Ann+Brownfield

Syllabus Mrs. Ann Brownfield 6th period Dear Parents and Students, Welcome to American Lit! I look forward to getting the year started. Since I am a new teacher to the district, I would like to tell you a little about myself. I completed my teacher certification in January, 2009 through a post-graduate teacher certification program at Concordia University. Prior to that, I worked professionally as a writer and for a number of years in the Human Resources field. I am married and have two college-aged children. My previous work experience has taught me a great deal about what employers will need from their workers in the 21st century. Whether a student continues to pursue education or goes straight to the workforce after high school, he/she needs to be prepared to succeed in an increasingly competitive world. Students need to be critical thinkers who can analyze and evaluate all kinds of information, especially now that the Internet has become such an important tool in many jobs. Students also need good communication skills, both written and oral, so they can work effectively with customers, supervisors and co-workers. Finally, students need to know how to find information by doing research, including in this vast sea of knowledge known as the Internet. With the above thoughts in mind, I believe it is my job to make our study of American Literature relevant and engaging to students, and give them opportunities to develop the skills mentioned above. I will make every effort to do my part; in return, I expect students to make an honest effort in the class and be responsible about assignments, which I’ll elaborate on below. Readings for the course will include a variety of short stories, articles, speeches, excerpts of novels and we will read one novel during the course of the class. Assignments for the course will include vocabulary work, daily oral language, oral presentations, a wide variety of long and short writing assignments, group assignments and discussion. There will be one major essay due each quarter. The more lengthy and significant assignments will also have a rubric, which will describe in detail what is expected for a specific grade to be attained. I’m not in favor of surprises; I will give feedback promptly and want students to know what is expected and where they stand at all times. Guidelines for homework: Homework is a way to reinforce and expand on concepts learned in class. It is due when the student comes to class. If a student fails to turn in an assignment, I expect them to come to my room after school to complete the assignment, or as much of it as they can complete. If homework is not turned in, it will be given a 0 grade. Guidelines for other assignments: Every day an assignment is late it will be marked down a grade. Resubmission of assignments: Students may meet with me if they would like to resubmit an assignment. The assignment will be regraded. If they would like to again resubmit it, they may do so but must meet with me first. School policy for making up assignments due to excused absence will be followed. Grading scale: A+ = 98-100 A = 94-97 A- = 90-93 B+ = 87-89 B = 84-86 B- = 80-83 C+ = 77-79 C = 74-76 C- = 70-73 D+ = 67-69 D = 64-66 D- = 60-63 All assignments will be given a specific point value; the larger assignments will be worth more points. Tardiness: In the real world, being late for work isn’t tolerated and I expect students to be here on time. I will mark students as late if they are not in class when the bell rings; as is school policy, students who are tardy more than 10 times will lose their exam exemption. Plagiarism: We will follow the English Department policy regarding plagiarism, which is unacceptable in any form, intentional or not. Technology is a big help in this area: we can check papers for content against a vast array of resources to determine whether the work is original or not. Students will need a black or blue pen, pencil, ring notebook, notebook paper. Students should also be using an assignment notebook to write down assignments for this and all classes. I would like to update parents periodically as to what is going on in class, and I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions about your student or the class.
 * American Lit – Grade 11 **
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