ELA 3

SYLLABUS

11TH GRADE

Mrs. Black

Course Description

In this class we will be developing our reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. We will build on the progress that you made in 10th and prepare you to move on to senior year, the ACT or Work Keys, and, of course, college and/or career.

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We will read classic works by famous authors, books that you choose for yourself, and we will read writing done by you and your classmates. We’ll learn from great writers and from each other. To do that, we must all treat each other with respect, which is the only non-negotiable rule in my classroom.

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COURSE GOALS

• Apply a writing process to write effectively in various forms and types of writing.
• Develop and apply effective listening skills and strategies, evaluate own and other's effectiveness in presentations.
• Develop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate various types of literature from a variety of cultures and times.
• Write effectively in various forms and types of writing for various audiences and purposes, selecting and applying appropriate format, style, tone and point of view.

• Develop and apply effective speaking skills and strategies.
• Develop and apply skills and strategies to comprehend, analyze and evaluate nonfiction.
• Develop and apply effective research process skills.
• Develop and apply skills and strategies to the reading process.
• Develop and apply skills to interpret and apply information in table of contents, index and glossary

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MAJOR READINGS

• Short Stories
• At least 700 pages of independent reading logged per semester

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• The Crucible by Arthur Miller
• Life of Pi by Yann Martell
• Memoirs
• Poetry

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

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Given a specific time frame, students will complete a research project that supports a topic, contains information from multiple sources, and conforms to MLA guidelines.

Given a specific text, students will be able to:

• evaluate and analyze its effectiveness as evidence.
• paraphrase information in a clear, concise manner.

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Given a piece of short fiction, the student will:

• choose an appropriate reading strategy and explain how it helps his/her comprehension.
• analyze the relationship between literature and its historical period and culture.
• use details from the text to analyze characters, plot, setting, point of view, and theme.
• show evidence of using the writing process.
• compose well-developed text using Standard English conventions such as spelling, mechanics, usage, and grammar.

Given a piece of nonfiction, the student will:

• choose an appropriate reading strategy and explain how it helps his/her comprehension.
• use post-reading skills to interpret the text through constructive response.
• compose well-developed text using a variety of sentence structures, transitions, and active voice.
• analyze and evaluate the author’s use of information and logic to express his/her ideas.The student will effectively compose multi-paragraph informative writings that include an effective thesis statement, body paragraphs, and closing.

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Given a piece of poetry, the student will:

• choose an appropriate reading strategy and explain how it helps his/her comprehension.
• analyze and evaluate the author’s use of figurative language, imagery, and/or sound devices.

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Given a play, the student will use details from the text to analyze characters, plot, setting, point of view, and theme.

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The student will effectively write a multi-paragraph response to evaluate a piece of literature.

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EXPECTATIONS

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COURAGE

Learning is a brave act. Learning involves trying and failing and trying again. Don’t let fear get in the way of growth!

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CURIOSITY

Enter the classroom with your mind open and ready to learn. Bring your questions, your ideas, and your enthusiasm.

PREPARATION

Bring your Chromebook charged (or, at the very least, have your charger with you), along with a pencil, pen, and paper. Be ready to work and be up=to-date on any reading or writing that should be completed for that day’s class.

EMPATHY

Understand that everyone in this classroom is a human being with thoughts and feelings who is as deserving of respect, patience, and consideration as you are. Treat them accordingly.

CONTACT ME

hblack@centralr3.org

PHONE: (573) 431-2616 ext. 4132