Juan Diego Academy
Pre-AP English II
Course Syllabus
2015-2016
Instructor:
Ms. Viviana Saenz
Room G- 109
Phone Number Classroom ext.
vsaenz@cdobcs.org
Conference period: 3rd pd (11:45-1:55)
Texts:
Literature and the Language Arts: The American Tradition—EMC/Paradigm Publishing
Their Eyes Were Watching God-Zora Neale Hurston
The Pearl- John Steinbeck
Night- Elie Wiesel
Bless Me Ultima–Rudolfo Anaya
Ethan Frome-Edith Wharton
Selection of Short stories and plays: “Fish Cheeks”- Amy Tan
“Two Kinds”- Amy Tan
“Only Daughter”- Sandra Cisneros
“Everyday Use”- Alice Walker
“Coyote Killed the Giant”-Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz
“There Comes a Time When People Get Tired” Martin Luther King
“Julius Caesar”- William Shakespeare
“ A Doll’s House”- by Henrik Ibsen
(Selected Poems from William Shakespeare, Emma Lazarus, and Robert Frost.
Supplemental Texts:
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th Edition – Joseph Gibaldi
The Owl at Purdue website
Course Description
This course builds on the reading, writing, speaking, and listening concepts fostered in English I Pre-AP.
Students are expected to plan, draft and complete written compositions for a variety of purposes on a
regular basis. Students will also read extensively in multiple genres from world literature such as selected
short stories, dramas, novels, poetry, non-fiction, and persuasive writing. Development of vocabulary and
grammatical skills continued through exercises designed to prepare students for the rigor the AP English
courses. Diverse literary selections taken from World Literature allow students the opportunity to further
develop critical analysis and writing skills. Information literacy and MLA research skills are refined as
projects become more complex. Credit: 1.0; full-year required course for sophomores.
Philosophy
Every classroom presents a unique community of learners that varies not only in abilities, but also in
learning styles. My role as a teacher is to give children the tools with which to cultivate their own gardens
of knowledge. To accomplish this goal, I will teach to the needs of each child so that all learners can feel
capable and successful. I will present curriculum that involves the interests of the children and makes
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learning relevant to life. I will incorporate themes, integrated units, projects, group work, individual work,
and hands-on learning in order to make children active learners.
Course Outcomes
As a result of the required course of study in English at Juan Diego Academy, the learner will:
1. Speak effectively using Standard English in presentations and when working with peers
2. Understand and broaden use of new vocabulary terms and literary devices/techniques used by authors
to convey meaning
3. Read/Comprehend/Analyze Literary texts of different themes and genres including Fiction, Poetry,
Drama, and Non-fiction works.
4. Fluently communicate ideas in Standard English at the levels of sentence, paragraph, and multiparagraph essay
5. Conduct research on assigned topics by gathering sources and properly documenting them in reports
6. Use elements of the writing process (planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing) to compose
different types of texts including persuasive, research, analytical, argumentative, and expository papers.
7. Practice and review conventional rules for writers including grammar and punctuation.
8. Analyze how different types of media such as print media and images impact the meaning of a text.
9. Use biographical, sociological, religious, economic, and political contexts to accurately interpret
meaning in various genres of nonfiction and fiction.
10. Make inferences and draw conclusions about theme and genre in different cultural, historical, and
contemporary contexts and provide evidence from the text to support his or her understanding
11. Express ideas and feelings by writing creatively in different forms: Ex. A story, script, or poem
12. Organize and present research that follows a clear progression of ideas and answers open-ended
questions
13. Analyze and make inferences about the structures and elements of fiction and demonstrate his or her
understanding by providing examples from the text.
14. Practice writing work-related documents such as college applications and proposals
Course Requirements
Attendance and participation
Students are expected to come to class on time, prepared to participate in discussion and activities related
to reading and writing assignments. Per JDA policy, students missing 6 class meetings in a semester may
not be eligible to receive credit for work done. See the JDA Student Handbook for additional
information.
Assignments
Not all assignments given in this class will be graded. Some assignments will be made that are intended
to prepare the student for successful completion of a major assignment, project, or assessment. Students
are expected to complete all reading and writing assignments thoughtfully and on time. If you are absent
on the day an assignment is due, you must submit the assignment to the teacher website or have someone
bring the work to school for you. The JDA grading policy will be strictly adhered to. This means that 10
points will be deducted for the first 3 days, and no grade higher than a 60 may be assigned thereafter.
All written work is completed according to MLA guidelines of Owl at Purdue.
Grading
Numerical grades are earned per JDA policy found in the JDA Student Handbook. Grading rubrics will
be provided for essay and research-based assignments. The grade for each nine weeks of the school year
is broken down as follows:
30%
30%
essays
projects/research
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15%
15%
10%
in class-assignments and quizzes
homework
journal
Class Supplies
Students will be expected to bring all appropriate texts to class each day. In addition, students will keep a
journal (single-subject, college-ruled notebook), and a binder large enough to contain everything
completed or received as part of this course: assignments, class notes, handouts, informal and formal
writing, major compositions, timed writings, multiple choice practices and quizzes, additional reading
handouts. Students should always bring plenty of loose-leaf notebook paper, pencils, pens, and
highlighters.
Conduct
In general, students are expected to follow the five classroom “Be Attitudes”:
1.
Be Punctual
2.
Be Respectful
3.
Be Aware of Procedures
4.
Be Responsible
5.
Be Engaged in Learning
Students are expected to adhere to all posted and verbal procedures and classroom rules. Typically,
students will be 1) Reminded, then 2) Warned, and finally, 3) Served Detention/Referred to the Office for
making the choice not to cooperate in the learning environment of the classroom.
The JDA Student Handbook is the final authority in determining all other academic and disciplinary
procedures.
Course Outline
First Nine Weeks
REQUIRED READING:
Their Eyes Were Watching God-Zora Neale Hurston
Night- Elie Wiesel
Fish Cheeks- Amy Tan
Two Kinds- Amy Tan
Only Daughter- Sandra Cisneros
ASSESSMENTS:
- Nine (9) weekly writing journals (100 words minimum)
-One (1) written assessment
- One (1) MLA research essay
-Individual assignments for argumentative essay including, topic approval, outline, articles, annotated
bibliography.
- Blessing Bags Project
- Summer Reading Project
-Socratic Seminar
Second Nine Weeks
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REQUIRED READING:
“Coyote Killed the Giant”-Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz
“There Comes a Time When People Get Tired” Martin Luther King
“Trifles” by Susan Glaspell
“Julius Caesar”- William Shakespeare
ASSESSMENTS:
- Nine (9) weekly writing journals (100 words minimum)
-One (1) written assessment
- One (1) informative essay
-Individual assignments for informative essay including, topic approval, outline, articles, annotated
bibliography.
- Blessing Bags ProjectVideo Project for Julius Caesar
Third Nine Weeks
REQUIRED READING:
Life of Pi-Yann Martel
Everyday Use- Alice Walker
A Doll’s House- Henrik Ibsen
ASSESSMENTS:
- Nine (9) weekly writing journals (100 words minimum)
- One (1) Group project on novel
- One (1) MLA research essays
-Individual assignments for research essay including, topic approval, outline, articles, annotated
bibliography.
- Blessing Bags Project
Fourth Nine Weeks
REQUIRED READING:
Ethan Frome- by Edith Wharton (Selected Poems from William Shakespeare, Emma Lazarus, and Robert
Frost.)
“The New Colossus” Emma Lazarus
“Sonnet 18” William Shakespeare
“Sonnet 21” William Shakespeare
“The Road Not Taken” Robert Frost
“Song of Myself” Walt Whitman
As educator for this course, I promise to be mindful of your rights as students and respectful of your
opinions and beliefs. I will endeavor to evaluate you with the objectivity, consistency and fairness of a
professional in the field of education. Finally, I pledge that I will do everything I can to empower you,
the student, to be successful in this course.
_______________________________________________________
Viviana Saenz
English II
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I have read and understand this document. I agree to abide by its stated guidelines and procedures.
Student’s Signature______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature_________________________________________
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