Mrs. Rhonda Raft Welcome: Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year, and thank you for visiting. On my page, you will find information about me as well as the classes I teach. Important documents pertaining to American Literature may be found in the Document Manager tab to the left. To view the course syllabus, credit completion requirements, and other helpful class information, continue to scroll down this page. Who am I? I am a teacher at Flat Rock Community High School, currently teaching American Literature. I was born and raised in mid-Michigan, and moved to the Flat Rock area when I was hired to teach art at Simpson. My credentials include an extensive background in both art and English, and my passion in education is helping students make that verbal/visual connection. Education:
Teaching Experience: So far in my career, I have taught 7th and 8th grade English, Freshman English, American Literature (10th grade), British Literature (11th grade), World Literature (12th grade), high school yearbook, middle school art, and high school art. Here is my daily teaching schedule for the winter of 2012:
Contact Information: Flat Rock Community High School, Room 6628, 25600 Seneca, Flat Rock, MI 48134 Phone and Voicemail: 734.535.6628 email: rraft@mail.flatrock.k12.mi.us I check my voicemail and email at least twice a day during regular school hours. Feel free to contact me and I will get back to you promptly.
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What is American Literature? American Literature is a required English class for sophomores at Flat Rock Community High School. The content is divided into two trimesters which we simply call American Lit. A and American Lit. B. Each section will involve reading, writing, and discussion based on selections of literature from American authors. What to expect from this class: Every class period begins with bellwork in the form of word analogies, ACT vocabulary words, daily language practice, editing, grammar exercises, and announcements. Discussion of the literature that we read centers around recommended universal themes for Michigan sophomores.
Universal Themes: · What was the author's intent? · What American and worldwide historical events correspond to this literature? · Why was this piece of literature written, and how does it pertain to me? · What is my responsibility to society; what can I contribute? · What voice do I use to be heard? · What lessons can be learned from the voices and actions of the characters in the stories I read, and how can I apply those lessons to my life? · Who am I, and what criteria do I use to judge my values? How can I discover the truth about others? · How do I handle others points of view? · What role does empathy play in how I treat others?
Note: At this point, the information that follows pertains to the first course, American Lit. A. To view information about the second part of the course, click on the American Lit. B tab on the menu at the upper left.
Syllabus for American Lit. A: Twelve weeks of American literature from our early beginnings through the mid 1800s. Unit One = Colonialism
Test 1A will be over these early explorers, authors, and orators, as well as some bell work from class. Study who each person was, what he or she wrote, why he or she was an important part of American literature, and what was each person's intent (goal;purpose) in writing.
Test 1B will be over The Crucible, as well as some bell work from class. Study the plot, characters, conflicts, setting, and lessons learned from the outcome of this play. Understand also what prompted or influenced Miller to write this play. What is a crucible?
Unit Two = American Revolutionary Period
Unit Three = Romanticism and Transcendentalism
Summative assessments: points possible Unit One Project: 100 You will find the specific project choices in the document called Unit One Project Choices, located in the document manager page. Scroll back up to my name, and click on the yellow tab marked "Document Manager." Unit 1A Test (Colonialism): 75 Unit 1B Test (The Crucible): 75 Unit Two Project: 100 You will find the specific project choices in the document called Unit Two Project Choices, located in the document manager page. Be aware that many of the choices have additional information that can only be obtained in the classroom. Unit Two Test (Am. Revolution):150 Unit Three Project: 50 Unit Three Test (Romanticism and Transcendentalism): 150 Timeline: 200 The rubric, which includes extensive criteria for doing this project can be found in the document manager page. Scroll back up to my name, and click on the yellow tab marked "Document Manager."
Homework Points: 100 TOTAL POINTS: 1000 |
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