Course Syllabus

Concepts/Themes

(Concept or theme followed by a simple explanatory sentence)

Power Standards

(List of Power Standards in student friendly language)

Approximate Time Frame

(Sequential, measured by unit, time, or calendar)

Write well: Arguments (11-12.1)

I can write an effective argument.

Sept/October

Write well: Expository (11-12.2)

I can write a clear nonfiction essay.

Sept/November

Write well: Audience (11-12.4)

I can adapt my writing for diverse audiences.

December

Write well: Revise (11-12.5)

I can revise my writing with input from students and teachers to make it stronger.

September—Personal essay

Write well: Technology (11-12.6)

I can use many different types of technology to communicate effectively.

All year but esp. December Pecha Kucha

Write well: Research (11-12.7)

I can write research essays that use information from many different types of sources.

All year but esp. 30 futures (Jan)

Write well: Bias/Authority (11-12.8)

I can evaluate information and decide if it’s credible or sketchy when I use it in my writing.

All year but esp. 30 futures (Jan.)

Write well: Evidence (11-12.9)

I can use credible and specific evidence to support my claims in my writing.

All year but esp. Sept-Nov (MLK)

Read well: Evidence for analysis (11-12.1)

I can read arguments and select textual evidence to support my interpretation of them.

All year but esp.

Sept-Nov (MLK)

Read Well: Complex texts (11-12.10)

I can read and comprehend literature at the high end of complexity.

All year, but esp. Nov (Huck) and June (Fences)

Read well: Rhetorical Analysis (11-12.5)

I can analyze multiple methods of rhetorical strategies writers use in constructing arguments.

Oct (MLK) and March (Rhetorical essay)

Read well: Multiple sources (11-12.7)

I can read from many different types of texts (written, oral, visual, charts, etc.) and synthesize their information together.

Feb (Synthesis Essay)

Read Well: Trace ideas (11-12.3)

I can follow 2 or more ideas throughout a piece of writing.

All year

Read Well: Old stuff (11-12.9)

I can read and understand works from the 16-19^th centuries.

Feb (DWM section)

Speak Well: Presentations (11-12.4)

I can clearly and effectively present information to an audience.

All year (Semester Nonfiction proj)

Speak Well: Speeches (11-12.5)

I can speak persuasively to a variety of audiences.

All Year (Pecha Kucha)

Think Well: Academic/Rhetorical Vocab (Language—11-12.6)

I can name, recognize, and explain the thinking behind a number of rhetorical strategies. I can write in an academic style.

Arguments (Sept-Nov)

Think Well: Logical thought and Critical Thinking (R 11-12.8)

I can think logically and rationally and understand how cognitive bias can derail the thought process.

All year (Sept-Nov)

Assessments:

(List major assessments and assignments – not exhaustive, but the primary pieces used as the basis of the course)

MLK Essay

Personal Essay

30 Futures Research Essay

Pecha Kucha Speech

Creative Nonfiction Article

AP prompts

Possible Curriculum/Textbooks:

(List of core, articulated (or to be articulated) texts in the course)

The Language of Composition

Everything is an Argument

Huck Finn

Fences

Additional Resources/Technology:

(List of other resources used prominently in the course, along with technology resources)

Student presentation software

 iPad/Laptop