“Committed to Excellence and Success in ALL We Do”
American Literature and Composition
Richmond Hill High School
Mr. Kollman – Room 503
skollman@bryan.k12.ga.us
Text: @mrkollman – To: 81010
Fall 2015
Textbooks –
Elements of Literature, 5th Course. Austin: Holy, Rinehart, & Winston, 2008. (Replacement cost: $66.50 + 11.95 shipping)
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Harper Collins, 1926. (Replacement cost: $15.95 + 5.95 shipping)
Levitt, Steven D. and Stephen J. Dubner. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything.
New York: Harper Collins, 2006. (Replacement cost: $15.20 + 5.95 shipping)
Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. New York: Anchor Books, 1996. (Replacement cost $15.20 + 5.95 shipping)
Couse Description –
Offers opportunities to improve reading, writing, speaking/listening, and critical thinking skills through
the study of American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres and multicultural writers in a chronological or
thematic pattern. Emphasizes developing control in expository writing (thesis support), moving toward precision in
personal narrative, descriptive, and persuasive writing. Refines research skills. Integrates grammar, mechanics,
and usage into the writing process.
Topics/Course outline –
Unit 1- Fear, Faith, and Freedom
Unit 2- Self, Society, and Rugged Individualism
Unit 3- The American Dream Deferred and Revised
Unit 4- Success, American Style, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Supplies –
3-Ring Binder (1”)
Loose-leaf notebook paper
Dividers
Notebook Paper
Blue, black, and red pens; pencils
Highlighters
Flash drive
Grading –
56%- Summative Assessments: unit post-tests, formal essays, projects
24%- Formative: homework, class work, group work observations, quizzes
20%- End of Course Test
Make-up work policy –
Students who miss school work because of unexcused absences shall be given the opportunity to make up
missed work. Teachers shall assign such makeup work as necessary to ensure academic progress, not as a
punitive measure.
Students will be allowed to turn in late work. The teacher will determine reasonable timeframes and penalties
deemed appropriate for assignments turned in past the due date. Students who habitually do not turn in work will
be referred to possible interventions, including tutoring, support classes, SSTs, etc. as guided by school
procedures. Teachers and parents will continue to do all in their power to ensure students are completing the
work. Students and parents are integral members of the education team and need to continue to ensure that
“Committed to Excellence and Success in ALL We Do”
students are completing the required assignments. When students are struggling to complete the assignments,
they or their parents need to contact the teacher for additional support.
Students who do not make a reasonable attempt, as determined by the teacher, to complete an
assignment/assessment will receive a zero. Students will be allowed to make-up the work or participate in the
retake of an assessment, with or without penalty as outlined by the teacher.
State/National mandated assessments –
American Literature End of Course Test (EOCT)- This state-mandated assessment is given at the conclusion of
the semester and is worth 20% of the overall grade for the course.
American Literature Exam Exemption – Students must meet the exam exemption criteria set up by the RHHS
Administration, in order to exempt the final exam. See student handbook.
Tutoring –
7:10 – 7:40am or 2:40 – 3:10pm
Contact –
skollman@bryan.k12.ga.us
Discipline – All students are expected to follow the rules set forth in the student handbook. In the event of disciplinary
infractions, the following steps will be taken to correct the behaviors:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Warning, student/teacher conference
Phone call to parent
Teacher detention (and phone call or email to parent)
Parent conference
Referral to counselor
Referral to administrator
“Committed to Excellence and Success in ALL We Do”
Please read the course syllabus, fill out the information below, and return.
Parent Information
Parent/Guardian 1 ________________________
Parent/Guardian 2 _______________________________
Email address _____________________________
Email address ______________________________
Phone ____________________________________
Phone _____________________________________
What is the best way for me to contact you between 8AM and 4PM?
_________________________________________________________________________
Does your son/daughter have any special needs that I need to be aware of?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
I have read the course syllabus and understand the expectations.
Student Signature _________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature __________________________________
Note for Parents: if you wish to sign up to receive the same “Text” reminders for
British Literature that your student will be receiving…
Send a text from your phone to phone 81010 and enter the code: @mrkollman