American Literature Syllabus

Carlie Thompson
Teacher Contact Information:
carlie.thompson@sccpss.com
912.395.6789 (room 2319)

Class website: mrscthompson.weebly.com

Best contact method: email

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COURSE OVERVIEW AND DETAILS

This course focuses on the study of American literature, writing modes and genres, and essential conventions for reading,
writing, and speaking. The student develops an understanding of chronological context and the relevance of period
structures in American literature. The students develop an understanding of the ways the period of literature affects its
structure and how the chronology of a work affects its meaning.

Course Schedule:
Unit 1: Individuals and Social Structures
Unit 2: Perspectives

Unit 3: Catalysts for Change

Unit 4: The American Dream

Objectives:
Strong emphasis is also placed on academic, creative, and technical writing skills necessary for college and careers.
Students will keep a writing portfolio of all writing assignments. Students are expected to show growth in all forms of
writing as well as vocabulary usage.
In order to prepare students for the increasing technical demands of college and careers as well to help students develop
critical thinking and problem-solving skills, technology will be used in many aspects of learning. Many assignments will
be completed and submitted electronically. Accommodations will be made for students who do not have access to
technology requirements at home (see accommodation form attached to this syllabus).
At the end of this course, you will

Demonstrate knowledge of the major authors, works, and themes of American Literature.
Demonstrate comprehension by identifying evidence (diction, imagery, point of view, figurative language, symbolism,
plot events) in a variety of texts representative of different genres (poetry, prose/short story, novel, essay, editorial,
biography, drama) and using this evidence as the basis for interpretation.
Understand and acquire new vocabulary and use it correctly in reading and writing. Vocabulary to include SAT words.
Produce writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader,
maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals closure.
Practice both timed and process writing and use the writing process to develop, revise and evaluate writing.
Use research and technology to support writing.
Write in various modes: narrative, expository/informational, persuasive and technical.
Participate in student-to-teacher, student-to-student, and group verbal interactions.
Deliver focused, coherent, and polished presentations that convey a clear and distinct perspective.
Review and demonstrate mastery of grammar usage through pretest and post test of basic grammar skills.

 Required Materials
To successfully complete this course, you will need:

Black/blue ink pens and/or No. 2 pencils

Three ring binder with dividers for notes (may be shared with other courses)
Loose leaf notebook paper
Spiral notebook or composition notebook for daily journals (only to be used for journals)
A computer or web-browsing device (tablet) with internet connection for at-home use (accommodations will be made
for students who do not have access to needed technology at home)

Additional Print Resources

Students will have access to a class set of these books in school; however, students will need to read the majority of the
books at home in order for class time to be spent discussing the texts and working on projects related to the texts.
Purchasing the following books will benefit students in this course. They also are excellent books that will be useful later
in college and are enjoyable reading material for other family members.
The Crucible Arthur Miller
The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald

Textbook
All students will have access to a print textbook in class. Students also have access to an electronic textbook, which can be
accessed via computer or an Apple or Android tablet. Accommodations will be made for students without internet access
at home.

Pearson Common Core Literature: The American Experience

Online Resources

usatestprep.com
drive.google.com

weebly.com
dictionary.com

easybib.com
owl.english.purdue.edu

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

o Class Rules
1. Arrive on time and be prepared to learn.
Take care of your business between classes use the restroom, visit your locker, etc. Have homework, journals, pens,
pencils, paper, and books, as needed, with you before you enter the classroom.

2. Be respectful to all.
It is imperative that students respect the rights of the teacher to teach and other students to learn. I will not tolerate
talking during instruction, foul language, direct disrespect or disobedience, refusal to complete assignments during
class, any anything I deem to be misbehavior during class. All students have the right to feel valued and respected in
the classroom. To accomplish this, all students must show respect for one another by respecting diverse values and
points of view. Own your own learning and encourage others. Show maturity during discussions of controversial
issues if you disagree with others. Freedom of expression is valued in my classroom; however, it is understood that
certain words constitute hate speech and have no place in an educational environment. Any language that creates a
hostile learning environment for any student, or impede the ability of the teacher to teach or students to learn, will not

be tolerated and will result in an immediate referral to administration. Additionally, take care of shared materials and
resources in class, including textbooks, desks, and other materials provided by the teacher or brought to class by
others. All students deserve an equal opportunity to benefit from these resources. Do not vandalize the classroom in
any way (writing on desks or walls, putting gum under desks/chairs, destroying or damaging materials, removing
materials from walls). To do so will result in a referral.

3. Do not eat in the classroom.

This includes candy, snacks, and all types of food. The cafeteria is for eating, and the classroom is for learning. Drinks
in plastic bottles are fine. Keep the classroom neat and tidy. If you have trash, ensure that it is in the trash can before
you leave the classroom. Put desks back in their original position by the time class has ended. You are young adults,
and I should not have to tell you how to clean up after yourselves.

4. Follow directions the first time they are given.

The classroom is designed as a place for learning. To accomplish this, all students must follow school rules, classroom
rules, and rules given by the teacher.
The instructor will specify if it is time to use technology for educational purposes, such as research, typing, or the only
textbook. This is at the instructors discretion. Devices are never to be used for off-task communication, entertainment,
gaming, texting, social media, or other unnecessary distractions.

NOTE: Any refusal to hand over electronic devices or headphones to the teacher will
result in an automatic office referral.
Consequences
1.
2.
3.
4.

Warning/Time Out
Parent Contact
Detention
Office Referral
SERIOUS OFFENSES will result in an immediate referral and may result in removal from the classroom.

o Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism is defined as using another persons thoughts and accomplishments without proper acknowledgement and
documentation. This also includes unauthorized collaboration with another student in which you both submit the same or
similar document. It is an unacceptable offense and a serious breach of honor. Students will receive a zero for the
plagiarized work, which will not be able to be made up at a later time. It should be assumed that all assignments are
independent unless specifically stated by the instructor.
Plagiarism includes copying answers or assignments from the internet or other electronic resources.

o Grading Policies:
Make Up Assignments and Absences
Excused Absences Students are permitted to make up work missed during absences for any of the following
reasons: participation in a school-sponsored activities, personal illness, medical requirements, family illness, death
of a family member, observance of a religious holiday, orders of government agencies, hazardous conditions, or
suspension. Students must complete any missed homework, tests, or assessments within THREE school days after
the student returns to school. Any assignments or projects given prior to days of absence are due immediately
upon the first day a student returns with the exception of electronically submitted assignments. Unless approved
by the teacher, electronically submitted assignments should still be submitted when assigned prior to the students
absence.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FINDING OUT WHAT ASSIGNMENTS YOU MISSED AND
SUBMITTING YOUR WORK WITHIN THREE DAYS.
CHECK THE ABSENT BIN THE DAY YOU RETURN AND COMPLETE ANY MISSING ASSIGNMENTS.
If you missed a test, you must make arrangements with the instructor on the day you return to take the test.
Most test retakes will occur after school.

KNOW WHERE THE ABSENT BIN IS LOCATED AND HOW TO FIND

YOUR ASSIGNMENTS.
o Late Work
Late work will be accepted within FIVE school days FOR MAJOR PROJECTS AND ESSAYS ONLY; however, students
will incur the following penalties (if assignment is not worth 100 points, equal percentage will be deducted, for example, 2
days late, 20% grade reduction):
o
o
o
o
o

One day ten points off grade

Two days twenty points off grade
Three days thirty points off grade
Four or more days forty points off grade
Five or more days assignment will not be accepted; students will receive a zero.

CLASSWORK, HOMEWORK, AND OTHER DAILY ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT RECEIVE A GRADE HIGHER
THAN 70 IF SUBMITTED LATE. LATE CLASSWORK OR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED AFTER THREE (3) CLASS DAYS.

Flipped Classroom Assignments Some homework assignments are assigned for the purpose of preparing
students for a class activity the next day. This teaching method, known as the flipped classroom method requires
students to read or study at home so that more time is available in class for project-based learning. Accepting these
assignments late defeats the purpose of the assignment; therefore, any assignment of this nature (indicated with an
FC in the grade book) will not be accepted late. Students will receive a zero for these assignments if they are not
submitted on time.

Resubmitted Assignments and Assessments If students submit an assignment on time, but are not content with
the grade they earn, any student may resubmit the assignments by either attending tutorial or completing a
remediation assignment.

Extra Credit Students who have worked hard and done the usual, expected, and necessary work, but who still
need additional help to pull up their grade may be given extra credit assignments to raise their grade (at the
teachers discretion). Students whose grade is suffering because they have missed assignments, however, will not
be given the opportunity to raise their grade through extra credit assignments.

Assessments (60% of grade)

Tests, Essays, Projects 40%
Quizzes 20%
Other Assignments (40% of grade)
Classwork, Homework 40%

Grading Scale:
A 90-100
B 80- 89
C 70- 79
F 0-69

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
GMAS Information
The Georgia Milestones Assessment (GMAS) is a state test given near the end of the semester and is worth 20%
of the overall course grade. Students final grades are determined based on the following formula:
(1st quarter grade * .40) + (2nd quarter grade * .40) + (GMAS grade * .20) = final grade
The GMAS includes multiple choice questions as well as short written and extended written responses.

Tutorial

Tutorial will be offered on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30. Students must clearly indicate their
objective for the tutorial (name of assignment, quiz, test). Students must pre-register by going to the link on the
class website or signing up in class on a designated sheet. In order to attend tutorial, students (or parents) must
sign up by Tuesday evening in order to allow the teacher time to prepare the needed instruction and assignments
for tutorial.

Students may attend tutorial to get extra help and to earn a higher grade on assignments that they completed on
time. Students may not complete work in tutorial that they did not complete by the due date.

Tutorial during weeks 8 and 9 of each marking period is reserved only for students who have attended tutorial at
least once during weeks 1-7.