English II Seminar Ms. Emily Houlditch World Literature and Composition [email protected] Reagan High School (336) 703-6776

Course Overview (NC Standard Course of Study) Students in English II will read, discuss, and write about both classical and contemporary world literature (literature written outside North America and the United Kingdom). They will examine works in cultural contexts to appreciate the diversity and complexity of world issues and to connect global ideas to their own experiences. Students will practice various modes of writing, including creative expression, formal research, and analytical essays. They will study vocabulary and learn to use standard grammatical conventions. All students will take the NC Writing Assessment in March 2011.

Seminar students have chosen a more rigorous, challenging educational experience. Students should be prepared to read texts independently at a faster pace and come to class prepared for discussion. They will receive grades for formal class discussions. Seminar students will also practice more varied forms of writing and be responsible for an independent study of advanced vocabulary.

Literature Specific works of literature form the basis of the units of study in this course. Students will read selections from the Prentice Hall World Masterpieces textbook and several novels throughout the year. Our study of literature will revolve around the concept of the hero’s journey and heroic archetypes. For the most part, texts will be read in the order listed. However, the reading list is subject to slight changes depending on time and text availability.

Epic of Gilgamesh (textbook) The Iliad by Homer (textbook) Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (textbook) Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe / ISBN 0-385-474547 (Anchor) * Siddhartha by Herman Hesse / ISBN 0-553-20884-5 (Bantam) * Song of Roland and other medieval works (textbook) Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand / ISBN 0-451-52892-1 (Signet) * Inferno by Dante Alighieri (textbook) Night by Elie Wiesel / ISBN 0-553-27253-5 (Bantam) or 0-374-50001-0 (Hill and Wang) * Les Miserables by Victor Hugo / ISBN 0-449-30002-1 (Fawcett) *

* I encourage students to obtain personal copies of the starred works. Please use the ISBN numbers to locate the correct edition. Library copies will be available for students by request.

Writing and Research While many of our writing activities will reflect the structure of the statewide writing test, everything we do is designed to improve students’ writing in general. Students will complete 1-2 multi-draft essays each quarter. The essay prompts will complement the themes and issues introduced through the literature selections. Generally, writing instruction will be presented as follows:

1st Quarter – Personal Essays 3rd Quarter – Cause/Effect Writing 2nd Quarter – Definition Writing 4th Quarter – Research Writing

Vocabulary Vocabulary lessons consist of words based on Latin and Greek roots. Students will be introduced to a new vocabulary list each week and will study these lists independently. Vocabulary quizzes will be every other week. Grammar Grammar instruction will include Daily Grammar Practice warm-up lessons. We will also review grammar in the context of writing and editing. Grammar quizzes will be every other week (to alternate with vocab. quizzes).

Assessments and Grades

Quarter grades will be calculated as follows:

Classwork / Homework: 20% (includes participation grades and notebook checks) Quizzes: 30% (grammar / vocabulary / reading quizzes, essay drafts, short-term projects, class discussions) Tests / Essays: 50% (final essay drafts, tests, research papers, long-term projects)

Extra Credit Opportunities will occur every nine-week period. Students can always raise their Classwork/ Homework average by returning bathroom passes. Other opportunities will be presented throughout the year.

Materials Needed 2” 3-ring binder (English-only recommended) #2 Pencils One package of tab dividers (5) Loose leaf notebook paper Pens with blue or black ink Flashdrive (for saving work) Highlighters (multiple colors preferred) Email account (used to set up other accounts)

Notebooks Notebooks are an important part of being successful in English. Students will have at least one notebook check first quarter. Others are possible throughout the year. Notebooks will need five sections:

1. Grammar 2. Vocabulary 3. Literature Activities 4. Writing/Journal 5. Research

Class Technology Students will need to refer to my faculty webpage frequently for this class. I post daily assignments on my website for students who are absent (see the Make Up / Late Work section of my classroom policies handout). Important handouts will also be stored on the “Documents” section of my website. Students will also use the “Blog” feature of the website this year.

Access my website by going to RHS homepage then click the Faculty Webpage tab or:

http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/225020330162938803/site/default.asp

Tutoring I have regular tutoring hours Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 – 8:45. I will always be in my room at those times if you would like to drop in with questions. I am available most other mornings and afternoons BY APPOINTMENT (with the exception of Monday mornings). Just see me to set up a time!