Ms. Gokturk

Calendar: www.checkthesite.com or www.surfturk.com

Office: 516.767.5868

 

10th Grade Composition

(Fall 2010)

 

 

What is a Composition?

Composition is a required tenth grade English class, which is designed to help students improve their reading and writing skills. This semester, the literature selected explores the role of individual as s/he exists in his/her society. The works reveal characters who find themselves in opposition of a larger group and how they cope with their feelings of isolation. In different ways, each work traces how characters attempt to find fulfillment, and how they succeed or fail in finding a suitable a place in a difficult world.

 

Core Questions

What does it mean to be a conformist, a non-conformist or a rebel? What are the gray areas?

What is an activist? What is a pacifist?

How does each of these roles benefit or destroy the individual?

Does the character have a positive or negative impact on his/her world?

When should one rebel or conform?

When does rebellion become conformity?

When should one stand up for a noble cause?

What does it mean to “come of age”?

How is a character’s age important in understanding his/her mindset?

What societal pressures may oppress the individual?

Course Materials:

Carla Allen’s Hey Little Walter

Sophocles’ Antigone

Jean Giono’s “The Man Who Planted Trees”

William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies

J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye and “A Perfect Day for Bananafish”

Dead Poet’s Society (film)

The Stanford Prison Experiment (documentary)

United States of Leeland (film)
Pleasantville (film)

 

Grading:

  • Quizzes. There are daily reading and vocabulary quizzes. Most quizzes are worth 25 points each. The lowest score will be dropped.
  • Homework. Most assignments are worth 10 points each. Homework is due that class after it was assigned unless otherwise noted.
  • Participation. This is one 100 point grade and is based on class participation, preparedness, punctuality, in-class assignments, attentiveness, and effort.
  • Projects, Essays, and Tests. These are usually worth 100 points, although long-term projects may be worth 200.

 

 

Attendance:

When you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed. You should use my website, contact a friend, and/or see me before our next class.

 

Turnitin.com:

All major assignments will be submitted to turnitin.com and graded online through GradeMark.

 

Class Rules:

  1. Be on time.
  2. Be prepared.
  3. Have a positive attitude.
  4. This is a cell phone-free zone, please!

 

Extra Help:

Please email me if you need help with an assignment, miss a class. You may schedule an appointment with me for help or see me 4-2 in the English Department. The Writing Center is located in Room 212 and is open every day during 4-1 and 4-2 or by appointment.