English III Syllabus
American Literature and Composition
Overview
With American Literature as the guide, this course will focus on implementing the CPALMS and Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as preparing students for their futures. An emphasis will be placed on reading and writing effectively – with student choice factoring-in to a lot of assignments throughout the year. Our literary approach will be chronological, beginning pre-Revolution, and ending in the modern era (with a few time-traveling jumps related to student interests). We will also take a faith-based approach with community projects and social awareness lessons throughout the semester. Projects will be a regular form of assessment – including grammar, text, and formal presentations. In addition to the various texts we will examine as a class, students are required to read a total of four texts on their own (two a semester), and will turn in a quarterly portfolio (completing three entries) that directly correlates to these texts. This portfolio will be a test grade, and thus is very important.
Objectives
The student will be able to…
- Read selected works and comprehend the style, central themes, messages, tone, author intent, etc.
- Write effectively, through many modes and mediums
- Communicate effectively, through spoken-word in the form of presentations, as well through many other mediums – including on-line, in paper, and non-verbally
- Discuss selected works—their own and their peers’—with openness and understanding in regards to the rights of all individuals to their own opinions
- Evaluate works—including their own and their peers’—with attentiveness and appreciation, as well as employing constructive criticism when necessary
- Research a topic and write an extensive paper following proper MLA format and procedures – including the evaluation of sources
- Work extensively with 21st Century literacies and texts – including publishing and creating their own work on-line
- Develop their own opinions and preferences for literature – discovering themselves and each other in the process
Texts -- students may elect to purchase texts according to preference (ebook, or paper copy)
Plays
Novels
The Revenant - Sonia Gensler
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
Multimedia
Clips of movies, music, and television shows will be used to aid in our discovery of American Literature and other content throughout the year. All clips will be safe for viewing and will have academic merit.
"The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss
Materials
- iPad (a portable charger is useful)
- USB storage drive
- Texts
- Pen and paper – just in case
- Highlighters
- Gmail account and Google Drive
- Internet accessibility
- Open-minds
Assignments & Grading
Schoology
Please check this website daily. All assignment due dates, materials, updates, and including day-to-day course information will be available on your period's page. Click here to access Bishop Moore's page.
Percentages
Daily: 15%
Testing: 45%
Alternate: 40%
A is 90-100
B is 80-89
C is 70-79
D is 60-69
E is 0-59
Contact Information
As an alum of Bishop Moore (Class of '06) I am thrilled to be living my dream and teaching here. It is my personal mission to ensure all my students leave my classroom with the skills and knowledge to succeed in life; a love of reading and writing wouldn't hurt, either!
Email: bradicka@bishopmoore.org
Website: http://tinyurl.com/kovqjpn
Phone: (407) 293-7561