This college-preparatory course focuses on the themes and
literary techniques of American literature from its
beginnings in the colonial period to the modern period.
Students will examine the evolution of American poetry and
prose and develop as thinkers and writers while exploring
the country’s growth and development from separate colonies
into a strong nation.
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READING
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SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
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VOCABULARY
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Three to five books are generally chosen
from this list each year.
Additional books will be required.
The Color of Water
The Great Gatbsy
The Scarlet Letter
Slaughterhouse 5 Of Mice and Men The
Things They Carried Death of a Salesman The Crucible
The Glass Menagerie |
Assorted short stories and essays.
Additional poetry selections
Excerpts, articles and essays to be distributed in class |
Students are responsible for the
vocabulary from Classical Roots D. |
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LITERARY COMPREHENSION
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WRITING/MECHANICS
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STUDY SKILLS
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Students will practice
- close reading and note taking in texts such as
highlighting, underlining and making marginal commentary
on important details.
- pinpointing the features of a text — diction, tone,
allusion, syntax, etc. — that support important themes
There are daily reading quizzes.
At the end of the year, students should know recognize recurring
themes and subjects in American Literature, and they should understand the diverse voices that
have shaped the American experience. |
Students will
- practice the basics of good essay construction by
creating focused thesis statements, well-organized
paragraphs, and effective conclusions.
- develop argument fluidity by narrowing the scope of
evidence and integrating evidence within the paragraphs.
- develop transitions within and between paragraphs.
- identify and use different rhetorical devices within
their writings.
- identify and correct grammatical errors commonly
seen in papers and standardized tests.
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Students will
- practice skills in time management, note-taking and preparation
- develop effective strategies when drafting essays and
studying literature.
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INTEGRATED HUMANITIES
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TECHNOLOGY
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RESEARCH
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Students will learn to
- make connections between American literature and
American history
- make connections between the beginnings of this
country’s beginnings and its current cultures/events
- participate in assorted seminars
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Students will learn to
- effectively use online resources for ongoing academic
development
- discriminate between the use of source material, electronic or
print
- manage files efficiently and demonstrate proficiency in word
processing and formatting of documents
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In pursuing research, students should
- review guidelines and policy regarding plagiarism
- review MLA documentation techniques
- pose and defend appropriate and effective thesis
statements
- synthesize research from multiple sources
- use research to develop original ideas
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SPEAKING AND LISTENING
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MEDIA LITERACY
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Students will practice
- paying respectful attention to teachers and peers
- speaking to the point
- confidently articulating opinions, giving
presentations, and engaging in debate
- posing analytical, productive and evaluative questions
- participating fully in classroom discussions and
activities
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In order to become active
and critical consumers of popular culture, students will
learn to
- identify and evaluate persuasive techniques used
in media
- evaluate products of popular culture for their
implicit statements about race, class, gender and
power
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