Course Description 

This course is a tech-integrated college preparatory English course. designed to provide students with the opportunity to gain the skills necessary for success in college. In this course, we will further develop our critical thinking skills as we read and respond to selected literary works from each of the following periods and movements in American literature: Colonialism, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism, Modernism, Harlem Renaissance, and Contemporary. We will also continue to develop and expand upon our writing skills through the writing of a variety of expositional and creative papers with a special focus on the research process and the thesis-based research paper. Critical analysis of film, student presentations, and academic discourse activities will provide us with opportunities to further develop literacy in a variety of media beyond print. As with most college preparatory courses, this course involves a consistent homework load of long-term and short-term assignments.

Topics of Study

Throughout the course of each academic year, students will:

• encounter literary works by the required author(s) in addition to selected literary works from the curriculum collection of American Literature
• research and write thesis-based research papers related to an American author and/or "text to world"/text to text" connections relative to that author and his/her literary works

Although we will be approaching American Literature from a more thematic standpoint than a chronological one, students will have the opportunity to encounter works from each of the American literary periods throughout the course of the year and engage in research related to each of the literary periods.

In the fall semester, our essential question will be: "How do writers create truth through fiction?" Many of the literary works we will encounter and explore, as writers and readers, will provide us with an opportunity to explore the answer to this question.

Literary Works for Fall Semester 2011-2012:

• American Literature Sampler (teacher selected works as well as student selected works from the following periods/movements): Colonialism, Neoclassicism, Romanticism and Realism 
• The Natural by Malamud
• The Crucible by Miller
• Ellen Foster by Gibbons
• Independent Reading -novel of choice.

In the spring semester, our essential question will be: "What is the American dream?" Many of the literary works we will encounter and explore, as writers and readers, will provide us with an opportunity to explore the answer to this question.

Literary Works for Spring Semester 2011- 2012:

• American Literature Sampler (teacher selected works as well as student selected works from the following periods/movements): Naturalism, Modernism, Harlem Renaissance and Contemporary
• A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway
• The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald
• Death of a Salesman by Miller
• Independent Reading -novel of choice.

Grading Criteria  

 Standards Area of Reading: 30% to 40% of Semester Activities 

As we read, we will respond to literary works in many different ways:

Reading Workshop –Grade reflects active participation in whole class as well as small group and independent in-class literacy activities (independent and whole class reading of selected works; independent completion of reader’s responses). Student performance will be scored using the Scoring Rubric for Reading Workshop In-Class Activities which incorporates Londonderry High School’s mission-based school-wide rubrics.

Reader's Responses-  Full credit is awarded to responses which reflect the level of detail, depth and effort depicted in the sample responses. For a detailed explanation of the various reader's responses as well as sample responses and downloadable guides/forms, click here.

Essay  Tests – Grade reflects student response to a selected question/prompt. For a detailed explanation of essay test format, a sample essay test and essay test scoring rubric, click here.  While a student may use his/her portfolio of personally completed reader's responses as he/she completes the essay test response, essay tests may not be revised/rewritten.

Our approach to reading  will create many opportunities for students to both develop and demonstrate the skills necessary to pass the following course competency # 1 and course competency # 4. Click here for more detailed information about course competencies.

Standards Area of Writing: 30% to 40% of Semester Activities

Writing Workshops – Grade reflects active participation in the full writing process as a class work activity (prompts, brainstorms, research activities, drafts, edits, revisions, and conferences). Student performance will be scored using the Scoring Rubric for Writing Workshop Activities which incorporates Londonderry High School’s mission-based school-wide rubrics.

Rough Drafts – Grade reflects the degree to which each draft demonstrated a full commitment to the writing process and includes brainstorming, charting and planning activities as well as the traditional rough drafts.

Final Drafts – Grade reflects writing traits score. Most, but not all, final drafts may be revised/rewritten for a higher grade when guidelines for revisions are followed.

Publication Opportunities – Authors will have the opportunity to share their completed work in a variety of ways from online publication to in-class readings.

Our approach to reading  will create many opportunities for students to both develop and demonstrate the skills necessary to pass the following course competency # 2 and course competency # 3. Click here for more detailed information about course competencies.

Listening/Speaking/Viewing: 30% to 40% of Semester Activities

Throughout the course of the year, we will engage in a wide variety of listening/speaking/viewing activities. Most of these activities are extensions of reading or writing or research activities.

Nature Journals – Grade reflects level of performance with written nature journal. For a more detailed look at nature journals,  click here.

Viewing Journals – Grade reflects level of performance with written viewing journal. For a more detailed look at viewing journals, click here.

Kiosk Presentations – Grade reflects level of performance with actual kiosk presentation. For a more detailed look at kiosk presentations, click here.

Academic Discourse- Grade reflects student performance (throughout the course of a term) as it relates to formal whole class discussions and literature circle group discussions. Student performance will be scored using the Academic Discourse/Formal Discussion rubric which incorporates Londonderry High School’s mission-based school-wide rubrics.

Course Competencies

 To learn all about the competencies a student must pass to earn credit for this course, click here.

Attendance Policy

-During any given quarter, if a student accrues more than five unexcused absences, that student will receive an administrative failure (E).

-Three tardies equal one absence and will also result in a teacher detention.

Refer to student handbook for more detailed information on appeals, cuts, etc.

Late Work

Assignments submitted past the due date (for reasons other than student absence) will only be eligible for partial credit if fully and satisfactorily completed within a reasonable time period. Students who wish to submit late work should speak directly with Mrs. Juster.

Student Absence and Make-Up Work

If a student is absent, he/she should:

• refer to the LHS student handbook for the make-up work policy
• contact Mrs. Juster for adjusted due dates (usually within one week of a student's return)and adjusted assignment information (if necessary)
• refer to the class syllabus and term archive of weekly syllabi for information regarding specific missed assignments and class work

Problems Accessing a Computer Outside of Class

If a student is unable to complete any assignment that must be completed digitally because of problems accessing a computer outside of class, he/she will be given a two school-day extension ONLY IF he/she first completes the assignment by hand and submits it in time to meet the original deadline.

During this two day extension, the student assumes responsibility for accessing a computer outside of regular class time and transcribing the hand-written assignment. (Note: This extension is for transcription only. It is not intended to offer the student additional time to complete academic work.) Once the assignment has been transcribed and/or submitted to the student's digital portfolio, the hand-written version of the assignment must be returned to the teacher.

Note:

• Students may access a computer in either the library-media center or learning lab during study hall, lunch or after school.
• Students with limited access to computers outside of class are reminded to use class time wisely. It is their responsibility to print-up hard copies of any digital resources necessary for completing homework.

Academic Integrity Policy

 This is required reading: click here.

Class Supplies

• One 1 inch, 3 ring, view binder  with 3 dividers  and approx. 20-25 sheet protectors (plastic sleeves) This binder will be your semester portfolio. This portfolio is intended to remain in class (although you can carry it back and forth each day). It will serve as an active archive of your completed and scored hard copy work and will be a companion to your digital "Turn-It-In" portfolio. Students will be expected to maintain their portfolios throughout each term and semester. Student portfolios will be graded and evaluated periodically.

Note: Students are expected to have their assigned reading material, a writing utensil, and any relevant assignment materials as indicated by their most current syllabus and/or teacher direction with them every day.