weekly Schedule for english 100B

Friday class, Spring 2026

section 65 (F 9:00am - 11:45am; ONLINE)

be absolutely sure you are looking at the right schedule

Week One

1/23 Friday: Welcome! course overview/syllabus; thematic introduction to English 100B

HW Due: one page - what has been your experience with writing so far? good? bad? roller coaster? great experiences? terrible experiences? This paper should be typed, double-spaced in 12 point font; otherwise this is informal, full credit for completion. due before start of class Friday 1/30 in the class Canvas; Quiz #1 (syllabus quiz) must be completed in Canvas before start of class Friday 1/30

week two

1/30 Friday: finish thematic introduction to English 100B; begin discussing “Lost in the Meritocracy” by Walter Kirn

week three

2/6 Friday: finish discussing “Lost in the Meritocracy” by Walter Kirn

HW Due: read "Lost in the Meritocracy" by Walter Kirn (alternate link); Quiz #2 (based on the reading) must be completed in Canvas before the start of class 2/6 Friday

week four

2/13 Friday: introduce and discuss Essay #1 prompt

HW Due: read “Against School” by John Taylor Gatto; one page: 1st paragraph summarize Gatto’s criticism of school in America; 2nd paragraph your reaction - what do you think about Gatto’s critique? agree? disagree? why? - due before start of class Friday 2/13

week five

2/20 Friday: finish discussing Essay #1 prompt

HW Due: read “Are American Students Lazy?” by Scott Jaschik; "In Praise of the F Word" by Mary Sherry (alternate link); “At 13 Baltimore City high schools, zero students tested proficient on 2023 state math exam” by Chris Papst; “Recent Test Results Show Widening Gap between High- and Low-scoring K-12 Students” by Julien Lafortune and Iwunze Ugo

week six

2/27 Friday: introduction to “STRUCTURE” in writing

HW Due: “Boys left behind: Education gender gaps across the US” by Richard V. Reeves and Ember Smith; "Achievement Gap Between White and Black Students Still Gaping" by Lauren Camera; "Who's teaching L.A.'s kids?" by Jason Felch, Jason Song, and Doug Smith (alternative link); "In the Basement of the Ivory Tower" by Professor X (alternative link); Essay #1 Thesis Draft due by 11:59pm 3/1 Sunday

week seven

3/6 Friday: finish introduction to “STRUCTURE” in writing; the thesis statement

week eight

3/13 Friday: THE FOUR BIG THINGS; outlining Essay #1

HW Due: Essay #1 Outline due by 11:59pm Sunday 3/15

week nine

3/20 Friday: paragraph development and evidence

week ten

3/27 Friday: introductions, conclusions, MLA format

HW Due: Essay #1 Rough Draft due by 11:59pm 4/3 Friday (at least on to page 3 to earn full credit, but not expected to be complete - rough drafts are rough!)

HW Due: Essay #1 due by 11:59pm 4/5 Sunday

3/30 Monday - 4/5 Sunday - SPRING BREAK!

week eleven

4/10 Friday: introduce and discuss Essay #2 topic

HW Due: "All teachers fired at Rhode Island school" by Randi Kaye; HW Due: “Education secretary calls for 12-hour school days, longer school year” by Paul Connor; "Extended School Year Would Have Dire Economic Effects, Critics Say" by Cristina Corbin

week twelve

4/17 Friday: writing your Essay #2 claim (thesis);

HW Due: Quiz #3 must be completed in Canvas by 11:59pm Friday 4/17

HW Due: “To improve learning, some schools lengthen the school day or year” by Sarah Carr; “The Disadvantages of Longer School Days” by Kristine Tucker; “Summer learning loss: What is it, and what can we do about it?” by David M. Quinn and Morgan Polikoff: “Today’s Exhausted Superkids” by Frank Bruni (alternative link)

week thirteen

4/24 Friday: supporting your claim; outlining Essay #2; Essay #2 intro advice

HW Due: Essay #2 Outline due by 11:59pm 4/28 Tuesday

week fourteen

5/1 Friday: counterargument; purpose of sources; determining credibility of sources

HW Due: Essay #2 Rough Draft due by 11:59pm 5/7 Thursday

week fifteen

5/8 Friday: integrating sources effectively; MLA documentation; prepare for Final Exam

HW Due: Essay #2 due by 11:59pm 5/8 Friday; Quiz #4 must be completed by 11:59pm 5/8 Friday

***Essay #1 Revisions due by last day of Finals, 11:59pm 5/16 Saturday

week sixteen (5/11 Monday - 5/16 Saturday) - FINAL EXAMS

section 65 F 9:00am - your Final Exam is Friday 5/15 10:15am - 12:15pm