This syllabus outlines an 11th grade English course that runs from August 2013 to May 2014. The course aims to improve students' basic English skills through reading, writing, listening, speaking, and interpreting different genres. It covers 6 units over the academic year, including memoir, personal narrative, persuasion, mystery, historical nonfiction, and poetry. Students will complete various writing assignments, exams, presentations, and daily work. The syllabus also provides information on textbooks, resources, grading policies, attendance policies, and the instructor's contact details.

1. Course Syllabus
Course Title: English 11th
Grade Level
Course Number:
Credits: 1 Credit
Texts: English Leading to Professions (2003). Pearson Education , Inc. Upper
Saddle River, NJ.
Fuchs, M. (1999). The Oxford Picture Dictionary: Beginning Workbook.
Oxford University Press. New York, NY
Shapiro, N. & Goldstein, J. A. (1998). The Oxford Picture Dictionary:
English/Spanish. Oxford University Press. New York, NY
Timeless Voice, Timeless Themes. (2000). Prentice-Hall, Inc. Upper
Saddle River, NJ.
Writing for the Real World. (2002). Pearson Education , Inc. Upper
Saddle River, NJ.
Internet Resources: www.edhelper.com
www.youtube.com
www.google.com
Academic Term: August 2013 – May 2014
Course Hours: 8:00 – 3:00pm, Monday-Friday
Office Hours: 2:10 – 3:00pm
Professor: Eric J. Cruz
Email: cirecruz@yahoo.com
Blog: http://miztercruzenglish.blogspot.com
Course Description:
This course is designed to help students to improve their Basic English skills. The student
progresses from listening skills to writing skills. The student will communicate, read, interpret,
and write using the Basic English language skills.
Justification:
The course is important so that students can learn how to communicate effectively in oral and
written English language. The second language (L2) should be learned in a creative, reflexive,
and critical manner.
General Objectives:
1- The student uses the English language to interpret oral input, construct meaning, interact with
confidence both verbally and nonverbally, and to express ideas effectively in a variety of
personal, social, and academic contexts.
2- The student uses reading strategies, literary analysis, and critical thinking skills to construct
meaning and develop an understanding as well as an appreciation of a variety of genres of
both fiction and nonfiction.
3- The student effectively communicates to a variety of audiences in all forms of writing
through the use of the writing process, proper grammar, and age appropriate expressive
vocabulary.

2. Specific Objectives:
1- Use the oral language to communicate effectively in the English language.
2- Use the written language to communicate effectively in the English language.
3- Interpret the different types of reading genres.
4- Identify the story elements in a short story or novel.
5- Use the correct grammar and spelling to communicate effectively orally and in written form.
6- Identify the parts of speech in a sentence, paragraph, and reading selection.
Instructional Strategies:
1- Collage
2- Comic Strips
3- Compositions
4- Conceptual Maps
5- Concrete Poem
6- Conversations
7- Dramas
8- Drawings
9- Essays
10- Homework
11- Open-ended Questions
12- Portfolios
13- Quizzes
14- Rubrics
15- Story Maps
16- T-Charts
17- Venn Diagrams
18- Word Search
19- Writing Assignments
Thematic Content/Itinerary:
Unit 11.1 Memoir (6 weeks)
11th
Grade Diagnostic Test (No Grading)
Readings
• Excerpt from, “When I was a Puerto Rican”, by Esmeralda Santiago
• Excerpt from, Against all Odds, A story of Survival on 9/11 by Lauren Manning
• A short memoir of 9/11 by The Invisible Man
Punctuation Marks
Editing and Revising
Memoir Essay
Memoir Oral Presentation
Listening Skills Quiz
Unit 11.2 Personal Narrative (5 weeks)
Readings
• Papa’s Parrot by Cynthia Rylant page 481 (Story: Identify with a Character)
Story Elements

3. • Character
• Plot
• Theme
Narrative Essay
Cause and Effect
Making Inferences
Predicting
Run on Sentences
Unit 11.3: Persuasion (7 weeks)
Readings
• Barrio Boy by Ernesto Galarza page 611 (Story: Author’s Purpose)
Persuasive Essay
Editorial
Main Idea
Supporting Details
Unit 11.4: It’s a Mystery (6 weeks)
Readings
• The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
Story Elements
• Setting
• Point of view
Expository Essay
Expository Oral Presentation
Compare and Contrast
Detective Activity
Unit 11.5 Historical and Nonfiction (6 weeks)
Readings
• A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl by Patricia McKissack and Rosa
Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks with Jim Haskins.
Fiction/Nonfiction
Oral Presentation on Research
Compare and Contrast Essay (Fiction/Nonfiction)
Unit 11.6 Poetry (6 weeks)
Readings
• The Esquimos Have No Word for “War” by Mary Oliver
http://www.panhala.net/Archive/The_Esquimos.html
• Ode to Pablo’s Tennis Shoes” (attachment: 11.6 Learning Activity – Soto Ode)
Story Elements
• Tone, voice, and mood
Genre, imagery, figurative language, and symbolism
Write a Poem

4. 10th
Grade Post Test (No Grading)
Class Policies and Procedures
Attendance
Student is required to attend class everyday. If the student is absent he should present a written
excuse prepared by a doctor or guardian. After five unexcused absences the student will be
referred to the social worker. Student with more than 30 absences automatically will fail the
English course. If student is late three days it will count towards one absence.
Behavior
Students must behave with respect towards the teacher and other classmates. Students with
disciplinary problems will be referred to the social worker to conduct a meeting with parents.
Students must always be on their best behavior and avoid loud noises and distractions in the
classroom.
Late Exams
Students have one (1) week, approximately five (5) school days, to make up exams they have not
taken. They must also present a valid excuse for missing the exam.
Late Assignments
Students will be given one (1) week to hand in late assignments, approximately five (5) school
days. If a student is unable to hand in the assignment prior to the extension, he will receive a 0.
Plagiarism
All assignments must be presented using your own words and ideas. This is considered
academic dishonesty and can result in a failing grade in the assignment, exam, and even the
course.
Grading Formula
100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59-0 F

5. Point Value for Course Assignments
Exams (10) 100pts each
Listening Skills Quiz 100 pts.
Writing Assignments (Essays, Compositions, Editorial) (5) 100pts each
Daily Assignments/Homework 100pts
Special Assignments 100pts
2 Oral Presentation 100pts each
Note: The assignments are subject to change due to weather conditions, school activities, and
other obstacles that may interfere in the activities planned in the classroom for assessment and
grading.

6. Point Value for Course Assignments
Exams (10) 100pts each
Listening Skills Quiz 100 pts.
Writing Assignments (Essays, Compositions, Editorial) (5) 100pts each
Daily Assignments/Homework 100pts
Special Assignments 100pts
2 Oral Presentation 100pts each
Note: The assignments are subject to change due to weather conditions, school activities, and
other obstacles that may interfere in the activities planned in the classroom for assessment and
grading.