English 11A Syllabus

Fall 2017
Mrs. Murphy
(616) 863-6030 ext. 7338
nmurphy@rockfordschools.org
Conference hour: 10:10 a.m. 11:00 a.m. M-F or by appointment

COURSE SUMMARY
English 11 is an American Literature survey course. This means that students will read a variety of writings from selected time periods
to explore and understand the development of American thought and culture and the ways in which they were communicated through a
variety of writing styles. In addition, students will learn to draw inferences using literary devices.

(Weeks 1-4) ARGUMENT The unit will focus on the basic elements of argument (ethos, pathos, and logos) and
examine early historical American writings from the Puritan Era, the Revolutionary Era, as well as modern times.
Students will also identify and evaluate the effectiveness of the use of figurative language in argument. Students will
learn and apply the different components of an argument when reading literature and writing their presentation.
Texts
o Jonathan Edwards Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
o Thomas Jeffersons Declaration of Independence
o Thomas Paines Crisis #1
o Benjamin Franklins Autobiography
o Various modern texts: Advertising, past/current political speeches, The documentary Blackfish, etc.

(Weeks 5-7) ROMANTICISM This unit will focus on the works and ideas of the Romantic authors. In this unit,
students will discuss and explore personal revolutions and the attitudes at this time. Some topics that will be discussed
include satire, elements of poetry, and Gothic literature.
Texts
o William Bryant- To a Waterfowl
o Washington Irving-The Devil and Tom Walker
o Edgar Allen Poe- The Raven, The Fall of the House of Usher, Tell Tale Heart, Annabel Lee

(Weeks 8-12) TRANSFORMATIONAL LITERATURE Student will continue to develop their skills of
argument and literary criticism through exploring and analyzing the writings of the Transcendentalists and Anti-
Transcendentalists. Students will use this knowledge to complete a larger paper based on their findings.
Texts
o Emerson-from Nature & from Self-Reliance
o Thoreau-from Walden & from Civil Disobedience
o Hawthorne-The Ministers Black Veil
o The Dead Poets Society

VOCABULARY/GRAMMAR
o Vocabulary: Students are responsible for ten SAT words a week - There will be quizzes and homework assigned to
strengthen the students command of language.
o Grammar: Students will practice grammar and mechanical skills one or two days a week. The focus will mainly be on
practical grammar skills which will help students on the SAT and help prepare them for college essay writing. Our main
focus will be comma/semi-colon usage and sentence structure.
 WRITINGS/ASSESSMENTS
1. RESEARCH-BASED: (Article of the Week) These are three paragraph essays (introduction, body, conclusion)
written in MLA format that will be submitted. Students must use in-text citations and create a Works Cited entry that
will be placed at the end of the essay.
2. JOURNALS/RESPONSES: These are an opportunity for students to be creative in their writing and begin developing
their own styles. Some will be submitted to Schoology; some will be completed in journals.
3. PERSUASIVE LETTER/RESPONSE: To be written in conjunction with our argument unit
4. ASSESSMENTS: There will be a variety of assessments throughout the trimester: Quizzes, tests, projects,
presentations, and written evaluations/essays.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Schoology:
Classroom website: Rockford.schoology.com
On Schoology, students will receive daily updates, notes, important reminders, some quizzes and tests, and it will be a
place to turn in some assignments.

Materials:
1. You MUST bring a pencil to class EVERY DAY
2. Email Address/Schoology A way to access your work at home
3. Composition Book
4. Binder to keep important work, packets and hand-outs
5. Colored pen (red preferred)

WORK POLICY
1. In-class assignments need to be completed during the designated class period. It is not okay to waste class time and say you
are going to do it at home. This is not acceptable in the work place, and it is not acceptable here. Use your time wisely.
2. Homework is due at the beginning of the hour the day its due.
3. All homework must be COMPLETED, or it will receive partial or no credit depending on the assignment.
4. All major projects, papers and writing assignments will receive a 10% reduction for each day late. GET THEM IN ON TIME!

Absent Buddy: The person you contact when you miss a day and wonder, What did we do in class yesterday? Always ask
your absent buddy before me.
Name: _____________________________________ Phone Number: ________________________________
 LIFE/CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Here is what being an active participant looks like:
Be prepared:

Be present:

Be engaged:

Be respectful

Be honest:

Be willing:

SCHOOL/CLASSROOM CONDUCT POLICIES

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Plagiarism, the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as
one's own, is a serious academic misconduct and results in an automatic zero and behavior referral for the first
offense.
NO BACKPACKS IN CLASS: Students are not allowed to bring backpacks to class. If they do, they will be required to
take it back to their locker and use a tardy which could result in a detention or after-school suspension. Please comply
with the rule which was instituted for our safety.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR: Any and all disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If you decided to inhibit the learning
of the entire class by being inappropriately disruptive or distracting, you will face the consequences of your actions. See
student handbook (p. 34-40).
CELLPHONES: Phones and technology are a big part of our lives and, oftentimes, are seriously inhibiting us from
our education, creating/maintaining relationships, and the world around us. I am foreseeing this as the biggest
disciplinary issue we will face this year. I will not tolerate the usage of cell phones/headphones while I am
instructing, and especially while your classmates are talking or sharing in large or small group settings. The
RHS student handbook lays out the disciplinary protocol and we will plan on adhering to that (p. 37). In addition, if I see
it, I will take it. Sometimes for the hour, sometimes for the day, sometimes it will go down to administration depending
on the severity of the circumstance. We will discuss in class when is/isnt an appropriate time to use cell phones. Also
see insubordination in the handbook as these often go hand-in-hand (p. 38).
TARDIES/HALL PASSES: Students are expected to be in class with their materials from the start bell to end bell. Each
student will receive 4 freebies/passes for the trimester to go to the bathroom, fill their water bottle, go to their locker to
get forgotten materials. These freebies will be handed out in ticket form on the first day of class and can be cashed in
when needed. Each tardy/hall pass used following will result in a detention, after school or at lunch and must be
completed within two days of the offense. Extra credit will be given to those who have passes remaining at the end of
the trimester.
DRESS CODE: Students are to reflect a positive, businesslike, learning environment. Students are to avoid wearing
hats and clothing with inappropriate brands or images. See student handbook for extensive list.
Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am thrilled to have your student in class. It is going to be a great year! It is my firm belief that communication with
parents/guardians helps students succeed in the classroom. I hope that you will take advantage of checking our
classroom website and/or communicating with me about anything concerning your student in regards to our class or
his/her well-being.
I am having you sign this letter as recognition of our classroom norms and expectations, as well as to grant
permission to watch two films in class. The first being Blackfish, a documentary about Sea World and the
scandals involved with the deaths of various trainers. This pairs with our persuasion unit. We will also be
watching The Dead Poets Society, this is a film that corresponds with our final unit of Transcendentalism we
will write a compare and contrast the ideas presented in the film to the literature.

My contact information:
Natalie Murphy
Email preferred! Even just to set up a time to talk on the phone.
nmurphy@rockfordschools.org
863-6030 ext. 7338
Conference Hour: 10:10 a.m. 11 a.m. or by appointment

Thank you!
Natalie Murphy