Thursday, August 28, 2014

September 3 & 4; Wednesday & Thursday.



Using MLA heading, write an intro letter to teacher. Tell me somethings about yourself, but not a summer travelogue. You can tell me what type of learner you are. You can tell me interesting things about you or your daily schedule.

Read “The New Colossus” handout. See below.

Look up assigned vocab words for “tomorrow”



Friday/ Monday September 19/22: Bonus points for memorizing any of the poem one point per line.




American Literature and Composition

Mr. Joe Dessert                                      
email: jdessert@ttsd.k12.or.us                                                                  
voice mail: 503-431-5396            
blog:    http://dessertamericanlit.blogspot.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores the myriad of cultural differences and perspectives portrayed by American writers.  Students will develop their communication skills through reading and responding to American literature.  The class will read and analyze novels, plays, short stories, and poetry for the influence cultural and historical events have had on American writers.  Critical reading, writing in a variety of modes, and offering personal interpretations of learning will encourage students to reflect on their own American experience.       
GUIDING QUESTIONS
What is the American Dream?
What does it mean to be an American?
What is the American Character?
What is the American Story?
What are the unique characteristics of American Literature?
READING
The Crucible, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, Raisin in the Sun, one book of the student’s choice, and a number of selections from Elements of Literature, Fifth Course.
WRITING
 This is the THS Language Arts Department mission statement on writing: Fostering conscientious writers who effectively express original thought, demonstrate an awareness of audience, edit and revise, and ultimately publish with pride and confidence. Writing includes a fiction or non-fiction story, and extended essay on Huckleberry Finn, essay exams on The Crucible and The Great Gatsby, and a poetry or drama response to A Raisin in the Sun.
MATERIALS
Bring a pen and paper to class. Have some method of organizing class materials. Keep graded papers until they show up on Synergy. Grades will not be rounded, nor will they be weighted.

 GRADES
A (90-100%) = superior, special recognition                 B (80-89.9%) = above average,
C (70-79.9%) = meets minimum requirements              D (60-69.9%) = below average, fulfills most minimum expectations
F (0-59%) = failing, minimum requirements not met and lack of competence demonstrated

Participation Grade-- Criteria: Participation in class discussions and activities as an active speaker, listener, reader and writer.  This grade is based on my observation of your performance
MAKE UP WORK
Work due on a day of absence is due upon your return.  For work assigned on a day of absence, you are allowed the number of days absent plus two days according to school policy.  This policy also applies to tests and quizzes.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
This is what the Tigard High School Staff Handbook says: “Academic integrity refers not only to dishonesty on exams but to any behavior, such as plagiarism and cheating, that violates academic standards.  Actions that compromise academic standards in a class assignment (paper, project, exam, etc.) will result in a failing grade for that assignment.  Avoid copying from sites like sparknotes.com, cliffsnotes.com, pinkmonkey.com, essaydepot.com, echeat.com, or the many others like them.
RESPONSIBILITY
Students are responsible for keeping track of deadlines and missed assignments, and for arranging times for making up missed tests and quizzes. Check the daily agenda in class each day. Check your grade on-line at least once bi-weekly. If you are at all confused, please ask me directly.
HELP
Ask for help during appropriate times in class. For additional help, please request appointments with me for times outside of normal class meetings. These are the times I am available for appointments: first block on A days, third block on B days, after school most days, and Tuesday morning access time except when staff meetings occur .
TARDIES
We follow school policy.  Students are allowed four tardies without consequence for each semester.  On the fifth tardy, students will be assigned a 30 minute detention for each tardy.

RESTROOM BREAKS
Students should attempt to take all restroom breaks during passing periods.  Student should limit emergency restroom breaks to ten over the course of the semester, with the exception of those who can provide a doctor’s note indicating medical necessity for unlimited access to the restroom. Going to one’s locker to get needed materials or homework would count as a pass. Bonus points will be awarded those who don’t use all of these restroom passes.
BEHAVIOR
To ensure an environment conducive to learning, please follow the rules outlined in the student handbook.  Be safe, respectful and responsible. 
FOOD AND DRINK
The THS Staff Handbook says: “Food and drink are not permitted in classrooms, unless refreshments are part of a staff supervised activity.  Bottled water is allowed.”  We will follow this policy with a minor exception for my 3A class
ELECTRONICS
Except in cases in which they contribute to the academic experience, electronic devices are not to be used in class.  Students are to refrain from social media at all times during the class period.  No texting, tweeting. If you need to use your phone for an approved reason, ask permission each time.
FILMS
In this course we may be watching in whole or in part the following films:
Huckleberry Finn (portions from different sources)
The Crucible (rated PG-13)
The Great Gatsby (rated PG-13)
A Raisin in the Sun (unrated, made for Public Television)



The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus


Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,                                     

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"




“The New Colossus” vocabulary list

Look up the following words after your first reading of the poem.  You can use a dictionary, a website like dictionary.com or any other helpful source.



1.    Colossus

2.    brazen

3.    astride

4.    exile

5.    beacon

6.    storied

7.    pomp

8.    wretched

9.    refuse

10. teeming

11.  tempest

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