SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL 11th College Prep American Lit Course Syllabus 2011-2012

Teacher: Ms. Justine Sorensen Room T219 Phone # (310) 395-3204 ext. 71219 Email: jsorensen@smmusd.org Course website: http://twitter.com/sorensenclasses

Course Overview: In this course, students will read, discuss, analyze, and write responses to significant works of American literature and non-fiction texts. The course will focus on helping all students become effective writers, critical thinkers, attentive readers, and engaging presenters. We will analyze and discuss how authors employ language to convey meaning, and the effects created by the techniques that authors use, with a special focus on understanding theme. We will study and master the skills necessary for students to succeed on the California Standards Tests (CSTs), and college preparation exams, like the PSAT and SAT. All year, we will make progress toward mastering the California English/Language Arts Standards for eleventh grade. During the first semester, we will study persuasive writing, response to literature, and research skills. In the first semester, we will examine The American Dream and what defines an American. Later in the year we will read a number of poems and famous American speeches, in addition to more full-length plays and novels. Texts can be obtained from the schools textbook room, and some of the texts will photocopied and distributed to the class. NOTE: Some of the materials covered in class may contain information, language, or views that may be objectionable. In the event that the material is offensive to the student or parent/guardian, alternative assignments will be given. I strongly recommend that parents/guardians examine the assigned texts, classroom library, independent reading lists, California Recommended Reading list, and the works that students bring home, and ask that parents/guardians please contact me with any questions or concerns. Required Materials: Single subject notebook OR composition book Single folder (for various handouts) blue or black pens; highlighters are recommended 3x5 cards for vocabulary practice all assigned readings and handouts in the current unit of study Independent Reading: Throughout the year, students will read two books per semester on their own in addition to the works we study as a group. Each semester students will read a book of their choosing, and read a book with a small group of students; at the end of each book you will submit a short assignment. I will provide guidelines and models in class for accompanying assignments.

Student Evaluation / Grading Scale: Throughout the course, students will be assessed in a variety of ways: short, informal assignments, class presentations, in-class writing assignments, tests, and longer process writing pieces. Evaluation will be cumulative over the semester. Semester grades for the course will be computed in weighted categories, to reflect the importance and emphasis of varying assignments and assessments. Categories and their weights are as follows: 20% 20% 40% 10% 10% Tests and Quizzes (including vocabulary quizzes) Homework and Classwork Writing (including in-class, on demand essays and process pieces) Participation and Work Habits Final Exam

Students should contact Ms. Sorensen immediately in the event of an illness or unforeseeable emergency to obtain makeup assignments, and to receive an extension if needed. Students should contact me immediately or consult the course website, which is updated daily, in the event of an illness or unforeseeable emergency to obtain makeup assignments. No penalty will be assessed if students ask for extensions 48 or more hours before the assignment is due. Because homework and process assignments (i.e., rough drafts) pertain to the lesson of the day, students earn no credit if they do not submit those assignments on the due date. Assignments of 50+ points will receive a 10% point deduction for each day late. All late work is due by 8:15 am. If a student repeatedly abuses the late work or extension privilege, both the students parents and his/her advisor will be notified so that we can help the student to manage his/her time more effectively. Because each days agenda and handouts are available on the course website, students are responsible for obtaining missing work. If students need to speak to me about make-up work, they must do so before or after class, not during class time. If a student attempts to complete an assignment, but receives a failing grade, a minimum F will be earned (50%), to help reward effort and ongoing improvement, so that a few poor assignments will not overly affect a students grade. The grading scale for all assignments is as follows:
A+ 101% or greater A 93-100% A- 90-92% B+ 88-89% B 83-87% B- 80-82% C+ 78-79% C 73-77% C- 70-72% D 60-69% F 50-59% Z 0% (not submitted)

Typical Assignments

Seminars and Discussion: To meet the Listening and Speaking standards, we will often participate in Socratic Seminars and other types of class discussion. Students will need to complete assigned readings and prepare for both small group and whole group discussions. Students are expected to participate respectfully and enthusiastically to demonstrate progress toward these standards. In addition, students will occasionally prepare formal speeches or presentations. Students who are absent on discussion days must contact me for a makeup assignment; extensions for presentations or group projects MUST be requested in advance. Formal Papers and Projects: To demonstrate students understanding of unit objectives and content, students will create projects and/or formal papers. As the requirements, format, and scoring guides for these papers and projects will vary, students will receive the guidelines and scoring for each paper/project well in advance of the due date. Formal papers must be typed and submitted to Turnitin.com. A password and user ID will be given in class. Students may schedule appointments with Ms. Sorensen to use computers after school, or may use computers in the library or computer lab if needed. On-Demand Essays: Writing essays on demand is a skill that needs to be practiced, practiced, and then practiced again. These essays may be graded either on the 1-6 scale used by the College Board on the New SAT Test, the 1-6 Samohi English Department scale, or rubrics designed by the teacher. Occasionally, in-class essays will serve as first drafts for process pieces. The scoring guidelines for all in-class essays will be shared with students before the in-class essays are given. Daily Assignments and Portfolio: Students should keep all work for the semester in a three-ring binder that they will use to create a portfolio. This will include all drafts, final products, notes, handouts, tests/quizzes, timed writes, reading responses, etc. Periodically, students will be asked to write reflections on their works, their growth as thinkers and writers, and their readings. This portfolio binder should be with the student in class at all times so that we can quickly refer back to previous discussions, writings, and texts. Behavior Expectations: Students are to be prepared to learn and to display courtesy at all times. A description of class rules and consequences will be given in class. Plagiarism/Cheating Policy: Academic integrity is essential to this course and to future success in college and the workplace. If students are caught cheating or are suspected of plagiarism, they will be asked to redo the assignment. Repeated infractions will be handled according to Samohis Academic Honesty Policy.

Our English department has contracted with an online service, Turnitin.com, used by many college campuses. Before assignments are scored, students must submit their out-of-class writing to Turnitin.com. This site checks the students work and determines that it is free of plagiarism. Students will receive the Course ID# and Password as well as directions on how to join Turnitin.com in class. Computer Issues: Computer trouble is NOT a valid excuse for late work. In addition to the computers at the school and public libraries, I have a computer students may use outside of class time should they need to complete or print assignments. Please print all assignments before class; students may not use class time to print an assignment. Additional Help: Course updates, announcements, homework, and handouts may be reviewed and downloaded from our course website, http://twitter.com/sorensenclasses. I am available during lunch almost every day and during 6th period or after school upon request. I can be reached by email anytime at jsorensen@smmusd.org for questions and additional help. I make my best effort to respond to emails sent by 9 pm. I will do all that I can to help each student succeed in this course. E-mail Etiquette: Students are encouraged to email often for clarification or guidance on assignmentsthis is a valuable way for me to address individual questions that come up after the days lessons. Questions sent to me via email should follow appropriate email/correspondence etiquette, otherwise I will not respond. Please include a salutation (Dear Ms. Sorensen), a detailed explanation of your question or request that is phrased in grammatically correct, academic English, and an appropriate closing that includes your first and last name. Also, kindly acknowledge that you did receive my response with a thank you.

Please complete, detach, and return this page of the syllabus to Ms. Sorensen by Wednesday, 9/7/11
Ms. Sorensen Santa Monica High School American Literature

We, the undersigned student and parent/guardian, have read and fully understand the expectations and requirements of this course. Further, we pledge to work closely with Ms. Sorensen and the Samohi community in the hopes of mastering the expectations of this course.

Student Name (PRINT): __________________________________________ Period: _______

Student Signature: ______________________________________________

Date: _________

Student E-mail Address: ________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name (PRINT): __________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________

Date: _________

Phone Number: ________________________________ Best time to be reached: ____________ Parent E-mail Address (Providing an e-mail address allows me to give you regular updates on your childs progress and important announcements!): _____________________________________________________________________________ REMINDER: Back to School Night IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th, 2011. I hope to see you there, and I look forward to meeting you!