Updated Jan 2016

Honors Language Arts 11 -- Syllabus

Prerequisites:

Instructor:
Room Number:
Office Number:
REMIND:

Language Arts 9 & 10, Speech

Ms. Rachel Maley

215
217

Phone:
E-mail:

Credits: 1.0

526.3372 x.6217
malrac@holmen.k12.wi.us

Welcome! I am glad you are here. Please keep and read through this syllabus for
information about this course, my expectations, and classroom procedures. It is
going to be a great semester!
Your parent/guardian must sign this syllabus and return it to me
by:______________________.

Course Description & Expectations

Honors Language 11 is a course that focuses primarily on American Literature starting in

the 1600s and continuing to contemporary literature. We will be studying not only the literature
that has made our country famous but also the historical context in which it was written. This
will give us a better overall understanding of our nations history and the experiences and ideas
that have brought us to where we are today.
We should not all have the same response to what we read; our reactions will depend on
our past experiences, our values and beliefs, our interests, and our knowledge of the subject
matter. Since each of us in unique, we should have unique, personal reactions to what we read.
We will grow in our ability to analyze, interpret, and reflect on texts. We will revisit and
apply literary elements towards numerous, difficult genres of text. We will read a great deal!
In addition to our readings, we will also focus on fine-tuning your writing skills. We will
experiment with numerous types of writing including research, narrative, reaction, and creative
writing. We will spend a significant amount of time evaluating and improving your construction of
sentences, paragraphs, essays, and formal papers. Emphasis is placed on the PROCESS of writing
as well as the final product. We will work to move towards improving voice and sentence variety
within the context of structured writing as well. We will be learning new vocabulary words and
completing ACT preparation as well.

You are in an Honors class, so you are expected to act like an Honors student.

Take risks. Offer your reactions and opinions freely; keep in mind others are free to have their
own opinions and reactions. Be respectful and be ready to learn from your peers.
Try new ways of approaching ideas.
Try to appreciate and understand new ideas and literature, even if you do not like it.
Rid yourself of pre-conceived ideas. (Example: I hate poetry. Or I cannot do that.)
Work hard. Turn in top quality work.
Be on time to class and try hard to schedule appointments at another time. This is not a class
that can be skipped because we are doing nothing. If you are absent, it is your responsibility
to take care of missed work in a timely manner.
Please refrain from having your cellphone on your desk or out in general unless requested. We
intend to use our brains not Google.
If you have a specific problem or concern with me, please come discuss it with me privately
before or after class or during my office hours. I will do the same for you if I feel there are
problems with attitude, motivation, or behavior.
Keep track of materials checked out to you: books, magazines, stories, etc.
I expect work to be handed in on time. You have one late excuse per term with no penalty.
Other work will not be accepted and a zero will be given. Please talk with me if you have any
extenuating circumstances. Major assignments have special rules.
Plan ahead! If you have a big game the night before a paper is due, complete the paper earlier.
Use common sense and time management skills.
Come to class every day with a positive attitude. This is to be challenging yet enjoyable!

Updated Jan 2016

Required to Complete
Term 3: The Crucible Test, Declaration of Independence and paper, Romanticism/Transcendentalism Project, Final Test
Term 4: Huckleberry Finn Essay, Great Gatsby Tests, Group Novel Project, Grammar Test, Final Test

Materials Needed
1.5-2 Three Ring Binder (used for organizing each unit of study all materials will be placed in here!)
Binder Dividers (eight is enough!)
Notebook or Loose-Leaf Paper (college ruled)
Pen, Pencil, and Highlighter

Course Literature & Era Topics

Term 3

Puritan Literature/ Lifestyles

The Crucible by Arthur Miller and The New England Primer
Age of Reason
Poor Richards Almanak
The Declaration of Independence Students will choose a country to research and study.
The Declaration of Independence will be used as the format that each student will follow
in developing a declaration for a present day situation. Students will use the LMTC and
online databases to research and develop this document.
Romanticism/Transcendentalism Hawthorne, Poe, Irving, Thoreau, Emerson

Term 4
Realism
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain
Modern Literature
The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald
Choice Novel Students will choose from a group of novels to read independently or in small
groups. Discussion will be held periodically; there will be a project at the end of the unit.
Modern Drama (if we have time)
Glass Menagerie Tennessee Williams

Ms. Maleys Availability

If you require extra help, Ms. Maley will be available before school by 7:00 AM and after school until
3:45 PM. I suggest you touch base with me first about needing to meet with me in case I have to
be out of my office during these times for some reason. Of course, I am available by appointment
also.
I will have posted office hours outside my office you can always check there.
In addition, I have an open door policy. Please feel free to come and talk to me about any
concerns you might have school related or otherwise. I am here to help and support you.
FYI: Computer labs are available in the library from 7:00am 4:00pm Monday through Thursday.
Of course, e-mail and phone calls are always welcome!

Grading Scale:
A+ (100-98%)
A (97-95%)
A- (94-92%

B+ (91 89%)
B (88-86%)
B- (85-83%)

C+ (82-80%)
C (79-76%)
C- (75-74%)

D+ (73-71%)
D (70-68%)
D- (67-65%)

Grades are based on an accumulation of points from essays, in class work, quizzes, projects,
presentations, discussions, and summative assessments. Finals are 20% of your grade.
Online Textbook: www.classzone.com Activation Code: 2450447-240

Acknowledgment of Understanding

Updated Jan 2016

Student and Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement of Understanding of Expectations:

Read over this syllabus, and then sign below. Your signature denotes that you have read and
understand the aforementioned information. Please call or e-mail with particular questions.
Student Signature:

Date:_________________________

Student Name(printed):____________________________________________

Parent Signature:

Date:_________________________

Parent Name(printed):____________________________________________
Parent Contact Information: (note preferred method of contact)
E-mail(s):_____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone:_________________________________________________________

Is there anything I need to know about your son or daughter?

Please let me know below. Thank you for your support.