Contemporary Literature Syllabus
Course Name: Contemporary Literature
Credits: .5
Instructor: Mrs. Donna Heus
Location: New Holstein High School
Term: Fall semester of 2010-11 school year
Course Description:
My goal is to awaken in each of you a cultural literacy that most teachers take for granted. So, I welcome your thoughts,
ideas, insights, suggestions, and knowledge. This is a semester of sharing our experiences (both vicarious and real),
listening respectfully to others as they share, and questioning the world of literature. We will to cover a lot of material, so be
prepared to read on a nightly basis. I have faith that you will awaken your imaginations, and who knows where that will
lead. Let’s have a great semester.
Choose 4 of the 20:
Resources:



19+ paperbacks from which to choose
Handouts and resource materials
Writer’s Inc. resource book
 Internet (maintain your privileges)
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
The Bean Trees by Barbara
Kingsolver
Bleachers by John Grisham
Course Objectives matched to DPI standards:

Develop an awareness of how to read efficiently and intelligently
A.12.1 Use effective reading strategies to achieve their purposes in reading.
A.12.2 Read, interpret, and critically analyze literature.
A.12.3 Read and discuss literary and nonliterary texts in order to understand
human experience.
A.12.4 Students will read to acquire information.

Compositions both formal and informal
B.12.1 Create writing to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
B.12.2 Plan, revise, edit, and publish clear and effective writing.

Real discussion using literature circles:
C.12.1 Prepare and deliver oral presentations appropriate to specific purposes
and audiences.
C.12.2 Listen to, discuss, and comprehend oral communications.
C.12.3 Participate effectively in discussion.


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Serious attempt to increase reading, writing, and speaking vocabularies
D.12.1 Develop their vocabulary and ability to use words, phrases, idioms,
and grammatical structures as a means of improving communication.
D.12.2 Recognize and interpret various uses/adaptations of language in social,
cultural, regional, and professional situations, and learn to be flexible
and responsive in their use of English.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D.
Salinger
the curious incident of the dog in the
night-time by Mark Haddon
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
Deathwatch by Robb White
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean
Meyers
Feed by M.T. Anderson
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret
Atwood
I Heard the Owl Call My Name by
Margaret Craven
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Use of technology software for composition, research and interfacing
E.12.1 Use computers to acquire, organize, analyze, and communicate
E.12.2 Make informed judgments about media and products.
Use of information and research techniques
Lucky by Alice Sebold
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
F.12.1 Conduct research and inquiry on self-selected or assigned topics,
or problems and use an appropriate form to communicate their findings.
issues,
The Pact by Jodi Picoult
Please Stop Laughing at Me by
Jodee Blanco
Grading Scale
A+ 98-100
A 93-97
A- 90-92
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
information.
B+ 88-89
C+ 78-79
B 83-87
C 73-77
B- 80-82
C- 70-72
F=anything below 60.0%
D+ 68-69
D 63-67
D- 60-62
The Runner by Cynthia Voigt
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall
Down by Anne Fadiman
Grading Policy per Quarter:
Daily work
discussion, blogs (journals), weekly lessons, daily preparation
Short Term
Vocabulary, Cultural Literacy, Grammar quizzes
Long Term
final papers and presentations
Total work
= Your quarter grade
Grading Policy per Semester:
First quarter grade
45%
Second quarter grade
45%
Semester Exam is your rotation 4 project (counts in second quarter)
10%
Total of your work
= Your semester grade
Tentative Agenda
Lesson 1: WI State Standards, Bloom’s Taxonomy of Understanding, Literary Terminology, Best
Practices of Reading, Literary History and Premise of Contemporary Literature
Lesson 2: Practice the procedures.
Short story samples: reading, composition, discussion, vocabulary, and research
Lesson 3: Rotation 1
Reading, compositions, discussions, vocabulary, research, evaluations
Lesson 4: Rotation 2
Reading, compositions, discussions, vocabulary, research, evaluations
Lesson 5: Rotation 3
Reading, compositions, discussions, vocabulary, research, evaluations
Lesson 6: Rotation 4
Reading, compositions, discussions, vocabulary, research, evaluations
Semester Exam: cultural literacy, vocabulary, terminology, reading
Late Work Policy:
*Unless there is an excused absence, late work will only be accepted for half credit.
*Exigent circumstances will always be taken into consideration..
Absenteeism Policy:
*Presentations and /or discussions that are missed will be made up in written form and due the following day.
*Due date for long term assignments will stand; 1 missed lab day will not earn you an extra day of work time next week. Sorry, but you will
have to plan accordingly, or at the very least, bring it in before school on the day you return. Anything less may be considered late. (see
late work policy)
*Daily points will be lost for each day missed unless the student sees me in the morning before school begins (or before lunch for
afternoon classes); I cannot get you (and the other absentees) caught up with a whole class in a few minutes before class. Sorry!