Instructor s: Mrs. Glapajone Nguyen and Mr. Miller
WELCOME TO WORLD LITERATURE
Where am I from???
HINT 1:NOT CHINA!!!
HINT 2: IN SOUTHEAST
ASIA
HINT 3: WHERE
KICKBOXING ORIGINATED
HINT4: WHERE THE MOVIE
HANGOVER 2 WAS FILMED
Where in the world is Thailand?
Other childhood facts:
 Grew up in Skokie, IL
 One younger brother who is also a teacher
 Education:
 Niles North High School
 University of Illinois at Chicago
 Northeastern Illinois University
Fun FACTS:
 Have three dogs!!!
 I love traveling, fishing, hiking,
snorkeling, anything nature related!
 I am terrified of heights!
 Ice skated for 10 years
Summer Activities:
I put a RING on it!
I rode a bike in AMSTERDAM!
I climbed to the top of the Eiffel Tower and
almost got squished to my death trying to see
the Mona Lisa!
I ate TAPAS in Spain!!! YUMMMMMM!!!
Teaching Background
 Taught in Hawaii for one summer. ALOHA!
 Taught in Humboldt Park, Chicago for 5 years
 Taught at CICS Longwood Academy in
Chicago’s south side
 Taught at VOISE Academy in Chicago’s Austin
neighborhood
 Now… beginning my second year
here at AMUNDSEN!!!
GOOOOOOO VIKINGS!
Teaching Style
No Nonsense Nurturer
• I believe every student can succeed and achieve
his/her goals
•I believe that life is not always smooth and there
will inevitably be obstacles
•I believe that everyone has his/her own strengths
and weaknesses and it’s important to KNOW them
•I believe there are 2 types of students: those that
make excuses for their own success and those that
fight for their success
•I believe that every day matters and we shouldn’t
waste other people’s time
• I believe by working together towards the same
goal, we will make this class both fun and
productive!
ARE YOU
GOING TO BE
HARD???
Mr. Miller
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28 years old
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Married for two years (June 18, 2011)
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Born and grew up in the Bronx, New York City
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Cultural background:
New Yorker/Midwesterner
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Racial background: Bi-racial—African American
and White
My Family
Educational Background
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BA: Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology
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MBA: Master of Business Administration
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MAT: Master of Arts in Teaching
Hobbies
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Reading both non-fiction and fiction books
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Guitar
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Basketball
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Working out
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Video games
Fun Fact
I have a private pilot license, and once crash
landed an airplane.
Summer Activities
Traveled to Jamaica with my wife.
Teaching Experience
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Beginning my fourth year of teaching at
Amundsen H.S.
Coaching basketball
Five Steps to Success
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Be present and on time to class everyday
Be curious about the exciting world around you:
Become a lifelong learner
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Try your best, and don't be afraid to make mistakes
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Ask for help/clarification when needed
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Know that, with hard work in this class, you are
preparing for Graduation and a successful young
adulthood
Course Description
 We will be reading multiple genres of literature
from various time periods and regions of the
world.
 We will be exposed to various cultures through
literature and one another’s experiences.
 We will understand the world through multiple
perspectives and celebrate its diversity.
 We will build on reading and writing skills that
will help you prepare for life after high school.
Some Academic Course Objectives
 Close Reading/Annotation
 Text Analysis
 Write for a variety of purposes
 Collaborative discussions
 Oral presentations/Public speaking
 Utilize technology (Create podcasts, movie
projects, blogs)
 To graduate AND be ready for your future in
COLLEGE or in your CAREER.
Some “Real-WORLD” Objectives
 To explore your own cultural identity
 To begin exploring similarities and
differences amongst other cultures
 To appreciate the history of the world and its
origins
 To gain an understanding of what is going on
in other parts of the world and how it affects
us
 To have a sense of curiosity that will always
lead you to question EVERYTHING and seek
more KNOWLEDGE…
Course Materials
 Mandatory: Perforated spiral notebook FOR
THIS CLASS ONLY, class folder for handouts
and returned work, blue/black pens, pencils,
highlighters
 Recommended: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Postits/Tabs, USB Flash Drive, Notecards
Course Texts
 LITERATURE World Masterpieces (Prentice
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Hall)
 Epic of Gilgamesh, The Koran, The Analects,
etc…
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (Graphic Novel)
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
Articles, Speeches,
Biographies/Autobiographies, Music, Film,
Artwork, TV shows, etc.
Assessments:
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Bellringers daily
Class Notes/ Reader’ s Response Journal (Notebook Checks)
In-class assignments EX: Annotation Exercises
Participation in activities i.e. reading in class, participating in
discussions
Assessments: Weekly Quizzes, 5-week, 10-week, Midterm,
Final, BOY vs. EOY REACH
Discussions: partners, group, and class
Short writing assignments: journals, text summaries, etc.
Essays/Writing Portfolio: Expository, Narrative, Analysis,
Research
Projects/Presentations
Homework/Classwork Policy
 Homework will be handed in at the beginning of
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class and not any other time later in the day: NO
EXCUSES.
Classwork will be handed in prior to the end of class:
NO EXCUSES.
NO LATE WORK will be accepted unless there is
evidence of an excused absence (ex: signed letter
from parent).
Major assignments will be deducted a letter grade
for every day late.
Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty will result in class
failure and school suspension.
Attendance/Tardy Policy
 Be in class, ON TIME, every day!
 Grade will drop for unexcused absences
 There will be school-wide consequences for
tardies!
 Student is responsible for missed
assignments and/or notes for excused
absences.
Daily Procedures
 Bring your class materials/textbook with you
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EVERY DAY!
Come in the classroom in uniform with your ID’s
ALREADY ON
Remove headphones and put away phones
BEFORE entering the classroom
Open your notebooks and answer the bellringer
in complete sentences on one sheet (to be
turned in altogether at the end of the week)
Take out your homework to turn in and/or
prepare your notes for the day.
Community Guidelines
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Attempt all assignments
Ask us for help!
Leave your problems at the door
Carry a positive attitude
Don’t make excuses for your own success
Admit when your wrong and be brave enough
to apologize
 Participate in all class discussions, group
work, and collaborative projects
ZERO TOLERANCE
 Cell phones/Personal Electronics (if they are visible or if they are
audible! )
1st offense: warning
2nd offense: discipline referral and phone call home
3rd offense: conference with administration to remove all cell phone
rights in school
 Food/Drinks in the classroom
 Disrespect of school property and/or classroom
 Disrespect of teacher/classmates/yourself
 Classroom disturbances or defiance
 Use of profanity/inappropriate slang/derogatory language in any
context
(Your behavior will directly affect your participation grade and result
in consequences)
What you need to do right now!
 Go to AmundsenHS.Org and to my teacher
page.
 Add our class with the correct period using
your CPS e-mail
 Copy down the verification code to give to
either Mr. Miller or myself.
 Enable notifications so you receive updates
about homework and assignments.
Grading Breakdown
Grading Policy
100-90= A
89-80=B
79-70=C
69-60=D
59 and below=F
NO CATEGORY BREAKDOWN
QUESTIONS???
GET READY FOR A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!!!