Native American Voices– Unit One
This American literature unit focuses on Native American literature. The four lessons in this unit ask the student to research Native American myths and legends, participate in a storytelling, and write two poems based on modern Native American works and create a 3D author studies world.
Colonial America Beginnings to 1745 – Unit Two
Unit Two in the full course sequence in American Literature, has eight lessons. This American Literature unit focuses on the colonial period in literature. The eight lessons in this unit as the students to research various authors, use the Internet as a tool, write letters and journal entries, and prepare presentations.
Age of Reason– Unit Three
Unit Three in the full course sequence in American Literature, has eight lessons. This unit includes a study of the literature from the Age of Reason. The unit includes discussion, writing assignments, Internet activities, research and a project.
Romanticism- Unit Four
Romanticism, Unit Four in the full course sequence in American Literature, has fifteen lessons. This unit includes a study of the literature from the Fireside Poets, Irving, and others. The unit includes discussion, writing assignments, Internet activities, research, and a project.
American Renaissance– Unit Five
American Renaissance, Unit Five in the full course sequence in American Literature, has five lessons. This unit includes a study of the following authors: Poe, Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau, Melville, Dickinson, and Whitman. The lessons include WebQuests, research, projects, presentations, discussions, and writing assignments.
The Scarlet Letter– Unit Six
The Scarlet Letter, Unit Six in the full course sequence in American Literature, has 14 lessons. This unit provides multiple activities for use with the novel as well as a unit test.
The House on Mango Street – Unit Seven
In this unit, students will explore the novel The House on Mango Street, the author’s style, the novel’s literary elements, and Hispanic culture. The lessons include discussion, questions, writing assignments, 3D projects, posters, and other activities.
Credits: 1
Journalism Studies is concerned with the role of journalism in a democracy and with helping students grow in their language skills–particularly writing. The course will help students learn to gather, write, edit, publish, and produce news and other information for print and electronic media. In this course, students will also become knowledgeable about journalism and learn to organize their time, meet deadlines, think objectively, develop original styles, and gain experience in communicating clearly and effectively.
Secondary Level journalism experiences can help students write, speak, and represent more precisely, more clearly, and more persuasively. Students can become better listeners, readers, viewers, and thinkers, as well as consumers of oral, print, and other media texts. A course in journalism allows students opportunities to communicate important information to others. It encourages them to use creativity and imagination while demanding discipline, responsibility, and ethical behavior.
Several principles underlie this course:
This course places language and, in particular, journalism in the context of communication. Throughout each module, students are encouraged to apply the “5W+H” questioning process to each communication situation:
This course places an emphasis on writing in a range of formats, for a variety of purposes and audiences. Regardless of the medium, students will have an opportunity to practice the writing process, including:
In this course, students also learn how the particular mode of publication affects the presentation of an event or issue. A particular issue or story may be written in a variety of ways, depending on whether its publication or production will be in a print medium or in an electronic broadcast medium. Students should also understand the relationships between various types of media and the effects of technological innovations upon the traditional styles of presentation.
Throughout this course, students will have the opportunity to explore the principles governing the publication or production of each medium. They should understand the social, ethical, and legal obligations of a journalist, including:
This course is activity-based. Students learn by doing. Language learning thrives when students are engaged in meaningful use of language. Students should be given many opportunities to experiment and explore the various media used by journalists and the issues associated with these media. Students should be invited and encouraged to become involved in analysis, inquiry, and hands-on activities related to journalism.
In this course, students explore science fiction and fantasy authors and writing styles and then create a 3D fantasy world of their own. After an introduction to the sub-genres of science fiction and fantasy, students learn how to research ideas to make their 3D virtual fictional worlds viable. Developing characters, plotting, constructing a scene and narrative voice are part of any good fantasy novel or short story. Students complete exercises that enhance their understanding of these essentials. In the last part of the course, students concentrate on symbolism and how to develop it.
This course focuses on two distinct literacy types of imaginative literature; science fiction, fantasy. The special characteristics of each group will be defined and applied to specific literary works. As a culminating project, students create a 3D Fantasy virtual world and give others a chance to read and travel through the 3D story.
Books read include:
Credits: 1
This is the first course in a four-year program designed to ensure that students will develop the highest degree of personal literacy necessary to succeed in college. Each student is expected to build an extensive portfolio of self-initiated as well as teacher-assigned reading and writing. The study of assigned literature will be primarily by genre, but students will have ample opportunity for self-selected reading as well. Personal management skills are essential to success in this course as in college. This course also consists of basic aspects of grammar, usage, and diction; interest-creating literature, including mythology, short stories, and contemporary young adult novels; composition; and an introduction to public speaking.
Objectives
The student will:
Reading List
Credits: 1
This course builds upon the basic framework of our English 9 course with a particular emphasis on the historical periods of from the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe. This academic English course stresses the comprehension and appreciation of literature by reading short stories, modern plays, Shakespeare, and novels. Writing concentrates on development techniques, literary analysis, and personal writing. Vocabulary, grammar, and 3D virtual world play production is aimed at improving oral and written expression. This English course is designed to complement our World History 2 course but may be taken individually.
This English course gives students:
1) A recognition that certain universal human concerns appear at all times and places and that an understanding of the past and the unfamiliar is a necessary part of a valid concept of what it means to be human.
2) An aesthetic appreciation of the forms and styles of literature that are the products of diverse cultures.
3) An ability to communicate their perceptions effectively and creatively. In this course, students study works written from the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe, as well as participate in a reading and writing workshop with a focus on the genre of historical fiction to supplement English skills. Studying these works will increase awareness of the diversity of human cultures and of their underlying similarities.
Objectives
Reading List
Historical Fiction
Credits: 1
Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to understand:
Reading List
The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald |
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck |
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee |
The Outsiders by SE Hinton |
The Code Talker |
Reading Workshop Requirement
This course also has a reading workshop component where students are required to self-select a novel related to WWII. Books to choose from appear below. If your student would like to read something not on the recommended list below, please email your teacher directly with your selection for approval. The WWII unit is not until the end of the semester, so you have plenty of time to choose your book from the recommendations below. Only one selection is required but you are welcome to read more!
The Book Thief
The Nightingale
Tatooist of Aushwitz
The Alice Network
Any of the five recommended novels from We Are Teachers Site.
Credits: 1
This course is designed to expose students to an eclectic approach to literature and is comprised of a diverse set of topics. These units include:
In addition to the core literature studies, students will prepare and present a final 3D virtual world culminating project focused on an additional area covered in English 12.
Objectives
Students will: