Tenth grade English syllabus

Syllabus
English 10 - World Literature
Hour: 5th period
Teacher Name: Ms. Amber Fontenot
Room Number: 332
E-mail Address: Amber.Fontenot@ocsi.org
Blog Address: http://ocsi-humanities.blogspot.com
School Phone Number: 958-3000
The best time for parents to call me is: from 10:20 AM - 12:00 noon
Course Description: The students study literature that coincides with what they study in their World History class. Students develop oral skills, presenting scenes from plays, speeches and readings. They will rely upon the writing process to develop and complete a research paper of 6-8 pages, essays, poetry, and personal experience pieces. In addition, Independent Reading (IR) will be assigned every quarter based on genre and page number criteria.
Course Objectives:
Students will apply appropriate strategies to interpret various types of reading materials (textual, functional, and recreational). They will recognize symbolism, context clues, follow directions, recognize cause and effect, identify sequence, and identify literary elements in specific works.
Students will exhibit the habit of reading for a substantial amount of time daily, including both assigned and self-directed materials.
Students will write in response to literature and prompts using journals and at times exercising critical analyses of ideas in their journal writing.
Students will demonstrate listening skills with oral vocabulary development along with dialect, slang, and jargon.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of grammar concepts and proper usage, resulting in strengthened phrases in their writing processes.
Students will conduct individual research using all aspects of the research process, producing thoughtful compositions constructed from pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and presenting.
Students will display an extended vocabulary consisting of common foreign words and terms, analogies, and formal and informal word choice.
Class Texts:
McDougal Littell - The Language of Literature
Language Network
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (non-consumable workbook)
Mark Twain - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Joni Eareckson Tada - Joni
Corrie Ten Boom - The Hiding Place (Jean Wakatsuki – Farewell to Manzanar)
Alan Paton – Cry the Beloved Country


Materials you should bring to class every day:
- Two notebooks- Loose-leaf paper- A binder or folder- Pens, pencils, erasers
- Class textbooks and an IR book
Grading:
Tests/research papers 40%
Quizzes/projects 30%
Daily assignments 20%
Class participation 10%
Expectations:
- Come to class with a positive attitude and be ready to learn.
- Be in your seat when the bell rings and begin bellwork immediately at the beginning of class.
- Assignments are expected to be turned in on time; no credit will be given for late assignments.
- During class, be prepared to take notes and participate in class discussions.
Class Rules:
- Respect: Respect each other, your teacher, and all school rules.
- Expectations: Come with an open mind and a positive attitude; be ready to explore and ask questions.
- Materials: Come to class prepared—you should have all necessary books, materials, and assignments when the bell rings.
Approximate Class Schedule:
The schedule below is estimated, and may be adjusted based on class needs, at the teacher’s discretion, at any point throughout the year.
Summer reading: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
First quarter: Literature of the Ancient World (The Epic of Gilgamesh, creation stories from around the world), Medea, PSAT review
Second quarter: Julius Caesar, Arthurian legends and other romances, poetry appreciation and writing
J-term reading: Joni
Third quarter: research paper, short fiction, The Hiding Place (extra credit opportunity: Farewell to Manzanar)
Fourth quarter: nonfiction stories and essays, Holocaust and WWII literature, Cry, the Beloved Country