Grading Procedure

50% Daily grades (quizzes, collective assignments, homework, etc.)
50% Major grades (major tests, projects, essays)


Literature

Students will read a variety of literary selections from the textbook, novels, etc. Selections will focus on American literature and the historical context in which it is set. Students will be exposed to a variety of classic, contemporary, and multi-cultural authors including (but not limited to) N. Scott Momaday, Maya Angelou, Arthur Miller, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Stephen Crane, Sandra Cisneros, and Amy Tan. Students will create a brochure of literary terms, which they will refer to throughout the year. They will be expected to analyze and respond to many aspects of the literary pieces including theme.

Writing

Students will use pre-writing, drafting, and editing skills to produce quality essays. Each student will be required to write a minimum of one essay per six-weeks. Also, students will use literary selections to write short answer responses, which will require analysis and evaulation.

Collective Assignments

Students will complete short activities each day such as vocabulary, grammar/mechanics, journal writing, etc.

Research (2nd Semester)

Each student will be required to research an American author. They will be expected to use proper documentation for direct quotes and paraphrases and create a Works Cited page.

Multi-media Presentation (2nd semester)

Students will work in groups to create a 7-10 minute documentary using PowerPoint, posters, presentation, etc.

Honors

The honors class will follow the same basic format, but they will be challenged by additional creative projects, outside reading novels, and more in-depth critical thinking skills.

Grading Procedure

80% Daily grades (short assignments, writing assignments)
20% Six Weeks Test

Class Topics

Students will learn the many different aspects of journalism including news writing, feature writing, headline writing, editorial writing, advertising, photography, page design, journalism law, proofreading, and publishing. Students will relate information from the history of journalism to today's multi-faceted news media. Students will use newspapers, magazines, etc. to discuss current events. The AP Stylebook will be the basis for learning proofreading and editing within the classroom. By using real news material as well as UIL prep. material, students will generate many different types of articles. This will allow students to become more proficient as they prepare for academic UIL.