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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	Ms. Boochever	E-mail	ann.boochever@jsd.k12.ak.us
Office Hours	3:45-4:30 everyday; during lunch by appointment	Phone	780-1937

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,

--> 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.	RESPECT YOURSELF.	RESPECT OTHERS.
· 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.	· 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.	· 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

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.

Ms. Boochever's American Literature

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Sunday, August 12, 2012

American Literature Syllabus 2012/13