State Requirements for this Course:
XXXX (See ELA 11  Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, page 16.)

1 Read two books and demonstrate understanding each quarter (8 per year).
XX In the first quarter, each student will be able to select both books from the list of books for 11th grade.
XX In the second quarter, the novel Frankenstein will count as one and the other will be from the list. 
XX In the third quarter, the novel Lord of the Flies will count as one and the other will be from the list. 
XX In the fourth quarter, the memoir Night will count as one.  For the second book, each student
XX will be required to read Hiroshima on his or her own. 

XX A part of this grade will be daily reading in the classroom.  Demonstration of understanding for
XX the six books will typically be through an Accelerated Reader quiz.  At other times, it may be
XX  through a speech, a PowerPoint presentation, or other means.

XX I can modify this state requirement for students who wish to choose longer or more advanced
XX books.  (see the page on book requirements.) 

2 Write short papers weekly that are scored with a rubric.
XXX This will be worth 20% of the grade for first, second, and fourth quarter. 
XXX We will use a simple rubric for these sorts of essays.  (The rubric is a Microsoft Word document). 

XXX Early in the year, we will focus on developing a main idea and offering support through examples. 
XXX Also, after reading short stories or novel chapters, we will often write short essays in response to
XXX a specific question or theme.  These essays will also require the use of examples. 
XXX
3 Write four formal essays per quarter.
XXX This will be worth 25% of the grade for first, second, and fourth quarter. 
XXX We will use a six-traits rubric.  (The rubric is a Microsoft Word document). 
XXX
4 Write a major research paper annually.
XXX This will be done early in the third quarter.  It will be worth 40% of the third quarter grade. 
XXX For that quarter, it will take the place of the other writings.  (See research paper pages.)
XXX
5 Speak or present each quarter.
XXX This will include presentations on poetry or novels, reading drama parts,
XXX as well as the presentation of the research in the third quarter. 
XXX
6 Discuss or debate topics monthly. 
XXX
7 Take and organize notes weekly.
XXX Each student will be required to keep a notebook for these; this will be helpful
XXX  when it comes to studying for the proficiency exams. 
XXX
8 Maintain a portfolio of personal reading and writing. 
XXX Hanging folders are stationed in the back
XXX of the English room; students are required to use these to hold the portfolio.   

XXX The following items should be kept in it, and in this order: 

XXX 1 Reading Record: Keep an up-to-date list of the books you have read.  If you don't already
XXX have one, print off a reading record. 

XXX 2 Mini-Reviews: Print off a copy of your mini-reviews.  Keep them together in one
XXX Microsoft Word file and print them off together. 

XXX 3 Writing Samples: This includes the short weekly essays, the quarterly essays, and
XXX your research paper. 

XXX 4 Short Story Quizzes: Keep all the quizzes from our anthology that you have taken. 

11th Grade Focus: Inter-Relationships & Self-Reliance
XXXXas per ELA 11 Michigan Merit Curriculum Course Requirements, Page 8
How can forward thinking help me make better decisions?
How do I develop a realistic plan for the future?
What evidence do I have that I am committed to learning?
How do I build a context for change in my life?
When is loyalty to myself more important than loyalty to a friend?
How will I know when to risk failure for possible success?
How do I demonstrate that I am open-minded enough to learn from my experiences?
How can I generate new ideas for solving problems?
How can I invent new opportunities?
What are the tradeoffs for technological advances?
Which decisions I make today will affect me for my entire life?
Where will I find wisdom?   

How to Take a Quiz

Vocabulary--20%
The student will know the questions in this part before he or she sees the quiz--the student should be prepared! Typically, the quiz will be matching synonyms.   The student will have opportunity in class to exercise and review the vocabulary words, but many students will also require some homework study.  The state mandates that the student know the meanings of words encountered frequently in grade-level reading and oral language.  The state also mandates that the student learn the meaning of new words.

Multiple choice--25%
Five straight questions to determine basic understanding of the story and ability to recall. 

Provide Examples--15%
This section of the quiz requires the student to retell up to three events from the text using their own words or phrasing.  Typically, the type of examples asked for require the student to discuss setting, characters, and events in the narrative text. 

Choose and Defend--15%
Students will begin to make connections between the text and themselves.  Using a written response, they will explain these connections between knowledge that they already possess and ideas in text.

Written Response--25%

Students will discuss setting, characters, and events in narrative text. 

Students will retell up to three events from familiar text using their own words or phrasing. 

Students will begin to make connections between the text and themselves.  Using a written response, they will explain these connections between knowledge that they already posses and ideas in text. 

Students will respond to the texts they read.  Sometimes they will respond to individual texts, and sometimes they will respond by comparing and contrasting different texts.  They will find evidence, discuss, and write.  Their responses will reflect on the reading, make meaning, and make connections.