Kay 2016-17

World Literature Syllabus

(1 Credit Required English)
Contact Information:
Crystal Kay
Office Hours: Before school and after school
Room: Crystals English Classroom (360)
Phone: Google Voice and Text - (507) 550-2444
Email: ckay1@isd77.k12.mn.us
School Websites:
http://isd77english.weebly.com/english-11.html
classroom.google.com

Course Overview:
In an ever-changing global society, literature has the capacity to
broaden our understanding of people and their experiences. World
Literature focuses on the "big idea" of human experience and takes a thematic approach to reading a variety of
literature from around the world. This literature includes pieces from a variety of cultures, perspectives,
regions of the world, time periods, and genres. Students will spend time engaged in dialogue about the texts we
read and both the concepts and themes discovered within them. World Literature also includes grammar study
to improve written and verbal communication skills and to provide readiness for standardized testing. The
course contains a rigorous writing component with an emphasis on compare-contrast writing and
argumentative writing. A capstone writing assignment includes a formal research paper during second
semester that is a required assignment throughout the district. Reading, writing, discussing, and analyzing are
all requirements for the World Literature student. World Literature is a two-semester required course for high
school juniors. All students must take this course or the AP Language and Composition course.

Essential Questions:
As we go through the year, we will focus on using literature and discussion to answer the following recurring
essential questions.
How does literature reflect culture?
How does an authors life and time influence his or her work? "Literature is
Are human experiences universal? where I go to
How does my experience influence my perspective? explore the
How do I know I am getting the point and not merely imposing my views highest and
and experiences? lowest places in
What do we learn from understanding other cultures and time periods? human society
How do I create a multi-faceted understanding of a new culture? and in the human
How is written language different from spoken languages in its spirit, where I
conventions? Why are these necessary? hope to find not
absolute truth
How do I organize and develop my writing in order to achieve my
but the truth of
purpose? the tale, of the
What am I trying to achieve through my writing? imagination and
How do I plan, structure, and develop a research paper? of the heart."

Major Units of Study: Salman Rushdie

The course is divided up into six major units over the course of the year. Reading,
writing, grammar, and dialogue about key concepts will be integrated into the
units throughout the year.

First Semester:
Unit 1: Family and Friendship & Grammar Study
Unit 2: Heroes and Outcasts & Grammar Study
Unit 3: WritingCompare/Contrast Paper**

Second Semester:
Unit 4: Power and Freedom & Grammar Study
Unit 5: Love and RomanceThe Research Paper**
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Unit 6: Writing for Literature Final: Theme Paper, Powerpoint, Expressive Reading**

**NOTE: These two starred writing components are required in order to receive credit for the course. If
a student should not complete these, they will not receive credit for that semester.

Texts: Throughout the year we will read novels, short stories and poems. Listed below are possible novel
selections. Expect your student to read at least one of these texts.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Nectar in a Sieve, by Kamala Markandaya
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez The Book Thief by Mark Zusak
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced, by Nujood Ali

Evaluation Procedures:
Standards (50%) The theme paper and persuasive paper will be considered the final written exam of the
semester and is both required and part of this category. Standards assignments are required
assignments and must be completed in order to pass the class.

Assessments (30%) There will be short quizzes throughout the year on reading assignments, vocabulary
terms, unit concepts, etc. Expect a major test or assessment over each unit covered in class.

Learning Activities (20%) Students will be expected to engage in daily lesson plans, discussions, and
classroom activities. This is part of the engaged, active learning process and is both expected and graded.
Students will get points for completing warm-up/processing exercises, contributing to discussion, writing
during in-class workshops, and staying on task during small group discussion and project work.

There will be a wide variety of assigned work including warm-up activities, classroom notes, readings, essays,
analysis of works of literature, and group projects. Assigned work is expected on the due date at the end of the
class period. Late assignments will be acceptedto a pointbut a percentage of the graded value
may be deducted unless circumstances warrant an extension. Students who have been absent are
responsible for getting their assignments/notes and turning them in. If the absence is excused, students have
up to ten days to make up the time and turn in the assignment. Students who miss more than four days may
not receive credit for the course. Students not meeting all standards cannot earn credit for the course.

Grading:
Grades will be based on the following school-wide scale:
93-100% = A 87-89% = B+ 77-79% = C+ 67-69% = D+ Below 59% = F
90-92% = A- 84-86% = B 74-76% = C 64-66% = D
80-83% = B- 70-73% = C- 60-63% = D-

Materials:
3-ring binder OR folder
composition notebook
pens/pencils/highlighters

Classroom Expectations:

* Respect yourself and others in the learning process and in your behaviors!*

Students must show respect to self, others, and property at all times. All actions must be
accountability and respect for self and others. Students not meeting the behavior expectations may be
removed from class which could result in a loss of credit.

Chromebooks and iPads: These devices can limit participation and may be a distraction to learning;
therefore, they need to be used in a responsible manner when dispensed. Devices should be closed or placed
face down on the corner of the desk when not in use. This will allow for quick access when needed but will not
be a distraction to you or others. This is responsible use. If responsible use is not shown, in accordance with
District Policy, such devices will be confiscated permanently.
Kay 2016-17

Additional Requirements When Using ISD 77 Chromebooks or iPads in School:

When sound must be used along with a lesson, please use earphones. No sound is permitted.
Social media and messaging unrelated to the lesson is not considered school use and therefore
should not occur on school devices.
The only permitted social media are the ones directly used with lessons and specially approved
by the teacher for that specific lesson. Some examples might include:
The class website
A linked video from the lesson
Gmail
Google Docs
Google Drive
Use of school wifi/device/facilities implies abidance with all district policies of Internet and
technology usage.

Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices: Cell phones and other personal electronic devices
are prohibited in the classroom. Any cell phone seen or heard in the classroom is subject to the Central High
School Student Handbook (pg. 6-7).

Tardies: You should have plenty of time between classes to make it here. It isnt fair to your peers to disrupt
class with tardiness or to require me to repeat instruction to those who are late, so please be considerate. For
every three tardies, you will be asked to make up the missed class time before or after school.

Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism (taking credit for work that is not yours) will not be
accepted or tolerated within the classroom. If you are caught cheating or taking credit for someone else's work,
you will lose credit for that assignment. Depending on the assignment, you may be given an alternate
assignment as make-up or you will take a zero in the gradebook.

Specific Classroom Procedures:

Need a pass?
1. Raise your hand or seek me out at an appropriate time, unless it is an emergency, to ask if you may
leave the classroom.
2. Sign out on the classroom sign-out board so that I know where you are when you leave the classroom.

Finished with an assignment early?

1. Finish other World Literature assignments.
2. Study for quizzes/tests.
3. Work on homework from other classes.
4. Grab a book from the shelf or your backpack and read quietly.

Miss a class?
1. Turn in any assignments upon your return to the designated tray in the classroom.
2. Check our class website by logging on to your school Gmail account, going to our Google Classroom
page (I would bookmark/favorite this page for easier access). If you can, complete work at home; if you
cant, see me upon your return to check for missed assignments. Please be respectful to those around
you and do this before school, during an appropriate time during class (not during instructional
points in class), or during my office hours.
3. Complete any assignments you missed and turn them in when they are completed.
4. If you KNOW you are going to be gone IN ADVANCE OF YOUR ABSENCE, please let me know as soon
as possible so I can gather work for you. TIP: If you get your work early, you wont feel as rushed to get
caught up later! Most teachers, myself included, will still give you an extension as needed.

Tardy to class?!?!?!
1. Please come in quietly and place your pass (if you have one) on my desk.
Kay 2016-17

2. Please take your seat.

3. Quietly, speak to those around you or come and talk to me at an appropriate time about anything you
might have missed at the beginning of class.

This classroom is a safe zone.

In order to remain in our safe zone,

all behavior expectations must be followed at all times.
Removal from class will always result in a Student Referral (Major).

Behavior Expectation
Act in a manner that demonstrates respect and pride toward others, self, and property.
Kay 2016-17

All objects should remain safely in our hands or stationary in the place it belongs. If
something must be given to someone or thrown in the garbage/recycling, please walk
over, and place it in the appropriate bin.

Use appropriate voices, volume level, words, and conversation for school/setting/task.

Cell phones, ear buds, and other personal electronic devices must remain put away
during class. They should not be seen, checked, used, or heard.

Only constructive, positive comments should be directed toward self, situation, or

others. Direct or indirect insults are not tolerated. Disparaging comments toward
others are not tolerated.

Follow staff directions.

Accept feedback.

School devices (Chromebooks, computers, iPads, etc), wifi, and school property is
intended for school use only.

Be prepared and engage in behaviors that demonstrate a willingness to learn.

It is always ok to share your concerns in a respectful manner,

at an appropriate time, and in the appropriate place.

Always THINK before you speak.

Is it True?
Is it Helpful?
Is it Inspiring?
Is it Necessary?
Is it Kind?