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Course Syllabus |
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BRIDGE TO LITERATURE 2012-2013 |
Course Description
Implementing
a thematic approach to the exploration of text, the purpose of this course is to cultivate student skills in the following
six areas: vocabulary and grammar, reading comprehension, writing as a process, research methods, formal and informal speaking,
and listening for organization and communication. Upon completion of the Literature Lab, students will demonstrate the ability
to successfully paraphrase an author’s quote, analyze a writer’s appeal to specific audiences, apply information
to real-life circumstances, draw inferences based on text and prior knowledge, and identify relevant/irrelevant information
in a selection of writing samples. Additionally, students must exercise organization of content to convey an accurate written
message, develop a thesis statement with supporting evidence, and complete a number of authentic writing tasks using appropriate
documentation when necessary.
Course Assignments Weight (per school policy/English department)
The
chart below illustrates the breakdown of how graded assignments will be weighed in proportion to one another. Details regarding
specific performance tasks and applicable assessment criteria – particularly scoring rubrics – will accompany
those assignments. Although the course may include a number of non-graded assignments, completion of those tasks is essential
to successfully satisfying your responsibilities for any tasks that are graded.
10% - Homework
includes, but is not limited to written assignments, work sheets, and other take home reinforcement activities as deemed necessary.
20% - Classwork
includes, but is not limited to, journal entries, do now’s, collaborative assignments, and formal discussions.
20% - Quizzes include, but are not limited to, chapter/section quizzes,
binder/notebook quizzes, and oral quizzes.
25% - Tests include, but are not limited to, chapter tests, unit tests, and cumulative
tests.
25% - Projects
include, but are not limited to, research papers/projects, multimedia presentations, formal speeches, debates, and other tasks
as assigned.
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Course Outline
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Unit Name |
Unit Length |
Major Readings |
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1. Dreams of Youth |
10
lessons |
No
book-length works |
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2. Dreams Deferred |
11
lessons |
Monster (Walter Dean Myers) |
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3. Influences: Peer Pressure |
14
lessons |
The Outsiders (S. E. Hinton) |
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4. Influential People: Our Heritage |
17
lessons |
Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom) |
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5. Masks – Physical and Emotional |
12
lessons |
You Don’t Know Me (David Klass) |
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Student
Responsibilities |
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o You
are in class daily and on time because when you are late or absent, you miss discussions and assignments that are essential
for your success in this class.
o You
are prepared. Get a good night’s sleep, have breakfast, and come to class
with your books, notebooks, writing utensils, and homework. (No locker passes,
so come prepared daily.)
o You
participate in the learning process. You work collaboratively with others by
listening respectfully and accepting responsibly in group tasks.
o You
are an asset to the class.
o You
do your own work. If you copy someone else’s work, you will both receive a zero on the assignment. Word.
o You make up all missed assignments, quizzes, tests, and projects immediately.
Always ask on the day you return what you need to make up. If you cut
class, don’t ask for missed work!
o Do
what you have to do now, so you can do what you want to do later!
BE
PREPARED. BE ON TIME. BE RESPECTFUL. BE ACCOUNTABLE. BE CONSISTENT. BE WHO YOU WANT TO BECOME!
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Classroom
Rules |
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o
Initial the sign-in sheet daily
o Be
in the room and in your seat when the late bell rings
o No
food or drinks are allowed
o No
cell phones or music devices should be visible.
þ I will have to take it and hold it for you until
3:00.
þ If I see a cell phone (etc) during a quiz/test,
you will receive a zero on the test. Word!
o Be
respectful to your peers, to me, and to our classroom materials
þ Clean out desk and push in chair at the end of class.
þ Erase any scribbles you accidentally wrote on your
desk!
o If
you need to use a computer, please ask first
o Use
the restroom before coming to class. I have a bathroom pass for emergencies;
however, most bathrooms are locked during class, so you’ll miss 10 minutes of class time if you have to search for an
open bathroom.
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Materials/Supplies |
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Pen and pencil
o Highlighter
o Flash
drive/thumb drive/USB (highly recommended so you can save your work)
o English
notebook (Three-ring binder is best for adding handouts. Folder or spiral notebook is okay.)
o A brain
and a willingness to use it until it hurts! |
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Web Resources |
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o
School website: http://www.trenton.k12.nj.us (Best place to
check for school closings!)
o Ms. Smith’s classroom site: http://mrsdsmith.tripod.com
o Writing
help: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ (click Grammar/Mechanics on right)
o Excellent
resource for writing a research paper: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
o Class Blog: http://maddogsmith.blogspot.com
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