The American Sampler Unit A Sampler of American Literature

Agenda 1. What is the American Sampler? 2. Your Definition of an American 3. Review the tenets of the Majors –Isms 4. Skills for Success 5. Formative/Summative Assessments 6. Think on Your Feet and/or Questions

What is the American Sampler? When you are at a buffet, you get a sampler of different types of food. We are going to do a similar thing for this unit. To give you an overview of the important Literary Movements of American Literature we will cover this year, we will have a sampler of American Literature.

What is an American? Talk to an elbow partner… Who is an American? What does it mean to be American? What makes someone or something American?

How does the following video meet/challenge your definition of an American?

The –ISMs of American Literature

What are the –ISMs? The ISMs are the major periods, of American Literature. In the American Sampler Unit, we will be doing an overview of each –Ism that we will covering this year in 11 th grade English. By the end of the unit… You will comprehend the core beliefs of each ISM And be exposed to works and writers that represent each -Ism.

Puritanism (1620 – 1720)

Puritan Core Beliefs 1.Belief all people are born from original sin. 2.Emphasis on a Wrathful, or angry, god. 3.Didactic, or preachy, instruction 4.Emphasis on the group over the individual 5.Strong work ethic leads to salvation

Rationalism (1720 – 1820)

Rationalist Beliefs God is found through discovery and science. Writing is used to debate controversial issues Government is designed to represent the people In support of individual rights.

Romanticism/Transcendentalism –

Romantic/Transcendental Beliefs God is found within nature Believes human potential is limitless Values the individual over the group Urges action against injustice

Realism –

Realism Beliefs Debated Human Rights vs. Personal Property Authentic accounts by people who experienced real hardships. Emphasis on emotions vs. facts. Destiny is controlled by environment, NOT fate or divine force.

Modernism –

Modernist Beliefs Encouraged bold experimentation and creativity Rejection of traditional beliefs about religion/society Emphasis on social economic disparity A transition from rural life to urban city life.

Skills for Success Know how to effectively Annotate a Text Decode Vocabulary using Context Clues Comprehend and Analyze the tenets of the –Isms. Applying the 3As everyday

Formative/Summative Assessments Formative 1. Nacerima WKSHT 2. Nacerima Sun-K Squares 3. Pre-Test 4. Annotation 5. Close Reading 6. Various other assignments that will supplement our reading Summative 1. Nacerima Vocab Quiz 2. End of Unit Exam

Please Stand for Think on Your Feet