English 9A
Writing is a major tool that people use every day and
in practically every way in our modern world. Indeed,
we are finding that people now are writing more than
they ever have before. Not only are they doing
traditional writing--letters of all sorts, business
reports, recommendations, summaries, and much, much
more, they are also sending e-mail messages and
creating web pages, both of which are writing
activities.
Students
will apply skills to a number of writing situations, and
learn techniques that can be used in nearly every
writing situation.
Students
will be introduced to different types of writing--
speeches, essays, and research writing. They'll learn
the secrets of successful reading and skills to help
increase their vocabulary and read excerpts from a
variety of literary works (some famous and others not as
well-known), as well as from "everyday" writing.
Activities:
5 quizzes, 11 writing assignments, 4 online discussion
group assignments.
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and course outline in PDF Format.
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English 9B
Students will encounter many of the aspects of what
keeps a language “alive”—reading the words that others
have written, listening to the words that others have
spoken, and writing words of their own. Students will
apply their skills to a number of writing situations,
and learn techniques they can use in nearly every
writing situation. Students will be introduced to
different types of writing--short stories, poetry,
novels, and nonfiction. They will learn the secrets of
successful reading and skills to help them increase
their vocabulary. They will read excerpts from a variety
of literary works (some famous and others not as
well-known), as well as from "everyday" writing.
Activities:
9 quizzes, 37 writing assignments, 12 online discussion
group assignments.
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and course outline in PDF Format.
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English 10A
This course takes an analytical approach to the reading
process. The student is first introduced to various
vocabulary and reading strategies that will enhance
understanding and concept retention of the literature
being read. Then a study of literature analysis is
presented, which introduces students to a breakdown of
the components of the elements of fiction and other
literature types. The student is then presented with the
necessary tools and examples to compose short stories
and essays, and is then challenged to write these types
of literature. Finally, students have the opportunity to
read a novel of their choice and analyze it thoroughly
using the strategies presented throughout the course.
In addition to the analysis and practice of the writing
process, students will be helped to strengthen their
English skills through the use of the “Vocabulary
Builder” exercises, which present a list of vocabulary
words that students encounter throughout the course; and
the “Mechanics” exercises, which reinforce concepts of
grammar, spelling, and punctuation vital to being
understood as a writer.
To illustrate the various analytical strategies,
students will be introduced to different types of
writing--short stories, novels, fairy tales, essays, and
research writing. They will learn the secrets of
successful reading and skills to help them increase
their vocabulary. They will read excerpts from a variety
of literary works (some famous and others not as
well-known), as well as from "everyday" writing.
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and course outline in PDF Format.
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English 10B
(NEW!)
This course affords students opportunities to read, analyze,
and respond thoughtfully to written text as they
explore three of four forms of literature: drama,
poetry, and selections from a variety of expository
prose genres including newspaper articles, feature
stories and editorials, brochures, pamphlets and
instructional guides, persuasive speeches, and
research papers. While the course reinforces students’
abilities to apply literal analysis to a select text,
the primary focus is on developing the skills of
interpretive, critical, and reflective analysis.
Through guided practice students are shown how to
recognize and compare the attributes among a variety
of literary genres, including the use of various genre
elements and appropriate form/structures.
This course also provides students a variety of opportunities
to practice acquired knowledge and skills through
written assignments of poetry, newspaper articles and
editorials, and an advertising brochure. In addition,
students will record a persuasive speech and follow a
process in the writing of a term paper.
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and outline in PDF Format.
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Reading
Comprehension: Reading Mega Mall
Overview: Students in this
course select and read a variety of books to improve
their literacy skills, gain an appreciation of different
literary genres, increase word knowledge, and improve
reading comprehension.
Learn to…
- Develop
fluency, competency, and independence in reading
- Implement
efficient study skills to increase learning from
printed text
- Use
a variety of effective, strategic methods when reading
and writing
- Access,
organize, and use information and insights from
reading to make connections with personal life and
meet personal, vocational, and academic needs
- Gain
awareness and appreciation for cultural diversity
through literary experiences
Activities: 11 activities,
15 quizzes, 5 projects
Optional Texts (student may select from):
Dakota Dream, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,
Hatchet, Justin Morgan Had a Horse, Half and Half,
The Face in My Mirror, A Lantern in Her Hand, Eva,
Voices After Midnight
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course description
and
course outline in PDF Format.
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Beginning
Composition: A Writing Roadtrip Overview: Students visit
six "Roadstops" to explore different types
of writing: short stories, speeches, some forms of
non-Western writing, field reports, essays, and research
writing. Short activities at each "Roadstop"
prepare students for longer writing projects. When
they have completed all the requirements at each "Roadstop,"
they head to their "Final Destination" for
revision of two of their writing projects.
Learn to…
- Explore
and write in a variety of genres
- Use
the stages of the writing process (prewriting, drafting,
peer review, and revising)
- Use
some of the strategies employed by professional
writers
- Experience
and imitate writing preferences popular in non-Western
cultures
- Appreciate
how writing methods and purpose are shaped by the
cultures in which they occur
Activities: 11 writing projects,
2 revisions, 5 quizzes
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course description
and
course outline in PDF Format.
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 World
Literature: In Search of Self
Overview: In this upper-level
course, students explore the universal nature of spiritual
and intellectual needs for love, justice, integrity,
knowledge, and acceptance. They acquire a vocabulary
of literary criticism and convention by examining
literary selections in their historical and cultural
perspectives, and use critical analysis to study the
literary techniques of classic authors.
Learn to…
- Read
with a critical focus
- See
literature in its historical and cultural perspective
- Recognize
and understand the techniques of characterization,
tone, mood, point of view, and imagery
- Respond
in a mature way to the authors' messages in discussion
and in written analysis
Activities: 12 newsgroup
activities, notebook activities, 1 course project,
7 multiple-choice, 2 essay evaluations
Required Texts: Beloved, Morrison,
Penguin/Putnam and Hamlet, Shakespeare, Simon
and Schuster
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and course
outline in PDF Format.
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American
Literature 1A:
Diversity in American Literature-Crossroads
Overview: Students explore
the themes of technology, language, illusion, and
independence by reading culturally diverse selections
within a variety of genres. Learning is enhanced through
multimedia presentations, vocabulary enrichment, textual
insights, and audio readings of excerpts.
Learn to…
- Develop
critical thinking and writing skills
- Explore
American literature through reading, writing, listening,
seeing, and speaking components
- Investigate
major themes in American literature
- See
writing as a form of thinking, self-expression,
and communication
Activities: 4 quizzes, 4
projects, 4 newsgroup activities
Required Texts: The Great Gatsby
(Fitzgerald, First Scribner Paperback Fiction edition
preferred, Simon and Schuster)
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course description
and
course outline in PDF Format.
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American
Literature 1B:
Diversity in American Literature-Hard Cover Café
Overview: This course examines
the literary treatment of human relations in a multicultural
society. Students read a diverse selection of American
literature about nature, ethnicity, gender, culture,
family, and identity to help students gain a better
understanding of people of different cultural backgrounds.
Learn to…
- Develop
critical and creative skills in thinking, writing,
and communication
- See
writing as a form of thinking, self-expression,
and communication
- Incorporate
grammatical and compositional information when writing
- Develop
multicultural awareness through reading, reflection,
application, and writing
- Analyze
and interpret diverse perspectives in major American
literary themes
Activities: 4 quizzes, 9
projects, 12 newsgroup activities
Required Texts: The House on Mango
Street (Cisneros, any edition, Random House), For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When
the Rainbow is Enuf (Shange, any edition,
Simon and Schuster)
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course description
and
course outline in PDF Format.
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Advanced
Composition:
Writing: A Window on the World Prerequisite:
Basic expository writing course
Overview: This upper-level
composition course teaches students the major steps
of the writing process, and how to write in many styles,
identify audiences, generate topics, organize and
edit information, and hone effective writing techniques.
Students build a portfolio and learn to critique the
work of others.
Learn to…
- Gain
greater fluency in putting personal ideas on paper
- Develop
and practice personal skills in observation and
critical thinking
- Bring
more focus to your writing
- Use
different approaches to editing, revising, and redrafting
papers in the development process
Activities: 6 assignments,
4 revisions, 1 final portfolio
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and
course outline in PDF Format.
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