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English 12 B Self-Paced

Why is memory important? When do we know we belong? Throughout human history, we have asked and answered these and other big questions through literature. Short stories, poems, and memoirs offer us insight into these questions and how humans have considered these topics across time and place.

In this literature and writing course, students will focus on three thematic units:

Relationships and Belonging

Reflection and Research

The course begins by exploring the idea of memory through a variety of poems and two short stories “Solid Objects” by Woolf and “The Handsomest Drowned Man” by Marquez. In the second unit, students will read Trevor Noah’s memoir, Born a Crime, and consider the idea of belonging both thematically and in the historical context of Apartheid in South Africa. Throughout, students will cite strong and thorough textual evidence to provide summaries of the texts and support analysis of themes.

In the first unit, students will compare and contrast two poems that explore the thematic idea of memory in a well-developed literary comparison. Throughout the course, students will write shorter analyses and explanations, demonstrating command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

In the final unit, students will select a topic of their choosing that relates to one of the historical, literary, or thematic concepts studied in the course. They will find, evaluate, and use sources to answer research questions and present their findings in a well-organized presentation.

Students will engage with a variety of readings in multiple genres and will respond to these texts in writing, speaking, and other forms of expression (video, audio, etc.).

About the Self-Paced Course Model

Self-Paced courses are designed for students who need flexibility in their academic schedule. Teachers answer questions and interact with students in Private Topics, provide feedback on work, and host weekly office hours. Students work independently on course activities; the course does not include class discussion assignments or other collaborative work.

This course has start dates on each Wednesday throughout the year. Students must maintain enrollment for a minimum of 4 weeks and have up to 16 weeks to complete all assignments in the course. It is expected that students will work for approximately 90 hours to complete this course, though the amount of time may vary depending on a student’s work habits and comfort with the material.

Acknowledgements

  • Required Texts: This course requires students to obtain copies of certain texts. Details provided in the Additional Requirements field of this course description.
  • Successful completion of English 12 A.
  • I acknowledge that this is a self-paced course.
  • This course contains an end-of-course proctored exam. Instructions for students to identify an appropriate adult proctor are included in the course lessons.

Course Objectives

Course Essential Questions:

  • How do universal themes connect literature across time and place?
  • How can we interpret literary and informational texts to understand a wide variety of topics?
  • How do writers use literary tools to express their ideas?
  • How do we use language and conventions to communicate effectively?

Course Objectives:

  • Analyze how ideas are developed throughout or between texts.
  • Cite strong and thorough textual evidence, from both literature and informational texts, to provide a summary of the texts and support analysis of themes.
  • Analyze the craft and structure of both literature and informational texts, including literary devices and rhetoric.
  • Write arguments, informational, and narrative pieces using development, organization, style, vocabulary, and conventions that are appropriate to the purpose and audience.
  • Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
  • Conduct research to answer a question by evaluating and using a variety of sources, synthesizing learning, and presenting conclusions in a clear and organized way.

Additional Requirements

Required Texts: Students will need to obtain copies of the following texts which are available at many schools or local libraries or for purchase online for a small fee:

  • The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
  • Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Mature Content: Some texts contain mature themes such as violence, domestic abuse, and racism, and mature language.