Month Unit Areas of Focus
September Goal-Setting and Intro Activities Build community in the classroom, identify learning goals
Flash Fiction/Short Stories Elements of fiction, theme of identity
Library Orientation Gain familiarity with the library resources and how to use them
Poetry Poetic devices, analysis, write and recite
October Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare, reading and understanding 16th century English,
elements of fiction, essay writing, themes of identity, love,
teen-parent conflict
November The Old Man and the Sea Literary analysis, with particular attention to themes, symbolism,
and allusions, literary essay
The Pearl Literary analysis, essay writing, presentation
December Novel Choice Elements of fiction, essay writing, presentation
January Hard News Intro to media, hard news, recognizing bias, article writing, project
Course Evaluation
The semester will involve varying amounts of reading, research, writing, spelling and grammar practice, journaling, computer work, listening activities, class discussion, presentations, and group work. Students are expected to bring necessary supplies to class, including headphones for listening activities and a book, magazine, or newspaper for silent reading.
The semester will involve varying amounts of reading, research, writing, spelling and grammar practice, journaling, computer work, listening activities, class discussion, presentations, and group work. Students are expected to bring necessary supplies to class, including headphones for listening activities and a book, magazine, or newspaper for silent reading.