Teacher: Cameron Loss
Contact: 508-581-1640 x4187 or LossC@suttonschools.net
Daily assignments/additional
materials: www.sutton11english.blogspot.com
Sutton
Memorial High School Mission Statement:
At
Sutton High School, we are committed to providing a foundation on which all
students have the opportunity to pursue academic excellence and personal
development in a safe, supportive, and challenging environment.
The English Department assumes responsibility for the
following S.H.S. Learning Expectations:
·
The
Sutton High School student is an effective communicator.
·
The
Sutton High School student is a critical thinker.
·
The
Sutton High School student works independently.
Course Description:
The
American Literature curriculum is taught from an historical perspective and is
aligned with the state Curriculum Frameworks. Works from many eras of American
history are taught, including works from cultures that have contributed to the
fabric of American life, such as Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican
Americans, and others. The course contains a comprehensive writing program
including a variety of writing assignments. Students will also receive S.A.T.
review and instruction.
Textbook:
The
American Experience—Prentice Hall 2000 Edition
Writers/books
likely to be assigned:
Maya
Angelou—I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
Patricia Beatty—Lupita Mańana
Willa
Cather—My Ántonia
William
Faulkner—The Sound and The Fury
F.
Scott Fitzgerald—The Great Gatsby
David
Guterson—Snow Falling on Cedars
Nathaniel
Hawthorne—The Scarlet Letter
Ernest
Hemingway—The Sun Also Rises
Zora
Neale Hurston—Their Eyes Were Watching God
Ken
Kesey—One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Arthur
Miller—Death of a Salesman & The Crucible
J.D.
Salinger—The Catcher in the Rye
Mark
Twain—The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Student Objectives:
1. To develop an understanding of
self, America, and the cultures and beliefs that have shaped it.
2. To listen, read, and view
material with comprehension and application.
3. To speak and write with clarity
and effectiveness.
4. To recognize and appreciate
quality literature.
5. To develop and strengthen
language skills and concepts.
Student Responsibilities:
The learning process is only as
successful as the energy and dedication you give it. To make class a positive
learning environment, all students will be held accountable for the following:
1.
All
assigned material.
2.
Making
up assignments missed due to an excused absence. Due to time restrictions,
students should see all teachers upon returning to school. VERY IMPORTANT:
you have one day per missed day to make up your work (example: if you missed
class on Monday, you have Tuesday to make up work assigned on Monday and must
submit it by the beginning of your class period on Wednesday). ALSO
IMPORTANT: you are responsible for submitting work that was due on the
first day you missed (example: you were assigned something on Monday, but
missed Tuesday when it was due, making it due the next day you return).
3.
Making
arrangements with me to make up material missed due to an excused absence.
4.
Being
in class with appropriate materials--textbook, reading book, pen, paper,
etc.--when the bell rings. Anyone entering after the bell will be marked tardy
unless it is 22 minutes after the bell, which results in being marked absent
(see Sutton Student/Parent Handbook pg. 2).
5.
Demonstrating
a courteous, respectful, towards one another, the teacher, guests, substitute
teachers, and diverse cultures. Substitute teachers are to be treated as well
or better than myself when I am absent from a class period.
6.
Honesty
is expected of all students. Cheating will result in zero credit for the
assignment/quiz/test in progress. This infraction will be documented and
submitted to the office for placement in the student’s file. Plagiarism is
unacceptable, will be dealt with swiftly, and no exceptions will be made.
7.
If
extra help is needed, I will be available via sign-up sheet twice a week after
school. Students should check with me to establish a time for extra help.
Evaluation Criteria:
1.
Tests: A test will be given at
the end of each unit. Students should be aware of when the end of the unit is
near, but will be given 1-day advance warning.
2.
Quizzes: At any time, a quiz may be
given over anything assigned or discussed in class. Vocabulary
quizzes will occur periodically and will take place at the beginning of the
class period. Students who are tardy may not be allowed to take this at a later
time.
3.
Written Assignments: These will be given
regularly. Assignments will deal with material read or class discussions and
the due dates will correspond with the credit/amount expected. Written
assignments are due at the beginning of the following class period unless
otherwise noted! Anything submitted after the announced due date will
not be accepted for credit. From a grades standpoint, it is always better to
attempt an assignment rather than merely skip it. Partial credit is always
preferable to zero credit.
4.
Journals: Students will always bring
a journal to class. This journal will be used to respond to classroom
discussions/assigned material. No
loose-leaf journals allowed.
5.
Participation: Students are expected to
be active in the class proceedings. Students who actively speak, share, and
show involvement will receive high marks. Students are also expected in class
on time. Tardies and absences, regardless of whether or not they are excused,
will lower the participation grade.
Percentage breakdown: Tests/Quizzes = 40% Written
assignments = 40%
Journal/Participation
= 20%
Parental
Approval/Supplemental & Independent Reading
Acknowledgment
of Course Information/Expectations
English
III—Honors
Mr.
Cameron Loss
As
listed on the syllabus, the following books may be used during the course of
the year. Please initial each one unless you have concerns with the
book. Please address concerns to me through the contact information given in
syllabus. This paper must be returned no later than Friday, September 8.
Maya Angelou—I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings _________
Patricia
Beatty—Lupita Mańana _________
Willa Cather—My Ántonia _________
William Faulkner—The Sound and The Fury _________
F. Scott Fitzgerald—The Great Gatsby _________
David Guterson—Snow Falling on Cedars _________
Nathaniel Hawthorne—The Scarlet Letter _________
Ernest Hemingway—The Sun Also Rises _________
Zora Neale Hurston—Their Eyes Were Watching God _________
Ken Kesey—One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest _________
Arthur Miller—Death of a Salesman & The
Crucible _________
J.D. Salinger—The Catcher in the Rye _________
Mark Twain—The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn _________
Also,
I may show films directly related to the books. If I show a film, I will send a
letter home detailing the rating and other information for you and, again, all
concerns should be related to me.
We
have read this syllabi and understand its contents. We will do all we can to
make this a successful school year. We understand that after school help will
be available. We understand that if we need to contact Mr. Loss, we can reach
him at the school through the contact information listed on this syllabus.
Also, by initialing each book listed, we are indicating that
Sincerely,
______________________________ ______________________________
Student Parent