2015-2016
English 11-Survey of American Literature School
Year
Teacher Names: Ms. Lisa Kulakowski (Leta); Ms. Alexandra Payne (Smith)
Email: Lisa.Kulakowski@lcps.org Alexandra.N.Smith@lcps.org
Remind.com: Text @lkula to 81010 to sign up
Blog: http://english11-kulakowski.blogspot.com/ Twitter: @Kuli_English
My Schedule:
1st : English 11-Reading/Rm.202
2nd : English 11-Smith/Rm. 202
3rd : Planning/Rm. 202/T3
4th : Study Hall/T3
In this class, we:
Show we are READY
by being attentive and
in our seats with all
necessary materials
when the bell rings.
Show RESPECT by
following all school
rules and by treating
ourselves and others
with honor and
kindness in all words
and actions.
Show we are
RESPONSIBLE by
giving our full effort
to learn and refusing
to give up, completing
all work with honesty,
obtaining missed
assignments, and
asking for help when
needed.
“Read more.
Write more. ‘Nuff
said.”
5th : English 10-Reading/T3
6th : English 11/T3
7th : English 11-Toler/T3
8th : Planning/Rm. 202/T3
Welcome Students and Parents!
Welcome to English 11! This comprehensive course is designed to allow you to continue
developing the reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critical thinking skills acquired in
earlier grades. Reading emphasis will be on the development and practical application of
various American literature genres and nonfiction selections. You will be writing in
many forms, including drafts, journals, and informal/formal persuasive essays (including
research). You will also be reading and participating in reading-writing workshops and lit
circles. We will take the Writing SOL (MC and essay) in March and the Reading SOL in
May. We will prepare for these assessments throughout the year. Students will be
encouraged and supported to read closely and write with clarity and precision. A love of
reading and an appreciation for good writing will be modeled and fostered!
What you will need for class:
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Supply List:
Loose leaf paper, pencils & pens
Composition book-college rule
1-1/2 inch binder with 4 dividers
(Label: Reading, Writing, Quiz/Test,
Vocab)
USB/flash drive (if able)
Please note:
**If you have trouble obtaining the supplies
above, please see me for help!
**COLLABORATION and GROUP WORK
with your classmates is required! These are
21st century workplace readiness skills that
you will use in life!
If we can:
Focus
Give effort
Have pride
+ ENJOY class
#Winning!
Course Outline:
Reading/Writing SOL Prep - preassessment and
ongoing practice/reinforcement
Identity Unit (What Shapes Our Identity) –
Native American Origin Tales, personal narrative
writing, novel Whale Talk, “This I Believe”/”One
Thanksgiving Weekend” essay/podcast (PBL);
nonfiction selections.
Choice and Decision-Making Unit (How Others
See Us) - The Crucible by Arthur Miller, excerpts
from novels Speak and and Thirteen Reasons
Why, nonfiction selections,
Ongoing: Literary devices, conventions of
poetry/lyrics as poetry; relevant vocabulary;
reading strategies.
Choice and Decision-Making Unit (con’t) Persuasive speeches/selections; rhetorical devices,
PSA project (PBL); Dystopian Society/science
fiction; Transcendentalism-Emerson, Thoreau.
Writing: Grammar/conventions, sentence
variety, the writing process/thesis statements;
“smiley face” tricks; Persuasive Research
Essay/MLA Format.
*order/selections flexible
Semester 2 – Topics*
Reading/Writing SOL Prep - ongoing
practice/reinforcement
Writing: Grammar/conventions, sentence
variety, the writing process/thesis statements;
“smiley face” tricks; Persuasive Research
Essay/MLA Format; writing SOL review.
Romanticism; selections from variety of
poets/authors (Whitman, Frost, Eliot), Slam
Poetry Project (PBL), short selections from
Hawthorne, Faulkner, and other authors,
nonfiction selections – youth culture/role of
women v. men.
Modernism/Postmodernism: The American
Dream/A Raisin in the Sun, historical fictionFallen Angels/The Things They Carried, short
story unit/ selections from Updike, Hughes,
Walker, Hemingway, Tyler, Cisneros; nonfiction
selections.
Reading Lit Circles: independent reading choice
of YA lit fiction and nonfiction selections;
multigenre project.
*order/selections flexible
Grades in this class will be comprised of class work, homework, quizzes, tests, and projects, as well as class
participation. Assignment deadlines will be clearly communicated to students; student use of a planning tool
(planner, agenda) will assist them in remaining organized. Extra credit opportunities may or may not be
available, provided the student has completed all required work and has no zeros.
When students are absent, they should plan to check my page on the BRHS website, or see/email Ms.
Kulakowski or a peer, prior to the next class so they know what was missed and are prepared to address it. A
plan for submitting make-up work will be determined by Ms. Kulakowski and student at that time. I am
available before school Monday-Friday, 7:30-8:30 or by appointment, for extra help.
**Info re: Remind.com (a one-way reminder text/email service) will be provided and sent home for students/parents.
Please sign here to verify that you have read this syllabus and understand its contents.
Student Name: ____________________________ Signature:_______________________________
Parent Signature:___________________________ Best Phone Contact: _____________________
Parent Email Address: ______________________________________________________________
Student Email Address: _____________________________________________________________
Thank you for your cooperation and participation; I am excited to work with you this year! Please do
not hesitate to contact me at any time with questions or concerns! Best, Lisa Kulakowski, M.Ed.

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
Semester 1 – Topics*