Providence Extension Program Composition & World Literature – Core B
2012-2013 Class Overview Tutor: Mrs. Diane Lynch Email:
[email protected] (messaging via Engade is preferred) Home #: 513.934.1289 Cell #: 513.484.5364 Course Description: This class will prepare students for success in the later high school literature courses by guiding them through the foundational elements and devices of advanced literary analysis with an emphasis on Christian worldview. In addition to learning literary elements, several weeks will be spent covering in detail the specifics of writing an effective literary analysis essay. Students will improve their writing skills as they complete 3-4 literary analysis essays, a reflective narrative, journaling, and frequent shorter writing assignments. Annotation of the short stories is an important part of the class. Students will also complete Biblical allusion and Biblical irony projects that will be presented to the class. With help and then on their own, students will learn how to analyze poems, classic short stories, and 2 full-length novels. Class Goals: Students will develop a love of literature, improve their writing skills, and further solidify their biblical worldview. Student Expectations: Class rules are simple and few: If I’m talking, students should be listening. If a student is talking (such as answering a question) others should respectfully listen. Do not read ahead in your workbook. I know that it could be tempting to go through and read all the short stories that it contains (they are captivating!), but I would like to go through them together as a class. It only takes one person to spoil the cliffhanger ending! I will also be handing out many short stories that are not contained in the workbook. Do your best work on each assignment! Actively participate in class discussions. Strive to enjoy the class content and homework rather than just “get it done.” Student Texts (see PEP website for ISBN #s): Windows to the World: An Introduction to Literary Analysis by Lesha Myers Wordly Wise 8 Student Workbook Wordly Wise 8 Test Booklet MLA Handbook 7th Edition (1 per family) The Bronze Bow (summer assignment) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Additional Resources Provided by Tutor: Teaching the Classics w/Worldview Supplement Student Pages Fix-It: Grammar and Editing Made Easy with Classics Student Pages Progeny Press Study Guides for The Bronze Bow and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Short Stories (these will be posted to Engrade and you will need to print them off at home) 1
Providence Extension Program Composition & World Literature – Core B Student Supplies: 1 ½” binder with 2 packs of 8 tab dividers = 16 tabs (for Windows to the World and Teaching the Classics content) o 14 of the 16 tabs should be labeled in the following order: o Weeks 1, Week 2, etc. through Week 8, Stories, Checklists, Charts, Tests/Quizzes, Papers, Journal o Have your students bring the remaining two blank tabs with them to class. 1/2” binder with notebook paper (for Fix-It! Grammar lessons--I will hand out on the first day of class) 1 plastic, orange 3-prong 2 pocket folder (currently available at Walmart) o Please make sure that it is orange with 2 pockets! Students will use the pockets to turn in their assignments each week and I would like them to all to be the same color. Please make sure that it is plastic so that it lasts the entire year. Please make sure that it has 3-prongs because it will eventually be used to hold the Tom Sawyer Progeny Guide. Colored pencils Red pen Dry yellow highlighter that won’t bleed through the page (like a Bible highlighter) For use at home/study hall: Bible, dictionary, thesaurus (can use online dictionary/thesaurus at home if desired—no student internet usage is allowed at PEP) Homework: Assignment handouts will be posted to Engrade weekly that will have instructions for the daily work. According to PEP policy, students should plan on working an average of two hours per day on non-PEP days for 8th grade Composition/Literature. If you are consistently exceeding this guideline, please see me. Late Work Policy: Grades for work received after the class period it was due will have points deducted. Late work turned in (either in person or via email) by 5pm on the day that it is due will receive a 10% point reduction. Any work received after 5pm on the day it is due will receive a zero. This policy is meant to be a blessing to a responsible student who completes their work but either forgets to bring it or has a last minute printing issue. I reserve the right to revoke this policy on an individual basis if it is abused = more than 1 time/quarter. Absentee Policy/Missed Work Policy: Any instructional and/or assignment handouts that were given during class will be available through Engrade by 5:00pm. It will be the student’s responsibility to print them so that they can have the assignments ready to turn in on the first day back to class. Assignments not turned in the first day back by class time will follow the Late Work Policy (unless arrangements have been made by the parent due to extenuating circumstances). Engrade: Some handouts that you will need for this course will be posted on Engrade rather than be given out during class. This will be noted on your assignment handouts. It is your responsibility to print these out and bring them to class each week. Please make sure you have a working printer with plenty of paper and toner! Grading: A percentage grade will be assigned based on the total points earned divided by the total possible points. Points will be given for completion of daily assignments, quizzes, projects/presentations, paragraphs and papers, tests, etc. The value of each assignment will be listed on the assignment handout each week. Please see the Grading Details tab and the Grading Overview file on Engrade for an overview of assignment values. 2