Academia Santa Rosa
Bayamon, P.R.
English Syllabus 2015-2016 for Tenth Grade
Teacher: Luis A. Sanchez Galan
Email address: [email protected]
Required Textbook: Pearson E-text
Blog: lsanchezasr.wordpress.com
I. Course Description
The course presents fundamental concepts with regards to reading to promote the development
of critical thinking as well as perceptual analysis. This course has been designed to address
comprehension shifts in literature. It enhances students’ performance with the usage of
technology. Textbooks have been substituted by a digitalized, dynamic, and updated
technological system. Students in ESL class will be expected to demonstrate increasing
competency in English language skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking, including the
application of grammatical conventions. All of this will be ensured with a critical analysis of
literature.
II. Course objectives
To create an individual capable of the analytical description of the various points of view
embedded in the given literary work so that he or she may look beyond the real expectations of
society.
 Use technology to have interactive lessons interactive lessons and improve skills
 Build content knowledge by reading complex text-literary and informational
 Provide written and oral responses to prompts that require students to cite evidence
from the text-literary and informational
 Encounter complex texts to analyze and internalize the texts academic language and
vocabulary
 Participate in classroom discussions and give class presentations
 Acquire vocabulary needed to obtain and process information for different genres
 Analyze stories in order for us to appreciate life from the authors perspective
 Produce written work according to style and academic purposes
 While reading we must become the author and for moment forget ourselves
 Essay elaboration, a product of everyday expression
This course enhances and expands the student’s abilities and skills in the following areas:
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Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing
III. Content Outline (Dates are estimates and content is subject to change*)
August/ September*
Unit 1
 “Can progress be made without conflict?”
Theme
 Introducing the Big Question
 Short stories: “The Monkey’s Paw” W.W. Jacobs, “The Street of the Cañon” Josephina
Niggli, “Civil Peace” Chinua Achebe
 Memoir: “From Swimming to Antarctica” Lynne Cox
 Autobiography: “Occupation: Conductorette” from “I know Why the Caged Bird Sings”
Maya Angelou
 Radio Transcript: from “The Upside of Quitting” Freakonomics Radio
 Magazine Article: from “The Winning Edge”
 Speech: “Science Fiction and the Future” Ursula K. Le Guin
 Independent Reading: “Maze Runner” James Dashner
Skills
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Identify elements of a short story
Analyze text, characters, plot and context
Make inferences
Analyze point of view
Discuss and debate the text
Comparison essays
Create a short story yourself
Identify vocabulary
Making a book report
Evaluation: 1 Test and 1 essay test 100 points each, Assessment points 100, Homework points
100, book report 100 points
October/ November*
Unit 2
 “What kind of knowledge changes our lives?”
Theme
 Introducing the Big Question
 Nonfiction Readings: “Keep Memory Alive” Elie Wiesel,
 Humorous Speech: “A toast to the oldest inhabitant: The Weather of New England” Mark
Twain
 Humorous Essay: “ The Dog That Bit People” James Thurber
 Expository Essay: “ How to React to Familiar Faces” Umberto Eco
 Novel Excerpt: from “Magdalena Looking” Susan Vreeland
 Science Writing: “How to look at nothing” from “How to Use Your Eyes” James Elkins
 Independent Reading: “The Diary of Ann Frank” Ann Frank
Skills
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Identify elements of Nonfiction, Humor and Expository literature
Analyze text, characters, plot and context
Make inferences
Analyze point of view
Discuss and debate the text
Comparison essays
Create a Nonfiction or humorous story about yourself
Identify vocabulary
Making an oral report
Character description
Contextualize historical backgrounds and perceptions
Evaluation: 1 Home Test and 1 Essay test 100 points each, Assessment points 100, Homework
points 100, Oral report 100 points
December/ January*
Unit 3
 “Does all communication serve a positive purpose?”
Theme
 Poems: “Making a Fist” Naomi Shihab Nye, “The Fish” Elizabeth Bishop, “Sonnet 18”
William Shakespeare, “ One cannot ask loneliness” Priest Jakuren, “Was it that I went to
sleep” Ono Komachi, “Do not go gentile into that good night” Dylan Thomas
 Independent Reading: “To Kill a Mocking Bird” Harper Lee
Skills
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Identify elements of poetry and insight
Analyze text, characters, plot and context
Make inferences
Analyze point of view
Discuss and debate the text
Short comparison essays
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Create a poem about yourself
Identify vocabulary
Character description
Contextualize historical backgrounds and perceptions
Analytical Essay
Evaluation: 1 Home Test and 1 Essay test 100 points each, Assessment points 100, Homework
points 100 and Analytical Report 100 points
February/ March*
Unit 4
 Dramas: “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” William Shakespeare (Act I-V), from “A Raisin
in the Sun” Lorraine Hansberry
 Independent Reading: “Murder on the Orient Express”
Skills
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Identify elements of Drama
Analyze text, characters, plot and context
Make inferences
Analyze point of view
Discuss and debate the text
Short comparison essays
Create a Drama with your classmates
Identify vocabulary
Character description
Contextualize historical backgrounds and perceptions
Analytical Essay
Evaluation: 1 Test and 1 Essay test 100 points each, Assessment points 100, Homework points
100 and Analytical Essay100 points
April/ May*
Unit 5
 “Can anyone be a hero?”
Themes
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Skills
Myth: “Prometheus and the First People” Olivia E. Coolidge
Epic: from “Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali” D.T. Niane
Legend: “Damond and Pythias” Retold by William F. Russell
Fairy Tale: “Ashputtle” The Brothers Grim
Parody: from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” Mark Twain
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Identify elements of Myth, Fairy Tale, Epic, Legend and Parody
Analyze text, characters, plot and context
Make inferences
Analyze point of view
Discuss and debate the text
Short comparison essays
Create a Drama with your classmates
Identify vocabulary
Character description
Contextualize historical backgrounds and perceptions
Research your favorite author and give an oral report
Evaluation: 1 Home Test and 1 Research paper 100 points each, Assessment points 100,
Homework points 100 and Research oral report100 points
IV. Reference and Materials
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Curriculum,
Computer, Internet, Projector, Smart Board
Teachers Guide
Pearson E-text
Handouts
Computer Lab
Dictionaries
Supplementary Reading
V. Teaching Strategies
 Audio Visual Material
 Cooperative Group Projects
 Supervised debates and classroom discussions with guiding questions and active
participation of the student
 Watch Videos
 Games
 On-line Activities
 Journal
 Field Trip
 Special Projects
 Power Point Presentations
 Home Work
 Oral Presentations
 Vocabulary
 Movies
VI. Evaluation Criteria and Methods
Each student’s grade will be determined by:
 Points for effort and participation in class
 Home Work, assignments and projects
 Demonstration of Achievements of course objectives through performance on essays and
tests
The point value of each score depends on the complexity and quality of the assignment,
project or test. Scores are shown as fractions, which reflect actual points achieved compared
to total potential points for the particular assignment, project or test. These evaluations are
divided into assessment and formal; they could also be summative and formative:
Formal Evaluation: Summative: Test and Special Projects
Assessment: Summative: Homework and Special Proyects
Formative:
 Audio Visual Material
 Cooperative Group Projects
 Supervised debates and classroom discussions with guiding questions and active
participation of the student
 Watch Videos
 Games
 On-line Activities
 Journal
 Field Trip
 Special Projects
 Power Point Presentations
 Home Work
 Oral Presentations
 Vocabulary
 Movies
 Research
 Book Reports
Marking Grading Criteria
At the end of each marking period, the total points achieved will be calculated. That cumulative
will be divided by the total potential points for all assignments, projects, and test in their marking
period. The resulting percentage is reflected by the percentage grade average according to the
grading scale:
50%-55% Summative evaluation
25% 50% Formative Evaluation
These evaluations are subject to change depending on the students’ needs and learning skills and
levels.
VII. Course Requirements
 The students will be responsible for keeping a record of the grades per trimester.
 Uniform must be in accordance to the Student Manual.
 Part IX of The Student Manual states that boys cannot use accessories such as earrings,
sunglasses, neckless, hats, headbands or any other thing that recedes on the head.
 Girls cannot use makeup, nail polish, hip accessories (except black and white) acrylic
nails, neckless and bracelets.
 To attend and be punctual except with reasonable excuse.
 To remain in the Academia Santa Rosa during school hours.
 To bring warnings and documents properly signed by the parents and/or person in charge
(cannot forge the signature).
 Use proper and respectful vocabulary.
 Bring written excuse when absent and it has to include the students name, group, reason,
date and signed by the parent or person in charge.
 To bring all the assigned materials and books every single day.
 If for any reason, a parent brings any material to the student he or she must leave the
material at the office, and the student will called to pick it up during recess or lunch hour.
 The student must wait to be called.
 The student will be responsible to complete every activity homework or project alone. If
the student is absent, he or she will be responsible to complete any activity, homework,
class work, or material given in class. If the student was absent for a test, must be ready
to take it when he or she returns to school. The student must bring an excuse to be able to
take the test, if not, the evaluation will be 0%.
For satisfactory performance, students will
 Complete assigned homework and reading assignments by the due dates and pass
test on the content. Care about your work.
 Listen to, question, and discuss the material in class.
 Ask relevant questions during class, pay attention to the teacher. Do not interrupt
when other people are talking.
 Behave with courtesy towards other students and the teacher.
 Raise your hand for questions.
 No heads down on the desk and no feet on tables or chairs.
 Return classroom materials, desk, tables and chairs to their proper place after use,
and at the end of each class period. Ask permission before opening windows,
using a computer, and other materials.
 Be gentle with classroom equipment, including computers.
 Take objects to the trash can and throw them away (no basketball practice please)
and take care of the classroom.
Prepared and revised by: Luis A. Sanchez Galan
June 15, 2015 *Subject to change