Freshman Literature Syllabus

Bob Speirs

9th Literature

rspeirs@spearfish.k12.sd.us

(605) 717-1212 (W)

-Short stories, Romeo and Juliet, and the Odyssey or the primary focus of Freshman Literature.

-In addition, students will develop daily journals, peer evaluation skills, and present oral reports on outside readings during the course.

Materials/Textbook Information

• 1. Laptop computer

  2. Journal or spiral notebook

  3. The Language of Literature text book

Course Requirements/Objectives

The Student will:

• 1. develop critical reading, evaluation, and listening skills

  2. perform in classroom speech demonstrations

  3. evaluate other speakers/writers and provide positive feedback in writing

  4. gain an understanding of terminology/ vocabulary

  5. meet or exceed state grade specific literature standards

Student Performance Objectives and Course Requirements

The Student will:

• 1. develop critical reading skills

  2. perform in classroom verbal literary presentations

  3. evaluate class presenters and provide positive feedback verbally and in writing

  4. gain an understanding of Literary terminology/ vocabulary

Class Procedures and Rules

Sign in and out if you are tardy or leaving classroom.

If absent, have a responsible classmate gather the information pertaining to missed assignments prior to the next class period

Laptop and Internet Procedures

No laptop use unless specifically instructed,

No Games

Leave laptops under desks unless otherwise instructed.

No email until last five minutes of class.

First misuse leads to confiscation for remainder of period, second till end of day.

Assessment Plan

Student assessment will be based on:

• 1. Book Reports

  2. peer evaluations

  3. quizzes and tests

  4. small group work and presentations

  5. Romeo and Juliet major project

  6. journals

- essays

:- In-class journal entries, ½ page average for an “A”.(Up to 10% of final grade)

• 1. Journal entries are graded as a participation grade and do not need to be made up when you are absent. Each entry must begin with the journal topic and the date.

  2. TWO self-selected novel reports, written and then presented orally.

  3. Novels must be selected and instructor approved during the first two weeks of class. Novels may only be changed with prior instructor approval up to two weeks prior to presentation date. (1st reports are due the 17th or 18th of October). No Movies, No books from middle school reading list without prior approval. (Up to 10% of total grade)

  4. Several short essays (Up to 15 % of total grade)

  5. Comprehensive final. (Up to 15% of total grade)

  6. No incompletes or failed grades will be allowed to stay on grade book without parental approval. All incompletes or failed assignments must be retaken or completed to earn a final course grade.

  7. Your final course score can be increased up to 5% with acceptable extra credit work.

Letter grades for the course are determined by the school wide-grading scale outlined below:

96-100 A

92-95 A-

89-91 B+

86-88 B

83-85 B-

79-82 C+

76-78 C

73-75 C-

69-72 D+

65-68 D

60-64 D-

Homework Procedures

As required per each individual assignment.

Late work can be docked 10% of final grade.