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Ms. Boochever's American Literature and Honor's American Literature
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Please
paraphrase the requirements for your class in the space provided below, sign
it, and have your parents sign it by Friday, August 24th. Be sure to ask if
you have any questions.
If you deliberately plan on being less
than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you'll be unhappy for the
rest of your life. —Abraham Maslow
American Literature/Honors
Academic & Discipline Plan
2012-2013
Instructor
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Ms. Boochever
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E-mail
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ann.boochever@jsd.k12.ak.us
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Office Hours
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3:45-4:30 everyday; during lunch by appointment
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Phone
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780-1937
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Course
Description:
We will study some of the great works of American
Literature and the prevailing belief systems that inspired the authors. How did
these beliefs affect the author’s style of writing? What were the conflicts
and issues and how were they reflected in the writing? Who were the heroes
and who were the villains? You will improve your reading, writing, research,
and speaking skills through an analysis of this literature and your written
and/or spoken responses. In addition, you will discover and acquire new
vocabulary through assigned readings.
Texts:
Our classroom text is McDougal Littell’s The Language of Literature. Novels and
plays used in class will be issued through the TMHS Library's textbook
management system. If a textbook
is checked out through the TMHS Library, it must be returned in the same
condition at the end of the unit of study. Prompt return of texts ensures their
availability for other classes. Missing or damaged books may result in a
monetary fine based on the value of the text.
Tentative Schedule of
Readings:
To mid-September: American Personal Essays, 1955. This
I Believe
Sept/October: McCarthyism and The Salem Witch Hunts: The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Who was Sarah Good? American Gothic: Edgar Allan Poe
November/December: Puritanism: Scarlet
Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
January: Poetry Out Loud and American poetry
End of January - mid-March: The Jazz Age: The Great
Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Mid March-April: Contemporary Young Adult: The Absolutely
True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
May: Literature
Circles:
Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons, The Things They
Carried by Tim O’Brien, Into the Wild
by John Krakauer, Catcher in the Rye
by J.D. Salinger, Fahrenheit 451 by
Ray Bradbury,
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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain,
others TBA.
Materials
to Bring to Class:
Bring daily:
- 3-ring
binder with dividers: Current Work; Vocabulary; Graded Work; Procedures
- journal:
a composition book or dedicated spiral notebook
- planner
- notebook
paper
- pens—blue
or black ink only
- texts/handouts
as assigned
We will write in our journals
regularly to a variety of prompts that will reflect on our
reading or anticipate the themes and issues of the literature we are
studying. The guidelines for journaling include filling the time, filling the
page, and writing beyond the point where we think we have nothing left to say.
Proper
Format for Papers:
We will use MLA (Modern Language Association) format for
headings, essays and documentation of research sources. Completed work may be
typed or handwritten neatly in blue or black ink.
Heading: (in upper left-hand corner of the paper)
Student’s
first and last name
Instructor’s
name: Ms. Boochever
Class
name: Honors/American Literature
Date:
In-Class/Out-of-Class Assigned Work: Some of the reading will be done in-class, however; some will be done outside of class. It is extremely important that you keep up with the assignments. We have a limited amount of time to cover a lot of material. We can't possibly do it all in class. If you get behind, it will be difficult to catch up. STAY ON TOP OF YOUR ASSIGNMENTS, and engage in the class discussions, and your reward will be a fun and interesting class AND a good grade.
Alaska State
Standards English/Language Arts:
English/Language Arts
A. A student should be able to speak and
write well for a variety of purposes and audiences.
B. A student should be a competent and
thoughtful reader, listener, and viewer of literature, technical materials, and
a variety of other information.
C. A student should be able to identify
and select from multiple strategies in order to complete projects independently
and cooperatively.
D. A student should be able to think
logically and reflectively in order to present and explain positions based on
relevant and reliable information.
E. A student should understand and respect
the perspectives of others in order to communicate effectively.
Library Literacy:
A. A student should understand how
information and resources are organized.
B. A student should understand and use
research processes necessary to locate, evaluate, and communicate information
and ideas.
C. A student should recognize that being
an independent reader, listener, and viewer of material in print, non-print,
and electronic formats will contribute to personal enjoyment and lifelong
learning.
D. A student should be aware of the
freedom to seek information and possess the confidence to pursue information
needs beyond immediately available sources.
E. A student should understand ethical,
legal, and social behavior with respect to information resources.
Technology:
A. A student should be able to operate
technology-based tools.
B. A student should be able to use
technology to locate, select, and manage information.
C. A student should be able to use
technology to explore ideas, solve problems, and derive meaning.
D. A student should be able to use
technology to express ideas and exchange information.
E. A student should be able to use
technology responsibly and understand its impact on individuals and society.
Cultural Standards:
A. Culturally-knowledgeable students are
well grounded in the cultural heritage and traditions of the community.
E. Culturally-knowledgeable students
demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the relationships and processes of
interaction of all elements in the world around them.
This course will be taught to district standards which are
available for review using the Juneau School District website under the
District Information: Core Content Standards
menu item:
http://www.jsd.k12.ak.us
Assessment:
Please note that grades are cumulative throughout the
semester, per Juneau School District Board of Education Policy (#5420R).
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
F = 0% - 59%
“INC” = Incomplete
Assignment categories are
weighted: Every assignment serves a
significant and specific purpose. While the point value of a homework
assignment or activity may seem negligible, the practice is essential to
develop skills.
40%—Unit Assessments,
including projects, essays, writing process activities, tests, Active
Reading Journals
35%—Homework and Quizzes, Skills Practice
25%—Participation, Preparation
and Daily Journal, including in-class exercises, notes, presentations and
cooperative learning activities.
Extra Credit:
Optional extra credit assignments are offered infrequently and grades on these
do not replace missing work. You may, however, receive extra credit on most
class assignments and activities by extending above and beyond the expectations
for the assignment.
Behavioral
Expectations:
COME PREPARED TO LEARN.
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RESPECT YOURSELF.
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RESPECT OTHERS.
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· Be on time
· Bring materials:
- pens—blue or black ink
- plenty of paper
- 3-ring binder for handouts, notes and graded papers
- dividers
- journal
- planner
- texts as assigned
- homework completed
- a sense of humor
· Choose your
attitude—energetic, helpful and focused!
· Be present—physically and
mentally.
· Leave distractions at home
or in your locker.
· Make the most of your time
in class.
· Know the class procedures
and follow them.
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· Take care of your body. To
do this:
- Eat a good breakfast and
lunch.
- Avoid sodas and processed
sugar.
- Make good choices.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Practice good hygiene.
· Don’t put yourself down.
· Use a planner to keep
track of assignments, responsibilities and fun activities.
· Do your homework nightly.
Find a quiet place free from distractions.
· Save all your work in your binder. Don’t throw anything away! Our
final for the year is a reflective essay on the year’s study and work. You
will need to document your year’s growth and development.
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· Listen attentively while
others are speaking.
· Participate appropriately
in class activities
· Applaud enthusiastically
and supportively for classmates’ presentations.
· Don’t distract others from
their classwork.
· Respect others’ property
and personal space.
· Maintain a positive and
respectful attitude towards all regardless of others’ gender, ethnicity,
religion or creed, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or other
difference. Honor the person even if you disagree with him or her.
· Make someone’s day!
· Remember—we are all on the
path together.
“If we have no peace, it
is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
--Mother
Teresa
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Please note: Your notebooks will be checked every two weeks. If all the work is there, you will be granted up to 50 points.
TMHS Policies/Student Handbook: Students are expected to adhere to TMHS
policies, as outlined in the Student Handbook, at all times. Classroom policies
may include more specific requirements, but they cannot be relaxed beyond the
minimums as set forth in the Student Handbook.
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**To view the rest of the Academic and Discipline Policy, please see Ms. Boochever.
