Contact Information: Phone Number
(630) 640 – 6534/email Jameswies@aol.com
Mr. James Wies
B.A, English – University of Iowa
M.A, English Governors State University
Secondary Education Certification, Governors State Universi
Courses Taught: English 10, 11, 12; Journalism and creative writing
Components of class grades: English 10,11,and 12
Daily Participation/Reading Quizzes 50%
Writing projects 30%
Participation/Discussion 20%
Components of class Grades: Electives
Literary Magazine/Newsletter 50%
Newsweek quizzes 30%
Participation/Discussion 20%
Homework Policy: For the most part, I will allocate sufficient time for students to complete their class work in school. In some cases, however, I will assign homework for those students who need extra skills practice. Also, students might need to finish their writing projects, essays, newsletter articles or creative writing assignments at home in order to meet their deadlines. Students will have several days notice before their writing projects are due, so they can plan accordingly. For late assignments, I will accept work up to three days late with a 10% penalty each day. For those students with an excused and legitimate absence, I will not assess the late work penalty.
Use of technology: In all classes, technology will be used to enhance the learning environment, as students will have access to such programs as Microsoft Word, Publisher and PowerPoint. Students will also learn how use the Internet as an effective research tool.
Course Descriptions
English
10_________________________________________________________
After reading selected short stories and poems from The Language of Literature and novels such as the Lord of the files and Fallen Angles, students will gain a basic understanding of literary elements such as plot, conflict and characterization. Also, students will learn grammar and vocabulary in contact, as they write, revise and edit each other’s paragraphs and essays. Finally, students will have an opportunity to express themselves creatively in a public speaking component in English 10, so students will be required to compose and deliver speeches throughout the semester.
English 11 and 12__________________________________________________
In English 11 and Effective writing, we will explore questions of identify and family relationships by reading James McBride’s The Color of water and viewing the film Antwon Fisher. Using the central question on what is the American Dream, we will read novels and plays suck as Of mice and Men and A Raisin in the Sun. In the second semester courses of Effective Writing And Writing for College, we turn our attention to non – fiction and our focus becomes more writing – intensive. Students will use the writing process and peer revision to draft a number of essays based on contemporary issues and topics.
The focus of English 12 is world literature. Students will read and study poems, plays and short stories from around the world; they will gain a better understanding of different cultural traditions. For a cumulative project, students will be required to create a computer – based, multi – media presentation that showcases the literature and culture of different country.
Journalism________________________________________________________
The purpose of Journalism is two – fold. First of all, by studying Newsweek, students will gain an understanding of current events and how the media can shape our understanding of our rapidly changing the world. Secondly, students will learn the basic of news reporting and editing by practicing such skills as interviewing. Internet searching and proofreading; digital pictures and text to publish a monthly newsletter.