611 Literature & Writing Syllabus
Freshmen
Each student is responsible for his/her own learning. Clearly, not all materials can be covered
in class. For example, studying for quizzes/tests and planning out projects must be done at
home. You will only get out of this class what you, yourself put into it. If you are unclear on
expectations or need help starting an assignment then you must ask for help (in person or via
email); be an active part of your own education! With this in mind, this is what you can expect
throughout the year:
September-November:
INTRODUCTION: rules and expectations, syllabus, get to know you activities,
introduction to the Collins Writing Program, sample writing piece, grammar sheet, Mad
Libs activities, and grammar quiz. We will also initiate SSR (Sustained Silent Reading)
and select a novel from the library (bring one from home or borrow one from me as
well).
SUMMER READING: Summer Reading form (quiz grade), creative writing
SHORT STORIES: elements of short stories, story plot outline, and essay format. For
each short story there will be a vocabulary quiz, study guide questions, writing activities,
and small project/group work. At the end of this unit there will also be a type 4 essay
and unit test. Grammar focus activities include: identifying parts of speech and common
grammar usage.
These are the stories we will be reading:
1. “The Colomber”
4. “Marigolds”
2. “The Most Dangerous Game” 5. “The Ransom of Red Chief”
3. “Poison”
November-March:
GREEK MYTHOLOGY & THE ODYSSEY: Introduction to the epic poem, epic hero,
mythology, and myths, myth presentations, create your own god/goddess project,
creative writing, read The Odyssey, selected vocabulary, understand character and
place names, map project, Part 1 and Part 2 quizzes (averaged together for a unit test
grade), Odysseus vs. Suitors debate, and type 4 thematic essay. Grammar focus
activities include sentence structure (fragments and run-ons) and tense agreement.
March-May:
SHAKESPEAREAN DRAMA & ROMEO AND JULIET: Introduction to Shakespeare
and his times, dramatic conventions, vocabulary/words from Shakespeare’s era (to
review and become familiar with), three act projects, translate Shakespeare’s language
into modern day language, view the Zeffirelli version (prior to quizzes, as a review) and
modern movie version (at completion of unit), study guide questions, act projects,
creative writing, and thematic type 4 essay. There will be a quiz after each act (acts IV
and V will be combined); the four quizzes will be averaged as a test grade. Grammar
focus activities include comma usage and apostrophes.
June:
POETRY: introduce specific poetic devises, connect poetry to music, favorite song
presentations, read poems as examples of poetic devices, create your own examples of
poetic devices, practice different creative writing activities, and analyze the meaning
behind poems.
SUPPLEMENTAL READING:
Supplemental reading is a school-wide program at McCann. Two additional novels will
be assigned which will be read outside of class. One will be specifically assigned, while
the other will be a free choice selection. Students can expect a different project to
accompany each of the supplemental reading novels.
SUSTAINED SILENT READING (SSR):
SSR will be done each day in the classroom. This program is participation based and
designed to help students find a book to read. Each class will start with 10-15 minutes
for silent reading from a book of your choosing (a different book can be selected every
few days in the hopes that you'll find one you like). A log of what you read during SSR
will be kept and turned in at the end of each quarter for a quiz grade. Any extra entires
will count as bonus points toward this assignment.
** Each student will have a folder kept in the classroom. Any test, quizzes, projects,
essays, old class materials, etc will be kept within it. Quizzes, tests, and any written
work will be logged within the folder in order to track progress. The student will be able
to take the folder with him or her at the end of the year as a review for the final exam.