Advanced English III American Literature

Ms. Cheatum

2006-2007

Rm. 5

cheatumd@unity.k12.il.us

 

Course Description:

            We will use the study of American authors to prepare you for a college level class. We will be reading short stories, poems, and essays from our text as well as reading novels. We will be writing paragraphs, essays as well as research papers. This course is fast paced and vigorous.  It will challenge you and it will also be exciting. It is very important that you keep up on the reading and all the assignments. When reading novels, reading assignments will be between 25-30 pages a night. Sometimes less if we are reading a short story.  The writing of essays will be required.

            Any essays that are handed in must be: 1) typed, 2) double spaced, 3) 12 font, 4) Times New Roman type, 5) one inch (1") margins, and 6) must contain a heading and a title.  I reserve the right to request your draft data and research material at any time when typed work is handed in.

            There is no Accelerated Reader in advanced English.

 

Text: Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices Timeless Themes: The American Experience

                        -as well as several novels that will be given out as necessary.

 

Materials needed-these are due on August 28, 2006

a binder or a notebook and a folder with prongs

t abs for the binder

loose-leaf (notebook paper is not acceptable)—5 point deduction

blue or black pens/colored pens for notes

a pocket dictionary (optional)

box of Kleenex

memory stick

 

Student Responsibilities

come to class prepared

green permission slips are only signed when I take roll

respect others who speak and do not get rowdy

participate in group work

you must write your name on everything

clean the room before you leave

no food or drink is to be brought into the classroom (H2O is allowed until Sept. 30)

do not use my desk, computer, shelves, or filing cabinets for any reason        

 

 

Expectations

if you need to leave the room for any reason, bring your handbook to the front of the room and I will sign you out of class. I hold at my discretion whether or not to grant the pass. Only three pass will be allowed per semester.

never, never write in pencil on graded work.  Blue or black ink is the only thing I grade.  No green, no red no purple--blue or black only.  You will receive a percentage deduction for any work not done in blue or black ink.

my detentions are served in the mornings--7:45-8:15

you will be graded accordingly if you write with abbreviations/e-mail talk.

late work is not accepted.  If you are absent from class you must turn in the work as per the Unity High School Handbook policy.  However, if you are in school part of the day, leave before my class or are present in school after my class, your work is due that day (this applies mainly to papers and projects that are due). When you miss my class it is your responsibility to get any missed work from a classmate. I do not reteach my class; however, if after receiving the missed information and you still do not understand, I would be happy to meet with you.

all make-up tests are essay

your semester exam is mandatory and will count as 1/10 of your semester grade

 

                                                Reading List

1st Nine Weeks--A New World

An Excerpt from Olaudah Equiano’s Slave Narrative

From “The General History of Virginia” - John Smith

From “Of Plymouth Plantation” - William Bradford

The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne




My Bondage My Freedom” – Fredrick Douglas


selected spirituals

The Crucible - Arthur Miller

 

This nine week period an essay will be due on oppression and personal struggles

 

2nd Nine Weeks--The American Dream
"The Devil and Tom Walker"--Washington Irving

The Awakening-Kate Chopin

The Great Gatsby-F. Scott Fitsgerald

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou: this novel will be read on your own and you will schedule with me when you are ready to take the test

misc. poetry

misc. readings from Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Declaration of Independence-Thomas Jefferson



 

This nine week period you will adapt your 1st essay to creating The American Dream

 

3rd Nine Weeks--Research Paper

research will be done outside of the classroom

we will learn the parts of the research paper

we will also have reading days in which we will work in class

A Separate Peace – John Knowles

Mardi Gras Celebration

 

4th Nine Weeks-- 20th Century Writers

Carson McCullers, Flannery O,Conner, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ian Frazier (to name a few)

The Glass Menagerie - Tennessee Williams

"Everyday Use"-Alice Walker



This nine week period your biography paper and speech are due.