Lee Vining High School
English 10 & Honors
English: World Literature
Teacher: Ms. Sarah Taylor
Brief
Description of Course:
English 10 is a world literature course that focuses on the study and analysis
of Shakespearean drama, of European literature, and of other short stories,
poems, novels, and plays from throughout the world. While focusing on drama,
this course will help students to hone their skills in reading
(comprehension, vocabulary & analysis of content and style), in writing (form:
English language conventions, style, and organization and content: analytical, persuasive, and creative writing with
developed ideas, examples, and argument), and in listening and speaking (formal speeches, informal presentations, discussion, and various
listening and speaking strategies) in order to prepare students to meet the
state English-Language Arts Standards. In the writing portion of the
curriculum, emphasis will be given to the writing process as it incorporates
grammar, interpretation, content, and form. Writing assignments will focus on
the core literature. During the course of the year, each student will compile a
portfolio of his or her best work. In addition, students will prepare a short
research paper and a formal speech. Students who would like a more challenging
curriculum designed to prepare them for AP English, may take the honors version
of the course. See below for a description of the additional assignments.
Textbooks and other sources: McDougal Littell Literature
10, Lord of the Flies, Much Ado About Nothing, Antigone, and Cyrano de Bergerac
Honors Additional texts: All Quiet on the Western Front
(summer), Oedipus Rex, A DollŐs House, Pygmalion
Other Materials Required: 3 ring binder, dividers, paper,
and pens
Grading Procedures
Homework
and class assignments 40%*
Formal
essays 25%
Tests 15%
Speech/Portfolio/Independent
Reading 20%
*percentages
are approximate
Independent
Reading
Students
will be required to read one to three books each quarter. The Independent
Reading grade will be worth 200 points. Students will show that they have read
and comprehended the book through an oral or multiple choice exam at the end of
each quarter.
Standard
A+
= 650 pages, A = 600 pages, A- = 550 pages
B+
= 500 pages, B = 450 pages, B- = 400 pages
Honors
A+
= 700 pages, A = 650 pages, A- = 600 pages
B+
= 550 pages, B = 500 pages, B- = 450 pages
If
students read 12 pages each night or 70 each weekend, they will easily meet the
page requirement.
Major Projects
Several
Formal Essays (6 to 7)
Formal
Speech and short research paper
Writing
Portfolio
Short
Story
Poetry
Presentation and other oral presentations Image Analysis & Visual
Representations
English-Language
Arts Standards
This course will focus on preparing students to meet or
exceed the Language Arts Standards for 10th grade. Students will
work to improve their vocabulary, reading comprehension, literary analysis
skills, writing strategies (in various forms), written and oral language
conventions, and listening and speaking strategies. Please see your childŐs
copy of the standards for more details.
Homework Practices
Due
dates for major assignments, essays, and tests will be indicated ahead of time.
Students should check the web page regularly for due dates and instructions.
Daily homework assignments will be assigned and posted on the web page at the
beginning of each week. In general, students will have about 30 minutes of
homework per night. Students are encouraged to work on major assignments (like
essays and Independent Reading) on those days when they finish the assigned
work early.
Late
Work
Although
students will always be given extra time to make up work after absences, late
work will not be accepted. Because a 0 will be given for work not handed in,
students should be sure to manage their time carefully in order to avoid
missing assignments.