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English 12 B Self-Paced

Syllabus

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 Learning 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.
  • Present content in an organized and well-structured way and adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks.

Unit 1: Memory and Remembrance (Topics 1-3)

Unit description

In Unit 1, students focus on poetry and then short stories that explore the ideas of memory and remembrance. They read and analyze stories by Woolf, O’Brien, and Marquez and conclude the unit with a comparison essay, comparing and contrasting two poems on the subject of memory.

Unit Level Essential Questions

  • What is the value of memory and remembering?
  • How can we express emotions through literature?

Topic 1: Thematic Idea: Memory

Topic Learning Objectives

  • Analyze how the thematic idea of memory is developed in a variety of poems.
  • Identify and analyze the impact of literary devices such as imagery, simile, metaphor, and symbolism.
  • Support claims with well-chosen textual evidence.

Topic 2: Short Stories about Remembrance

Topic Learning Objectives

  • Analyze how the thematic idea of remembrance is developed in a variety of short stories.
  • Identify and analyze the impact of symbols in short stories.
  • Support claims with well-chosen textual evidence.

Topic 3: Compare and Contrast

Topic Learning Objectives

  • Write an essay comparing and contrasting the idea of memory in two poems.
  • Support claims with well-chosen textual evidence.

Unit 2: Relationships and Belonging (Topics 4-6)

Unit description

In Unit 2, students consider the idea of belonging through poems and short stories and write a short personal narrative about belonging. They learn about memoir as a genre and compare fictionalized stories with excerpts from a memoir. Students will read Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, analyzing the thematic idea of belonging, the author’s use of humor and tone, and how the historical context impacts the story.

Unit Level Essential Questions

  • How do relationships impact belonging?
  • What does it mean to belong?

Topic 4: Thematic Idea: Belonging

Topic Learning Objectives

  • Analyze how the thematic idea of belonging is developed in a variety of poems, short stories, and essays.
  • Support claims with well-chosen textual evidence.
  • Write a short personal narrative about belonging.

Topic 5: Stories of Self

Topic Learning Objectives

  • Define and explain the qualities of a memoir.
  • Identify and define tone in literature.
  • Identify and explain the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop a story.
  • Support claims with well-chosen textual evidence.

Topic 6: Born a Crime

Topic Learning Objectives

  • Analyze how the thematic idea of belonging is developed throughout Born a Crime.
  • Analyze how the author uses humor and tone to engage the reader.
  • Explain how the historical context of Apartheid impacts how events are developed in the text.
  • Support claims with well-chosen textual evidence.

Unit 3: Reflection and Research (Topics 7-10)

Unit description

In Unit 3, students reflect on the previous units and select a research topic related to one of those units. They complete research by finding and evaluating sources and taking notes to answer their research questions. The unit concludes with a presentation of their research, both visually and orally.

Unit Level Essential Questions

  • What is important to me?
  • How can I conduct effective research and present my findings?

Topic 7: Research Focus

Topic Learning Objectives

  • Reflect on the thematic ideas from previous units.
  • Evaluate and defend which unit is most essential for adolescent learning.
  • Develop an appropriately specific research question based on a topic from the previous units.

Topic 8: Sources

Topic Learning Objectives

  • Find and evaluate multiple sources of information in a variety of media (text, graphs, photographs, videos, maps) that address the research question.
  • Summarize information gained from sources, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source.
  • Cite sources according to MLA formatting.

Topic 9: Presentation

Topic Learning Objectives

  • Synthesize information, findings, and supporting evidence to address the research question.
  • Display information visually in a well-organized way. Present information using speech appropriate to the context.

Topic 10: End-of-Course Assignments

Topic Learning Objectives

  • Reflect on progress throughout the course.
  • Analyze how ideas are developed throughout or between texts.
  • Analyze the craft and structure of both literature and informational texts, including literary devices and rhetoric.