First semester: The personal journey
♦ Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
♦ Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths by Bernard Evslin (Greek Mythology unit)
♦ Antigone by Sophocles
♦ Collection of African short stories, poetry, and mythology
Second semester: Finding ways to express ourselves
♦ Langston Hughes poetry unit
♦ Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
♦ Lord of the Flies by William Golding
♦ The Catcher in the Rye
by J.D. Salinger
♦ Short stories, essays, poems, and various non-print texts will be woven throughout the curriculum to help expand on themes identified in the texts listed above.
♦ Note: Independent readings will also be required
♦ What is human nature?
♦ How and when does a person reach maturity?
♦ How can people break the habit of thinking in extremes like “all or nothing” and “black or white”?
♦ Bring a notebook (for writing prompts and note taking) every day.
♦ Bring a binder or folder (for handouts) every day.
Classwork and Participation: 30% (based on +/- system)
Homework: 30%
Projects/Writing Assignments/Quizzes/Tests: 40%
Academic consequences will be given for unexcused absences.

♦ LATE WORK
All work must be turned in on time. On time means at the beginning of class, so don’t ask me if you can go print out your homework in the learning center! If any assignment is one day late, one full letter grade (aka 10 points) will be deducted. I do not accept late work beyond one day
(except in the case of excused absence).
♦ PLAGIARISM
I have zero tolerance for plagiarism, and I hunt for it. If you commit plagiarism, you will receive a zero on the assignment, a call home, and a conference with your housemaster—at the very least.
♦ ABSENCES (EXCUSED AND UNEXCUSED)
If you are absent, you are responsible for the work you miss. Please talk to me and a classmate.
However, if your absence is unexcused, you will not be given any credit for the work you missed.
♦ LATENESS
If you are more than 2 minutes late to class without a pass, you will receive a minus. If you are more than 15 minutes late without a pass, you will be marked unexcused. If you cannot get to our class on time because of the location of your previous class, please discuss your schedule with me.
♦ PARTICIPATION
Your participation grade will be based on a +/- system. A plus is given for behavior that positively impacts our class time. (+ = 1 point added to your participation grade.) For example, thought-provoking comments that elevate the class discussion are worthy of a plus. A minus is given for behavior that negatively impacts our class time. (One minus = 1 point deducted from your participation grade.) For example, a ringing cell phone that disrupts our class discussion is worthy of a minus. Students begin each quarter with 80 participation points, which is generous! I will add and subtract points from this baseline.
♦ MATERIALS
Bring your notebook and whatever book or text we are reading every day. You will get a minus for being unprepared.
♦ NOTE TAKING
Develop the habit of taking notes in class. Your notes should not only come from what I write on the board, but they should also reflect key aspects of our discussions.
♦ EXTRA CREDIT
There will be extra credit assignments—take advantage of these!
♦ CHAIN OF COMMUNICATION
The chain of communication should always begin with the student and teacher.
I am here for you. Come see me during a free block or after school if you have questions, concerns, or if you would just like to talk. I can also be contacted by email:
Laura_Blumenthal@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Please remember that when I return work, grades and comments are private. Please do not announce your grade or ask me questions about it in front of the class. I will only address questions about a particular grade outside of class, at least 24 hours after the work was returned.