English 3 American Literature Ms. Calhoun

What is this class all about? Who are we? Where do we come from? What do we stand for? English 3 not only addresses, but goes beyond the state and district standards in the area of English/Language Arts. Students will read diverse and demanding literature from a variety of genres including novels, plays, poetry, non-fiction, and narratives. The curriculum for this course will incorporate themes and authorial intentions in American Literature. Focusing on reading comprehension, critical thinking, and preparing students for the various writing techniques expected at the university level, this course will accelerate and strengthen student writing as they prepare for the tasks placed upon them by the demands of college. --La Cañada HS Student Handbook Who are we? Where do we come from? What do we stand for?

What do students need to do well? Required Materials Recommended Materials   An open mind and inquisitive nature Three-ring binder exclusively for English with 5 dividers: journal, current unit, handouts/reference, major writing/tests, notes 8 ½ x 11” college ruled paper—NO SPIRAL EDGES Blue or black pens (only ink acceptable for written assignments) Current text Dictionary and Thesaurus Highlighter markers Multicolor pens for annotation and notes Post-it notes and tabs Academic planner

What will we read? FALL SEMESTER SPRING SEMESTER Ages of Faith and Reason: Winthrop, Bradstreet, Edwards Imagist Poetry and the Harlem Renaissance: Pound, Eliot, Stevens, H.D., cummings, Cullen, McKay, Hughes, Hurston Romanticism and Transcendentalism: Emerson, Bryant, Thoreau, Longfellow, Melville, Dickinson, Poe The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey Realism and the Frontier: Douglass, Whitman, Twain Selections from modern plays and short stories (specific texts TBD) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain

Should students buy their own books? In short, yes. You may check out books in the textbook room, but I highly recommend that you purchase your own books so that you may liberally annotate text as we read. Annotation will be required, but may be done on sticky notes if you use a borrowed book. These notes will be invaluable for open book quizzes and major writing assignments.

What is annotation? Annotation is simply marking up the text: key ideas points of clarification things you can relate to questions vocabulary

Where can I buy books? Cheap? La Cañada Books & Toys 653 Foothill Boulevard (818) 790-1250 www.indiebound.org www.amazon.com Flintridge Bookstore 964 Foothill Boulevard (818) 790-0717 www.addall.com www.powells.com

Grading/Weights The English department has agreed upon the following weight percentages for various types of assignments: Writing/Oral Presentations (50%) – Major essays, creative writing projects, and presentations assigned quarterly Assignments and Projects (25%) – Most in-class assignments including group work, homework, response papers and binder checks Tests and Quizzes (25%) – Literature exams, reading quizzes, and vocabulary and grammar tests

This is what student papers should look like: A proper heading will contain student’s full name, class information, and the date. Joe Student English 3 Period 3 August 29, 2012 Sample Paper Ms. Calhoun is very particular about how her students format papers, so it is important to pay attention. Major writing assignments should be typed on 8.5” x 11” paper with 1” margins in 12 point standard font. All work should be double-spaced, with proper punctuation, capitalization, and spelling—spell check alone is not enough! Be sure to proofread your work. Every assignment should be given a title. Titles should be capitalized. Make it readable.

Homework Students will have homework EVERY day, though it won’t always be specifically assigned. Homework may include: Completing work started in class Writing and revising drafts Reading (class texts and independent selections) Studying reading notes and vocabulary Written responses and worksheets Homework is always due at the beginning of class.

Late work? It’s not a good idea. Work not turned in on time will negatively impact student grades. Late work is not accepted unless an “insanity” pass is used!

Classroom Expectations Our mutual goal this year is to nurture a classroom that supports, respects, and honors individuals and group productivity. To achieve this, students and I have agreed upon norms for working together throughout the year. Certain classroom rules are non-negotiable, while others have been negotiated to create the best possible learning environment. Please review your child’s syllabus for expectations and negotiated rules.

Stay Informed Check Pinnacle regularly for updates to student grades. I generally update grades over the weekend, though I will sometimes add assignments during the week. NOTE: blank scores mean I have not logged a grade. “Z” (zero) means an assignment was not turned in on time. Assignments and a class log can be accessed through my teacher web page on the LCHS site. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Please contact me at tcalhoun@lcusd.net.