Course Description

Language Arts 11 is a literature survey course that navigates chronologically through the periods of American literature from Native American oral traditions through contemporary works of poetry, fiction, drama, and nonfiction. Each unit explores a literary movement through a unique theme. Literature of each period becomes the basis of study for models of literary analysis and modes of rhetorical writing. Each lesson engages the student through interactive introduction to concepts and skills, guided practice of those skills and concepts, and an assessment of the student’s mastery.

Learning activities include reading, listening, discussing, writing, completing multiple-choice games and self-check activities, completing writing projects, and taking quizzes and exams. Units will include a combination of activities and assessments and will culminate in either a unit exam or a unit writing project. Students will be encouraged to incorporate media, creative expression, and research into unit projects to prepare them for life outside of the classroom in our out-of-the-box, media-centric world.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Hone skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking.
• Apply tools for reading and understanding a wide range of texts, including non-fiction, short stories, novels, plays, journals, biographies, poetry, and speeches from diverse sources.
• Apply analytic skills for interpreting media and texts and evaluating their effectiveness and messages.
• Apply writing experience and tools that will prepare them for the writing tasks they will encounter in college, business, and life.
• Apply best practices for researching, interviewing, and using media.
• Apply and develop creativity, experience life from other points of view, and express opinions and ideas in their reading and writing.
• Apply literature and media as powerful and relevant extensions of life.

DoDEA English Languange Arts Standards may be viewed by clicking the link.

Course Outline

In the Beginning

• Section A – Sinners and Saints
• Section B – Making History
• Section C – The Play's The Thing
• Section D – Fall From Grace

Contemplation and Argumentation

• Section A – Power of the Pen
• Section B – The Best Defense
• Section C – That's Illogical
• Section D – Law and Disorder

Story, Identity, Unity

• Section A – Something for Everyone
• Section B – Have I Got a Story for You
• Section C – Under the Skin
• Section D – A Likely Story

Real Survival Skills

• Section A – Write On!
• Section B – Get Real
• Section C – Order Up
• Section D – Just Because

The Universal Flow of Ideas

• Section A – More Than Mere Mortals
• Section B – The Mind's Eye
• Section C – Check Your Messages
• Section D – Picture Perfect

Textbook

Elements of Literature, Fifth Course
ISBN Number (Student Edition) 9780030926037

John Warriner’s Holt Handbook, Fifth Course
ISBN Number (Student Edition) 9780030661488

Publishers: Holt-McDougal; Houghton-Mifflin

Additional Readings

Perfection Learning Online Anthology: "American Short Stories"

"The Crucible" by Arthur Miller: Note: this play is read in Semester A of this course.

"The Sweet Hereafter" by Russell Banks: Note: this novel is read in Semester B of this course.