Table of Contents

Syllabus

Rules and Expectations

To Kill a MockingbirdO

Short Stories

Mythology

Persuasive Speech

Romeo & Juliet

Grad Standard

Forms:

Reading Contract

Reading Summary

 

N 2
Title 1
Title 2
Title 3
Title 4

SECTION 3
Title 1
Title 2
Title 3
Title 4
Title 5

SECTION 4
Title 1
Title 2
Title 3
Title 4
Title 5
Title 6

 

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.

 

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:

  1. identify main ideas and supporting information

  2. distinguish fact from opinions, fiction from nonfiction, or both

  3. identify bias, point of view and author's intent

  4. identify relevant background information

  5. 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.