SHORT STORIES with Mrs.

Gray Fall 2013 COURSE OVERVIEW This course is an exploration of literary works classified as short story. In this course, students analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the short story and multiple works with the classification of short story. Students examine stories from the 19th and 20th centuries by American, British, and other authors around the world. Students read in depth to evaluate and interpret the works presented to achieve excellence in literary analysis. The students gain knowledge of the short story and apply that knowledge to create a composite short story similar to those studied in the course. Students compose responses to short story, analytical essays, and a replicate short story during this course. Upon completion of this course, students have a better understanding of the short story, appreciation for short stories, at large, and respect for writers of the short story. MATERIALS NEEDED: 2 binder College Ruled Paper Tab Dividers Pens and Pencils Flash Drive (optional) Other materials may be required as the course progresses; however, students will be given adequate time to retrieve such items. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY Students learn in this course through discussion, not lecture, reading, writing, collaborative and cooperative groups, and peer and teacher feedback. Assignments instructions

are explicit, delivered in the classroom, and posted on the class website if the assignment excesses in-class time. The teacher provides the students one-on-one interaction and support as needed while allowing students to exercise their right to independent learning. LITERARY WORKS Below is a list of works that students may examine, analyze, and/or interpret during the course: Yes Mam by Langston Hughes The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara The War Prayer by Mark Twain Barn Burning and A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry The Cask of Amontillado and The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe Sweat and Spunk by Zora Neale Hurston Everyday Use by Alice Walker To Build a Fire by Robert Frost The Ministers Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne The Lottery by Shirley Jackson The Yellow Wallpaper by Sarah Perkins Gilman The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen A Haunted House by Virginia Woolf The Time Machine by H.G. Wells Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut

MAJOR WRITING ASSIGNMENT Throughout the course students gain skills that aid them in writing a short story. When the time arises, the teacher guides students step-by-step through explicit instruction to create a short story of their own. Each students short story counts as 60% of the final class grade. ASSIGNMENT CONTINUUM The class blog is discussion conducted in extension of the class on the class website. The teacher designates at least one work each week that every student posts a response to. In turn, two other students must reply to the original response. These are due weekly by the date posted on the class website and in the classroom. Writers workshops are cooperative and collaborative means of revision for many written assignments for this course. Students evaluate peer papers and offer feedback of such. The teacher provides individual instruction for the various workshops that take place throughout the course. Vocabulary enrichment and Grammar & mechanics extension come in many forms. It may be displayed in the writers workshops, through individual assignment written, oral, or visual or in groups. Grades are given for vocabulary enrichment and grammar & mechanics extensions. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES Students are assessed via quizzes, written assignments, summative tests, class and website participation, and presentations. I look forward to a wonderful year in this Short Stories course. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me as necessary.