English 11 Syllabus  

Instructor:  Mrs. Michelle Stemwedel

                     Room 105

                     E-mail: Michelle.Stemwedel@k12.sd.us

                     BVHS Phone Number:  1-605-582-3211

Objectives:

1. To familiarize students with major American writers and works from the pre-colonial period through modern fiction including prose and poetry.
2. To challenge students to relate their own experiences and thoughts to literature.
3. To encourage frequent writing in response to literature demonstrating proficient use of grammar, syntax, diction, sentence structure, and paragraph structure.
4. To lead students to cross-relate recurring themes/values in American literature.
5. To prompt students to recognize links between literature, history, and self.
6. To enhance vocabulary.
7. To encourage the learning of technical terms used in literary analysis.

Evaluations:

ü      Unit/Novel Tests and Projects-approx. 50% of quarter grade

ü      Daily assignments and quizzes- approx. 40% of quarter grade

ü      Participation in class/word quizzes- approx. 10%  of quarter grade

Semester Test-counts for 20% of semester grade

Assignments are given to check for understanding.  Students may earn full credit for assignments turned in on time.  They may earn up to 50% credit for late papers as per the teacher’s discretion.  Students who work on makeup work or late assignments in class receive no credit for that assignment.

Extra credit is minimal in this class.   Do your best all the time.  There will not be extra credit available at the last minute just to improve your grade. 

Grading Scale:

A   94.50-100                          B-  82.50-85.49                       D+ 70.50-73-49

A-  91.50-94.49                       C+ 79.50-82.49                       D   67.50-70.49

B+ 88.50-91.49                       C   76.50-79.49                       D-  64.50-67.49

B   85.50-88.49                       C-  73.50-79.49                       F   64.49 and below

Litearature Component:

            Text:  The Language of Literature: American Literature (McDougal Littell)

Ø      Short Stories

Ø      Essays

Ø      Drama

Ø      Poetry

Ø      Vocabulary

Novel Component:

            The class will read, discuss, and analyze at least one novel of the teacher’s choice.

Writing Component:

ü      Structure of the paragraph

ü      Structure of essay answers for tests

ü      Various types of essays including the persuasive essay, the reflective essay, and the literary analysis essay

ü      Various structures of essays including comparison/contrast, cause/effect, and description

ü      Possible daily writing assignments

Materials Needed:

ü      Notebook (with several sections)

ü      Folder for handouts

ü      Blue or black ink pens and pencils

Absent Student Folder:

Students are required to check the absent student folder whenever they are absent for any reason.   The folder will contain all pertinent information from the missed day. It is the student’s responsibility to check the binder for the assignments and get the work completed according to school policy, as expressed in the student handbook.

Classroom Rules:

Students are expected to follow the rules in the student handbook as well as the rules set by the individual teacher.

v     Have all materials needed for class every day.

v     Respect the property and people within the room.

v     Have a positive attitude.

v     Remember everyone has a right to be heard, but not everyone can be heard at the same time.

Please ask questions if you don’t understand something. I can’t help you unless I know you need help!