Syllabus

Course: English 10 Semester I EN961 Instructor: Ms. Peart (Room 129) Phone: 414-294-2626 Bay View High School 2751 South Lenox Street Milwaukee, WI 53207 414-294-2400 Email: BusseLK@milwaukee.k12.wi.us Web Page: http://bayview.wi.schoolwebpages.com/ Office Hours: (By Appointment Only) M-F 4:00-6:00 at BVHS & Saturdays 1:00-3:00 at Central Library Please contact me to arrange a meeting.

Texts: Course Description: The purpose of this course is to expand students skills in communication arts: reading, analyzing literature, writing, listening, speaking, discussing, using language, understanding media, applying technology, and employing research skills. Grade ten students will demonstrate mastery of written and spoken expressions by designing, presenting, and defending a clearly reasoned, persuasively argued research project. Students are expected to demonstrate an understanding and use of technology resources in the research and presentation of the project. Students will apply these skills as they continue to develop as creative and critical thinkers with a focus on informative/ explanatory and argumentative frameworks. Course Prerequisite: English 9 (two semesters). All texts remain in the classroom.
See class web page for online readings.
Source: MPS English 10 Semester I - Common Course Plan

Key Course Concepts: Literature is a reflection of the human condition as viewed differently by different writers. Literacy skills are essential to effective communication in both academic and employment environments. Effective communicators adjust the way they deliver their message for different audiences and situations. Conventions in communications are based on cultural norms and must vary appropriately across social contexts. Literacy skills are developmental, interconnected, and must grow in sophistication.
Source: MPS English 10 Semester I - Common Course Plan

Essential Questions: What are universal themes and enduring questions that are of interest to writers in all cultures and societies across time? How can one adjust the delivery of a message to best reach a particular audience? In what way is all communication influenced by bias and perspective? Can one accurately infer a communicators intentions based on his or her use of written and oral language? How does language influence the way we think, act, and perceive the world? How does literature reveal the values of a given culture and time period? How does language help to clarify or confuse our thinking? How might collaboration best be used to help develop and enhance understanding, and to generate ideas? What strategies help to best construct meaning from difficult text? How does one structure logical argument effectively?
Source: MPS English 10 Semester I - Common Course Plan

Semester I Overview Units:

Semester II Overview Units: Media Literacy Group Projects

Language Skills Review WKCE Test Prep Essay Form Short Stories

Novel: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Real World Research Africa Drama Shakespeare More Poetry ACT Vocabulary

Novel: Night by Elie Wiesel

Poetry Research Skills Review ACT Vocabulary

Writing Portfolio: On-Demand Argumentative Writing Narrative Writing Literary Analysis Business Letter of Interest Argumentative Research Project Informative/Explanatory Writing Student Selected Writing Reflective Writing

Writing Portfolio: On Demand Writing Narrative Writing Letter to the Editor Argumentative Oral Presentation Small Group Collaboration Student Selected Writing Literary Analysis Reflective Writing

Grades: Parents and Guardians, please sign up for Parent Assistant to view my gradebook on ESIS. Download an application on the MPS web site. Student progress will be assessed using Standards Based Grading (SBG), which allows multiple classroom opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in each of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Mistakes on practice assignments will not count against the final grade, but attempts at practice will be noted on ESIS. Final grades reflect these proficiency levels: A. Advanced (AD) 90%-100% B. Proficient (PR) 70%-89% C. Basic (BA) 60%-69% D. Minimal (MI) 50%-59% U. Unsatisfactory effort made to demonstrate proficiency (less than 50% of assessments attempted) Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Late & Missing Work: Avoid late and missed work. Regular attendance is necessary to complete practice assignments and classroom assessments. If absent, check the class web page, and see me as soon as you return. Missed practice assignments MUST be completed before retake assessments will be allowed. Missed assessments and retakes may be completed in class on Fridays or during Office Hours. Late practice will not be accepted during Week 6 of each mark period. Retake assessments will not be allowed during Week 6 of each mark period. Important: Students are responsible for their own learning. Do the practice and learn from mistakes. Students are responsible for their own bus tickets during Office Hours. Plan accordingly.

Supplies: Pen or Pencil Loose Leaf Paper

Rules: Be Prompt Be Polite Be Prepared Follow all MPS & BVHS Rules

Daily Class Agenda: Monday Vocabulary & Language Tuesday Literature & Response Wednesday Literature & Response Thursday Writing Workshop Friday Assessment & Make-up Work