Course Syllabus (11th)

American Literature Syllabus 2023-2024

Course Description

What does it mean to be an American?  The “ideal of perfection” explores ways in which the American Dream brings with it high hopes, high expectations, and rigid realities for many people.  We cannot celebrate the freedoms in America without examining its limitations.  Although the literary pieces we shall read can stand alone as works of art, the focus of the course is to use the literature as a means of understanding our society in which we live and how it came to be.  As such, this course will be taught in the order of major American literary time periods as well as the various schools of literary criticism.

Course Objectives

ü  Think critically:  Learn to analyze and interpret what we read, write and say.

ü  Improve writing skills: Learn better grammar, prewriting, drafting and editing techniques.

ü  Refine English language usage:  Learn and use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.

ü  Appreciate literature:  Learn to enjoy and respect novels, poetry, short stories, plays and the creative process.

ü  Develop communication & technology skills.

Course Texts

Course textbook:

My Perspectives:  Grade 11, Savvas Realize.

Auxiliary texts:

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby

Hurston, Zora Neal.  Their Eyes Were Watching God

Krakauer, Jon.  Into the Wild

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible

Other literature circle choices (selected by students at a later date). 

Students are encouraged to purchase their own supplementary texts for language arts classes. However, the school will provide students with school copies if necessary. Please note that students are still responsible for replacing any lost school-provided text at full market price.  Price of these texts varies by work, but most run $10-$15 each.

Text Selections

It is the goal of FCS to provide students with every opportunity to experience a wide range of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, as well as opportunities to experience visual and digital texts related to content area studies. Teachers select texts for students to read because of their literary merit, contributing to study, and support of the Georgia Standards of Excellence. ​

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We are sensitive to the values of many different families that make up our school district. If you as a parent or guardian feel that the supplemental text is not a good fit, you have the option to request an alternative text. Your child will be given comparable text and assignments to those of other students. ​

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We encourage your participation in your child's education and look forward to working together as all our students experience the rewards of reading. ​

Grading System

1st Semester 

Practice - 10%

Minor - 35%

Major - 55%

No Final Exam Grading Category - If students have a final exam, it will be graded as a Major Assessment.

2nd Semester

Practice 10%

Minor - 30%

Major - 40%

11th Grade EOC - 20%

*All grades will be entered as out of 100 point totals and assigned a weight of 1.0   

Please see descriptions of the grading categories below.

o   Practice – 3-5 assignments in each nine-week period--Used to provide feedback on small activities--(For example: participation in class discussions, activities, and writing conferences)

o   Minor - 3-4 assignments in each nine-week period--Used to demonstrate how a student is performing or has performed on small assessments leading up to a summative assessment--(For example:  Quizzes, Group Discussions, Written Responses)

o   Major - 2 assignments in each nine-week period--Used to demonstrate whether or not a student is demonstrating mastery on a particular standard or set of standards for a unit; any final exams provided will be included in this section--For example:  Tests, Projects, Compositions, Socratic Seminar, and Writing Portfolio)

o   EOC - Assesses students over the material taught in the course; required by the state of GA. 

Recovery Options:

o   Students will have 1 chance to recover any given major assessment assessment if they score a 75% or below.

o   Student redo/retakes must be initiated by the student by emailing Mrs. Oliver at olivere@fultonschools.org and attending the nest RISE session to take place on Wednesdays from 7:45-8:15. The recovery must be fully completed before the next major assignment/assessment is given or within 10 days of the date the assignment/assessment is posted in Infinite Campus, whichever comes first.​

o   The highest grade a student can receive on a recovered assessment is a 75%.

Class Management, Expectations, and Discipline: 

Expectations:  You are old enough to understand what is expected of you and how your ability to meet these expectations impacts your progress in the class.  Please be on time, be respectful, be mentally present, and be prepared.

1.     Being On Time:  To truly be on time to class, you must be in your seat when the bell rings.

2.     Being Mentally Present:  To truly be mentally present, you must purposefully shun distractions such as your phone or other classmates.

3.     Being Prepared:  To truly be prepared, you should have materials ready at the start of class and without prompting from me.  If you have to borrow them sometimes, that’s fine, but it should be taken care of before the bell rings, and materials returned to the appropriate place or person at the end of class.

4. Being Respectful:  To truly be respectful, you must respect yourself and your learning as well as others.  Be encouraging and supportive towards both.

Following FCS and AHS policy, cell phone use is permitted during passing times and lunch. During class, phones must be turned off and placed in a backpack. Phones will not be acceptable replacements for computers. ​

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Earbuds should not be worn unless instructed by Mrs. Oliver. When allowed to listen to music while working asynchronously, please choose a playlist and do not return to your phone. ​

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This is a no-tolerance policy. There will be no warnings. A student using a phone or earbuds during class without explicit teacher permission will lose his or her phone for the remainder of the period. A second offense will result in confiscation by AHS Administration. ​

Furthermore, all Fulton County policies apply in this class. Please refer to your student handbook for any questions. In the case that I find your behavior disrespectful or if you are in violation of any of the school rules, disciplinary consequences will apply.

Rules for using materials and art supplies:  You may use the art supplies that I have provided, and you may write or doodle on the tables, but you must adhere to the following rules.

1.     If you use a crayon or marker, put it back where it goes.  The large marker boxes indicate exactly where to put each color, please use this as a guide.  Do not just cram it back into any box or throw it in the crate.

2.     Everything written on the tables must be classroom appropriate, and hopefully thought provoking.  Under no circumstances may you use the tables or my art supplies to write anything that may be interpreted as disparaging remarks about others.

3.     If you are doodling during a lesson or assignment, be certain that it is enhancing your attention, not detracting from it.  For this one, I really need to be able to trust you to know yourself and be honest with yourself.  Please don’t stomp on my trust.

4.     Try not to break the crayons, pencils, erasers, etc.  I know it happens sometimes anyway, but all I ask is that you try, and that you treat it with care.

5.     Put the caps back on the markers.  Otherwise, they will dry out.

A failure to adhere to these rules sends me the following messages, and I absolutely don’t think these are the messages any of you want to send:

1.     Your time is not valuable as you have plenty of it leftover to clean up after me.

2.     I do not appreciate the time and effort you put in to make sure I have a space to express myself and enhance my learning, so I choose to use it to detract from my learning.

3.     You can always just buy more supplies for me.

Website:  My website is an important extension of the classroom; the class calendars are updated weekly and provide the students with a description of what happened that day, with a log of past assignments, and with electronic copies of the documents given out in class. The class calendar page on the website is the best way to find out what you missed if you are absent from school or to locate a paper you have lost. Please use the website as your first resource.  I work hard to make sure you have everything available to you on the website so that you can find out what you need without waiting until you meet with me upon your return.

Make up Work:   Regular class attendance leads to better performance.  However, if you are absent from class for any reason, it is your responsibility to find out missed assignments and to schedule a time with me to make up tests and quizzes.  If you are absent, access my website to see what you missed before your return to school.  Be sure to see me for an appointment when you return. However, if you are absent the day a long-term project or composition is due, you must email me your assignment on the due date and bring a hard copy when you return.  Failure to do this may result in a late grade.  If there are extenuating circumstances, email an explanation.  All make up work is handled according to the FCS policy.   The most important thing to remember is that make up work is YOUR responsibility. 

Process to acquire and turn in make-up work:

1.     On the day of the absence:  Go to the class calendar on the website to see what you missed, and complete any assignments that you are able to without assistance.

2.     On the first day you return to school:  See me before school to discuss what you missed and make an appointment to get extra help on the assignment or make up assessments.

3.     Follow through on any appointments made and turn in make-up work before school within the number of days for which you were absent.

Make-up Work Don’ts

·       Asking me what you missed without first consulting the website.

·       Requesting make-up work between classes.

·       Requesting make-up work during class.

·       Waiting until the third day after returning to school to see me.

Late Work:  Turning in assignments after their due date can throw off the pacing of the class and keep you from maximizing your learning. The quickest way to detract from your progress is to turn assignments in late—or not turn them in at all.  It is very difficult to stay current while catching up, and it is even more difficult to keep your grade where you would like it with zeros in the gradebook or with late penalties.  If an assignment is submitted after the due date, the maximum grade it can receive is a 75%.  Students must submit late work within 10 days of the due date. If, after 10 days, the student has not submitted the late assignment, they will earn a 0%.

NOTE:  Field trips and other pre-planned absences do not affect due dates.  Work missed due to these absences must be submitted prior to the absence whenever feasible.

Remediation and Academic Dishonesty:

Remediation:  Your success in this course is important to me.  I willingly offer extra help to my students during RISE on Wednesday mornings from 7:45-8:15 in room 2218, and by appointment.  You can also keep track of assignments on our class website where I will post our weekly agenda and any class notes or relevant information for this course.  This is a wonderful resource for parents as well.

Academic Dishonesty…will not be tolerated under any circumstances.  I am very strict about this.  Any assignment (homework, test or paper) which does not represent your work will result in an honor code violation.  See the AHS Honor Code on the common syllabus following this for more information and policies.  (NOTE:  This includes reading something like Spark Notes in place of the actual text.) Just show integrity. 

Unless noted otherwise, all summative assignments are Level 0 collaboration level.

Level 0: Independent   

Students may not discuss or collaborate about the assignment with any other students, family members, or friends.   

Level 1: Consult  

Students may discuss ideas with other students, family members, or friends, but the completion of the assignment or task is independent. Product submission must be in student's own words.  

Level 2: Coordinate  

Students may work in pairs to discuss ideas with other students, but the completion of the written assignment or task is independent. Product submission must be in student's own words.  

Level 3: Collaborate  

Students may discuss ideas with students in the group, and students will complete the entire assignment together in the group. 

Conferences

Student and Teacher Contact:  Questions about grades, makeup or personal issues must be done before school.  I cannot ensure that I give all of my students the attention they deserve if I conduct discussions about individual concerns in-between classes or during class.  Please make sure that you make time to see me individually before school to discuss any individual issues.  I am here Monday- Friday by 7:30 AM, and will be happy to sit down and consult with you between 7:30 and 8:15.  If my light is off that means I have not yet arrived.  If I am not in my room, and the light is on, you should knock, and if there is no response, wait or refer to the white board on the door for my location.

Parent and Teacher Contact:  Parents should feel free to contact me if at any time they should have concerns or questions about their child's progress in this class.  Due to limited phone access during school hours, it is best to contact me via email at olivere@fultonschools.org.