At the completion of this 11th-grade American Literature course, students will be able to:
- Foster a deep appreciation for American literature and its diverse literary traditions.
- Encourage students to approach American literature with creativity, imagination, and an open mindset.
- Develop students' critical thinking and analytical skills through close reading and interpretation of complex texts.
- Cultivate effective oral and written communication skills, enabling students to express their ideas coherently and persuasively.
- Explore the historical and cultural contexts of American literature, understanding how these contexts shape literary works.
- Encourage students to connect emotionally and empathetically with characters, themes, and settings in American literature.
- Promote inclusivity and respect for diverse voices in American literature, fostering discussions on social justice and equality.
- Incorporate multimedia resources to enhance students' comprehension and engagement with the literary works.
- Inspire creativity through interactive activities, literary games, and imaginative writing exercises.
- Provide opportunities for students to develop their own unique voices as writers, experimenting with various literary styles and techniques.
- Foster collaboration and active participation through group discussions, debates, and creative projects.
- Encourage students to reflect on the relevance and ongoing impact of American literature on the American identity.
- Empower students to become lifelong learners and lovers of literature, recognizing the power of storytelling in shaping culture and society.

My bachelor's degree is in Social Studies Education, so I had to take many social studies including US History (and related US History topics), anthropology, sociology, psychology, etc. I hold a master's degree in English and Creative Writing and had to take literature courses as part of my degree, one of which was on the American Renaissance literary movement. I am also an ACE educator.

Homework Offered
Students will have reading assignments most days in preparation for the next class meeting. However, some readings will take place in class. Students will be told what to read in preparation for the next class. 

Students will also need to work on essays outside of class, as well as the occasional project. Students may also have to complete assignments outside of class as a means to prep for an activity or to finish what was not completed in class. 

There will be one group assignment during Week 6 where students will have to record videos individually outside of class and then edit them together in the following class. If students don't complete their portion outside of class, it will hinder the completion of the assignment for the whole group.
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Students will be mainly assessed through formal and informal discussions in class, as well as through their participation in class activities and assignments. 

Essays will be given feedback and grades. 
Grades Offered

We will read excerpts from autobiographies such as 
- Impressions of an Indian Childhood and The School Days of an Indian Girl by Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)
- Stride Toward Freedom by Martin Luther King Jr.
- “Necessary to Protect Ourselves" by Malcolm X
- Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody

As a companion to Zitkala-Sa's autobiography excerpts, we will also use the following sources:
- "Claiming a Native American Identity: Zitkala-Sa and Autobiographical Strategies" by Sandra Kumamoto Stanley (journal article)
- Clip from the All My Relations podcast episode "Can Our Ancestors Hear Us?" (the hosts of this podcast are Native American women who interview other Native Americans)
- NativeKnowledge 360's Americans Dialogue Toolkit: https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/native-american-literature-in-your-classroom

We will also listen to those directly involved in the civil rights movement through Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "I Have a Dream" and Malcolm X's speech "By Any Means Necessary." 

We will also listen to podcast episodes with historians as guests such as 
- "The Civil Rights Act of 1964" from "The History Hour" by BBC World Service
- "Malcolm X: From Nation of Islam to Black Power" from "Revolutions" by The History of Rome
- "Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolent Resistance" from "Stuff You Missed in History Class." 

I will also include resources from Facing History and Ourselves and Learning for Justice.