11th Grade English: 2009-2010

August 20, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians:
I would like to welcome you and your child to 11th Grade English at OCSI. I am excited about having your child in my class, and I am committed to high expectations and standards for your child’s behavior and academic performance as we work together to prepare your child for their senior year of high school.

One of the ways I can communicate my high expectations while helping your child to become a better student overall is by increasing the quality and amount of time spent reading. Research suggests that there is a direct correlation between students’ high test scores and the time they spend reading. Your child can raise test scores significantly over time by spending thirty minutes a night reading.

A current leader in educational practice, Harry Wong, states, “The more the school and the family are joined as partners in educating young people, the greater the child’s chances for success.” I agree, and ask your support towards this effort. In order to help me learn more about your child and how to work with him or her in class, please take some time to look over the syllabus and the policies and procedure sheets, and to fill out and sign the information sheet.

Please feel free to contact me anytime you have a question or concern. I am always glad to schedule a conference, answer an e-mail, or return a phone call.

Your partner in education,
Ms. Allen Rowe
allen.rowe@ocsi.org
ALRowe1742@yahoo.com


Eleventh Grade English Class Syllabus

Class Name: American Literature
Hour: Period 5
Teacher Name: Ms. Allen Rowe
Room Number: #328
E-mail Address: ALRowe1742@yahoo.com and allen.rowe@ocsi.org
The best time for parents to call me is: 958-3000, from 8-3. Please set up an appointment to see and speak to me.

Course description: As stated on the OCSI Course Catalog, “the students study literature that coincides with what they are studying in their US History class. Students develop oral skills, critique selected readings, and develop their knowledge of the writings of America throughout its history.”

Class Activities: Class activities are designed to develop the students’ communication skills through reading, writing, and speaking. These activities include but are not limited to: reading in class (independently and in groups), writing to examine and explain their thoughts, especially on the subject of literature, working actively both individually and with others, and demonstrating their understanding through tests and projects.

You will need the following materials for this class:
-- A4-sized binder with A4 Loose leaf paper for all assignments, except for journal.
-- B5 or A4 Notebook for journal: must be consistently used. (Obviously, if and when the notebook is full, you’ll buy a new one, but don’t change notebooks every week.)
-- Pens/pencils.
-- IR book, or another novel as assigned by the teacher.
-- Assigned workbook of Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics: McDougal Littell, 2001.
-- Assigned textbook copy of The Language of Literature: McDougal Littell, 2003.
-- Assigned textbook copy of Language Network: McDougal Littell, 2003.

Your grade will be based on the following:
Your grade will be determined based on the total number of points earned, from points available, in a given category.
--40% Tests (including written tests, projects, quizzes, others as announced to students)
--40% Papers (including research papers, essays, others as announced to students)
--20% Assignments (including class participation, homework, class activities, others as announced to students)

GENERAL TIMELINE FOR ELEVENTH GRADE:
Please note: The schedule below is estimated, and may be adjusted based on class needs, at the teacher’s discretion, at any point throughout the year.

Summer Reading J-Term Reading
The Light in the Forest In His Steps

First Quarter Second Quarter
Historical Overview Public Speaking
Puritan Tradition Spirit of Individualism
(The Crucible) and Gothic Literature
Research Papers
Extra Credit Opportunity
(The Scarlet Letter)

Third Quarter Fourth Quarter
Changing Face of America 1940’s-Present
(Short Stories) (The Testament)
Modern Age Integration/Disintegration
(The Great Gatsby) (Unheard Voices)

The following English categories will be incorporated in to the other units each quarter: journaling, independent reading (IR), vocabulary, grammar, essays, and public speaking.