English Language Arts 11

Course Guide | Spring 2016

I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage
man or the president of the university.
Albert Einstein

Contact Information

Schedule

Instructor: Jay Arellano

Voicemail: 303-982-1274
Email: jjarella@jeffco.k12.co.us
Resource: N206
Site: jjarella.wix.com/awestenglish

BLOCK 01 | PLANNING N221

BLOCK 02 | ENGLISH 11 N208
ADVISEMENT N137
BLOCK 03 | ENGLISH 10 N208

BLOCK 04 | ENGLISH 11 N206

BLOCK 05 | ENGLISH 10 N206
BLOCK 06 | ENGLISH 11 N206
BLOCK 07 | STUDY HALL N206

YOU MAY CONTACT ME THROUGH VOICEMAIL, BUT THE BEST RESOURCE IS EMAIL. WE ALL
MUST BALANCE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF OUR LIVES, SO PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF MY
BALANCE AND I WILL RESPOND IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Course Description
English Language Arts 11 develops students' writing skills, emphasizing clear, logical writing patterns,
word choice, and usage, which students apply to compositions that utilize research and rhetoric.
Students read nonfiction and literary works as a means to understand the world and to inform their
writing. Literary conventions and stylistic devices may receive greater emphasis than in previous
courses. Participation in class dialogue and delivering presentations are expectations of this course. This
course is intended to support your preparedness for the texts you will read and writing you will engage
throughout your life. To meet this goal we will work to develop the critical thinking and analysis skills it
takes to be an informed citizen through daily, in-class reading and writing. The skills you practice here
are relevant and will be used throughout your academic and professional career.

Major Assignments & Assessment

Your overall assessment is based on your completion of major paper assignments and participatory
assignments throughout the semester. You will be required periodically to access a printer, though
most of your work to be turned in electronically. Only major assignments are listed below and all dates
are tentative and subject to change.
ASSIGNMENT
Critical Review
Contemporary Memoir
Independent Composition
Revision Portfolio
Workshop**

DUE DATE*
Friday, February 19th by 11:59PM
Friday, April 1st by 11:59PM
Friday, April 29th by 11:59PM
Friday, May 20th by 11:59PM
ongoing

*ALL DATES SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION.

**SEE PARTICIPATION POLICY

LETTER

GRADING SCALE
C

GPA POINTS

Academic Integrity Policy

UC Berkeley suggests there is no single definition of academic integrity, but that most definitions found
in the literature and across higher education institutions consider academic integrity to entail honesty,
responsibility, and openness to both scholarship and scholarly activity. Thus, in the service of scholarly
pursuits and intellectual freedom I expect nothing less than complete academic integrity from you in
all aspects of this course. If I suspect academic dishonesty I will follow Arvada West and District policies
in an attempt to resolve the situation. If you have questions or need support in this regard come see me.

Participation Policy
I expect you to be adequately prepared for and actively participate in all aspects of this course.
Participation is not simply about how frequently you talk in class; it is about your performance as a
scholar and your contributions to our learning environment.

Late Policy
I expect you will participate in this course and complete all workshop and major assignments on time; I
will not accept late workshop assignments due to unexcused absences. All papers must be submitted
electronically by the specified date and timeif you are having trouble with this please see me ahead
of time, as I will not accept this as an excuse for late work. I will not accept late final projects.

Attendance Policy
Please refer to the Jefferson County Public Schools Conduct Code for information regarding excused and
unexcused absences. I expect you to be in class, in your seat, and prepared to learn at the beginning of
each period. Unexcused absences and unexcused instances of arriving late or leaving early will
negatively impact your recorded performance in this course.

Grade Policy
In general, all daily assignments, workshop assignments, conferences, papers, projects, portfolios, etc.
will be scored on the basis of completion (Complete: 100%, Partially Complete: 75%, Review
Instructions: 50%)
Student work, particularly our weekly and major/cornerstone genre writing projects, will be assessed
with a rubric; students will be provided with a rich and intensive feedback/revision cycle. I will follow
district assessment guidelines. Six-week, twelve-week, and semester grades will be determined in a
conference between me and the student based on the grade agreement developed and signed at the
start of the semester.

A bit of advice given to a young Native American at the time of

his initiation: As you go the way of life, you will see a great
chasm. Jump. It is not as wide as you think
Joseph Campbell