To
Kill a Mockingbird is unquestionably
one of the most widely read, best-selling, and influential books
in American literature.
It has
made a significant difference in the lives of individuals and in
the culture as a whole. Part of its appeal can be explained by its
sensitive and insightful portrayal of race relations in Alabama at
a time when the battle for integration and equal rights was at its
height
in America, and when much of the action was centering on Alabama.
Its influence has been enduring because it allows the reader, through
the lives of children, "to
walk around in the shoes" of people who are different from ourselves. The
novel challenges our stereotypes - of the Southerner, the African-American, the
eccentric, and the child.
Reading Contract
Reading
is an essential component of English 9 and will be constantly emphasized
all year. Beginning Quarter 1 and continuing through the entire year
students will be given a Reading Contract where they be asked to
read for a certain number of minutes each week for a certain grade.
At the beginning of the year students may read magazines and newspapers,
but will be encouraged to read books (fiction or non-fiction). Quarter
four all students will be encouraged to read some non-fiction.
Short Stories
The
various literary elements that authors use are discussed during
the unit on Short Stories. The students will read a variety of stories
including: "The Sniper", "The Most Dangerous Game", "The Birds",
and the Scarlet
Ibis. For enrichment the students may elect to read "Venom." The
students will be asked to pick one of the short stories and to
write a critical review of that story.
Poetry
If
time allows the students will take part in a short unit in Poetry
that will consist of learning the tools of the poet, creating a concrete
poem, and writing a symbolic poem.
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Readers
have had an abiding love
over the centuries for the original tales of Greek and
Roman
mythology. It is important to remember that the original tales refer
to a time far distant from our own. The nature of life, and even
the topography of the earth, was very different from what we know
today. The stories ascribe human characteristics to larger-than-life
characters and their deeds and actions often destroy all sense of
time and place. Yet above all, the tales were planned for enjoyment,
instruction, and wonder.
Romeo & Juliet
Romeo and Juliet,
a very young man and a nearly fourteen year old girl, fall in love
at first sight. They are caught up in an idealized, almost unreal,
passionate
love. They are in love with love. Love does strange things to people.
The lovers in this play stumble into it, full of hope and innocence.
But they learn a hard lesson: that hopes can be ruined and innocence
can be destroyed, in part by the
very people they trust the most.
Grad Standard
A
student shall demonstrate the ability to comprehend and evaluate
complex information in varied nonfiction by reading, listening
and viewing varied English language selections containing complex
information and in these selections the student shall:
-
identify main ideas and supporting information
-
distinguish fact from opinions, fiction from nonfiction,
or both
-
identify bias, point of view and author's intent
-
identify relevant background information
-
analyze and evaluate the credibility of evidence and source,
the logic of reasoning and how the type of communication
shapes or limits information.
Persuasive Speech
The
students in Team TriBolt will deliver one prepared Speech during
Quarter 3. The students will be asked to try and persuade their
audience to buy something, go somewhere, think a certain way, visit
a certain place, participate in an activity, etc. The speech will
last between 3-5 minutes. The students will be asked to first write
a manuscript for timing purposes. They will then prepare notecards
to use when they give their speech.Grading will consist of the
quality of the speech and its delivery.
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