Ms. Mazur http://msjoymazur.weebly.com/ Welcome to English 11H

Essential Questions How are language and power inseparable? What constitutes cultural literacy? In what ways does literature converse with the past and the future? How does language shape understanding, and vice versa? What is the most effective way to make one’s voice heard?

Goals of this course Critical reading and critical thinking skills: the ability and confidence to read and understand unfamiliar material Communication skills: the ability to eloquently and effectively articulate your thoughts A Learner’s Mind: Openness to new ideas or challenging concepts; Seeing risk as opportunity Appreciation for the Art of Reading and Writing: Recognition of its potential, power, and beauty

How we will get there Writing practice, practice, practice Reading 3-Draft Policy Electronic Feedback Variety of modes and voices Reading Strategies for unfamiliar text Class Discussion Questions, insights and experiments Performance Indicators Writing, participation, quizzes, tests Debates, Seminars, Presentations, Creative Projects

Themes & Major Works: Fate and Free Will Anchor Texts: Beowulf, “The Seafarer” Historical Context: First works written in “Angle-ish” Celts, Germanic tribes, and Romans Christianity & Wyrd Major Assignments: Beowulf Annotation Free Will Essay

Themes & Major Works: Authority and Independence Anchor Texts: King Arthur Legends, The Canterbury Tales Historical Context: Feudalism, Black Plague Major Assignments: Shovvet

Themes & Major Works: Prosperity and Creativity Anchor Texts: Hamlet, Macbeth Historical Context: Queen Elizabeth, Renaissance Major Assignments: Creative Project, Macbeth Essay, Debates on Hamlet

Themes & Major Works: Desire and Need Anchor Texts: Carpe Diem poetry, Metaphysical Poetry, Paradise Lost Historical Context: English Civil War, Return of Black Plague Major Assignments: Conceit

Themes & Major Works: Social Change and Criticism Anchor Texts: Satire “A Modest Proposal,” Rape of the Lock Essays Historical Context: Restoration, Enlightenment, Papal Codes Major Assignments:

Themes & Major Works: Humanity and Industry Anchor Texts: Frankenstein, Romantic poetry Historical Context: Industrial Revolution, French Revolution Major Assignments: Graded Seminar

Themes & Major Works: Faith and Doubt Anchor Texts: Excerpts from Austen and Dickens Poetry: Tennyson, Browning, et al. Historical Context: Expansion of British Empire, Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Realism, Naturalism, first novels written Major Assignments: Poetry Explication Poem Paper of Many Parts (ongoing)

Themes & Major Works: Power and Rebellion Anchor Texts: Brave New World, Contemporary poetry/short stories Historical Context: Modern Period, World Wars, Mass Production Major Assignments: Essay, Socratic Seminar, Graded Seminar

Themes & Major Works: Past and Present Anchor Texts: A Small Place, Post-colonial short stories and poems Historical Context: Independence of former British colonies, Globalization Major Assignments: Nicenet Forum, Seminars, Essay

Other Ongoing Topics Covered Vocabulary From literature Latin and Greek roots from Vocabulary for the College Bound Literary terms Grammar Mini-lessons targeted to writing assignments Warriner’s Grammar and Composition SAT Preparation HSPA Preparation

Writing Policy 3 Drafts Revisions of Draft 3 Draft 1: Content Focus, Organization, Support Draft 2: Style and Usage Grammar, Mechanics, etc. Draft 3: All of the above Revisions of Draft 3 Will replace original Draft 3 grade Optional, limited only by Quarter end Must sign up for Writing Conference within one week Must revise paper within a week of Conference

Electronic Feedback Major papers submitted to jmazur@mhrd.k12.nj.us Feedback recorded using Comments feature in MS Word and e-mailed back Final drafts submitted and scored via www.turnitin.com Due before class starts on due date Students responsible for late submissions Students may opt out of Electronic Feedback by scheduling a conference

Expectations of 11H Students Be engaged in class. Participate! Complete work thoughtfully and on time. 50% point deduction for late work Take notes. Ask questions. You are not required to be excited about the subject all the time. You are required to be excited about learning, most of the time.

In Case of Absence 11H students must come to the next class prepared to participate, take a quiz, etc. on work assigned while they were out Illness is the only exception Check http://msjoymazur.weebly.com/ E-mail jmazur@mhrd.k12.nj.us Check your class folder for Note-Taker Sheet and any handouts

Ms. Mazur’s Schedule Block 1: CT Duty (B-36) Block 2: Prep (B-36/Library) Block 3AB: AP Literature(B-31) Block 4: AP Literature (B-31) Block 5: CT Duty (B-36) Block 6: Dramatics (B-35 or Auditorium) Block 7AB: English 11 Honors (B-31) Block 8: Prep (B-36/Library)

Something to Think About Cognitive Dissonance: The discomfort that comes when the mind is presented with something that conflicts with a previously held belief, or is unlike any previously held belief The mind must Change, Reject this information, or Find a way to reconcile this new information It’s the only way we learn and grow

Something to Think About “Periods of tranquility are seldom prolific of creative achievement. Mankind has to be stirred up.” -Alfred North Whitehead