English 9 A Self-Paced

Essential Questions

• How do tensions in literature reveal universal themes?
• How does tension shape who we become?
• What tools do writers use to express their ideas? How can I use those tools to craft my own writing?

Course Learning Objectives

• Interpret and explore a variety of tensions in literature including tensions related to self, choice, defiance, and belonging.
• Independently and proficiently read and comprehend both fiction and nonfiction texts from a variety of genres, cultures, and perspectives.
• Analyze theme, character motivation, plot development, structure, and figurative language in a variety of texts.
• Support claims with strong textual evidence.
• Write well-organized and appropriately supported responses in a variety of genres, including narratives, informative texts, and arguments.
• Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage.
• Answer research questions by identifying and evaluating reliable sources, gathering relevant information, providing appropriate citations, and presenting findings in an organized way.

Unit 1: Short Stories and Personal Narrative (Topics 1-8)

In the first unit of the course, students will begin to explore the concept of how tension shapes our lives. Students will read short stories to understand and analyze the building blocks of literature – plot, conflict, character, setting, point of view, figurative language, and theme. They will read stories such as “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Dahl, “To Build a Fire” by London, and “The Lottery” by Jackson, among others. The literature study concludes with students creating a summative graphic representation of all the “building blocks” in a single short story.

In addition to exploring literature, students will delve into how tensions shape our lives with a personal narrative. Students will read exemplar narratives and complete all steps of the writing process: brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and revising. At the same time, students will work to build their vocabulary by keeping a journal of “new-to-you” words as well as structured grammar practice, beginning with parts of speech.

Unit 2: Graphic Novel and Research (Topics 9-15)

In the second unit of the course, students will read the graphic novel When Stars Are Scattered, practice the research process, and discover context for the novel. Students will continue to practice reading skills with an emphasis on inference as well as character analysis.

After completing the background research project, students will choose an activist who has made choices that have had an impact on their world. Students will complete an independent research project, focusing on the skills of research question development, source identification and evaluation, note taking, and synthesis in the form of an informational essay.

Throughout this unit students will also read non-fiction texts to provide context and perspective on the story presented by the graphic novel and continue their study of vocabulary. The course concludes with a final exam.