This 11th grade English Language Class follows suit with most standard 11th grade curriculum; for example, 11th grade ELA is all about American Literature and 12th grade ELA is all about British Literature. 

Course Content and Order are Subject to Change based on semester and needs.  Also, not all of the readings found herein may be assigned. See attached PDF example Outline for a fuller description of this class.

Course Description:
This class will prepare students to critically read and respond to a wide variety of literature and informational texts. During the course, students will learn to discuss and write about literature, skillfully analyze and form arguments, grow their personal lexicons, strengthen grammar skills, and improve their writing through revision.  

During the weekly meetings, students will discuss any issues or concerns with the material.  I will provide background knowledge and guidance and the students will be able to interact with one another and with me. 

Student Interaction with Instructor and students:
The outline of this course may be altered depending on time constraints, scheduling, and students' interests. I will have office hours available throughout the semester for students who may need additional help with readings, essays, presentations, or any questions. This can be done over email or on the Outschool Zoom platform. Partner/group interactions can occur however the group desires. Whether this is done over zoom, email, or another method, they are free to do so.

What will be taught?
The course is aligned to state and national standards. The course will focus on the areas of reading literature, reading informational texts, writing and speaking and listening; while simultaneously developing critical vocabulary and grammar skills. During this course, students will work on the standards that focus around citing text evidence, theme, summarizing, plot, character development, point of view, main idea, argumentative writing, informational writing, narrative writing, and collaboration and discussion.

Course Format and how will I teach?:
At the beginning of the week, a "Weekly Outlook" video will be posted in the Outschool classroom detailing the week's work.  Each class meeting will start with an "Anticipation Guide." The students will have to agree or disagree with each statement and then share out with the rest of the class why they agree or disagree with a statement. Each statement in the anticipation guides are points of discussion for the students to engage in with each other. This is a fun activity that enables students to hear what other students are thinking and to agree or disagree with them.

Weekly Lesson Examples:
Weekly lessons include "Anticipation Guides" for class discussion and interaction, concept videos to watch when a new standard or concept is being taught or introduced, and group projects where students will have work together to complete a task and then present to the class their findings. There will also be reading assignments with discussion questions for students to respond to, assessments to complete, writing assignments, and other assignments or extension opportunities to share with other students. 

It is encouraged to have the readings and assignments completed prior to each class meeting so students can participate in discussions together. To give each student a more meaningful learning experience, all students need to participate in the discussion questions by responding to the questions and giving feedback to other students.

Any work that will be turned in for grades/scores, will be recorded in google classroom. Google classroom will be shared with each student in order to track progress when an assignment is graded/scored.

Fall Semester - 11th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Part 1: 

Course Outline (Subject to Change):
Aug 14th - Aug 18th - Week 1: Student Workshops and Diagnostics
Aug 21st – Sep 1st - Weeks 2 & 3: PART 1: A Gathering of Voices: Literature in Early America (Beginnings to 1750) 
Sep 4th – Sep 8th - Week 4: PART 1: Themes Across Centuries
Sep 11th – Sep 15th - Week 5: PART 1: Comparing Literary Works: Problems and Solutions
Sep 18th – Sep 29th - Weeks 6 & 7: PART 2: The Puritan Influence
Oct 2nd – Oct 6th – Week 8: PART 3: A Nation is Born
Oct 9th – Oct 13th: Fall Break No Classes
Oct 16th – Oct 20th – Week 9: PART 3: A Nation is Born
Oct 23rd – Oct 27th – Week 10: PART 3: A Nation is Born
Oct 30th – Sep 3rd – Week 11 & 12: Extended Studies
Week 13: Mid-term Finals Week


INTRODUCTORY UNIT: STUDENT WORKSHOPS
Building Academic Vocabulary
Writing an Objective Summary
Comprehending Complex Texts
Analyzing Arguments


UNIT 1: A GATHERING OF VOICES (PARTS 1-3):
Literature of Early America (beginnings to 1750)

Extended Studies:  Speeches, Benjamin Franklin
Writing Workshop: Autobiographical Narrative
Vocabulary Workshop: Using a Dictionary and Thesaurus

Author	Story/Text	Genre/Type
Multiple Perspectives on the Era
Snapshot of the Period	Instructional Essay
Historical Background	Instructional Essay
Essential Questions Across Time: Early America	Instructional Essay
RECENT SCHOLARSHIP
William L. Andrews	America Begins with a Promise and a Paradox	Historical Account
		
Integrate and Evaluate Information

PART ONE: MEETING OF CULTURES
Comparing Literary Works: Mythic Archetypes
Onondaga	The Earth on Turtle’s Back	Myth
Modoc	When Grizzlies Walked Upright	Myth
Navajo	from The Navajo Origin Legend	Myth
THEMES ACROSS CENTURIES: Author’s Insights
Susan Power	Introduces Museum Indians	Essay
Susan Power	Museum Indians	Essay
Dekanawidah	from The Iroquois Constitution	Political Document
		
Comparing Literary Works: Problems and Solutions
Alvar Nunez
Cabeza de Vaca	from A Journey Through Texas	Exploration Narrative
Garcia Lopez de Cardenas	Boulders Taller Than the Great Tower of Seville	Exploration Narrative
William Bradford	from Of Plymouth Plantation
The Mayflower	Narrative Account
History Connection
 		
Comparing Literary Works: Exploration Past and Present
Steve Squyres	from Mars Rover Mission Update	Blog


PART TWO: THE PURITAN INFLUENCE
Anne Bradstreet	To My Dear and Loving Husband
The Tenth Muse	Poem
World Literature Connection
Edward Taylor	Huswifery	Poem
Jonathan Edwards	from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Biblical Imagery	Sermon
Literature Connection


PART THREE: A NATION IS BORN
Extended Study: Speeches
Elements of Speeches
Frederick Douglas	from What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July	Speech
Patrick Henry	Speech in the Virginia Convention	Speech
Benjamin Franklin	Speech in the Convention	Speech
		
Comparing Literary Works: Appeals to Audience
Thomas Jefferson	The Declaration of Independence	Political Document
John Locke	John Locke and the Social Contract	Philosophy Connection
Thomas Paine	from The American Crisis	Political Essay
Phillis Wheatly	To His Excellency, General Washington	Poem
		
		
Comparing Autobiography Past and Present: A Gallery of Autobiography
Sandra Cisneros	Straw into Gold:
The Metamorphosis of the Everyday	Autobiography
William L. Andrews	Introduces Olaudah Equiano	Essay
Olaudah Equiano	from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano 
The Slave Trade	Autobiography Economic Connection