Course Description

Literary Heritage: Advanced

Room 501
jkendall@arlington.k12.ma.us

Course Description
This course will examine literary texts that focus on issues of the individual, family, integrity and power. Students will improve their skills in writing analytically about literature and continue to develop their language sense in the areas of grammar and vocabulary. Students will prepare for the MCAS English Language Arts examination by writing on demand and maintaining a portfolio of their written work, and moving beyond the five-paragraph essay in their writing. Students will reflect on their own writing and learn from the writing process; they will also learn more about their own writing progress in individual writing conferences. Students will gain confidence as speakers by presenting their own work and participating in performed poetry and drama. They will mature as communicators and members of the school community by working in groups and teams on a routine basis. Finally, students will self-evaluate frequently and monitor their progress as readers and writers. Cooperative learning skills and collaboration with peers will also be further explored with students working in groups for various learning outcomes with a focus on responsibility, tolerance and respect.

Learning Objectives:
· To communicate effectively using multiple forms of assessment
· To gather, interpret, synthesize, and evaluate information
· To discover connections between their own ideas and the ideas of preceding generations
· To take full responsibility for their own learning and respectfully advocating for themselves when they do not understand the material being presented
· To demonstrate the ability to read critically and think logically and analytically

Classroom Expectations:
· Attendance: Students will attend class and will not exceed the Six-excused absence policy. If absent please make an appointment with me before or after school to get materials. Students will be on time for class within the two-minute grace period. Detentions will be given to late arrivals without passes. After three late arrivals you will be reported to the Dean.
· Beginning of Class: Students will enter the classroom prepared with a positive and respectful attitude towards the learning environment with a willingness to complete the day’s activities and or agenda. Many class periods will begin with a bell-ringer or a journal entry that is relative to the classes learning objectives thus allowing an opportunity to create a piece of writing without judgment. This work will be evaluated with a focus on topic development and the depth of thought.
· Classroom Procedures: Information from class discussions as well as anything posted will be your responsibility. Therefore, take notes.
· Materials: Please have a three-ring binder or a notebook with three sections and bring this to class everyday. Also, make sure to have a pen and pencil with you everyday.
· Homework: If you are absent you should contact one of your “Clock Buddies” or consult the “week at a peek” sheet that will be given out on almost every Monday. Late homework will not be accepted as well as notes from parents unless it is an extenuating circumstance. Remember, this does not include papers or projects.
· Papers, Projects, Major Assignments: All papers must be typed and revised. Hand-written assignments will not be accepted. Papers should be read by a peer during peer editing, myself or by another person (friend, parent) if we don’t peer edit on a particular assignment. Ten points will be taken off for each day a paper, project or assignment is late, no exceptions. A paper may be turned in at any time during the term for a 50%. Please see me if extenuating circumstances do not allow you to get the paper done on time.
· Plagiarism: No credit will be given if any part of an assignment is plagiarized. No exceptions! Parents will also be contacted.
· The Classroom: Respect is very important to any society or environment, and this class is no exception. Treat the environment and all the participants with respect and respect will be returned. Thoughtful deliberation or thinking about what you are about to say before you say it helps ensure the concept of respect. Cell phones, I-Pods or any type of electronic device that disrupts the learning environment is unacceptable. NO food or Drinks are allowed in class except water. No exceptions. Lastly, your seat may be subject to change at anytime without discussion if your proximity to another is disruptive.
· Participation: Students should be aware of how much or how little participation is contributed. Too little will effect your grade, too much may not allow everyone a chance to speak.

Assessments:
1. Writing/Projects: 45% (35% term 1)
2. Quizzes: 15%
3. Homework: 25%
4. Participation 15%
5. Summer reading: 10% (term 1 only)

Core Texts

1st Quarter
· To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Summer Reading)
· Collection 6 Elements of Literature, Fourth Course, Holt, Rinehart, Wilson
· Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
· Vocabulary Workshop, Level E, Sadlier-Oxford

2nd Quarter
· A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
· Collection 7 Elements of Literature, Fourth Course, Holt, Rinehart, Wilson
· Collection 10 Elements of Literature, Fourth Course, Holt, Rinehart, Wilson
· Vocabulary Workshop, Level E, Sadlier-Oxford
· Mastering the MCAS by Steven Stern

3rd Quarter
· Antigone by Sophocles
· A Separate Peace, John Knowles
· Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
· Vocabulary Workshop, Level E, Sadlier-Oxford
· Mastering the MCAS by Steven Stern

4th Quarter
· Fences by August Wilson
· OUI by Robert Pease
· Mastering the MCAS by Steven Stern

FILMS
· A Tale of Two Cities
· A Separate Peace
· Facing History and Ourselves