Honors American Literature and Composition 2015

North Cobb High School

Mr. Lukus Griffin
Email: LukusGriffin99@outlook.com
Cell:
(404) 759-3021
School Phone: 770-975-6685 ext.: 1603
Blog: www.griffinamericanliterature.weebly.com
This is a college preparatory course designed to enable students to understand, explain, and evaluate what they read. It
also aims to teach students to write effectively in the areas of persuasion, analysis, and research. Ultimately, this course
is designed to equip college-bound students with effective communication skills and a better appreciation and
understanding of their literary heritage and how it relates to todays life and culture. This course is required for
graduation and an EOC will be administered at the end of the semester.
Essential Questions.
What is the American experience and how is that experience related in literature?
What is my American experience?
How does the literature of the United States explore the theme of The American Dream?
What is my American dream?
Courses of Study.
The Crucible
The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn
The Great Gatsby
Class Expectations.
1. Be a thinking, active classroom participant.
2. Be here, on time, and prepared to learn every day.
3. Be respectful of everyone (peers, teachers) at all times. Take pride in yourself and your work.
4. When you arrive to class, check the board for the daily agenda. Be ready to begin class (books, paper, pens out)
when the bell rings.
5. Class does not end until the teachers dismiss you. Do not pack up your materials until the teachers tell you to do
so.
6. You may bring food and/or drink. Please clean up after yourself. If this becomes a problem, the class could lose
this privilege.
7. Restroom passes are allowed during class work time. Please do not interrupt instruction to ask for a pass unless
there is a true emergency.
8. Follow all other rules as listed in your handbook.
Discipline Policy.
1st offense: warning
2nd offense: Teacher/student conference
3rd offense: Phone call home and/or seat change
4th offense: Referral
Required Materials.
5-Subject Spiral Notebook
Loose-leaf notebook paper
Blue or black ink pens

Suggested Materials:
No. 2 pencils
Highlighter
Post-it Notes

Grade Percentages.
Your grades in this class will consist of four major categories; each will be assigned a weight as follows:
50% - Summative Assessments
20% - Final Examination
30% - Formative Assessments

Attendance/Make-up Work.
Daily attendance is vital to educational success. It is difficult to makeup missed work, especially on a block
schedule. In keeping with Cobb County policy, you will be allowed to make up work for excused absences only.
When you are absent one day, missed assignments, including any homework, are due the day following your
return. Any previously assigned homework assignments are due on the day of your return to school.
If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to check the make-up work file (located on the front table) the day
you return to school. Once you have copied down the assignment(s), then you may ask questions regarding the
assignment.
Quizzes and tests must be made up within five school days of an excused absence. It is the your responsibility to
arrange for a time to make up your work.
If you have circumstances that require special consideration, please discuss them with us and we will work
together. Remember, tests and quizzes that are not made up within five school days will become automatic
zeros.
Work for students returning from suspension is due upon the day the student returns.
Late Work.
If an assignment is turned in late without an absence, 20% of the grade will be deducted. Late work will not be
accepted over 5 days late.
Extra Help.
We are here to teach you and foster your educational experience. We want you to do well. Please do not
hesitate to approach us with any questions or concerns you have regarding class. If you are experiencing a
difficult time understanding something or need additional help, please see us so that we may schedule a time to
meet.
Times are available in the afternoons, but please confirm the day and time with us first.

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE CLASS SYLLABUS AND POLICIES FOR MR. GRIFFINS 11TH GRADE
HONORS AMERICAN LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION CLASS. IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, I
KNOW THAT I CAN CONTACT MY TEACHER AT THEIR EMAIL OR SEE THEM BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL.
**THIS SIGNED SYLLABUS SHOULD REMAIN IN THE FRONT OF YOUR NOTEBOOK FOR THE REMAINDER
OF THIS CLASS!**
PRINT STUDENTS NAME: _______________________________________________________________
STUDENTS SIGNATURE: ________________________________________ DATE: __________________

Parents,
I look forward to spending time this semester working with your child. I realize that from time to time you may have
questions regarding this class, your childs progress, or your childs future. I encourage you to use iGradePlus where you
will be able to answer most of your questions about class performance. If you need to speak directly to me, email will
be the most efficient form of contact. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Also, please mark your calendar for the PTSAs Open House later this month. On that night we will provide parents time
to meet and greet their childs teachers. Anticipate more information in the near future about this important evening.
Your signature below indicates to us that you have read the attached course syllabus, are aware of the reading
requirements/selections that this course entails, and understand that your childs grades will be available online at
Cobb Countys iGradePlus site.
In addition, your signature below grants your child permission to view G, PG, or PG-13 videos in class as long as they are
directly related to the Honors American Literature curriculum.
Sincerely,

Lukus Griffin
Honors American Literature Teacher

____________________________________
Parent Signature

______________________
Date

Best way to reach you:

Email____________________________________
Phone numbers: (day)_______________________ (evening) ____________________________

Honors American Literature

Power Standards
ELAALRL1: The student demonstrates comprehension by identifying evidence (e.g. diction, imagery, point of view,
figurative language, symbolism, plot events and main ideas) in a variety of texts representative of different genres (e.g.
poetry, prose, and drama) and by using this evidence as a basis for interpretation. **Focus on British and
Commonwealth fiction
ELAALRL2: The student identifies, analyzes and applies knowledge of theme in a work of British and/or Commonwealth
literature and provides evidence from the work to support understanding.
ELAALRL3: The student deepens understanding of literary works by relating them to contemporary context or historical
background.
ELAAL4: The student employs a variety of writing genres to demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of significant ideas in
sophisticated literary works. The student composes essays, narratives, poems or technical documents.
ELAAL5: The student understands and acquires new vocabulary and uses it correctly in reading and writing.
ELAALRC1: The student reads a minimum of 25 grade-level appropriate books or book equivalents per year from a
variety of subject disciplines. The student reads both informational and fictional texts in a variety of genres and modes
of discourse, including technical texts related to various subject areas.
ELAALRC2: The student participates in discussions related to curricular learning in all subject areas.
ELAALRC3: The student acquires new vocabulary in each content area and uses it correctly.
ELAALRC4: The student establishes a context for information acquired by reading across subject areas.
ELA11W1: The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and
engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals closure.
ELA11W2: The student demonstrates competence in a variety of genres. **Focus on expository writing to explain an
idea or concept and/or convey information and ideas from primary and secondary sources accurately and coherently.
ELA11W3: The student uses research and technology to support writing.
ELA11W4: The student practices both timed and process writing and, when applicable, uses the writing process to
develop, revise, and evaluate writing.
ELA11C1: The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of the English language, realizing that usage
involves the appropriate application of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats.
ELA11C2: The student demonstrates understanding of manuscript form, realizing that different forms of writing require
different formats.
ELA11LSV1: The student participates in student-to-teacher, student-to-student, and group verbal interactions.
ELA11LSV2: The student formulates reasoned judgments about written and oral communication in various media genres.
The student delivers focused, coherent, and polished presentations that convey a clear and distinct perspective,
demonstrate solid reasoning, and combine traditional rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and
description.