American Literature

2016-2017

Mrs. Martinez
e-mail: pmartinez@rusd.k12.ca.us phone: 951-788-7203 ext. 64057

Welcome:
Welcome to American Literature! Throughout the year, we will engage ourselves in different types and
different forms of literature that has helped to shape the American identity. Literature is a fun and exciting
medium through which we understand people, eras and, by extension, ourselves. My pledge is to share my love
and enthusiasm for literature with each and every one of you. I anticipate learning from you as much as I
anticipate teaching you. In return, I expect open minds and a commitment to your own personal success.

Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce English Language Arts students to a chronological study of the major
writers and periods of American literature. It is based on the California State Standards for English Language
Arts. The literary units of study will include short stories, essays, novels, drama, and poetry. Composition
study will continue to emphasize writing as a process, and will focus on content, form, conventions, and
style. This course meets the UC/CSU entrance requirement for English and is based upon the California State
Standards for English Language Arts.

Textbook and Novels:

Holt, Rinehart and Winstons Literature and Language Arts 5th Course and a minimum of 1 novel per quarter in
addition to various other readings. I am truly looking forward to an exciting year of reading!

Compositions:
A minimum of one major composition per unit (approximately 2 per semester) along with other writing
assignments, including but not limited to: essays, journals, quick writes, precis, academic summaries,
explications, and analyses.

All Final Drafts Must Be Typed and turned in to TURNITIN.COM. I will not accept a paper copy of
your FINAL DRAFT. Computer labs are open to student-use, if you require computer access on campus.

Agenda:
A weekly agenda will be on the board. It is your responsibility to copy this each Monday at the beginning of the
period to have a record of the daily activities for the week.

Notebook and Supplies:

In your notebook, you will need a section devoted to this class. This is where you are expected to keep the
following: 1) weekly agendas, 2) notes, 3) tests/quizzes (DO NOT throw these away!) 4) classwork/
homework/vocabulary 5) handouts

All rough drafts MUST be written in BLUE or BLACK ink. You will need a pen in class.

Students are expected to bring a notebook, paper and pens to class each day.

MLA:
All assignments must have complete headings in MLA format on the left side of the paper: first and last
names, teachers name, class and period, and date. All assignments must also have titles centered on the top
line of the paper. Assignments that lack titles, complete headings, full names or any name at all receive
reduced credit.
Attendance:
If you are absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to make arrangements with me to collect your make
up work. Do not interrupt class time to ask for make-up work; collect your work BEFORE class begins. You
will be given one day for each day absent to complete this work. If by chance there is a test or quiz on the day
of your absence, the test or quiz must be made up the day of your return.

Late Work:
An assignment that is one day late will be dropped one full letter grade. No assignment will be accepted more
than one day beyond the due date.

Students returning form a verified absence must turn in work that was due during their absence at the beginning
of the period

Make-up Work/ Make-up Tests:

Students have a number of days equal to the number of days of verified absences to submit all required make-up
work. First, refer to the agenda then speak with me about the work.

Assessments:
A variety of strategies will be used to measure student learning. These strategies include, but are not limited to,
literary analysis, class discussions, timed essays, quizzes, group assignments, oral presentations, homework
checks, class competitions, English department assessments and district assessments.

Grades:
You are on your way to becoming adults. It is your responsibility to monitor your grades. I will be more than
happy to make arrangements with you to review any concerns you may have. You may check with me
concerning your grade AFTER class; never during. The grading breakdown looks like this:

Grade Scales:

100-99% = A+ 89-88% = B+ 79-78% = C+ 69-68% = D+ 59-below = F

98-94% = A 87-84% = B 77-74% = C 67-64% = D
93-90% = A- 83-80% = B- 73-70% = C- 63-60% = D-

Extra Credit:
In my class, extra credit is a RARITY. However, assignments may periodically be given to the class as a whole
and are standards-based. Extra credit will not be given to make up for regular assignments nor will it be given to
individual students. Per RUSD, extra credit cannot constitute more than 5% of the total quarter grade.

Tardiness:
If you are not in your seat when the tardy bell rings, you are tardy. You will be sent up to the Tardy Sweep, no
questions asked. Excessive tardiness warrants teacher, administrative and parent intervention.

Class Rules:
- Respect everyone. I demand respect for all people in the classroom at all times. Part of becoming
an educated being is learning to value and understand the perspectives of the person next to you
whether you agree with them or not. Respect also means that we be polite and not interfere with
someone elses property (this includes school property).
- No eating or drinking in class. Water is the only drink I will permit in class.
- No wandering the classroom. If you need to get up to sharpen a pencil or throw something away,
please ask first.
 - Bring your materials. You must bring all materials to class so that you are prepared to work. I do
not provide materials to students.
- No electronics. Cell phones, iPads, earphones and any other electronic noise-making devices must
be kept put away and out of sight UNLESS I GIVE YOU SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION
OTHERWISE.

Bathroom Break Policy: One free bathroom pass per quarter.

- IF you use your 1 bathroom pass and require another pass during the same quarter that is absolutely
understandable. I will never prohibit you from going to the bathroom. However, any time after your
one free bathroom break for the quarter, you will simply owe me time after the dismissal bell rings
so that you and I may discuss all instruction you missed during your break. Your education is my
number 1 priority and it is my responsibility to be certain you have all necessary class information.

Class Dismissal:

- Most importantly, I dismiss the class; not the bell. The bell is merely a reminder that it is time for
us to move on to the next period; however, students will only be dismissed once all materials have
been put away and the room is acceptably put together. This is just part of respecting our classroom
environment.

**Tutoring: I am available daily at lunch, after school (Thursday and Friday) and by appointment in my
classroom.

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Course Outline Acknowledgement

Return this form to Mrs. Martinez for 10 points by: Friday, 9/02/16

Students name (please print):___________________________________________________ Period :________

Students signature__________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian name (Please print): ___________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian signature: ____________________________________________________________________

e-mail: __________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________