Young
Voices 
Course Description
This is a class for students who enjoy reading. The literature read in Young
Voices focuses on realistic situations involving teens. Major themes include:
coping with violence, dealing with alcoholism, prejudice and loneliness,
as well as responsibility, friendship, self-respect, grief, and courage.
We mostly read contemporary literature.
Course Structure
We will be reading every day. Instead of chapter questions, students will
keep a reader’s response log, in which reading is summarized, reflected
upon and analyzed. There will also be projects, presentations, and essays
in conjunction with the novels. Short stories, poems, songs, and movies
will accompany the novels. A major part of the course is class discussions,
so students must be willing to participate.
Typical class period:
• 30 minutes of teacher-led activity. This includes notes on topics from
literature, reading/discussing related poems and short stories, author biographies,
reading
comprehension activities, reading quizzes, student reading workshop, discussion,
and reflective writing on reading in general.
• 40-45 minutes of silent independent reading.
• 15-20 minutes of writing time.
Course Literature
Hate You by Graham McNamee
Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman
Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher
If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson
Swallowing Stones by Joyce McDonald
You Don’t Know Me by David Klass
Different Seasons by Stephen King (includes “The Body”)
Burning Up by Caroline B. Cooney
Leaving Home (anthology)
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Hero by S.L. Rottman
Students will also have the opportunity to read literature of their own selection
anytime they have finished the required reading. I have books you may borrow.
I expect you to have something to read every day.
My Expectations
Basic Class Rules/Philosophy:
1. No student has the right to insult or otherwise interfere with the work
of anyone else in the class.
2. Students in this classroom have permission to think differently, to take
risks with their thinking; therefore, anyone who criticizes another’s
ideas is undermining the class community.
3. I expect everyone in this class to show respect toward each other, the
classroom, and themselves. I often ask students to share their work or speak
in class. Students are simply expected to listen when others are speaking.
I do not expect that every individual in this room with agree with every
opinion expressed. If a student wishes to voice his/her disagreement, I expect
that it will be handled in a mature manner. I will not put up with an absence
of respect.
4. All work you submit for a grade should be your own. All writing must be
original.
5. Hate language is not tolerated.
Essentials for the Class:
1. An open mind.
2. Lined paper, preferably college-lined.
4. A writing utensil: pencil or pen. Ink may be blue or black.
5. Small sticky notes for making notes in books.
6. A binder – 1 ½ - 2 ” preferred – see portfolio
section below.
Late Work Policy: There should never be a time when students turn in work later than the due date. Late work should be completed for the portfolio, even if it is not submitted in time for a grade. Some major assignments may be accepted late for significantly reduced credit.
Portfolio
-You will be creating a portfolio of your work through the course of the
semester. This is not an extra assignment, but a place to showcase your
writing and a documentation of your growth as a writer and reader. This
portfolio will contain a variety of writing, as well as other class work.
-You will divide this portfolio into the following sections: Class Notes & Handouts,
Response Writing, Classwork, and Big Stuff (Projects, Essays, Presentations).
-This portfolio should be in the form of a 3-ring binder with dividers for
the sections. Each item in the portfolio should be organized in chronological
order, in the appropriate section. You may use sheet protectors.
Grading
Students will be graded on participation, response writing, classwork, essays,
projects, and quizzes.
Students should expect 2-3 pop quizzes over the assigned reading per novel
unit.
Students will be graded with a standard scale used by all Saline High School.
There will be no curve.
Classroom Library
The classroom library consists of my own books from home that I think students
might like, books that have been donated to me, and books that belong to
the English Department. (If you or your parents ever clean off your bookshelves
at home, please consider donating them to my classroom library.) Over the
past few years, I have loaned many of these books and have not always had
my books returned to me. You may check out any book that interests you.
However, because I want my library to grow, not shrink, I ask that you
follow my simple checkout process. Inside each book is a 3 x 5 card with
the book’s title on it. When checking out the book, write your name
on the book’s 3 x 5 card and give it to me. When you return the book,
I will put the card back in the book and reshelve it. (If you reshelve
it yourself, I won’t know that you have turned it in, so please turn
it in to me.)
Website:
I update my website daily with the day’s agenda, homework, and links
to assignments. The address is www.salineschools.com/users/kreplec ; you
can also navigate to it through the Saline Schools & Saline High School
homepages.
Things to remember:
• Students are expected to come to class prepared to work. This means bringing
all materials needed. Do not ask me for a pen or pencil. You will not be
permitted to go to your locker for forgotten homework or book.
• If you are absent, it is your responsibility to look at the website for
any make up work. If you still have questions after looking on the website, please
see me before or after class. I will not remind you to make up work.
• When you are absent, you have as many days as you were gone from class
to turn in the assignments you missed. I will NOT ask you for them. It is up
to you to turn these in promptly. Absent work is entered as I for Incomplete
(equaling a zero). Assignments not turned in at all are entered as M for
Missing (equaling a zero).
• The phone and computer are not for student use.
• No food. Drinks must have a lid.
• No electronic equipment, i.e. cell phone, iPod, portable CD player, etc.
• Disrespect will not be tolerated.
I LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT SEMESTER!
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