Short Story
Charlie Appleby [email protected]
Room 210 [email protected]
Respect Responsibility Prepared
You are responsible for the information detailed in this syllabus. Keep this safe and available to use when needed. The calendar reading/movie list is subject to change.
Short Story is designed to introduce students to the art of the short story and to acquaint them with some of its most talented writers. During the semester we will read short stories from various cultures and countries, ranging from stories written in the early nineteenth-century to those written within the last few years. We will often read one story for each class meeting and it is important that the story is read in advance of our discussion. This course is intended to help one learn how to read fiction, how to understand it, and how to talk about it. The desire to tell stories is one of the most basic human needs, and all cultures have been defined in part by the stories they hear and the stories they tell. We will also explore the historical development of the short story genre, and examine how historical contexts relate to the content and style of the stories under discussion.
Scope and sequence
coming soon!
Reading
You will be given some time in class to read the stories, however, expect reading homework almost every night. Much of class will be devoted to discussion, working on class assignments, and projects.
Socratic Seminars
In this class we will hold several Socratic Seminars. These will require you to come to class prepared with talking points about what we have been reading or discussing in class. Please see the attached handout about Socratic Seminars.
Movies and TV
We will view some videos, movies and TV shows in order to help explore the short story genre. If you miss a class where we are viewing a movie it will be up to you to come in and watch what you missed on your own time. Anything that we watch I consider important and will be a part of the tested curriculum.
Tests
There will be tests and quizzes in this class. While I want to make sure that you understand the plot and characters in the stories we read, only about half of each quiz or test will be asking those questions. At least half of each test or quiz will be looking for an understanding of theme. What is the author saying about human nature, about life? We will also look in depth into the use of symbols in short stories and other media.
Semester Final
While we will not have a comprehensive quarter test, there will be a semester final that will cover all that we read, watch and discuss in the class. I recommend that you have a separate folder or binder for your Short Story materials and that you keep everything for the entire semester.
SSR
You will have two SSR book assignments this semester. First semester you must choose an anthology of short stories from multiple authors. Second semester you may choose an author of short stories and dive into their work.
Every early out will also be SSR days for the class. This means that you must bring your book and read through the period. Each SSR period is worth 10 points in the grade book and can be made up at home if you are absent. You must only bring a note saying that you read for ½ hour signed by a parent, guardian, or teacher.
Use of Technology
I am a huge proponent of the school’s cell phone use policy. I have witnessed the good that can come from the ability to access information, or to communicate with parents. That being said, if I believe that you are abusing the use of the cell phone I will take it and you can retrieve it at the end of the period. If it happens twice you can retrieve it at the end of the day, the third time the phone goes to the office, and you will have to deal with them to retrieve it. Abuse includes playing games or texting during lectures, movies, discussions, or presentations or viewing inappropriate sites or pictures at anytime.
Rules and Expectations
BE PROMPT
BE PREPARED
BE ON TASK
BE COURTEOUS and RESPECTFUL
BE OPEN, HONEST, and ORIGINAL
Room 210 [email protected]
Respect Responsibility Prepared
You are responsible for the information detailed in this syllabus. Keep this safe and available to use when needed. The calendar reading/movie list is subject to change.
Short Story is designed to introduce students to the art of the short story and to acquaint them with some of its most talented writers. During the semester we will read short stories from various cultures and countries, ranging from stories written in the early nineteenth-century to those written within the last few years. We will often read one story for each class meeting and it is important that the story is read in advance of our discussion. This course is intended to help one learn how to read fiction, how to understand it, and how to talk about it. The desire to tell stories is one of the most basic human needs, and all cultures have been defined in part by the stories they hear and the stories they tell. We will also explore the historical development of the short story genre, and examine how historical contexts relate to the content and style of the stories under discussion.
Scope and sequence
coming soon!
Reading
You will be given some time in class to read the stories, however, expect reading homework almost every night. Much of class will be devoted to discussion, working on class assignments, and projects.
Socratic Seminars
In this class we will hold several Socratic Seminars. These will require you to come to class prepared with talking points about what we have been reading or discussing in class. Please see the attached handout about Socratic Seminars.
Movies and TV
We will view some videos, movies and TV shows in order to help explore the short story genre. If you miss a class where we are viewing a movie it will be up to you to come in and watch what you missed on your own time. Anything that we watch I consider important and will be a part of the tested curriculum.
Tests
There will be tests and quizzes in this class. While I want to make sure that you understand the plot and characters in the stories we read, only about half of each quiz or test will be asking those questions. At least half of each test or quiz will be looking for an understanding of theme. What is the author saying about human nature, about life? We will also look in depth into the use of symbols in short stories and other media.
Semester Final
While we will not have a comprehensive quarter test, there will be a semester final that will cover all that we read, watch and discuss in the class. I recommend that you have a separate folder or binder for your Short Story materials and that you keep everything for the entire semester.
SSR
You will have two SSR book assignments this semester. First semester you must choose an anthology of short stories from multiple authors. Second semester you may choose an author of short stories and dive into their work.
Every early out will also be SSR days for the class. This means that you must bring your book and read through the period. Each SSR period is worth 10 points in the grade book and can be made up at home if you are absent. You must only bring a note saying that you read for ½ hour signed by a parent, guardian, or teacher.
Use of Technology
I am a huge proponent of the school’s cell phone use policy. I have witnessed the good that can come from the ability to access information, or to communicate with parents. That being said, if I believe that you are abusing the use of the cell phone I will take it and you can retrieve it at the end of the period. If it happens twice you can retrieve it at the end of the day, the third time the phone goes to the office, and you will have to deal with them to retrieve it. Abuse includes playing games or texting during lectures, movies, discussions, or presentations or viewing inappropriate sites or pictures at anytime.
Rules and Expectations
BE PROMPT
BE PREPARED
BE ON TASK
BE COURTEOUS and RESPECTFUL
BE OPEN, HONEST, and ORIGINAL