American Literature English 11
Mrs. Henry and Mrs. Mutolo Period 4A and 4B
This class chronologically follows and explores the development of American Literature. We begin by examining Native American literature, the development of settlement in America and the development of literary movements that shaped American writing. This curriculum touches on many different American writers and their styles. Research skills will be improved and developed through several writing tasks and focus on writing techniques and database use. Students will read novels in addition to textbook selections, non-fiction literature and excerpted articles that are relevant to the class. Most reading will be followed by quizzes or activities that demonstrate understanding of the literature. There will be 6-8 papers that are expository, argumentative, informative, creative, or research based.
Quarter One
This is the first unit that students will cover. In this unit, students will examine the predominant themes of writers in early settlement times. The focus of these writings is more on everyday or societal events than the fiction that was created later by the American authors. Colonists struggled to form new political and cultural structures, and produced literature that reflected these goals. Some selections of this unit include: The Crucible, Native American Mythology and Puritan poetry. Students will also examine The Declaration of Independence.
Quarter Two
As the United States developed, writers adapted European Romantic elements into their own writings. Americans were now concerned with self-reliance and individual response to nature and society. The Romantic and Transcendentalism Movements still contain elements that are prevalent today in contemporary
literature. Short selections from those movements will be introduced. Authors and pieces of literature include: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe,
Washington Irving, Thoreau, Emerson and Bryant. Students will read close excerpts of short stories and non-fiction pieces from this time period.
Quarter Three
realities. Literary works may include: Ethan Frome It is during this quarter that we will be looking at the research paper.
Quarter Four
The Wars and The Great Depression produced a social and political cynicism as Americans began to question their perception of themselves and their country. The dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki offered American writers the paradox of unbounded hope and futility. This unit focuses on the integral parts of the American literary landscape. It also examines the limits of the American Dream. Literary selections will be excerpts from the textbook as well as The Great Gatsby and Of Mice and Men.
World of Work
During the school year, students will complete a graduation requirement in English Class. Students are required to compose a resume and cover letter, review interview questions and have a mock interview with professionals from the local community. We will compose the cover letter and resume with the support of the counseling center.
Materials Suggested:
1. A notebook/folder or binder - Students are old enough to organize themselves. There are no specific requirements for class material organization, just that students are organized and keep their papers. 2. Notebook Paper- Please always have a supply of notebook paper. It is
important for warm-ups, drills, tests, writings, and class work assignments. Paper should not be written on from other classes. Paper for final copies should be white.
3. Pens and #2 pencils- Students are required to write all work in blue or black ink. Deductions (5 points) may be given for any work completed in pencil.
4. Flash Drive- As per county requirements, students are requested to have a flashdrive. This can carry through for all subject areas. This will be needed for research papers that are saved or worked on in the media center. It is also helpful for transporting drafts or final copies to the media center to print from home. If you do not have access to a flash drive, please see me.
5. Please also think about your printing resources. Often times, students will wait to print a paper in the media center only to find that the internet is not working or that the media center is closed for the day. Please think about resources in your community (the library, a friend’s house, etc.) for
Grading: All grades are whole points, meaning that if there is a five point warmup and a one hundred point writing, then the average of those two would equal a percentage grade out of one hundred and five points.
A= 90-100% B= 80-89% C=70-79% D= 60-69% E= 59% and below HCPSS requires that grades of .5 be rounded up to the next number.
If a midterm is not taken within four weeks of the exam date, or a final is not taken by September 15 of the following year, the student will receive an E for that exam.
No Extra Credit will be given at any point during the year. Because of the
complex curriculum, I will not discuss individual grades during class time. Please come in before or after school with specific concerns and the grade and/or
assignment that you would like discussed. Class Expectations:
1. Attendance: Students are expected to be in their assigned seats and ready to begin when the bell rings. According to school policy, tardiness of more than 20 minutes will be treated as an absence in that class.
Three instances of tardiness (no matter how late) will result in a detention. The county attendance policy limits the number of absences to 5%. This equals 9 classes for period 1,2,3,5, and 6 and 4.5 absences for 4A or 4B. We will call home when the number of absences threatens to interfere with credit.
2. Missed Work: Work is expected to be completed in a timely fashion. It is the student’s responsibility to get any work they may have missed during an absence. Students have the same number of days they have had an excused absence to complete the work unless the assignment is a long term assignment (five school days or more assigned prior to due date). In that case, the assignment must be handed in the day that the student returns. Homework assignments are never accepted late. If there is an unexcused absence, students are not permitted to make up the work, test, or quiz. Unexcused absences include: skipping class, coming late with no pass, or an entire or partial day absence that is unexcused.
3. Late Work: As per the English Department Policy, absolutely no late work is accepted. This includes all assignments except for excused absences. Please bring in work the day you return from an absence.
5. Plagiarism is the copying (intentional or not) the ideas, thoughts or language of another person and presenting them as your own. All
research must be properly documented using the correct MLA style format or it is considered plagiarized. Plagiarism will result in a zero on the
assignment, a phone call and/or e-mail home, and a disciplinary referral. Honor Code:
All students are expected to abide by the Hammond Honor Code at all times and will be held accountable for any violations of the Honor Code.
Headings:
When writing formal papers (typed), please adhere to the following heading:
When turning in “everyday” papers, please use your name, date and period number.
The Google Website is:
https://sites.google.com/a/hcpss.me/hahs_henry_english1/
My e-mail address is: [email protected]
The Hammond High School address is: 8800 Guilford Road, Columbia, Maryland 21046.
The Hammond High School phone number is: 410-313-7615. The link to the Aspen Family Portal is: https://hcpss.me/fp/
Time after school: If you need extra help, questions answered, or any
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding policies and procedures or grading.
Please detach and sign the following portion of the syllabus:
Student Name:
Period Number:
Parent/Guardian Name and contact (e-mail or phone number that can be used between the hours of 7:05am and 2:40 pm):
Signature of Parent/Guardian:
