Ms. Chuc  
Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing
Email: tcd3942@lausd.net

John F. Kennedy High School - 2020 to 2021 School Year (Spring Semester)
Architecture/Digital Design/Filmmaking Magnet
Contemporary Composition

Student/Parent Office Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. from 2:20 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.  
Zoom Meeting ID: 850 8283 2057
Passcode: KENNEDY
Email/message Ms. Chuc via Schoology or Remind to schedule an appointment.
Email: tcd3942@lausd.net

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

Each session of the Contemporary Composition Course is 45 minutes of synchronous instruction and the remainder is asynchronous. The course aims to develop reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through the study of American literature, composition, and the many questions posed by a text. As you read in this class, consider central questions: What makes literary art great? What makes good writing? What makes it last? How do we decide what becomes part of a canon – part of what gets recommended for curriculum reading lists throughout time? Why do some stories fail while others surpass an author’s expectations? How can you make your own stories and essays better? How do you convince an audience that they’ve got to read something – that it’s worth their time?

We will focus on critical analysis of individual readings by American authors. You are required to keep a timely reading response journal of assigned prompts that will include such things as graphic organizers and other formative activities. These prompts will challenge you to develop a deeper reading of the texts and explore both your personal and scholarly viewpoints. Other prompts require specific tasks which will aid in developing your writing skills. At all times, be prepared to discuss any reading or reading response in a full class or small group setting. Be prepared as well to constructively evaluate and discuss peer comments. Participation in discussion and class activities is one of the most important elements of this course.

You will be expected to engage in works from various literary genres as you analyze writers’ choices and learn to provide insights about the intended effect of literary features. Students will also examine thematic connections between works of literature, and will develop their communication skills via argumentation, analysis, and creative writing, as well as by oral commentary and creative presentations. Students must complete all major projects and essays to pass the class.

Standards: The Common Core State Standards, which address expectations for Literature and Composition, include work with literature, informational texts, writing, speaking and listening, and language usage (grammar). Our goal is to enable students to become college and career ready and, upon graduation, to do the following:  Demonstrate independence, Build strong content knowledge, Adapt communication as necessary, Comprehend and critique, Value evidence to support arguments, Use technology and digital media effectively, Understand other perspectives and cultures

*Additional information regarding these standards can be located on this link: CA Common Core State Standards (or by typing in this address http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/finalelaccssstandards.pdf).

Required Assignments:
Quizzes, Tests, Group & Individual Research Presentations: several
Essays: may reach anywhere from 2-3 pages to 4-5 pages (typed, double-spaced) and include drafts, peer review, and writing activities. Based on class readings, your essays should seek to deeply engage a thesis developed through suggested topics, class discussion, or through your own assessment of a particular text.
E-Journals/Notebook in Google Classroom (combined with class notes): Assigned topics. Warm-ups are done in the first 5-10 minutes of class in your e-journal notebook or, when prompted, in a Google Classroom entry. For grammar warm-ups, we will be using No Red Ink. E-Notebook should include daily agenda, warm-ups, journal writings, and daily classwork. Additional assignments will include the use of Flipgrid, a video discussion app. If student and/or parent does not choose to do video recordings for discussion, please notify the teacher and an alternative method of completing the assignment will be provided. In-class writing assignments, study questions – To prepare you for exams and essays, study questions and study guides will be provided from a textbook or myself. You should have these completed for discussion purposes as well and will be expected to understand the material the questions cover. Be ready to form an opinion in class and to develop solid comments in response to each other’s thoughts.

Grading Scale:
A - 90 to 100% B - 80 to 89% C - 70 to 79% D - 60 to 69% F - 0 to 59%
Classwork - 30%  Essays - 30%  Tests/Quizzes/Projects - 30%  Homework - 10% (of total grade)

Cell phone policy: Cell phones should be used for purposes of on-task assignments only.

**Failure to turn in an assignment will result in a “missing” or 0% grade. Grades are based on total points earned for all work. Expect to check grades regularly.

Makeup Work Policy: You do not get an automatic extension for major assignments when you are absent. Please check with a friend first to find out what you missed after an absence, then message me ASAP if you have questions about the make-up work. Email the work when necessary. It is your responsibility to find out what work was missed during an absence. Check Google Classroom regularly to stay up to date. If you have a pattern of unexcused absences, I may not allow your make-up work. Make sure you notify me if you know you will be absent, especially if a test or major assignment is coming up. Clear your absences as well with the attendance office.

Class Materials/Supplies: Please make sure that you have working technology and a workspace to log onto synchronous and asynchronous zoom meetings. If you do not have the proper technology to do your work including wifi, please let me or your counselor know asap. Students are expected to download ebooks or pdfs as necessary. We will be using Pearson online, No Red Ink, Google Classroom, Schoology and other online platforms. E-books include The Narrative of Frederick Douglass written by himself, Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki. Some texts from Pearson online will include writers such as Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin and documents include the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, The Declaration of Independence, Haudenosaunee Confederacy formation documents. Educational websites will include https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360

Class Expectations/Code of Conduct: This class is not only run in an academic fashion but also run very much like a professional workplace even though we will be meeting online on Zoom, I still expect your best behavior.  Your best behavior is not only needed but expected throughout the year. In conjunction with our class discussion on expectations (the “social contract”), you are expected to follow the general guidelines of a successful student here at Kennedy: 1. Come to class prepared DAILY with materials and to participate, learn, and develop proficiency in departmental and Common Core Standards by working cooperatively with your peers in groups, with a partner and individually.. 2. To help class achievement, be a responsible class citizen and value all members of our school community. Respect others and use appropriate language. Disruptions, disrespect, or defiance will not be tolerated and the school’s discipline code will be enforced. (Example: warning, parent conference, dean and/or principal meeting). 3. Unless directly related to classroom lessons, electronic devices can distract and deter student achievement. Cell phones, iPods, headphones, etc. are not allowed in class when not related to the lesson at hand. If this becomes a problem for you and polite warnings are unheeded, parents will be called, a parent conference will be scheduled.  5. Be honest. In an English class, we uphold standards set by the Modern Language Association (MLA). Thus, the following is highly important: • Use only your own original work to complete assignments. • Use proper MLA format, parenthetical citations, and works cited pages to indicate your sources. • Acknowledge direct use of someone else’s words, any words you paraphrase from any source, direct use of someone else’s ideas and material obtained through any source including material obtained from the internet and other databases. • Any copying of work on your essays, no matter how minor, will not be tolerated and will result in points lost. You may be required to submit papers through Turnitin first. Turnitin will let you know of any revision or accidental plagiarism issues you may need to resolve before turning in the final draft to me. You will be allowed to revise after Turnitin.

Discipline: Because I care for the learning of ALL of my students, I do not tolerate inappropriate behavior, cheating, and/or disrespect. Any disregard for the above outlined code of conduct and behavior expectations will result in disciplinary action. Usual disciplinary actions: 1st stage: verbal warning or talk with student, 2nd stage: formal meeting with student via Zoom meeting with an administrator or counselor and 3rd stage: email or call home to parent, 4th stage: a parent meeting and referral to the dean.


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I have read and understand the policies for Ms. Chuc’s Contemporary Composition Course. I am aware that literature related movies rated PG may occasionally have strong language or some suggestive material. I give permission for my student to watch clips from various literature related movies, news, political or satirical programs, including movies based on literature such as The Great Gatsby and Farewell to Manzanar (Rated R material would require approval from the principal and separate permission slips).