Grade: 10^th

Prerequisite: Department Approval

Credit: 1.00

 

Required Texts

The Awakening, Kate Chopin

Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison

The American Tradition in Literature, Editors: George and Barbara Perkins

A Separate Peace, John Knowles

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Bedford Handbook

 

Summer Reading

Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

 

Course Description

Students become acquainted with major periods and authors of American Literature while devoting attention to the regional and historic influences, which have helped to shape American literacy heritage. Students will concentrate on critical reading and critical writing, including essays and research papers because analytical expression is the foundation of a well-prepared student. Emphasis will be placed on oral interpretation and collaborative projects, which includes technology to enhance the appreciation of the works.

 

Course Objectives

As you complete the requirements for this course, you will learn to

·         practice the steps of the composing process (planning, drafting, revising, editing) in order to learn ways to organize, develop, and support ideas and to write vividly, clearly, and concisely

·         practice writing and reading approaches for various audiences and purposes

·         write essays which contain an introduction, a body, and a conclusion

·         write essays which contain a clear thesis statement

·         develop paragraphs with specific details and examples

·         develop ways to integrate personal and academic writing

·         develop ways to integrate other sources into your writing without losing your voice

·         develop critical stances for reading and writing without losing your voice

·         develop critical stances for reading and writing in various academic disciplines

·         learn documentation techniques and research practices

·         practice thinking critically

 

Plagiarism

Undocumented use of work that is not your own is unethical and will not be tolerated.  Anyone suspected of plagiarism will be punished to the fullest extent of the rules and regulations of Regina Dominican High School. 

 

My Expectations of You

• Always be respectful of yourselves, each other and me
• Always be on time
• Always be attentive 
• Do not talk when other people are talking; I expect the class to be a community of active listeners
• Do not pack up to leave before class is over—this is disruptive to others and to me 
• Never sleep during class
• It’s a good idea to take notes on what we say in class so that you have a written record of the ideas we develop together. 

Your Expectations of Me

• “I expect this class to be fun and interesting.  I like having group discussions about what we’re reading.  I expect you to be easily approachable and have interesting things for us to do.  I’m excited.”
• “I like reading ‘darker’ poems/stories…not just classics, but reading interesting books.  I expect you to be able to maintain authority.”
• “English is one of my favorite classes.”
• “I expect the course to be useful, easy to understand, and enjoyable.  The teacher should be helpful and clear.”
• “Hopefully not boring.”
• “Interesting & challenging—but not hard.”
• “My expectations of you and this course are that I want to keep better notes in the books that I read.”

Assessment

• Academic essays
• Research paper
• Quizzes
• Tests
• Various writing assignments & projects