Mid-Semester is here

...And that means conferences and progress reports. We have another 8 weeks of the semester to go so this is a good time to check in with each other about the year. This whole week is dedicated to those conversations before a much needed Thanksgiving week off!

I have also updated and included some of the syllabi and study material from my classes this term. An update on important project/class material as follows:

Tuesday November 18th: British Isles Tea Party & Lunch
Week of November 18th & 20th: American Literature reflections due (King of the Bingo Game); Langston Hughes discussed and Joyce Carol Oats assigned over break
November 20th & 21st: Kirk's Advising Rotation = Persuasive Speeches DUE
December 9th: Third (of four) music performances for musicianship
December 18th: Third exam in History of the British Isles

Follow material for reference:


American Literature
Fall Semester 2008-2009

Instructor: Kirk Ellis
Contact: kirk@trilliumcharterschool.org
Cell: 503-680-7761

Overview:

NOTE: This is a foundation course for upper division high school students intending to go to college. It is classified as a WIC (writing intensive course) for the purposes of tracking on a transcript as AP or college preparatory.

The theme of this American Literature class deals with the perception of the natural world and its influence on one’s identity, as opposed to the (industrializing) city and its energy. There is also a sub-theme; the role(s) we play in our daily existence versus (or complimentary to) the ideals we put forth, along with the struggle, to fulfill our potential.

As might be expected these accomplished writers speak to these two themes quite differently as they witness the turning of two centuries (19th & 20th) and the mechanizing of a nation. So we as 21st century observers can try to make sense of why the writings I have included are considered great literature, as well as how we might express ourselves on this same class topic if we were writers.

Reading List:

Along with this syllabus, your reader includes the following collection of short stories, poetry, plays and excerpts from longer novels. Each week we will read and discuss 1 or 2 of the offerings in class (not necessarily in the order listed below).
Lectures about the context of each piece and their author’s lives outside the page will be provided (and popular theories about them will be examined). Students then have time to discuss in small groups and work on their weekly reflections.


Henry David Thoreau - Walking, Civil Disobedience
Walt Whitman - Leaves of Grass (excerpts)
Nathaniel Hawthorne - The Birthmark
Edgar Allen Poe – Selected Poetry
Sarah Orne Jewett - A White Heron
Kate Chopin - The Story of An Hour, The Awakening (excerpts)
Katherine Anne Porter - Rope
Emily Dickinson - Selected Poetry
Ralph Ellison - The King of the Bingo Game
Mark Twain - Thoughts of God
Langston Hughes - Thank You M'am, Selected Poetry
John Cheever - The Swimmer
Tillie Olsen - I Stand Here Ironing
Joyce Carol Oats - The Girl
Virginia Woolf - Henriette Wilson, The Death of the Moth
Susan Glaspell – Trifles
Marianne Moore – What There Is To See At The Zoo

Theme(s) of class (and possible essay topics):

1) Country & City = nature vs. artifice
2) Simplicity of Daily Existence to fulfilling our Potential and living our Ideals
3) American Identity at the turn of the 19th compared to 20th century (as 21st century observers)

Grading Policy:

The grading is based on a point system with a possible 100 points being the maximum. Completion of the course awards .5 Language Arts credit.

Participation = discussion and attendance 40 points
Weekly Reflections 15 points
Final Exam 15 points
Final Essay 30 points

Breakdown:

100 A+
99 - 92 A
91 - 90 A-
89 - 88 B+
87 - 82 B
81 – 80 B-
79 – 78 C+
77 – 72 C
71 – 70 C-
69 – 60 D
59 – 0 F

NOTE: While it is officially “passing”, Oregon colleges (as well as some others) do not accept credit for classes that receive a D grade or lower.


Reflections:

A written reflection is due at the start of class on Tuesdays (starting Tuesday, September 16th) and covers material from the previous week’s readings and discussions. They are ½ to 1 page typed and should address how the piece related to the theme of the class or not, and discuss the value (if any) and merits (or not) of the piece as literature. There are 15 of these reflections throughout the semester and are 1 point each.

Final Exam:

A multiple choice test at the end of the term will be administered to cover plot, character, author’s purpose, sub-text, symbolism and metaphor, and how each selection is related to the theme of the class: fifteen questions worth 15 points.

Final Essay:

A paper will be due at the end of the semester. The format requirements are MLA for citation and reference and must be 12point font, Times New Roman, 1.5 spaced, and a minimum of 6 pages.

Essays can be on the relationship (compare/contrast) between two or more selections from the packet, on the deeper meaning of a selection on the theme of the class, your view of the literature as a 21st century reader, or a critique of a piece or pieces as “good” or “bad” writing: thirty (30) points are possible for this assignment.

As a creative option, a piece of fiction can be submitted that emulates the style and/or the content of one of the authors in our syllabus. This piece has the same formatting requirements but must be a minimum of 8 pages and needs instructor approval.

Work Sample and ePearl Portfolio:

Students will be selecting one of their reflections to expand upon and make into a work sample for their portfolios. Their final paper will also be uploaded on ePearl, and this work will be done in the final two weeks of the term in mid-January.



NOTE: IF you need extra support in your writing, I will be offering a writing workshop/writing center time on Monday mornings before school from 7:30 to 8:30. Tea/coffee and snacks will be available. Lots of love to you all…


History of the British Isles
Syllabus – Fall 2008-2009


Kirk Ellis
kirk@trilliumcharterschool.org



Overview:

This middle school social studies/language arts course will cover the history of the British Isles from the pre-Roman invasion (Neolithic to Bronze ages), through the Vikings, the conquest of Normandy, and the feudal system during the Dark Ages and following monarchies.

Class will be conducted in a lecture-style format in order to convey the large amount of information. Project choices, 3 exams, reading of historical fiction and on-line texts, possible role-playing and video will round out the curriculum.



Grading & Assessment:

To MEET the expectations of the course (pass with either acceptable or exemplary grades) every student must:
Demonstrate note-taking skills and/or study skills with study guides
Pass the 3 exams
Finish a final project taken from a menu of options to be created in class.
Attendance and participation in discussion will be essential in retaining the information presented.

Exam Dates (subject to change if staff/school conflicts arise):

Thursday October 2nd = Fill-in Exam
Thursday November 6th = Multiple Choice Exam
Thursday December 18th = Multiple Choice and Short Essay Exam


A notebook, folder, or journal of information and notes is highly encouraged to be kept and brought to class. This is an organizational tool designed to help each student. They will be occasionally turned in and discussed one-on-one to see if there are any questions and if notes are being taken effectively. This will also help students study and retain information.


Project:

DUE: January 12th.

Must be a book project, detailed presentation on a class topic, or an instructor-approved choice that reflects deep understanding of the material in class. TBD at mid-term. This project must also have a writing component that relates the material back to the history of the British Isles. The writing component of this project OR the essay portion of the final exam will be used as a writing sample for student portfolios.