Course Overview
Students in A Level Literature will develop collegiate writing and critical analysis skills while studying Cambridge University’s assigned texts in preparation for the international Paper 3 and Paper 4 exams. Supplemental texts and activities will also be assigned for the purposes of cultural and historical context, skill building, and practice. Class readings will be complimented by rigorous discussion, which in turn will lead to practical applications of the writing process as defined by Cambridge University standards.
This course is designed to prepare students to pass the Cambridge International Exams and receive university credit for their efforts.
Course Goals/Standards
Per the Cambridge syllabus, all successful A Level Literature students will demonstrate the following:
Class Standards:
MASTERY-BASED GRADING:
Progress Grades: Assignments that provide additional practice will not count towards a student’s overall mastery grade. Rather, teachers will record them as effort assignments. Students will earn a course effort grade each quarter.
Mastery Grades: These are the academic grades that are reported on the official student transcript. It is important to note that the goal for each student is mastery of the standards and the following policies are designed with this goal in mind. Full attempts at mastery will be given a minimum of 50% score.
Unit-Flex Due Dates: As part of the standards-based grading model, all submitted work for effort and/or mastery (i.e. academic assignments) will have “flexible” due dates. Effort / academic material must be turned in the night prior to the Unit Exam to be counted as “on-time”.
*SPECIAL NOTE* Please encourage your student to make EVERY effort to stay current with the Lesson Playlist to stay “on-pace” with the course.*
Though I permit flexible due dates, effort assignments that are not turned in by the recommended due date (those dates to stay “on-pace” with the class) will be entered as a “0”. This score enables the parent/guardian to quickly determine if the student is falling behind in the coursework and signals home support may be needed.
Late Work: Please note that “late work” will be placed at the bottom of the grading queue to assure timely grading of “on-time” work, but every effort will be made to grade assignments quickly and provide meaningful feedback.
Absent Work: Absent students will access Canvas to identify missed work and submit the assignments as promptly as possible, but still must meet the Unit due dates as described above. Any tests or quizzes will be made up within one week of the absence and needs to be scheduled with the teacher.
Retakes: Students may retake assessment for the standard if they score less than 90% on their first attempt. In order to be given the opportunity for retake, students must have attended tutoring or PLT hours.
Teachers also reserve the right to assign alternate assessment based upon individual needs.
PLAGIARISM:
It is the responsibility of the student to follow the ASU Prep Way with honesty in regard to the authorship of the work that he/she presents as his/her own. Consequences for plagiarism will be in accordance with the ASU Preparatory Student Code of Conduct / Handbook.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:
Students enrolled at ASU Preparatory Academy will receive two letter grades in each of their courses. One of the letter grades is an academic grade demonstrates student mastery of the course objectives. The second grade is an effort grade that reflects attendance, participation, discussions, or completion of practice assignments. Both of the letter grades will adhere to the following grading scale, but only the academic grade will be reflected on the student’s final transcript and included in the grade point average.
A Exemplary 90 – 100
B Highly Proficient 80 – 89
C Proficient 70 – 79
D Partially Proficient 60 – 69
F Minimally Proficient 50 – 59
CLASS MATERIALS:
Students MUST bring Chromebook to school daily - Please assure it is fully charged each night!
COURSE OUTLINE (Subject to Change)
Class Readings
Anonymous Old and Middle English Poets:
Beowulf
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Geoffrey Chaucer:
The Canterbury Tales (The General Prologue, The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale, and The Knight’s Prologue and Tale)
Sir Thomas Malory:
Le Morte d’Arthur
William Shakespeare:
Hamlet
King Lear
John Milton:
Paradise Lost (Books IX and X)
Tennessee Williams:
The Glass Menagerie
Individual Readings
Virginia Woolf, Barbara Kingsolver, or Margaret Atwood:
Mrs Dalloway, The Poisonwood Bible, or The Handmaid’s Tale
***Additional texts will be assigned to prepare students for the CIE assessments and to meet AZ College and Career Ready Standards
Syllabus Acknowledgement
I certify that I have read and understand the requirements expressed by the above syllabus. *
Student Signature
________________________________________
Students in A Level Literature will develop collegiate writing and critical analysis skills while studying Cambridge University’s assigned texts in preparation for the international Paper 3 and Paper 4 exams. Supplemental texts and activities will also be assigned for the purposes of cultural and historical context, skill building, and practice. Class readings will be complimented by rigorous discussion, which in turn will lead to practical applications of the writing process as defined by Cambridge University standards.
This course is designed to prepare students to pass the Cambridge International Exams and receive university credit for their efforts.
Course Goals/Standards
Per the Cambridge syllabus, all successful A Level Literature students will demonstrate the following:
Class Standards:
- Appreciation of and informed personal response to literature in English in a range of texts in different forms, and from different periods and cultures
- Interdependent skills of reading, analysis, and communication
- Effective and appropriate communication
- Wider reading and an understanding of how it may contribute to personal development
- AO1: The ability to respond to texts in the three main forms (Prose, Poetry, and Drama) of different types and from different cultures
- AO2: An understanding of the ways in which writers’ choices of form, structure and language shape meanings
- AO3: The ability to produce informed, independent opinions and judgments on literary texts
- AO4: The ability to communicate clearly the knowledge, understanding, and insight appropriate for literary study
- AO5: The ability to appreciate and discuss varying opinions of literary works
MASTERY-BASED GRADING:
Progress Grades: Assignments that provide additional practice will not count towards a student’s overall mastery grade. Rather, teachers will record them as effort assignments. Students will earn a course effort grade each quarter.
Mastery Grades: These are the academic grades that are reported on the official student transcript. It is important to note that the goal for each student is mastery of the standards and the following policies are designed with this goal in mind. Full attempts at mastery will be given a minimum of 50% score.
Unit-Flex Due Dates: As part of the standards-based grading model, all submitted work for effort and/or mastery (i.e. academic assignments) will have “flexible” due dates. Effort / academic material must be turned in the night prior to the Unit Exam to be counted as “on-time”.
- PRO: Flexible due dates work well for students that attend after-school obligations (work, sports, clubs) or have family responsibility that may interfere with homework.
- CON: Waiting too long to submit assignments may impact the students’ ability to receive timely feedback prior to the exam. This may ultimately lessen their score.
*SPECIAL NOTE* Please encourage your student to make EVERY effort to stay current with the Lesson Playlist to stay “on-pace” with the course.*
Though I permit flexible due dates, effort assignments that are not turned in by the recommended due date (those dates to stay “on-pace” with the class) will be entered as a “0”. This score enables the parent/guardian to quickly determine if the student is falling behind in the coursework and signals home support may be needed.
Late Work: Please note that “late work” will be placed at the bottom of the grading queue to assure timely grading of “on-time” work, but every effort will be made to grade assignments quickly and provide meaningful feedback.
Absent Work: Absent students will access Canvas to identify missed work and submit the assignments as promptly as possible, but still must meet the Unit due dates as described above. Any tests or quizzes will be made up within one week of the absence and needs to be scheduled with the teacher.
Retakes: Students may retake assessment for the standard if they score less than 90% on their first attempt. In order to be given the opportunity for retake, students must have attended tutoring or PLT hours.
Teachers also reserve the right to assign alternate assessment based upon individual needs.
PLAGIARISM:
It is the responsibility of the student to follow the ASU Prep Way with honesty in regard to the authorship of the work that he/she presents as his/her own. Consequences for plagiarism will be in accordance with the ASU Preparatory Student Code of Conduct / Handbook.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:
- Cell phones and other personal electronics will be prohibited throughout the school day unless otherwise directed.
- Students are encouraged to bring their agendas with them every day. The Digital Interactive Notebook (D-INB) contains a slide to track homework/reminders in the event that they do not have an agenda.
- No food, drink, gum, or candy in class. Closed water bottles only!
- Remain in assigned seat unless directed otherwise.
- With a limited number of minutes in the class and many objectives, we must work diligently at all times.
- Passes from class will be limited. Students need to be in class at all times in order to effectively participate. Please take advantage of the 5-minute passing period to visit the restroom, drink water, etc.
Students enrolled at ASU Preparatory Academy will receive two letter grades in each of their courses. One of the letter grades is an academic grade demonstrates student mastery of the course objectives. The second grade is an effort grade that reflects attendance, participation, discussions, or completion of practice assignments. Both of the letter grades will adhere to the following grading scale, but only the academic grade will be reflected on the student’s final transcript and included in the grade point average.
A Exemplary 90 – 100
B Highly Proficient 80 – 89
C Proficient 70 – 79
D Partially Proficient 60 – 69
F Minimally Proficient 50 – 59
CLASS MATERIALS:
Students MUST bring Chromebook to school daily - Please assure it is fully charged each night!
- 1-Subject Spiral with Folder inside
- 2 Pencils with erasers (each class)
- 1 Red Pen (each class)
- 1 Highlighter (any color)
- 1 Calculator (same as Math)
- 1 Earbuds AUX plug (no AirPods)
- Paper Towels
- Loose leaf paper
- Kleenex
COURSE OUTLINE (Subject to Change)
Class Readings
Anonymous Old and Middle English Poets:
Beowulf
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Geoffrey Chaucer:
The Canterbury Tales (The General Prologue, The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale, and The Knight’s Prologue and Tale)
Sir Thomas Malory:
Le Morte d’Arthur
William Shakespeare:
Hamlet
King Lear
John Milton:
Paradise Lost (Books IX and X)
Tennessee Williams:
The Glass Menagerie
Individual Readings
Virginia Woolf, Barbara Kingsolver, or Margaret Atwood:
Mrs Dalloway, The Poisonwood Bible, or The Handmaid’s Tale
***Additional texts will be assigned to prepare students for the CIE assessments and to meet AZ College and Career Ready Standards
Syllabus Acknowledgement
I certify that I have read and understand the requirements expressed by the above syllabus. *
Student Signature
________________________________________