Mrs. Thomas’ IB English A Literature Syllabus and Expectations
MEET THE TEACHER:
My name is Jessica Thomas. I taught at Central High School for 13 years, and this is
my third year at Bosse. While at Central I was drama director, speech coach, and the
Englsih Academic coach along with many other hats I have worn over the years. I hold a
BFA in theatre from Western Kentucky University with focus on costume design, directing
and performance. I hold a BS in English Education from USI, and I hold a MEd in
Educational Administration from Indiana State University.
Since arriving at Bosse I have been the Academic coach and choreographer for last
year’s musical. I love Bosse High School and wouldn’t want to teach anywhere else.
On a personal level, I am married to my best friend, Randee Thomas. He and I have
four year old twins, Archer and Fiona. Family is the center of my world. I grew up in the
city, but now I live in the country. I have been working on two different novels for years
along with a children’s book. I love photography, music and the outdoors. I am easy to get
along with as long as you live up to my expectations, which I am sure you will. Always be
honest with me, and don’t make excuses for yourelf.
ENGLISH 12 IB COURSE OVERVIEW:
The Language A Literature course provides students an opportunity to study a wide
range of literature for the appreciation of the artistry of literature as well as to develop an
ability to reflect critically on the readings. This is not a class where there is only one right
answer. I am asking you to stretch academically. Likewise, this is not a class that will allow
you to stay in your comfort zone. Much of the literature we will be reading and discussing
is challenging to a traditional way of thought in a variety of ways. We will study works in
their literary as well as cultural contexts. During the first semester, we will complete a
detailed study of the usually controversial Kurt Vonnegut’s short stories, analyze a classic
American novel, The Great Gatsby and delve into to cutting edge yet familiar poetry of
Nikki Giovanni. We will exclusively study the literary genre of drama during second semester
and study four plays by four different authors (Macbeth – William Shakespeare, Death of a
Salesman – Arthur Miller, Fences – August Wilson, and Six Degrees of Separation – John
Guarre). In addition, we will work on our writing skills through a variety of assessments and
continue to hone our vocabulary through vocabulary work in isolation as well as in the
context of the material we are reading. In lieu of the traditional senior project, you will be
studying yourself through your compilation of the world works anthology. The theme of
which is “Who am I?”. Finally, and most importantly, we will prepare for the individual oral
commentary and the IB exams.
COURSE GUIDELINES:
Rules to Live by:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Be
Be
Be
Be
prepared for rigorous work.
able to balance work in this class with work in other classes and extra curriculars.
prepared to contribute to discussions in informed, positive and constructive ways.
respectful.
Attendance/Tardy Policy:
If you must be absent, it is your responsibility to check the class website for make-up
work. Do not ask me at the beginning of class or while I’m walking into the restroom.
Please make an appointment with me during Enrichment. Don’t be late. If you are, you will
not be admitted without a pass.
Grades:
There will be a variety of assessments including in-class essays, major writing
assignments, tests, quizzes, oral presentations, projects, vocabulary quizzes and reading
quizzes (announced and unannounced). On the first class of the week (Monday or Tuesday)
you will receive a vocabulary assignment, and the last day of the week that we have class
(Thursday or Friday) you will have a vocabulary quiz over that week’s vocabulary list. Class
participation is mandatory in this class and will count toward your grade. The majority of
the reading for this class will be completed outside of class. Be prepared. Grades will be
determined by point accumulation. Your semester grade is comprised of 40% from the first
nine weeks, 40% from the second nine weeks, and 20% from the final.
We will all be working towards getting IB credit for English. This will include an Oral
Commentary in December and preparation for the IB exams in May. It is my expectation
that you will all complete the work necessary to get the IB credit and receive an honor’s
diploma. Let’s work together to make that happen!
Materials:
1. Think Pads containing the assigned texts or the hard copy of the text. Just an FYI –
sparknotes, shmoop and other such sites will not earn you a good grade in this class.
Please make sure that your computer is charged and ready for class.
2. You will need a flash drive, pens, pencils, paper, post it notes, highlighters, etc. for
class. – Please bring a notebook of your choosing in order to take notes over each
piece we read as we go along. This will help you dramatically for internal and external
assessments. This will not be graded, but you will regret it if you don’t make note
over the content and author information.
Submitting assignments - Most of the time assignments will be submitted to me online.
Please make sure that your assignments are received by my on time. On time means before
class begins. Do not use the internet as an excuse for why your assignment it late or
missing. Also, keep up with your grade on RDS. I update grades regularly. If you notice
that you have an assignment missing that you know you completed, please let me know as
soon as possible so we can address the situation.
Late Policy – I will accept work on DAY late for ½ credit. If an assignment is more than
one day late it will not be taken for credit. In the case of extreme circumstances, please
let me know what is going on, and we can discuss options for making up work. Such
circumstances should be occasional and temporary. “I have a game/competition/college
visit/vacation.” Is not an acceptable reason for submitting late work.
PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is defined as: the
unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and
the representation of them as one's own original work (dictionary.com) It is not okay to surf
the net and cut and paste material without giving credit as to where you got the material.
It is not okay to download an essay and change a few words to make it look like your own
work. It is not okay to take an idea you read about in a magazine or on a website and use it
as your own idea. It is not okay to work with a peer and “borrow” some of their work. All
of these things are considered cheating…And cheating is NOT okay. You will receive a
zero for any work that I find to be plagiarized, copied, borrowed, or stolen or worse yet,
you will be required to redo the assignment in front of me.
Contact information

jessica.thomas@evsc.k12.in.us
Website
 mrsthomasatbosse.weebly.com
Texts to be studied and a rough timeline
Semester One
 How to Read Literature Like a Professor

Welcome to the Monkey House (selections) – Kurt Vonnegut

The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Selected poems of Nikki Giovani
Semester Two
 Macbeth – William Shakespeare

Death of a Salesman – Arthur Miller

Fences – August Wilson

Six Degrees of Separation – John Guare
Major assignments
 Individual oral commentary (IOC) – Semester one – internal assessment

Paper 1 – Semester two – External assessment

Paper 2 – Semester two – External assessment

World Literature Anthology/Senior project - Throughout the year
Minor assignments that add up
 Vocabulary – with quizzes

Parody
Literary concepts and terms – with

Practice IOC/Paper 1/Paper 2
proof of understanding

Questions

Close Readings

Essays

Pastiche

Reviews

Literary Analysis

Class participation

Literary response

Other assorted daily assignments

Estimated timeline for literature
Semester 1
8/12 - 9/10 – Welcome to the Monkey House
9/14 - 10/23 – The Great Gatsby
10/26 – 12/3 – Nikki Giovanni
12/7 – 12/21 – IOC practice and IOCs
Semester 2
1/4 – 2/4 – Macbeth
2/8 – 3/4 – Death of a Salesman
3/8 – 3/31 – Fences
4/4 – 4/28 – Six Degrees of Separation
5/2 – End of the Year – IB testing