Teacher: Alana Beil

Course: 10th American Literature

Email: abeil@urbanprep.org

Room: 100
Cell: (773) 354-4925

Class Website: www.beil.weebly.com

Hours of Availability: You can meet with me before school (7:40-8:10) or after
school (4:30-5 pm), and by appointment.
Introduction:

Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel,

anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history
and you read it in your own terms. Angela Carter
Welcome back class of 2019!!! I am excited to share my love of reading with you guys,
and to be returning as your literature teacher for the 2015-2016 school year.
During this school year, I will ask you to read criticallyto look closely at a text, for
these 3 reasons:
1. To understand the world around you and peoples lives, other than your own.
2. Be empathetic. An empathetic person is someone who can share another
persons feelings.
3. Give you the tools to share your own story and be able to relate/connect
themes from the text to your own life and our world.
Course Description:
This year, we will be reading texts from several different American authors. Students
will engage in multiple reading strategies, activities, and discussions; which will assist
with mastering comprehension of the text, critical thinking skills, and addressing
thematic issues. The skills learned in this course will help students progress to higher
level reading courses at Urban Prep, and obtain life-long literacy skills that will help
students face the world we live in today. Examples of major skills are: Predicting,
Inferring, Connecting, Questioning, and Imagining.

[Type text]

Course Expectations:
As the quote states above, every reader brings something new to a text because of his
own experiences and background. I expect all students to be prepared for class. This
means:
I expect you to complete homework (reading, blogging, questions, etc)
I expect you to demonstrate comprehension of work (participation,
classwork, etc.)
I expect you to act like a respectful gentleman in class
I expect you to be focused and engaged in class
I expect you to succeed
Course Goals:
By the end of the course, students will be able to identify and use several reading
strategies and have a better comprehension to what they are reading. Students will be
able to master several literary lenses and apply them to texts.
Required Materials/Supplies:
Writing Utensil everyday (at least 2, so if one breaks you are ok)
Composition notebook
Folder
1 binder, for this class only (I have some if you need one)
Reading materials!!!
Grading Weights:
Skills Practice-10%
Homework Assignments
Skills Checks-20%
Do Now, Exit Slip, In-Class Activities
Special Projects-25%
On-Going projects or activities
Assessments-40%
Tests, Finals Exams, Quarter Exams
Productive Participation-5%
Classroom Rules:
Be Respectful-Be respectful to yourself, your peers, and me. In order to be
successful in this course, we need to have a safe environment to foster deep
discussions and debates. We will be respectful of each others opinions, feelings,

property, and learning experience. Anyone who compromises this will face
disciplinary consequences.
Be Prepared-Bring all materials listed to class. Make sure to complete readings
and homework. This means being ready to learn the second you enter class.
Be on time-You have no excuse to be late to my class. If I have to be here on
time, so should you. If you are late (unexcused), You will receive a detention and
a 0 for the Do Now.
No electronics-Keep them away. If I see it, I WILL TAKE IT and give it to Dean
McGhee. You will survive 45 mins without a phone..

1st Quarter Overview:

Unit Thematic Questions: What factors influence our moral growth? What kinds of
experiences help us learn how to judge right from wrong?
First quarter, we will be asking ourselves these questions, as well as studying identity
and human behavior.
Readings:
Autobiography of Malcolm X
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Supplementary sources and readings

Skills:
Locate and interpret important details
Sequencing
Cause and Effect
Inferences
Main Idea
Summarizing
Supporting Details
Understand Authors Purpose

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please Cut along dotted line and complete after reading. Thank you!-Ms. Beil

Student Name: ______________________________

Student Signature: ___________________________

Guardian Name:______________________________
Phone Number:__________________

[Type text]

Email: ______________________
Best way and time to reach you: __________________
Signature:_______________________