Anderson County High School 1
Contemporary Fiction 11-12 Ms. Smith
Contemporary Fiction
Course Description:
This course explores major, real-world themes in contemporary novels. Students will read, discuss, and
analyze literary selections. They will examine authors’ techniques, research, and write about a variety of
works including literature from different cultures, authors and societies; young adult literature and
contemporary literature. The course will help students become more culturally literate and globally
aware while developing vocabulary, reading, comprehension, and composition skills. This course will be
conducted in a workshop format.
Rationale for Course:
Contemporary Fiction offers the opportunity for students to develop proficiency in reading, writing,
listening and speaking, and information literacy through engaging contemporary literature from
various cultures and styles.
Course Instructional Goals:
Writing Goals:
• Apply a writing process in composing text
• Compose well-developed text
• Write effectively in various forms and types of writing
Reading Goals:
• Develop and apply skills and strategies to the reading process
• Develop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate fiction, poetry, and drama
from a variety of cultures and times.
• Develop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate nonfiction (such as
biographies, newspapers, technical manuals) from a variety of cultures and times
Listening and Speaking Goals:
• Develop and apply effective listening skills and strategies
• Develop and apply effective speaking skills and strategies for various audiences and purposes
Materials:
• Three-ring binder
• Tab dividers (6)
• Post-It Notes (3” by 3” size)
• Writing utensils – preferably black or blue ink pens or pencils
• PLENTY of loose-leaf Paper
Contemporary Literature Portfolio:
Each student needs to have a three-ring binder with six tab dividers for Contemporary Fiction class
ONLY. Each student is responsible for keeping designated assignments, handouts, notes, exercises,
writings, quizzes, tests and graded papers in the portfolio. Tab labels will be designated in class. We
will list and number each item to be kept in the portfolio, and a master list of portfolio contents will be
posted in the classroom for students to check as needed. Each student will turn in his/her portfolio to be
checked both during and at the end of each trimester.
Anderson County High School 2
Contemporary Fiction 11-12 Ms. Smith
Journals/ “Post-it notes”:
Reading, comprehending, and analyzing are processes that occur internally, in students’ minds. To help
me understand their thinking, they must demonstrate it. Students will be expected to write nearly
everyday in their classroom journals. The purpose of these classroom journals is to show reading
comprehension, analysis, and writing (using reading responses, double-entry diaries, questioning, etc.),
demonstration of the writing process, and responses to writing prompts. Having “post-its” allows
students to write down ideas, questions, comments, and predictions as they read; then they affix these
thoughts on their class copies of text. At the end of the class period, they can transfer “post-its” to a
sheet of paper to keep, turn in, or place in the journal. This will come in handy, as students will be
expected to read a novel every two weeks…which will equal a total of six novels for the entire
trimester.
Class Attendance and Participation:
Since class participation is an important part of this course, good attendance is vital for effective
learning and academic progress. The majority of the trimester grade will be determined by class
participation. Class participation includes such factors as attendance, punctuality, student preparation,
contributions to the learning environment, and a positive and cooperative attitude. If a student misses, it
is THEIR RESPONSIBILITY to keep up with the daily reading and assignments, as they will be
determined during the first week of the trimester.
Class Late Work Policy:
Assignments are considered late if they are not turned into Ms. Smith by the date and at the time
specified. After that date and time, credit for any assignment will be reduced to 50% of the points
earned. In the event of an excused absence, all students have three days to complete the assignment(s)
and turn in for full credit. In the event of an unexcused absence, any late work will not be graded for
credit. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE DUE DATES BY THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK OF
THE TRIMESTER. Students should make arrangements to have the assignment(s) emailed or
delivered to the teacher by the due date. If a student will be absent for a school-sponsored activity,
individual arrangements for turning in assignments or making up tests should be made with the teacher
IN ADVANCE of the absence. Otherwise, credit will not be given for the assignment.
Classroom Management:
Each student has the responsibility to maintain courteous and appropriate behavior in the classroom.
Students are expected to demonstrate respect for themselves, for each other, for their teacher and for
their classroom and materials. Offensive language and comments in the classroom is unacceptable. If
problems or disruptive behaviors occur, the teacher will handle them on an individual basis. Students
may have snacks and WATER ONLY during class time. Students who make messes or cause classroom
disruptions with snacks or water will lose the opportunity to have these items during class. The teacher
reserves the right to revoke this opportunity for the class as a whole if these items become disruptive to
the learning process. The possession of laser pointers and other unspecified electronic items cannot be
used during class time. Anderson County High School in not tolerant of tobacco products on campus.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE TOBACCO PRODUCTS DURING CLASS TIME.
Academic Honesty:
Academic honesty is expected in all classes at Anderson County High School. Cheating will not be
tolerated. Violations of academic honesty may include, but are not limited to, copying, allowing someone
Anderson County High School 3
Contemporary Fiction 11-12 Ms. Smith
to copy your paper, using cheat sheets, using technology to transmit or receive information with the
intent to commit academic dishonesty, not grading correctly, plagiarizing, and self-plagiarizing.
Plagiarism is the theft of ideas, writings, or words of another person and passing this information off as
one's own. Self-plagiarism is completing an original paper for one class assignment, and then turning in
that same paper to another teacher for another class assignment without permission. Papers may be
checked by the teacher using plagiarism detection software. Any student cheating will be subject to
academic and/or disciplinary penalties. Consequences may include: reduction in grade on assignment,
repeat assignment, no grade (zero) on assignment or others as deemed appropriate. Academic
dishonesty will be reported to an administrator, and a parent will be notified.
Student and Parent Acknowledgement Signatures:
Your first class assignment is to read and understand this syllabus before you sign your name below.
Please review it with your parents or guardians and have them sign it below. Your signed syllabus is
due in class tomorrow and is worth 15 points.
Parents/Guardians:
The Anderson County High School phone number is 839-5118. You may leave a message at any time
during instructional hours. You may also contact me by e-mail at
jennifer.smith2@anderson.kyschools.us. Please provide me with your daytime phone number and e-mail
address on the signature form below.
Thank you. I look forward to working with you this semester. – Ms. Jennifer Smith.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I have read, I understand, and agree to the terms outlined in this syllabus. I agree to meet all due dates
and
complete all assigned work to the best of my ability.
Student Signature/Date: ____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature/Date: _____________________________________
Home/Cellular number: ___________________________________________
Work number: ____________________________________________
Email address*: ____________________________________________
*Please note that email is my preferred method for communicating with parents/guardians who
have computer access. I may not always answer my classroom phone as I am instructing students.
Emails allow for prompt replies and prompt solutions.
**Please turn in signature information and place the syllabus at the FRONT of your binders to
refer to from time to time. These will be checked periodically for a daily grade. Thank you.