Malden High School

Academic Year 2010-2011

Course Syllabus

Name of Course: English 11H Course Number: 00312

Instructor: Robin Doherty Room: C332

Rdoherty@malden.mec.edu

Student Supplies:

3-ring binder with 5 dividers Journal Writing Implements Post-Its

Texts: The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, Into the Wild. The Things They Carried, Tuesdays with Morrie, and
the writings of the Transcendentalists. Students will also read 2-5 additional full length texts, some selected by the teacher and
some by the students themselves, as well as non-fiction, short stories and poetry.

Course Description:
English 11-H is an intensive course that emphasizes a survey of American Literature, some preparation for the Scholastic Aptitude
Test, and reinforcement of all forms of expository writing. Though a mastery of grammar and usage is presupposed, common
errors are reviewed. Logical thinking and common fallacies are studied and applied to writing skills. More independent study is
required. This course includes at least one full-length research paper

Instructional Philosophy:
My goal is to create a classroom community of learners that work together and respect each other’s thoughts and ideas. Through
the course of the year, students will develop their writing skills, become active readers, and self motivated, independent learners.
My ultimate goal is to provide my students with the literacy skills necessary for success in their chosen pathways after graduation.

Grading Policy:
Grading Area Percentage of Quarterly Grade
Major Writing Assignments and Assessments 40
Homework (may include reader’s notebook entries) 15
Participation(graded discussions and Socratic Seminars, 15
daily participation)
Quizzes and open responses 15
Reader’s Notebook 15
Course Skills:
Writing First Semester Second Semester
Skills Emphasis Continue working on the critical essay about Continue work on the critical and persuasive essays
literature, with emphasis on more insightful
analysis, development of personal thesis Introduce the personal, reflective essay
Persuasive writing
• Elements of rhetoric MLA Citations and Works Cited
• Using sources
• Writing on demand
Style, complexity, variety
Review fundamentals as needed

Assessments Common Assessment: Critical Essay about Common Assessment: timed persuasive essay using
literature with student-generated thesis an SAT prompt
Activities

Reading First Semester Second Semester

Skills Emphasis Active reading strategies for comprehension,
interpretation, and analysis of literature of
whole class and independent reading texts
Continue study of literary techniques
Making connections between technique and
theme
Learning vocabulary from context
Continue active reading techniques, connections
between literary techniques and theme
Strategies for reading Shakespeare; emphasis on
dramatic form
Authorial styles and literary merit
Learning vocabulary from context
Assessments Common Assessment: Common Assessment: Research Paper
Reader’s Notebook
Activities Use of interpretation techniques such as Examining elements of performance
SOAPStone Continue and refine use of reading strategies
A variety of reading strategies such as post-it Close reading and writing for understanding.
notes, dialectical journals, and literature circle Literature Circles
role sheets
Library orientation/visits
Literature Circles

Speaking and First Semester Second Semester

Listening
Skills Emphasis Public speaking Continue emphasis on discussion/debate
Models of discussion/debate Public speaking/recitation
Using rhetorical strategies Elementary acting
Identifying and making kinds of arguments
Assessments Student-run discussions & Socratic seminars Shakespeare performance
Presentations Poetry performance
Student-run discussion & Socratic seminars
Presentations
Activities Small and large group discussions Listening to poetry reading
Practice of skills Practice of skills

Study Skills First Semester Second Semester

Skills Emphasis Using agenda book Continue all
Organization
Time Management
Study strategies/techniques
Assessments Homework Homework
Long range assignments Long range assignments
Participation Participation
Activities Identifying and implementing study strategies Identifying and implementing a personal study
Taking notes strategy

Research First Semester Second Semester

Skills Emphasis Use and integration of direct textual evidence Planning and executing the research project
Plagiarism Outlining
MLA citations Revision
Paraphrasing/summarizing
Formatting papers
Assessments Assessed through writing projects Research project using multiple sources
Activities Examining writing models to understand Library and computer lab visits
textual evidence
Distribution of quarterly grading components

Grade Scale Description of work

A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F Below 60
Work consistently demonstrates an exceptional level of quality and effort. All
work is in on time and completed to exceed expectations. Work demonstrates
mastery of many of the skills of the course.
Work consistently demonstrates good quality and effort. All work is in on time
and complete. Work demonstrates progression towards mastery of the skills of the
course.
Work demonstrates average quality and effort. Work demonstrates some
progression towards mastery of the skills of the course.
Work demonstrates minimal quality and effort. Some assignments may be late.
Work demonstrates minimal progression towards mastery of the skills of the
course.
Work demonstrates poor quality and effort. Work demonstrates little progression
towards mastery of the skills of the course.