribute, in our time, and to build a legacy for those that will follow after us!

Mrs. Weatherby’s 5 Class Rules:

Each day you have the opportunity to sow into your future and build college readiness.

R=Respect (for self, for others, for leadership, for the establishment even if we disagree, and for the environment).

E=Engage through Active Participation (work, learn, build, and grow).

A=Accountability(taking ownership for reading/studying, for time management, for completing assignments, for communicating/responding, and for generating solutions to problems).

P=Professionalism, Ethics, & Integrity

S=Safety

Survivor Team Challenge Groups:

This is our class adaptation of the reality TV Show- Survivor. In our version you will want to work with your group to “outlast” and “outperform” the other groups. Select your leader. Come up with a group name and motto. Teams will get points for attendance, for answering recap questions correctly, and more!

Expectations:

  • You are expected to enter the class with respect. Begin your Bell Warmer. Group/team leaders will collect the work and place it in the appropriate bin, often after a short period of sharing.
  • You are expected to put your phone away and turn it off. No phones are allowed during the lecture and/or during class without approval from Mrs. Weatherby.
  • You are expected to actively participate and to help other members of your team.
  • You are expected to be authentic while still navigating respect for those who hold opposing views and perspectives.
  • You are expected to use critical and creative thinking to find solutions to problems.
  • You are expected to communicate early with your Instructor; often, if I know what is wrong, then I can try to help you find solutions.
  • You are expected to maintain a tidy work environment and to clean up for the next class.
  • You are expected to manage your time appropriately and to take responsibility/ownership.
  • You are expected to complete readings and homework outside of class.
  • You are expected to interact with the digital resources and websites to access the class readings and other resources. I will post templates and PDF files for most of the novels via my website. Collections content will be available through the textbook website.

Academic Professionalism:

  • You are expected to maintain ethical integrity and avoid plagiarism.
  • You are expected to submit your larger essays, papers, and projects in a professional manner. These assignments will need to be typed, using APA format, and submitted via email and/or through the textbook companion website. *Please note: I will provide a template to help you.

Accountability:

  • You are expected to practice professionalism and accountability. Therefore, you are expected to email if you are going to be absent or late.
  • It is also your responsibility to also check Mrs. Weatherby’s website.

Late Work Policy and Make-Up Work:

  • Bell warmers and group/team activities cannot be made up.
  • Although attendance is vital to success, reading journals and most larger assignments can be made up. However, there is a-10% deduction for each dayan assignment is late.
  • Late assignments, for each quarter, cannot be made up after that quarter has ended.
  • Please note: Accommodations will be made for extreme circumstances (e.g. death in the family, illness with doctor’s note, etc.).

Grading Policies:

All major papers, essays, and projects must be submitted correctly to qualify for grading. This means that you must submit them digitally (through email and/or through the textbook website). They must be typed using a word document. They must be in APA format and include both in-text citations and references.

Final Portfolio Assessment Reflective Writings:

Please make sure to save a copy of all of your work!You will need them for your final portfolio!

Assignments:

Bell Ringers: These are completed at the beginning of class. These cannot be made up.

Pop Quizzes: These will be unannounced. These cannot be made up.

Group/Team Activities, Debates, and Discussions: There will be different types of activities throughout the year where you will collaborate with your peers to discuss and practice something from the lesson. These activities will reinforce aspects from the lecture as a way to help prepare you for completing assignments on your own. These cannot be made up.

Exams: There will be one exam each quarter. Study guides will be provided.

Reading/Vocabulary Journal: These will be completed, as homework, outside of class. You will be given a reading assignment. You will respond by writing in your journal. Expect to provide things like a summary, a strong response/reflection, answers to questions, and definitions for vocabulary words from the reading. *Specific details will be provided.

Book Report/Critiques: These will be completed, as homework, outside of class. You will be asked to answer questions about a specific reading (like a short story) or a novel. You will also be asked to provide an evaluation or to respond creatively. *Specific details will be provided.

Major Tasks/Projects:

Project 1 (Collections 1)

  • Research/Annotated Bibliography
  • Argument Essay

Project 2 (Collections 2)

  • Research/Annotated Bibliography
  • Informative Essay

Project 3 (Collections 3)

  • Informal Research/Artifacts from your Primary Sources
  • Narrative Essay

Project 4 (Collections 4)

  • Research/Annotated Bibliography
  • Persuasive Speech

Project 5 (Collections 5)

  • Research/Annotated Bibliography
  • Rhetorical Analysis

Project 6 (Collections 6)

  • Research/Annotated Bibliography
  • Argument Essay

How are Grades Calculated?

Assignment / Percentage
Bell Ringers / 5%
Pop Quizzes / 5%
Group/Team Activities, Debates, and Discussions / 10%
Quarter Exams / 10%
Reading/Vocabulary Journal / 10%
Book Report/Critiques / 10%
Major Tasks/Projects: / 30%
  • Project 1

  • Project 2

  • Project 3

  • Project 4

  • Project 5

  • Project 6

Final Portfolio & Reflective Writings / 20%
TOTAL: / 100%

Extra Credit/Earn Back Points: Only miss one time or less per quarter. Submit all assignments.

A Measure of “Grace”Coupon

John 1:16

You may use this coupon as “grace” for one absence (to still qualify for earn back points). Or, you may use this coupon to provide “grace” – this gives you an extension of one additional day (late) without penalty of -10 %.

Please note:You must fill out the coupon and submit it to your Instructor. You can only use this one time during the entire year. You may use your coupon to extend “grace” to a friend. For example, you may give your coupon to another person.

Name: Date Used:

For What Assignment Exactly?

Why? Provide an explanation: