Syllabus- English 9

Term:  Fall 2006-Spring 2007

Course Description
This course, which is offered to the entire freshman class, focuses on communication skills, literature, writing, informational and narrative reading, and English language usage.  Academic, personal management, and teamwork skills are integrated into the course.

Required Materials
Students are expected to bring a writing utensil and notebook to class.  They should also have one or more of the following texts as directed by the instructor:
Literature:  Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes, Gold Edition, Prentice Hall, 1999
This text includes various short stories, plays, expository articles, biographies, autobiographies and poems.   The major works we will study from this text are Homer’s The Odyssey and Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
In addition to texts, the course will utilize a variety of ancillary materials including: films, articles, audiocassettes, and on-line publications.

Course Outline for Semester One
(September- December, 2006)

I.  Active Reading and Listening Strategies with Expository Texts


  1. Using an Outline
  2. Using SQ3R
  3. Practical uses (Studying for school!)
  4. Take quizzes throughout the unit

II.  Introduction to Grammar, Clarity, and Forms of Writing


  1. Identify Nouns, pronouns, verbs, and antecedents
  2. Learn about the structure of language
  3. Complete expository, narrative, persuasive, and descriptive writing
  4. Utilize the Writing Process
  5. Learn about the Portfolio Process
  6. Take quizzes throughout Unit

Grammar and writing will be emphasized throughout the duration of English 9

III.  Careers


  1. Begin MyDream Explorer and Career Pathways program
  2. Learn about budgeting and salary from school counselors
  3. Fill out job applications
  4. Write a business letter
  5. Introduction to the Resume

IV.  Biography and Autobiography

  1. Review elements of biography and autobiography
  2. Read biographies and autobiographies in text; write analyses based on Forms of Writing
  3. Update autobiographies from Eighth Grade; set goals and self-expectations



V.  The Novel:  Great Expectations

  1. Practice reading strategies (prediction, response, group reading, silent reading, literature circles) using Dickens’ classic novel.
  2. Study new vocabulary
  3. Analyze characters
  4. Use journals as a reading strategy; keep notebooks to organize information about the story
  5. Take quizzes throughout Unit
  6. Complete a final project in groups

VI.  Semester Exam

WINTER BREAK!  J  Semester Two Course Outline will be available after winter break. 

 

State of Michigan Language Arts Content Standards of Focus for Semester One: 

Standard 2.1.1
“Use a variety of pre-reading strategies (e.g., acknowledge own prior knowledge, make connections, generate questions, make predictions, scan a text for a particular purpose or audience, analyze text structure and features) to make conscious choices about how to approach the reading based on purpose, genre, level of difficulty, text demands, and features.”

Standard 1.1.4
“Compose drafts that convey an impression, express an opinion, raise a question, argue a position, explore a topic, tell a story, or serve another purpose, while simultaneously considering the constraints and possibilities (e.g., structure, language, use of conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics) of the selected form or genre.”

Standard 4.1.5
“Demonstrate use of conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics in written texts, including parts of speech, sentence structure and variety, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.”

Standard 3.2.1
“Recognize a variety of literary genres and forms (e.g., poetry, drama, novels, short stories, autobiographies, biographies, multi-genre texts, satire, parody, allegory) and demonstrate an understanding of the way in which genre and form influence meaning.”

Standard 3.2.5
“Respond to literature in a variety of ways (e.g., dramatic interpretation, reader’s theatre, literature circles, illustration, writing in a character’s voice, engaging in social action, writing an analytic essay) providing examples of how texts affect their lives, connect them with the contemporary world, and communicate across time.”

Standard 2.3.3.
“Critically read and interpret instructions for a variety of tasks (e.g., completing assignments, using software, writing college and job applications.)”

Standard 1.1.7
“Edit for style, tone, and word choice (Specificity, variety, accuracy, appropriateness, conciseness) and for conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics that are appropriate for audience.”

 

State of Michigan Content Standards are available at www.michigan.gov or by contacting the Michigan Department of Education: P.O. Box 30008 Lansing, MI  48909  ph: 517-373-3324

 

English 9 Tentative Syllabus for Semester Two:

 

I.  Using the Library
            A.  Understand basic research skills
            B.  Learn the layout of PHS Media Center
            C.  Use Internet applications for research. . . correctly!
            D.  Take quizzes throughout Unit

II.  Drama:  Romeo and Juliet

  1. Complete a research project in groups
  2. Complete a Portfolio exhibit
  3. Use various reading, listening, and viewing skills
  4. Complete a Character Analysis
  5. Become familiar with plotlines
  6. Use prediction and response as reading stratgies
  7. Study new vocabulary
  8. Identify main events and timeline
  9. Compare and contrast play with films
  10. Take a quiz over the play

III.  Drama:  Twelve Angry Men

  1. Write a character analysis
  2. Explain drama as a genre

IV.  Poetry and the Epic:  The Odyssey

     

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