10th Grade World Literature
English Department
East Laurens High School
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor:
Room:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Wesley Tanner
104
478-234-4732
wesleytanner@lcboe.net
I.
Standards
This course’s instruction is based on 9-10th grade Common Core Georgia Performance Standards.
These standards are organized into the following domains and strands: reading for literature,
reading for information, writing, speaking and listening, and language. The Standards by grade
level and band provide useful specificity but allow schools and districts flexibility in course
design. Teachers are free to provide students with whatever tools and knowledge their professional
judgment and experience identify as most helpful for meeting the goals set out in the Standards.
II.
Course Overview
The course emphasizes the study and consideration of the literary, cultural, and human significance
of selected great works of the Western and non-Western literary traditions. An important goal of
the class is to promote an understanding of the works in their cultural/historical contexts and of the
enduring human values which unite the different literary traditions. The course's pedagogy gives
special attention to critical thinking and writing within a framework of cultural diversity as well as
comparative and interdisciplinary analysis.
UNIT ONE- Moral Courage and Endurance: A Necessity for Change
Anchor text: Cry of the Beloved Country
UNIT TWO- Human Rights Around the World: Symbols of Alienation
Anchor text: Night
UNIT THREE- Many Faces of the Hero
Anchor text: The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
UNIT FOUR- Heroes, Villains, and Underdogs in Literature
Anchor text: Moneyball
III. Materials
Students are expected to have a one inch three ring binder that they bring to class each day. The
binder should have three dividers labeled Notes, Assignments, and Portfolio. Selected works of
Literature will be from the Prentice Hall Literature Platinum Level. Some reading will be done on
class set Nooks.
IV. Supplementary (Optional) Texts and Materials
Supplementary materials including various study aids can be found on the class page on the ELHS
website.
V.
Basis for Final Grade
An average of four nine-weeks grades will constitute the final grade for the class. Grade
distribution is as follows:
CP Classes, All Grade Levels
Tests…………………………45%
Daily/Quizzes………………..20%
Projects/Essays/Research…...35%
Grading Scale (%)
90-100
A
80 - 89
B
70 - 79
C
60 - 69
D
0 - 59
F
VI.
Course Policies
Expectations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Always have class materials.
Respect others and their belongings.
Raise your hand to be called upon.
No food or drinks.
Keep personal electronic devices silent and away.
Sponge Activity
Each day to begin class there will be a sponge activity posted on the board. Students will come in and
begin working on that sponge activity first thing as the instructor takes role. This is a short assignment
that only should take about ten minutes to complete.
Often this will be a single PSAT question and other times it might be a writing prompt to help you begin
a selection for your portfolio.
Sponge activities should be kept together in the Assignment section of your notebook and will be
checked for a grade at the end of each week.
Portfolio
Each nine weeks, students will submit an average of 6-9 pages as a portfolio of their best work from that
nine weeks. This will also include rough drafts, revisions, and final copies of those works.
It is up to the student to decide which work they would like to submit. Usually this will be a piece of
short writing that was began in class that the student enjoyed writing and wanted to put more work into
revising and editing it into a longer piece.
When a student decides they want to make a piece of writing into a portfolio piece they should move
that writing to the Portfolio section of their notebook. Once all drafts of a selection are complete they
can move that work to their classroom portfolio located in the baskets at the far end of the classroom.
The submission framework for the portfolio is as follows:
Unit 1:
Compare and Contrast (2-3 pages)
Narrative (2-3 pages)
Argumentative (2-3 pages)
Unit 2:
Narrative (2-3 pages)
Argumentative (2-3 pages)
Informative (2-3 pages)
Unit 3:
Narrative (2-3 pages)
Argumentative (2-3 pages)
Informative (2-3 pages)
Unit 4:
Research (3-5 pages)
Research Outline
Research Notecard (20-30)
Grades
Frequency: Students will receive a minimum of two grades per week.
Assignment Sheet: Students will keep an assignment sheet at the front of their Assignment section of
their notebook where they will record their grades.
Late Work Policy: If work is missed due to absences it is the responsibility of the student to collect
that work. The student will be given days equal to the number of days missed to make up the
assignments without penalty.
Retake Policy: Students are allowed to retake any assignment on which they made a failing grade for a
maximum grade of 70.
Grades of "Incomplete": Students that have missing grades can be recommended for Increased
Learning Time at the instructor’s discretion. Students signed up for Increased Learning Time may
receive an alternative assignment to replace the missing grade.
Bathroom Policy
Each student will be allowed three bathroom passes for each nine weeks. These passes will be in a
designated section of their agenda. In order to use the pass the student must have his or her own agenda.
If a student has used all of their passes or they do not have their agenda they will be allowed to go but
will be required to report to my class during their break.
Standard Discipline Progression
First offense: Parent Contact
Second offense: Self-monitoring chart
Third offense: Break detention
Fourth offense: Referral
CONFIRMATION FORM
(Sign and return this sheet before 8/9/2013)
I have read and understand the policies, procedures, and expectations of Mr. Tanner’s
World Literature class for the 2013-2014 school year.
Student Name____________________________________________________________
Student Signature_________________________________________________________
Parent/ Guardian Name_____________________________________________________
Parent / Guardian Signature_________________________________________________
Preferred contact information________________________________________________