Course Syllabus – Trends & Movements in Young Adult Literature
Mr. Brennan, Room 260
Leesville Road High School
Spring 2015
Contact
· Email: [email protected]
· Website: mrbrennanlrhs.weebly.com
· Twitter: @MrBrennanLRHS
· Text @9a7e9e to 81010 to get text updates and reminders for class from Remind101
· SMART Lunch – Monday: Tutorial B, Wednesday: Tutorial A
Course Description
This course will focus on the genre of Young Adult Literature by looking the genre’s origins, analyzing its development, and tracking some of the most popular, best-selling YA titles in recent years. Throughout the course, students will explore themes, character archetypes, and learn what makes YA its own literary genre.
Reading
· The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
· The Maze Runner by James Dashner
· Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
· The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
· Lots of other YA Novels (Reading Circles & Independent Reading)
Writing
Students in Trends & Movements in YA Literature will compose writing that varies in text type and purpose. Using the writing process, students will complete the following writing assignments: Character Interview, ABC Analysis Book, Film Analysis, Movie Trailer Script
Units of Study
· Unit 1: Today’s Culture & the America Teenager
· Unit 2: The Rise of Young Adult Literature
· Unit 3: Non-Conformity in Young Adult Literature
· Unit 4: Social Conflict in Young Adult Literature
Classroom Expectations
Students in Trends & Movements in YA Literature are expected to be well-behaved and to come to class prepared to work and learn. This means:
· Sitting in your assigned seat and working on the Do Now when the bell rings
· Coming to class with necessary materials and an independent novel to read during down time
· Raising your hand to contribute to the discussion or ask a question
· Working cooperatively with others and working independently when assigned to do so
· Showing respect to yourself, your school, your classmates, and your teacher
Grades
I use the LRHS Grading Scale:
· A = 93% - 100%
· B = 85% - 92%
· C = 77% - 84%
· D = 70% - 76%
Final Grades for English II Honors are calculated as follows: Q1 = 37.5%, Q2 = 37.5%, English II EOC = 25%. Quarterly grades are calculated using weights for assignment categories:
· 60% -- Major Assessments (Tests, Papers, Major Projects)
· 30% -- Minor Assessments (Quizzes, Minor Projects)
· 10% -- Classwork and Homework
Late Work: 10% deducted from total score for each day late. After a week, 50% max. In the case of an excused absence, students have 2 days after their absence to turn in any work missed. If a student is absent more than one day, the student will receive 2 extra days per absence to submit their work (ex. If you are absent 3 consecutive days, you will have 6 days to submit all of the work you missed).
Interim Reports will be distributed to students on February 16th and May 4th. PowerSchool Grades will generally be updated weekly over the weekend. Please understand that it takes time to grade 90 essays!
Academic dishonesty (cheating and/or plagiarism): If a student is caught plagiarizing, parents and counselors will be notified and s/he will receive a 0% for the assignment, with the opportunity to re-do the assignment for up to 70% credit.
Grade Recovery: If a student is dissatisfied with his/her performance on a major assessment (test, paper, project), s/he will be given the opportunity to re-do the assignment for a higher grade. Should a student choose to re-do an assignment for grade recovery, the highest score attainable is a 90%. Students must complete grade recovery within a week of the original due date of the assignment.
Supplies
I recommend that all students bring the following to class to be completely prepared:
· 3 ring binder with dividers or folders and loose-leaf paper
· 1 notebook for journals
· Pens (blue or black only) or pencils
· Highlighter
· Note cards
· Post-It notes
· Agenda or planner
Please let me know if you are unable to get these supplies for class. I have a few extras for those in need.
Mr. Brennan, Room 260
Leesville Road High School
Spring 2015
Contact
· Email: [email protected]
· Website: mrbrennanlrhs.weebly.com
· Twitter: @MrBrennanLRHS
· Text @9a7e9e to 81010 to get text updates and reminders for class from Remind101
· SMART Lunch – Monday: Tutorial B, Wednesday: Tutorial A
Course Description
This course will focus on the genre of Young Adult Literature by looking the genre’s origins, analyzing its development, and tracking some of the most popular, best-selling YA titles in recent years. Throughout the course, students will explore themes, character archetypes, and learn what makes YA its own literary genre.
Reading
· The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
· The Maze Runner by James Dashner
· Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
· The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
· Lots of other YA Novels (Reading Circles & Independent Reading)
Writing
Students in Trends & Movements in YA Literature will compose writing that varies in text type and purpose. Using the writing process, students will complete the following writing assignments: Character Interview, ABC Analysis Book, Film Analysis, Movie Trailer Script
Units of Study
· Unit 1: Today’s Culture & the America Teenager
· Unit 2: The Rise of Young Adult Literature
· Unit 3: Non-Conformity in Young Adult Literature
· Unit 4: Social Conflict in Young Adult Literature
Classroom Expectations
Students in Trends & Movements in YA Literature are expected to be well-behaved and to come to class prepared to work and learn. This means:
· Sitting in your assigned seat and working on the Do Now when the bell rings
· Coming to class with necessary materials and an independent novel to read during down time
· Raising your hand to contribute to the discussion or ask a question
· Working cooperatively with others and working independently when assigned to do so
· Showing respect to yourself, your school, your classmates, and your teacher
Grades
I use the LRHS Grading Scale:
· A = 93% - 100%
· B = 85% - 92%
· C = 77% - 84%
· D = 70% - 76%
Final Grades for English II Honors are calculated as follows: Q1 = 37.5%, Q2 = 37.5%, English II EOC = 25%. Quarterly grades are calculated using weights for assignment categories:
· 60% -- Major Assessments (Tests, Papers, Major Projects)
· 30% -- Minor Assessments (Quizzes, Minor Projects)
· 10% -- Classwork and Homework
Late Work: 10% deducted from total score for each day late. After a week, 50% max. In the case of an excused absence, students have 2 days after their absence to turn in any work missed. If a student is absent more than one day, the student will receive 2 extra days per absence to submit their work (ex. If you are absent 3 consecutive days, you will have 6 days to submit all of the work you missed).
Interim Reports will be distributed to students on February 16th and May 4th. PowerSchool Grades will generally be updated weekly over the weekend. Please understand that it takes time to grade 90 essays!
Academic dishonesty (cheating and/or plagiarism): If a student is caught plagiarizing, parents and counselors will be notified and s/he will receive a 0% for the assignment, with the opportunity to re-do the assignment for up to 70% credit.
Grade Recovery: If a student is dissatisfied with his/her performance on a major assessment (test, paper, project), s/he will be given the opportunity to re-do the assignment for a higher grade. Should a student choose to re-do an assignment for grade recovery, the highest score attainable is a 90%. Students must complete grade recovery within a week of the original due date of the assignment.
Supplies
I recommend that all students bring the following to class to be completely prepared:
· 3 ring binder with dividers or folders and loose-leaf paper
· 1 notebook for journals
· Pens (blue or black only) or pencils
· Highlighter
· Note cards
· Post-It notes
· Agenda or planner
Please let me know if you are unable to get these supplies for class. I have a few extras for those in need.