11th Grade English / Course Syllabus Mr. Reicher (E-mail address: sreicher@lausd.net)
2013-2014
Welcome to eleventh grade English. There are two one semester classes for 11th grade: AMER
LITERATURE and CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION. The emphasis of the AmLit class is
on reading. We’ll read American literature from the colonial period through the 19th century and
the Transcendentalists (Emerson, Thoreau,) and perhaps into the 20th century. You are required
to read at home every day. Your homework is for you to read for at least 30 minutes each day.
This is in addition to the reading you will do in class. This is an important part of your grade. For
the Cont Comp class, you will be focused on writing although you will still be expected to read
at least three books each semester.
Our class meets for about 90 minutes on various days according to our rotating schedule. You
are required to have a book in your possession for each class meeting for sustained, silent
reading (SSR) which will last for at least 30 minutes. This is in addition to the reading you are
doing at home. Choose your SSR book from the reading lists provided to you. I expect you to
read at least three books EACH semester and report on them. Every six weeks or so you will turn
in either a typewritten or a “creative” book report. The specific due date and format for the first
report will be announced to you soon.
You will be writing papers on various topics, usually about something related to our class
readings. The class readings will be from the American Literature textbook, Elements of
Literature, and for Contempory Composition, Elements of Language. We’ll read various short
stories, some poetry and a novel or play. Essays must BE TYPED and should include all stages
of development, from brainstorm through each draft with the final draft stapled on top. All
course work follows the goals of the California Standards for 11th grade and we will acquire the
skills necessary to fulfill the goals of those Standards.
Each week you will be given ten new vocabulary words to learn. You will keep a running list of
these words, their parts of speech, their meanings and a sentence for each. You will have a
weekly quiz on these words. I also expect you to keep a list of words from your own reading.
You’ll keep your word lists in your journal book.
You must bring a bound journal book with you to class each day. Journal writing is an important
activity and we will all be keeping journals in which we will record our thoughts and feelings
about events in our lives. The journal book will also be necessary for you to keep notes in and
use for class exercises. It should be a black and white composition-type book that has bound
pages. THE JOURNAL BOOK WILL BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR GRADE!
CLASSROOM RULES
a. No Talking while teacher is giving instruction.
b. Be in class on time, in assigned seat and ready to work.
c. Behave appropriately.( For example, no food, gum or hats. Telephones and texting devices must be off and out of sight.)
Necessary Materials
•Black or blue pen.
•The day’s required text, and an outside reading book for silent reading.
•Notebooks:1. Black & White, composition (bound) book for journals.2. Section of your three ring binder.
**********student: return signed tear-off – SAVE ABOVE IN NOTEBOOK***************
Parents, please help me by seeing that your high schooler is reading at home every night, that his
or her vocabulary work is progressing and that he or she is on task in preparing the required book
reports and essays. Thank you.
Student’s name_______________________, Period____Phone#( )__________________
Parent Signature___________________________Parent name:_______________________
THE BEST WAY TO REACH MR. REICHER IS VIA E-MAIL (sreicher@lausd.net) Follow your child’s
progress via SCHOOL LOOP. (SEE COUNSELOR FOR HELP SIGNING-UP)
11th Grade English / Course Syllabus Mr. Reicher (E-mail address: sreicher@lausd.net)
2013-2014
THE BEST WAY TO REACH MR. REICHER IS VIA E-MAIL (sreicher@lausd.net) Follow your child’s
progress via SCHOOL LOOP. (SEE COUNSELOR FOR HELP SIGNING-UP)