Teacher Information:
Seddrick Bell
Email: sbell@greenville.k12.sc.us(this is my primary email account. For a faster response, use this one)
sbell@greenvilleschools.us
Phone: (864) 355-6333
Daily Schedule:
1st: English III CP
2nd: English II H
3rd: English II H
4th: Planning
Course Description: English 3 Honors is a course that focuses on both literary and informational texts that reflect American influence. The course is designed to prepare students for the rigor of the South Carolina State Standards for College and Career Readiness. Placement recommendations: Earned 80 or above in English I and English 2. High level of performance in reading and writing skills Ability to think critically and demonstrated enthusiasm for language arts. Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to enroll in AP Language.
Learning Goals for the Year:
Reading Literature: Reading and understanding a range of texts, including stories, drama, and poetry, of increasing complexity.
Reading Informational Text: Reading and understanding a broad range of literary nonfiction, including exposition, argument, and functional text, such as personal essays, speeches, opinion pieces, memoirs, and historical and technical accounts.
Writing: Generating three written products such as arguments, informative or explanatory texts, and narratives, as well as using the writing process and technology to develop and share your writing. Writing should also emphasize research and involve writing for short and extended time frames.
Speaking and Listening: Comprehending information presented in a variety of media and formats, participating in collaborative discussions, and presenting knowledge and ideas clearly.
Language: Addressing the conventions of Standard English grammar, usage and mechanics; knowledge of language; and vocabulary acquisition and use.
Course Outline (Subject to Minor Changes with Prior Notice):
Unit 1: Final Assessment: Write an Informative essay at the end of the unit
Unit 1: Early American Writing – An Emerging Nation
A. The Native American Experience
1. Historical Context
2. The World on the Turtle’s Back
B. Exploration and Early Settlers
1. La Relacion
2. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano
C. Puritan Tradition
1. Upon the Burning of Our House
2. To My Dear and Loving Husband
D. The Crucible- American Drama
F. Writing: Culmination of unit - Write an informative essay based on one of the reading selections
Unit 2: Final Assessment: Write a narrative at the end of the unit
Unit 2: American Romanticism-Celebrating the Individual
A. Early Romantics
1. The Devil and Tom Walker
2. A Psalm of Life
3. The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls
4. The First Snowfall
B. The Transcendentalists
1. From Self-Reliance
2. From Nature
3. From Walden
4. From Civil Disobedience
5. From On Nonviolent Resistance
C. American Gothic
1. The Raven (Poem)
2. The Minister’s Black Veil or Young Goodman Brown
3. Fall of the House of Usher
4. The Adventure of the German Student
5. The Black Cat
6. The Masque of the Red Death
D. Final Assessment: Creation of a narrative (Essay or Project)
Unit 3: Final Assessment: Research and informative writing
Unit 3: Romanticism to Realism- An Age of Transition
A. Research project on Social Injustice (Paper, PowerPoint, other Technology product
B. Poetry: Whitman and Dickinson
C. Civil War Literature
1. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
2. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
D. Regionalism and Naturalism– Capturing the American Landscape
Regionalism and Local Color Writing - From The Autobiography of Mark Twain
The Rise of Naturalism
The Law of Life
A New Role for Women
The Story of an Hour
The Yellow Wallpaper
Of Mice and Men and/or The Great Gatsby
F. Final Assessment: Analytical essay of one piece of literature focusing on previous research
Unit 4: Final Assessment: Persuasive Writing
Unit 4: The Harlem Renaissance and Modernism: A Changing Awareness
A. Poetry
1. Poetry by Langston Hughes
2. How It Feels to Be Colored Me
3. Poetry by Robert Frost
4. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
5. Analytical essay on one of the poems
B. Modern Short Story
1. Winter Dreams
2. A Worn Path
3. A Rose for Emily
D. Writing a persuasive essay
Possible Films and Film Clips:
The Crucible with Daniel Day-Lewis Rating: PG-13
Their Eyes Were Watching God with Halle Berry Rating: PG-13
The Lorax Rating: PG
Of Mice and Men with Malkovich Rating:PG-13
Death of a Salesman with Dustin Hoffman Rating: PG
The Great Gatsby with DiCaprio Rating: PG-13
The Great Gatsby with Robert Redford Rating:PG
Pursuit of Happyness Rating: PG13
A Streetcar Named Desire with Marlon Brando Rating: PG
The Scarlet Letter Produced by Rick Hauser
The Corpse Bride by Tim Burton PG
Possible Novels:
Of Mice and Men
The Great Gatsby
*Novels are subject to change depending on time and student preferences. If a parent or student does not agree with novel or film selections, he/she should inform the teacher, before the unit begins, to receive alternate assignments.
MagicSchool AI Tools for Students:
This year, students will have access to MagicSchool AI, a generative AI platform built for schools that will help them learn to use the technology safely and responsibly. With tools like ChatGPT and others being used in the professional world, it’s important that students learn how to use the technology safely. By using MagicSchool in our classes, your student will be prepared for the future of technology in the workforce.
While students use MagicSchool tools for purposes such as receiving real time feedback, getting their questions answered, generating images, and in other exciting ways, I will have access to their chats to ensure that it’s used appropriately. Rest assured, MagicSchool does not collect or train on student data.
Be sure to ask your child about how they’re using AI in the classroom and take a look at the engaging ways they’ve utilized the MagicSchool tools to enhance their learning!
For more information, go to www.magicschool.ai or reach out directly with questions.
Course Standards: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/instruction/standards/ELA/ELA%20Standards/SCCCR%20Standards%20OnePager%20English%203.pdf
Required Texts and Materials:
HMH Into Literature
Chromebook
Chorded Headphones compatible with Chromebook
Pens/Pencils
Highlighters
1 Box of Colored Pencils or Colored Pens
Post-it notes for additional notes/annotations in books
Class Expectations:
Be prepared to learn.
Respect both the teacher and classmates.
Focus on the task at hand.
Observe school rules
Follow classroom procedures.
Grading Information:
Grading/Evaluation
Major tests, essays, projects (major assessments) 60%
Classwork, quizzes, journals/bellwork, homework (minor assessments) 40%
Grading Scale: A = 90 – 100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F=Below 60