• ENGLISH 11 CP Credits: 5 Prerequisite: English 10 CP Grade: 11 This course continues to develop students’ critical reading and writing skills through the workshop model. It is designed to give students extensive choices in the selection of their reading. Students will explore the study of literary genres such as memoir, drama, and nonfiction. Students will analyze literature from diverse authors and read analytically and hone their skills for college and career readiness. Emphasis is placed on the analysis, synthesis and evaluation of text. In this course, students will continue their study of narrative, literary analysis, and persuasive writing techniques. A blend of independent reading, book clubs, and whole-class novels will be employed.

     

    Current unit: 2, Reading Literature

     

    Course Expectations, English 11 CP, Mr. Rusher - [email protected]

     

    Grading:

     

    Summative Assessments: 50 %.  There will be three or more summative assessment grades each marking period.  Papers and projects will often be considered summative assessment grades.

    Formative Assessments: 30%. Expect twice as many formative as summative assessments.

    Homework: 20%. You will have several homework assignments each week (in-class assignments are often counted as HW).

    Attendance is very important. My extra help is during A-day lunch in room C-12.

     

    Expectations:

    • Be prepared

      • Come to class prepared with a notebook and writing utensil every day. While you may borrow from our classroom supplies, they are limited. Collateral will be expected. If you make a habit of coming unprepared, you may receive a zero for a homework grade.

     

    • Be on time

      • Every three times you are late for class results in a central detention.

     

    • Bathroom breaks

      • Trips to the bathroom, locker, or anywhere else will not be allowed during the first and last 10 minutes of class.  Otherwise, leaving the classroom will be allowed at my discretion. That is, if you abuse the privilege, you will be denied.

     

    • Be respectful

      • We are a community, so be respectful and demonstrate understanding toward one another. We don’t have to agree with each other’s opinions, but we must respect each other’s right to express them.

     

    • No cell phones or iPods in class (unless otherwise instructed)

      • We will adhere to the school policy concerning cell phone usage. That is, you cannot have a cell phone in class. The first time I see or hear your cell phone, or otherwise notice you using or possessing a cell phone, I will ask you for the phone and keep it on my desk until the end of class. Each subsequent offense will result in a “forced extra help” during lunch on the next A-day. Please use our cell phone/shoe rack to prevent any unfortunate consequences.

     

    • Take a pass and your ID when you leave the room.

     

    Makeup work:

     

    • Tests and quizzes

      • Tests and quizzes (major and minor assessments, respectively) must be made up within one week of your return to class, after school or possibly during B-day lunch in C-12.  YOU are responsible for making the arrangements. I am responsible for delivering the test or quiz. If you are absent the day before an evaluation which you were aware of prior to your absence, you will be required to take the evaluation. For example, if I notify you of Thursday’s vocabulary quiz on the prior Friday and you’re absent Tuesday, you will be required to take the quiz! Penalties for late projects or papers will vary by the assignment and will be included with the assignment.

     

    • Homework

      • Homework must be handed in on time for full credit. I will accept homework one “day” (A or B) late for half credit.  Students will be provided with one extra day for every day they are absent. After that, it’s a zero.

     

    Be honest, and take responsibility for your actions. This is college prep. Most, if not all of you will go on to some form of higher education. The expectations I have of you reflect the academic and professional standards you will need to meet to succeed in college and the workforce.  By achieving a high standard of academic integrity now, you will have the confidence to succeed later in life. Take pride in your work, I do.

     

    CREATIVE WRITING 1 Credits: 2.5 Grades: 10, 11, 12 Designed as a writing workshop, this course allows students to explore their own creative potential by writing short stories and poems. Students receive basic tutelage in genre-specific style and structure. Students read and discuss model short stories and poems to assist them in developing their own writing skills. Upon completion of this course, students have a better understanding of creative writing techniques and a deeper appreciation for the writing craft. While creativity is encouraged, emphasis is placed upon the content and substance of the student’s work.

     

    CREATIVE WRITING 2 Credits: 2.5 Prerequisite: Creative Writing 1 Grades: 10, 11, 12 This elective provides developing writers with a forum to further hone the skills they developed in Creative Writing 1. Creative Writing 2 is designed as a writing workshop, much like Creative Writing 1; however, the course will provide a much more focused, intense experience. Creative Writing 2 will focus on three activities. First, students develop the elements of short fiction in their writing, such as plot, characterization, point of view and theme, according to strategies they learned in Creative Writing 1. Second, students provide feedback to one another in writing circles. Third, students read and analyze short stories by professional writers according to several accepted critical approaches, such as psychological, gender, economic and sociological. At the culmination of this class, students are encouraged to publish work.

     

    HARRY POTTER AND LITERARY CRITICISM: HOGWARTS YEARS 1-4 Credits: 2.5 Grades: 10, 11, 12 In the elective Harry Potter and Literary Criticism, students will read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, and Goblet of Fire, watch the films and analyze Rowling's writing through several critical lenses, including feminist, Marxist, Freudian, and others. The overarching theme of the course will focus on Harry Potter’s coming of age and the loss of innocence. Class time will be spent reading the novels as well as secondary sources, watching the films, and applying various theories of literary criticism to the novels during discussions, as well as on written responses. 

     

    HARRY POTTER AND LITERARY CRITICISM: HOGWARTS YEARS 5-7 Credits: 2.5 Grades: 10, 11, 12 In the elective Harry Potter and Literary Criticism, students will read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, and Deathly Hallows, watch the films and analyze Rowling's writing through several critical lenses, including feminist, Marxist, Freudian, and others. The overarching theme of the course will focus on Harry Potter’s increasing acceptance of his role as a hero. Class time will be spent reading the novels as well as secondary sources, watching the films, and applying various theories of literary criticism to the novels during discussions, as well as on written responses. 

    In the elective Harry Potter and Literary Criticism, students will read the novels, watch the films and analyze Rowling's writing through several critical lenses, including feminist, Marxist, Freudian, and others. Class time will be spent reading the novels as well as secondary sources, watching the films, and applying various theories of literary criticism to the novels during discussions, as well as on written responses. 

    Course Expectations, Harry Potter and Literary Criticism, Mr. Rusher

    email: [email protected]



    Grading:

     

    Major assessments 50%

    Minor assessments 30%

    Classwork/homework 20%

     

    Expectations:

    • Bring your journal

    • Bring your book

    • Keep your phone away

    • Be on time (why would you be late?)

    • Love one another (that’s the point of the series, isn’t it?)