English 11R Course Outline 2024-2025

The workload this year will be quite rigorous, as this is the year we must prepare for the Common Core Regents examination which will be taking place in January of this school year. The test itself is intensive and demanding and therefore so must our preparation be. Keeping these things in mind, it is of the utmost importance that everyone comes to class each day well prepared and ready to work. Extra help is always available with advanced notice. Do not hesitate to ask.

Graded work will be distributed through a combination of Microsoft Teams and hard copy assignments. Backup copies of materials will also be available in the files section of Teams; however, hard copy assignments must be turned in as such.

Literature:

Plays and Novels:

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beah

Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

The Crucible, by Arthur Miller

Short Stories:

“Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” – Hawthorne

“The Interlopers” – Saki

“The Devil and Tom Walker” – Irving

“The Story of an Hour” – Chopin

Additionally, we will be reading several pieces of literature (short fiction, nonfiction, and informational texts) from classroom texts and other sources.

Poetry:

We will spend several weeks studying poetry from a wide range of poets with the goal of becoming skillful at identifying poetic devices and understanding the purpose and effects of their usage. This skill will be integral to our Regents preparation. As a culminating project for the unit, we will be creating portfolios of original poetry utilizing the poetic devices covered in class.

Grammar and Vocabulary:

Grammar study will focus on style and creating more elaborate sentence structure as well as on topics commonly seen on the PSAT and SAT exams.

Vocabulary study will be rooted in terms found in works of literature studied as well as in words commonly seen on college entrance exams and assignments from Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Words workbook.

Writing:

Extensive preparation for the Common Core Regents Exam (Rhetoric, Argumentative writing, and forming evidence-based claims).

MLA research paper

Creative fiction and poetry

Daily Required Materials: It is imperative that you come to class each day with both a charged 1:1 device, charger, and a notebook designated for English class.

Classroom rules and Grading Policy: The classroom climate must remain one of mutual respect between all. There is no cell phone use allowed during class time. Discipline referrals will be written immediately, and there will be no repeat warnings. Additionally, Air Pods are not permitted during instructional time, and there is no food permitted in the classroom. The grading policy is consistent across the English department: Tests and Essays 40%, Quizzes 30%, Classwork/Participation and Homework 30%. Points will be deducted daily for late submitted work.

Welcome to another year of adventures in the English language! I’m very excited to be working with you all again this year. We have a lot of great literature and activities planned for this year. Over the course of this year, we will continue to the refine the skills you have developed in the past which enable you to demonstrate your understanding and use of the English language. We will work in accordance with the Common Core Standards, but each lesson and activity will be tailored to our individual needs within our classroom. As always, English class will not just be a place for reading - we will practice our writing skills, speaking skills, listening skills, research skills and more.   

Classroom Rules:

Classroom rules establish an atmosphere which allows each student to feel comfortable and safe. It ensures that each person is able to take the most from each and every lesson taught.

Our classroom rules are as follows:

• Respect one another
• Share when you have something valuable to contribute
• Help each other
• Don't be afraid to take chances
• Set goals and work hard to achieve them
• Do your best
• Have fun!

If our rules are not followed, consequences will be given.  We all make mistakes, but we are also held accountable for these mistakes. I expect no one to be perfect, but I do expect each student to take responsibility for his or her actions and to treat each day as a learning experience.

Supplies:

Your biggest asset this year will be your school computer. All other materials will be distributed, as necessary.

In order to allow for student computers to function at their highest capacity, students should adhere to the following:

• Charge computer each night
• Keep computer in its protective case when not in use
• Shut down computer fully each night to allow for necessary updates to take place

Grading Rubric:

• 35% - Tests, Written Assignments, and Projects
• 30% - Quizzes and Informal Assessments
• 20% - Classwork and Homework
• 15% - Work Habits

Homework:

Homework will be checked or collected every time it is assigned. 

If homework is not handed in or shown on the day it is due, you may submit it the following day for up to 50% credit.

Extra Help:

I will be available after school in room 235 from 2:40 – 3:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for extra help. If these times do not work for you, I can make myself available at a time that suits your schedule.

Classroom Activities:

This year we will be limiting the number of texts we will study in order for us to examine our documents more in depth. This will enable us to target specific skills from the Regents such as establishing a controlling idea and using evidence-based claims in our writing. 

Aside from reading, we will also have other overarching activities such as vocabulary, Socratic Seminar Discussions, and independent reading.  

Texts to be covered this year may include:

• Various selection of short stories, including a Ray Bradbury Science Fiction Unit
• I am Legend by Richard Matheson
• The Pearl by John Steinbeck
• The Epic Poem Beowulf
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
• Various selections of poetry, including song lyrics

Dear Students:

Welcome to another year of adventures in the English language! I’m very excited to be working with you all again this year. We have a lot of great literature and activities planned for this year. Over the course of this year, we will continue to the refine the skills you have developed in the past which enable you to demonstrate your understanding and use of the English language. We will work in accordance with the Common Core Standards, but each lesson and activity will be tailored to our individual needs within our classroom. As always, English class will not just be a place for reading - we will practice our writing skills, speaking skills, listening skills, research skills and more.

Classroom Rules: Classroom rules establish an atmosphere which allows each student to feel comfortable and safe. It ensures that each person is able to take the most from each and every lesson taught. Our classroom rules are as follows: • Respect one another • Share when you have something valuable to contribute • Help each other • Don't be afraid to take chances • Set goals and work hard to achieve them • Do your best • Have fun! If our rules are not followed, consequences will be given. We all make mistakes, but we are also held accountable for these mistakes. I expect no one to be perfect, but I do expect each student to take responsibility for his or her actions and to treat each day as a learning experience.

Supplies: Your biggest asset this year will be your school computer. All other materials will be distributed, as necessary. In order to allow for student computers to function at their highest capacity, students should adhere to the following: o Charge computer each night o Keep computer in its protective case when not in use o Shut down computer fully each night to allow for necessary updates to take place

Grading Rubric: • 35% - Tests, Written Assignments, and Projects • 30% - Quizzes and Informal Assessments • 20% - Classwork and Homework • 15% - Work Habits Homework: Homework will be checked or collected every time it is assigned. If homework is not handed in or shown on the day it is due, you may submit it the following day for up to 50% credit.

Extra Help: I will be available after school in room 235 from 2:40 – 3:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for extra help. If these times do not work for you, I can make myself available at a time that suits your schedule. Classroom Activities: This year we will be limiting the number of texts we will study in order for us to examine our documents more in depth. This will enable us to target specific skills from the Regents such as establishing a controlling idea and using evidence-based claims in our writing. Aside from reading, we will also have other overarching activities such as vocabulary, Socratic Seminar Discussions, and independent reading. Texts to be covered this year may include: • Various selection of short stories, including a Ray Bradbury Science Fiction Unit • I am Legend by Richard Matheson • The Pearl by John Steinbeck • The Epic Poem Beowulf • A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare • Various selections of poetry, including song lyrics