SOPHOMORE ENGLISH: Semester One 2013-2014
Instructor: Sletmoe 503-916-5120 x75102
Demonstrating Your Skill Set
EVALUATION
MA-mastery
AM- approaching
mastery
MS- meets
standard
NM- not meeting
standard
PART OF COURSE
ASSIGNMENT/Skill Set
SKILL YOU DEMONSTRATE
Independent Reading
Novel
Of Mice and Men/
“What’s Eating Gilbert
Grape”
Night/ Literature of
the Holocaust
Multiple
texts/documentaries,
etc.
Character Analysis
Essay
Comparison Essay
Establishing a cohesive characterization
of a character in a fiction book
Integrating and analyzing multiple text
types (film/novel)
Research Essay
Construct a research project that
answers a clear question
Choosing a controversial issue, and
writing a compelling argument using
strong support
Daily classwork
Daily Agenda/ Notes
Multiple
Conventions/Grammar
TBA
In Class Writing Sample
TBA
In Class Formal
Presentation
Multiple Texts
In class contributions
Reading Quizzes
Contribute to
Community 1st Quarter
Contribute to
Community 2nd Quarter
Final Exam
In class contributions
Persuasive Essay
Showing organizational structures in
class; keeping pace with daily content
Demonstrate an understanding of
conventions, and formal writing style
Demonstrate an ability to synthesize a
variety of writing skills in a timed writing
exercise
Demonstrate knowledge of a concept
and/or content and an ability to share
that information with a large group
Show a literal comprehension of a text
Preparedness, participation,
involvement, etc.
SEE ABOVE
Demonstrate knowledge of core course
concepts through a review
How to Determine Your Grade: drop your lowest two evaluations; the NEXT LOWEST is your grade. You must be at
least proficient in each skill. In other words, you cannot drop an NM.
Do-overs: With a few exceptions, the work that you complete in this course can be revisited/revised until your
evaluation matches your expectation. You can revise MOST skills until you reach mastery.
Sophomore English Syllabus, Semester 1; 2013-14
Instructor: Sletmoe
503 916 5120 x75102
gsletmoe@pps.net
From the PPS Language Arts Course Description
Sophomore language arts students develop an appreciation for and understanding about ideas and experiences
from around the world. Through the lens of cultural encounters, students read a balance of contemporary and
classic works—short stories, essays, novels, poetry, nonfiction, drama, and non-print media—that encourages
examination of multiple points-of-view. Students work to become effective writers, critical thinkers, attentive
readers, and engaging presenters.
Students will engage in a variety of reading, writing, and critical thinking activities in this course to broaden their
knowledge of the world around them. A variety of literature types will be explored—through multiple lenses—in
addition to writing in multiple modes, including: creative writes, formal essays, in class journaling, persuasive
writing, poetry and more.
Student Expectations: Students are expected to follow all school policies in class. More details in class.
This course is a proficiency-based course, which means that we will set assess students in a variety of skill sets (see
NEXT PAGE). Students will have a variety of opportunities to demonstrate growth, improvement, and ultimately
mastery of a skill set. Many skill sets will have opportunities for practice and do-overs. You’re not expected to be
an expert at something on the first day, but need to show growth over the course of the particular unit of study.
Final grade in the course will be determined based on evaluations in the skill sets. I will provide a detailed template
describing traits of each level of performance. Students will have a chance (or many chances, in some cases) to
demonstrate proficiency. I will provide feedback and you can re-attempt until receiving a better evaluation. The
lowest two evaluations will be dropped, and the next lowest grade will determine the final grade in the course. A
“NOT MEETING STANDARD” in any category will result in failing the course.
MASTERY= “A”
APPROACHING MASTERY= “B”
MEETS STANDARD= “C”
NOT MEETING= “F”
Example: A student ends the semester with Mastery in 8 categories, Approaching Mastery in 2 categories, and Meets Standard in 2 categories. Dropping the lowest two evaluations and taking
his next lowest score, Johnny would receive a B in the course.
EVALUATION
MA-mastery
AM- approaching mastery
MS- meets standard
NM- not meeting standard
MA
MA
MS (drop lowest 2 evaluations)
MS (drop 2 lowest evaluations)
MA
MA
AM (next lowest evaluation is your
final grade)
AM
MA
MA
MA
MA
ASSIGNMENT/ Skill Set
Character Analysis Essay
Comparison Essay
Research Essay
Persuasive Essay
Daily Agenda/ Notes
Conventions/Grammar
In Class Writing Sample
In Class Formal Presentation
Reading Quizzes
Contribute to Community 1st Quarter
Contribute to Community 2nd Quarter
Final Exam
Tracking Sheet, First Semester
Sophomore English, 2013-14
MY NAME:
EVALUATION
MA-mastery
AM- approaching
mastery
MS- meets
standard
NM- not meeting
standard
PART OF COURSE
ASSIGNMENT/Skill Set
SKILL YOU DEMONSTRATE
Independent Reading
Novel
Of Mice and Men/
“What’s Eating Gilbert
Grape”
Night/ Literature of
the Holocaust
Multiple
texts/documentaries,
etc.
1/Character Analysis
Essay
2/Comparison Essay
Establishing a cohesive characterization
of a character in a fiction book
Integrating and analyzing multiple text
types (film/novel)
3/Research Essay
Construct a research project that
answers a clear question
Choosing a controversial issue, and
writing a compelling argument using
strong support
Daily classwork
5/Daily Agenda/ Notes
Multiple
6/Conventions/Grammar
TBA
7/In Class Writing
Sample
TBA
8/In Class Formal
Presentation
Multiple Texts
In class contributions
9/Reading Quizzes
10/Contribute to
Community 1st Quarter
11/Contribute to
Community 2nd Quarter
12/Final Exam
In class contributions
4/Persuasive Essay
Showing organizational structures in
class; keeping pace with daily content
Demonstrate an understanding of
conventions, and formal writing style
Demonstrate an ability to synthesize a
variety of writing skills in a timed
writing exercise
Demonstrate knowledge of a concept
and/or content and an ability to share
that information with a large group
Show a literal comprehension of a text
Preparedness, participation,
involvement, etc.
SEE ABOVE
Demonstrate knowledge of core course
concepts through a review
Skill set #1/2 due no later than Friday November 1 (all drafts/submissions). Skill set #3/4 due no later than Friday
January 17 (all drafts/submissions).
Skill sets 7, 8, 12 are “1-shot” evaluations. We will practice ahead of time, but you will get 1 chance ONLY to show
proficiency.
Skill sets 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 will be ongoing evaluations.