American Literature is written works produced and written in the United States and in English. This course is designed to improve reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills through analysis and synthesis of American literature. Texts, including oral and written passages, studied will incorporate a variety of literary genres and multi-cultural writers. Composition will focus on control of expository, narrative, descriptive, persuasive and research writing. Grammar, mechanics, and usage will be covered within the context of these writing assignments. Students will complete the course with a stronger understanding of the American literature genre, identity and a variety of other common themes, how to analyze writing and reading, and how to construct their own written work in order to communicate ideas with others.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Primarily, students will practice becoming better readers, writers, and critical thinkers.
- In addition, students will gain understanding of 20th/21st Century literature and culture.
- Students will read/watch significant and representative works of American literature.
- Students will develop methods and strategies for analyzing and interpreting texts.
- Students will respond critically to course material, using synthesis and analysis, in discussion and in written assignments.
- Students will write with clarity to communicate effectively, employing proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation in writing.
- Students will utilize sources and multi-media in class assignments.
Plagiarism/Cheating Policy
Any plagiarism, copying, and/or cheating on class work will be scored/graded as a zero.
If student chooses to do so, they may complete an alternate assignment to show that they have mastered the skill being assessed on the original assignment.
Assessment/Grading
In this course, student thinking, writing, reading, listening, and speaking performance are at the center of class activity. Grading is viewed in this context. Students progress is continually assessed, as evidenced through written work, in-class task commitment, homework, and daily preparation. Course products are regularly reviewed. One goal of evaluation is to enable students to become more confident and comfortable with self-assessment.
Student knowledge and ability will be observed and assessed regularly through student products: written pieces, reading analysis, on-demand writing, homework, tests and quizzes, reading journals, and class notes.
Students will be assessed based upon the Wisconsin State Standards and their level of mastery as proven through their completed assessments throughout the school year. While the student is exercising appropriate effort, work that does not meet a satisfactory standard can be revised and/or corrected as many times as is necessary. At any time, a student and/or guardian may request a conference with the teacher in order to discuss progress or work being completed in order to improve skills and meet a higher standard for a stronger grade.
Students’ level of Mastery will continue to be reflected in the A-B-C-D-F grading scale on their report cards. Those showing Mastery of skills will receive an A, and those working at a Proficient level will receive a B or C. Students showing effort and improvement but working at less than a Proficient level will receive a D, and those who are not completing enough work to show any Mastery of skill or understanding of concepts assessed by the Wisconsin State Standards will receive an F.
Class grades, along with what work has been completed or is missing, can be found in Infinite Campus. If you have trouble accessing Infinite Campus to see your grades, please contact your counselor to ensure your account has been set up properly.
Attendance
If students are not well, they should stay home, especially with the current and regular changes with new variants of COVID. Please, call your students Academy Office to report their absence.
Students who are absent should check their classes’ Google Classroom for class resources and assignments. Any questions, while still out of school, can be emailed to Mrs. Marcinkus at Dana.Marcinkus@RUSD.org. Students will have time upon their return to complete their work as well, but having an idea of what they missed before they return can be very helpful in getting caught up with missing lessons and work.
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“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” -Robin Williams
Mrs. Marcinkus 