Ken Klima English Language Arts
Course Syllabus
English 2 College Prep
2023-2024
Ken Klima
COURSE DESCRIPTION
10th Grade English (English 2CP) is a literature survey class. The class covers literary terminology, vocabulary building, test-taking strategies, and several literary genres. This year, we will utilize literature to focus on the following themes:
- law and order in a civilized society
- Prejudice, discrimination, and oppression
- The importance of personal and societal relationships
- the effects of faith (or the loss of faith) on individuals and cultures
The course is written to Common Core standards and will challenge students to critically think about literature. Students will involve themselves in self-assessment as well as in teacher-guided practice and assessment throughout the class. The literature of the class includes selections from authors and poets including; Ray Bradbury, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Edgar Allen Poe, Elie Wiesel, William Golding, and Shakespeare.
Students will gain experience in writing both short and long essays, poetry, responses to selected readings, and creative story writing. They will also participate in class discussions and oral presentations on a variety of topics.
Students will develop an understanding of:
- Themes in fiction • Central ideas in nonfiction
- Making predictions • Plot and foreshadowing
- Author’s perspective • Analyzing structure and format
- Comparing style • Cause and effect relationships
- Conflict resolution • Character and story structure
- Comparing points of view • Symbolism and allegory
- Comparing tone • Development of ideas
- Word choice and tone • Evaluating arguments and rhetorical devices
- Analyzing the text to extend ideas
COURSE METHODOLOGY
This is an inquiry-based course where students will discover and utilize knowledge of English / Language Arts through lectures, videos, both in-class and outside readings, and class discussions with other students and the instructor.
Acting as a facilitator, the instructor will guide students through the process; however, students are responsible for their own learning. This will be accomplished by completing all assigned readings and activities. Both formal and informal assessments will be used in evaluating performance throughout the course. Informal assessment will include an evaluation of the quality and timeliness of student participation in class activities. Formal assessment will involve a variety of quizzes, written essays, major writing assignments, a semester final exam, a year-end final exam, and a course project.
Course Policy and Procedures
- Students are expected to attend and actively participate in all class meetings and to make up any assignments missed due to legitimate absence.
- Students are expected to follow all class rules and procedures and refrain from interfering with the educational process.
- Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off and put away during class time unless being used for classwork.
- All homework and assignments are to be turned in on the due date. Other than in the case of excused absences, late work will receive half credit assuming that it is complete. Incomplete late work will not be accepted.
- Students are expected to respect the instructor, other students, and school property at all times.
- Students are expected to follow the school’s Academic Honesty Policy. Instances of cheating, plagiarism, copying, or the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence will result in a zero on the assignment and parent notification. Repeated occurrences will result in further disciplinary action.
While the tone of this syllabus is serious and formal, I anticipate that we will have an enjoyable time learning together.
Course Syllabus
English 1 College Prep
Ken Klima
2023-2024
COURSE DESCRIPTION
9th Grade CP English is a literature survey and skills development class. The class covers reading, grammar, vocabulary building, test-taking strategies, and writing skills. This year, we will utilize literature to focus on the following themes:
- The negative effects of prejudice, discrimination, and oppression
- Tolerance and social justice
- The power and importance of relationships
- Being responsible members of society
- Heroes in ancient and modern cultures
- Being a responsible citizen of the world
The course is written to Common Core standards and will challenge students to critically think about the world they live in. Students will involve themselves in self-assessment as well as in teacher-guided practice and assessment throughout the class. The literature of the class includes selections from authors and poets including; John Steinbeck, Harper Lee, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Edgar Allen Poe, and Shakespeare.
Students will gain experience in literary terminology, vocabulary building, writing both short and long essays, research, poetry, responses to selected readings, and creative story writing. They will also participate in class discussions, projects, and oral presentations on a variety of topics.
Students will develop an understanding of:
- Themes in fiction • Rhythm and meter in poetry
- Making predictions • Plot and foreshadowing
- Author’s perspective • Analyzing structure and format
- Comparing style • Cause and effect relationships
- Conflict resolution • Character and story structure
- Comparing points of view • Symbolism and allegory in literature
- Comparing tone Analyzing the text to develop and extend ideas
- Word choice and tone
COURSE METHODOLOGY
This course is designed to help students become more skilled readers and writers. Through books, films, lectures, and discussions, you will learn to find the deeper meaning and themes in literature and to more fully express yourself both orally and in writing.
As your instructor, I will guide you through the process; however, as the student, you are responsible for your own learning. This will be accomplished by completing all assigned readings and activities, and turning them in on time. All homework and in-class assignments are to be turned in on the due date. Other than in the case of excused absences, late work will receive half credit assuming that it is complete. Incomplete late work will not be accepted.
Both formal and informal assessments will be used in evaluating your performance throughout the course. Informal assessment will include an evaluation of the quality and timeliness of your participation in class activities. Formal assessment will involve multiple-choice quizzes, written essays, major writing assignments, a semester final exam, a year-end final exam, and a course project.
Course Policy and Procedures
- Students are expected to attend and actively participate in all class meetings and to make up any assignments missed due to legitimate absence.
- Students are expected to follow all class rules and procedures and to refrain from interfering with the educational process.
- Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off and put away during class time.
- No eating is allowed in the classroom
- Students are expected to respect the instructor, other students, and school property at all times.
- Students are expected to follow the school’s Academic Honesty Policy. Instances of cheating, plagiarism, copying, or the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence will result in a zero on the assignment and parent notification. Repeated occurrences will result in further disciplinary action.
While the tone of this syllabus is serious and formal, I anticipate that we will have an enjoyable time learning together.
