“It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations – something that will help them make sense of their own lives, and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.”
~ Award winning author, Katherine Paterson.
Contemporary Literature 12 - THIS CLASS IS NOT OFFERED FOR THE 2023 - 2024 YEAR
Ms. Kooy
Contact: [email protected]
Course Credit:
1/2 High School English Credit
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The books in this course are advanced and modern. The texts address modern stories, issues, characters, settings, language and adventures and take place in India, Africa, England, Massachusetts, Iran, France, Egypt, and Detroit, to name a few. The characters are young, determined protagonists that encounter endless challenges to their well-being and still strive, and survive. Well, some of them survive, but not all of them. We will read, think, write, talk, record and listen everyday, as those are the “language arts.” This course is meant to introduce readers to some of the amazing writers and stories that are appearing in libraries and bookstores near you.
PREREQUISITES:
If you enjoy reading, you’re in the right class. If you do not enjoy reading, you are also in the right class. In a less academic description: if you have a heart for others, and enjoy the idea of storytelling, you’re in the right place. If you are a hesitant reader, or you read at a different pace than other students, you are fine. Do not worry. Come and chat with me, or send me a Remind or an email; let me know so I can help you! Every type of reader you can imagine has taken this class, so I know that you can rise above any doubts that you have.
OBJECTIVES: As a result of this course, you will be able to:
- Analyze literature from academic and personal standpoints.
- Collaborate with other readers to enrich your academic and personal experience.
- Identify, describe, defend and present major themes in literature.
- Connect literary themes to life experiences through reading, writing, thinking and speaking.
- Recognize academic strengths, weaknesses, and make choices based on those ideas.
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY:
You are welcome to be late for class but please know that to be on time, you must have your behind in your chair. If you struggle on your journey from the class before mine, just let me know. Also, if you need to use the facilities, stop by and check in with me prior to using the washroom; this will avoid a late in my class. If you are late with a nice big Starbucks coffee, I’d suggest you’d bring two. I like a grande extra hot almond milk flat white.
COMMUNICATION:
Always ask. I can be fairly short in my responses, but you will be in a much better place if you ask. I am available during my office hours (above), I’m here during all three lunches. We can dine and chat if you’d like. When my classroom door is open, come on in! If it is closed, I’m not available at that time. “By appt.” means, “Hey - let me know that you need me to be here and I’ll be here for you!”
CELL PHONES, COMPUTERS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
I have a cell phone policy: you may use it if you have an emergency. You do not need to ask permission. Please step outside if you need to talk on the phone. I had a student talking on the phone while I was teaching once. Really? One of my goals is to treat you as adults, and in a professional setting, an adult excuses him or herself and makes or answers a phone call. As to social media/posting photos/connecting with friends? I love that you do that, and you should continue, however, I find it to be very detrimental to reading flow and successful academic outcomes. Some of the books that we read in this class require solid and real focus, and a distraction can be very damaging to your understanding of the text, resulting in an overall lower grade in the course.
FOOD AND DRINK:
If you are a bit peckish during class, you may eat foods that are not attractive to rodents or insects. Please be quiet in your munching. Choose quiet wrappers or bags so they do not distract others. IF you bring a massive bag of Hot Cheetos, Doritos, potato chips, etc. plan on sharing it with me, at least. Before the tone goes, you may share around as well, but after the tone goes, please put large portions away. I have napkins and wipes if you’ve made a mess. If I notice desks and carpet being mistreated, I reserve the right to prevent you from eating in the future.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you have a 504 Plan or an IEP, please email me privately and let me know ASAP. These accommodations and documents are very important to your learning and I must be made aware of them sooner rather than later. Thank you in advance for being prompt.
GRADING: To determine your final grade in the course, I will calculate your percentage by dividing your total earned points by the total points possible. These will be converted to letter grades as follows:
93-100% = A 84-92% = B 75-83% = C 65-74% = D < 65% = F
ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION:
All assignments are hand written during class except your first one, which will be typed in Google Classroom. All work must be submitted on the day that it is due. All writing must be turned in with dates and in date order: oldest on the top, and newest on the bottom. All writing must be stapled neatly in the top left hand corner. You may use both sides of the paper, but do not have to. Please promise to recycle. Penmanship is tantamount to success. Leave me space to write you notes between your journal entries.
LATE WORK:
If a you do not work during the provided time in class which totals five (5) hours per week, very few concessions will be made for late work. Late work is accepted two (2) school days after the due date if the student has approached the instructor to make such an arrangement. The more you communicate with me, the better off you will be. Please read that twice. Late work is accepted two (2) school days after the due date if the student has approached the instructor to make such an arrangement.
PLAGIARISM/ACADEMIC OFFENSES:
I am more than happy to meet with you to help you if you are unsure about your work - let me know and we can work together to ensure that you are doing what is right. If you plagiarize, there may be tears, and they won’t be mine. Part of learning is being accountable for your choices, and should you make the choice to provide me with poor or copied academic work, I must follow our policies and return in kind. Written referral to administration, written communication with parents and guardians. Any questionable work will earn no credit, with no opportunity to make up the lost credit.
Classroom Notes
If you would like, you may bring in items on which to sit: pillows, blankets, etc. They are stored in the back of the room, and should be neatly placed there, as other students use this classroom and require the space.
If you will be absent for a day (college visit, musical event, athletic competition) please put your name on the list on the white board so that your book club is aware of this ahead of time.
There are several locations in class about which you should be aware:
If you will be absent for a day (college visit, musical event, athletic competition) please put your name on the list on the white board so that your book club is aware of this ahead of time.
There are several locations in class about which you should be aware:
Personal File
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A purple file with your Last, First names to store your daily response logs from your novel. It is personal, and no one else will be using this file.
A green file with your book clubs Academic and Accountable Talk Discussion Sheets. This is completed daily at the end of the hour. Your book club will use this file, daily. Do not take anything from this file home, as your team depends on having it here. When you hand in anything for grading, please place it in the black, upright 5th hour box. Your Personal File is a place for storeage, not a place from which I collect things. |