Digital Learning Department

"A book is like a garden in the pocket." Chinese Proverb

Books are voyages of discovery to transform all of us. Come gather 'round for the journey and meet just a few of the world's respected and transforming authors. You will be reading short pieces of modern literature from authors across time and from all over the world. Awareness of how the author treats his characters, how he reveals the beliefs and ideals of his time and country, how his writing uniquely reflects his country, and how his writing embraces universal concepts will help you gain much from these stories. Look closely at each author through a microscope. Then examine written thoughts from a satellite looking at the whole wide world and the author's contribution. Discover how each author speaks to mankind universally. But most of all, enjoy the ride - or should we say the "read?" And generate discussion with your friends, family and classmates, delighting in the expanded experiences that these stories provide.

You'll be writing a reflection for each story which will demonstrate reading comprehension, writing and analytical skills. In addition, you'll select a classic novel from a gigantic booklist (no chance you can't find something to entrance and delight you!), writing a formal novel study for your mid-term and writing a thematic analysis or creative thematic story for your final.

This class is intended for students with junior or senior standing. This course helps meet the state minimum requirements of English 3.0 credits. Please check with your district for more specific requirements.
 

State Standards and Learning Expectations

Objectives stated within course lessons. Washington State Standards guided the design of the course. Learning expectations are found within the course itself.

Writing Standards

EALR 1: The student understands and uses a writing process.
1.1 Prewrites to generate ideas and plan writing.
1.2 Produces draft(s).
1.3 Revises to improve text.
1.4 Edits text.
1.5 Publishes text to share with an audience.
1.6 Adjusts writing process as necessary.

EARL 2: The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.
2.1 Adapts writing for a variety of audiences.
2.2 Writes for different purposes.
2.3 Writes in a variety of forms/genres.

EARL 3: The student writes clearly and effectively.
3.1 Develops ideas and organizes writing.
3.2 Uses appropriate style.
3.3 Knows and applies writing conventions appropriate for the grade level.

EALR 4: The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of written work.
4.1 Analyzes and evalute others' and own writing.
4.2 Sets goals for improvement.

Reading Standards

EALR 1: The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to read.
1.2 Uses vocabulary strategies to comprehend text.
1.3 Build vocabulary through wide reading.
1.4 Apply word recognition skills and strategies to read fluently.

EARL 3: The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.
3.1 Read to learn new information.
3.2 Read to perform a task.
3.4 Read for literary/narrative experience in a variety of genres.

Communication Standards

EALR 2: The student uses communication skills and strategies to interact/work effectively with others.
2.1 Uses language to interact effectively and responsibly in a multicultural context.

 

Course Outline

Short stories are read and analyzed in written reflections. To complete the course in a semester the following schedule is recommended. Slight variations in reading assignments may occur each semester. Use the Checklist to determine exact schedule and requirements.

• Unit 1 Aleichem, Angelou, and Bidpai, Bjornson, Bierce, Boccaccio, Chekhov, Cisneros, Clemens, Crane, Daudet
• Unit 2 Classic Novel
• Unit 3 delaMare, deMaupassant, Dostoevsky, Goldsmith, Goldstone, Gorky, Greene, Hanley, Hardy, Hawthorne
• Unit 4 Choice Novel: Book Review and Formal Novel Study
• Unit 5 Hearn, O'Henry, Huxley, Irving, Jackson, London
• Unit 6 Maugham, Melville, O'Flaherty Poe Steinbeck TolstoyGoldsmith and Goldstone, 2/3 of CHOICE book completed
• Week 7 Gorky and Hanley
• Week 8 Hardy and Hawthorne, complete CHOICE classic novel
• Week 9 Formal Novel Study and Book Review DUE
• Week 10 Hearn, O'Henry and Huxley
• Week 11 Jackson and Irving
• Week 12 London and Maugham
• Week 13 Maurois and Melville
• Week 14 Merimee and O'Flaherty
• Week 15 Poe and Saroyan
• Week 16 Steinbeck and Tolstoy
• Week 17 FINAL

Course Work

Important keys for success:

• Don't wait a minute. Get started right away and keep working. You'll find plenty to keep you busy each of the 17 weeks of the class! Tick tock . . .
• Set aside a consistent time EVERY DAY to work on class assignments. Set up a schedule and stick to it!
• Ask questions when needed. Read the instructions again, and then ask if you need help. Don't hesitate even three seconds!
• Use the Checklist as a list of assignments required for course completion.
• When given instructions for revising an assignment, follow them.
• Be curious, determined, persistent, humorous, independent, and curious again.

Reading: The body of reading in this course includes background information from online resources, and short stories by world class authors. All literary reading can be found online. Printing a hard copy of the stories is recommended so the student can highlight meaningful text, and take notes in the margins. Finding a comfortable place to read adds a priceless component to the reading atmosphere. In addition to the online short stories, a classic novel is required to be read and analyzed. Students are responsible to obtain a copy of their chosen novel from the library or bookstore. Recommendations are to obtain a copy of their own, to build their library, and to be able to highlight passages.

Assignments: Reflections, essays, and other writing will be submitted through email. Students are strongly encouraged to work in a regular word processing program, using spell check and SAVING completed work. A simple copy/paste process of the text into an assessment or drop box section readies the assignment for submission.

Students will use a course Checklist to determine which specific assignments are required to complete the course. Assignments need to be completed sequentially, as the literary units are organized chronologically.

Calendar: The course Checklist provides a pacing calendar to help students know what assignments should be completed during each week. Grades will be available online for students and parents to view. Parents will be notified of progress that does not meet satisfactory standards. Parents are always welcome to email the teacher with questions regarding progress.

 

Grading Description

 

A = 93 - 100%

A- = 90 - 92.9%

B+ = 87 - 89.9%

B = 83 - 86.9%

B- = 80 - 82.9%

C+ = 77 - 79.9%

C = 73 - 76.9%

C- = 70 - 72.9%

D = 60 - 69.9%

F = 0 - 59.9%

Note: Grades of D are not considered passing for Federal Way Public School students.

 

It is very important for student writers to know how their writing will be assessed and to see good examples of the kind of writing they are asked to write. Student examples are provided online where available.

Writing is assessed using the Three Trait Writing Rubrics adopted by the Federal Way School District. A final passing grade (C) will be earned by completing all lessons at a level demonstrating ability to meet the standards for the course. To earn a B or an A, writing needs to demonstrate a higher, richer, deeper level of understanding of the concepts taught.

Students are expected to keep up with the course schedule outline on the checklist. If assignments have not been turned in for the current week, a MISSING grade will be entered, factoring in a zero score for that assignment. When the assignment has been completed, the actual score for the work will replace the MISSING grade.

Revision Policy: The goal of this class is learning! Students have the opportunity to revise work until it meets standards and will be given additional instruction on work that does not yet meet requirements. The learning is what is important, whether it takes one try, or several.

• No grade penalty for revised work.
• Revisions need to be resubmitted within one week, with revised sections clearly marked in another color.
• If the original assignment is resubmitted, a final score will be recorded.

Work submitted in bulk, i.e. one whole lesson or more at a time, may not receive the individual feedback that can be given if work is submitted on schedule. Bulk work submitted during the last two weeks of the semester will be evaluated to determine if standards have been met, and a grade of "pass" will be assigned.

Evaluation of progress can be monitored by accessing the student's online gradebook and parents will be notified if progress does not meet satisfactory standards. Any questions are welcomed by the teacher.

By turning in work steadily each week, you are given the feedback needed to revise work and the opportunity for additional learning with your teacher which can result in the highest grade possible. The opportunity is lost if you choose to wait until the end of the course to turn in the bulk of your assignments. Your grade will be negatively impacted if you turn in more than one unit's worth of work in a week near the end of the 17-week course. You will have lost the opportunity for revisions, feedback and the one-on-one teaching that you could have had throughout the course. If you have not turned in work each week, your teacher is unable to evaluate your learning and give you feedback in order to give you the opportunity to earn full credit.

It is very important for student writers to know how their writing will be assessed and to see good examples of the kind of writing they are asked to write. Student examples are provided online where available.

Writing is assessed using the Three Trait Writing Rubrics adopted by the Federal Way School District. A final passing grade (C) will be earned by completing all lessons at a level demonstrating ability to meet the standards for the course. To earn a B or an A, writing needs to demonstrate a higher, richer, deeper level of understanding of the concepts taught.

Students are expected to keep up with the course schedule outline on the checklist. If assignments have not been turned in for the current week, a MISSING grade will be entered, factoring in a zero score for that assignment. When the assignment has been completed, the actual score for the work will replace the MISSING grade.

Revision Policy: The goal of this class is learning! Students have the opportunity to revise work until it meets standards and will be given additional instruction on work that does not yet meet requirements. The learning is what is important, whether it takes one try, or several.

• No grade penalty for revised work.
• Revisions need to be resubmitted within one week, with revised sections clearly marked in another color.
• If the original assignment is resubmitted, a final score will be recorded.

Work submitted in bulk, i.e. one whole lesson or more at a time, may not receive the individual feedback that can be given if work is submitted on schedule. Bulk work submitted during the last two weeks of the semester will be evaluated to determine if standards have been met, and a grade of "pass" will be assigned.

Evaluation of progress can be monitored by accessing the student's online gradebook and parents will be notified if progress does not meet satisfactory standards. Any questions are welcomed by the teacher.  

Policies and Requirements

Academic integrity is essential to learning. Students are expected to complete their own work. Copying, plagiarizing, cheating or other methods of intentional deception are prohibited and may result in loss of grade or credit for the assignment or the course.

Expectations for assignment and course completion: IA students assume the major responsibility to be self-motivated, and to stay on target with the class. All work for the course must be completed at a passing level to earn credit, and must be completed within the school year or semester time. We expect students to consistently complete assignments for each class each week. Successful students use their class checklists to determine daily and weekly assignment schedules.

By turning in work steadily each week, students are given the feedback needed to revise and the opportunity for additional learning with their teacher resulting in the highest grade possible. This opportunity is lost if students choose to wait until the end of the course to turn in the majority of their assignments. Grades may be negatively impacted if work is submitted in bulk.

E-mail and software agreements: Students agree to maintain electronic integrity and face disciplinary measures if they do not abide by their promise.

Teachers reserve the right to make adjustments to the course content and expectations.

reserve the right to make adjustments to the course content and expectations.

 

 

Expectations

Students taking this class are expected to:

1. Contact their instructor each week by sending in several assignments. This lets the Internet Academy, parents and guardians, the school district, and the state know that students are attending class. It also helps students move at a steady pace toward completing the class in a reasonable amount of time. Students who do not meet this requirement will be withdrawn from the class.
2. Have the computer hardware and software necessary for the class work.
3. Communicate with the instructor in a clear, friendly, courteous manner. This includes signing communications with their full name and the name of the class they are in.
4. Communicate in Standard English. "e-english," the informal, lower-case, run-together communications used in chat rooms, is appropriate for the audiences and purposes of some e-mail. It is not appropriate for communicating with an instructor in class.
5. Turn in original work. Internet Academy teachers monitor for intentional deception through the use of an on-line subscription service and IA email archives. The consequences for intentional deception (copying, plagiarism, cheating, using someone else's work) may result in:
   • No credit for the assignment
   • Parent contact
   • Proctored testing
   • Failing the course
6. Do their very best work at all times.
7. Proceed at a steady pace toward finishing the class.
8. Have fun writing, reading, and learning!!

The instructor of this course is expected to:

1. Know the course material.
2. Communicate at least weekly with students and guardians in a clear, friendly, and courteous manner.
3. Respond to emails within a reasonable amount of time. It is your instructor's goal to answer QUESTIONS and HELP requests within one school day during the school week. Assignments will be graded and returned within three school days of receipt.
4. Be available for meetings and tutorials, and return phone calls promptly.
5. Keep accurate records.
6. Encourage and maintain high standards.
7. Help make learning fun!

Tech Support:

• Tech Help
  • 253-945-2249
  • helpdesk@iacademy.org

Weekly Contact Requirements: Students are expected to submit work each week following the provided checklist. They are also expected to maintain weekly communication with their teacher, ask for assistance when needed, and respond to e-mails from the teacher. If they are having trouble keeping up with the checklist, they should email their teacher immediately. The teacher is flexible and willing to work with students to meet their needs as they are communicated. If students are unable to meet these expectations, they will be dropped from the class for lack of attendance.