Brief Course Description

English 1 Literacy Block

Course Goals and Major Student Outcomes Students will 1. Read and comprehend a wide range of fiction and nonfiction in grade appropriate materials. 2. Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills in order to comprehend a variety of texts. 3. Communicate clearly and coherently in writing and through oral presentations within a wide range of styles. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of global and societal issues through reading, writing, and discussion. 5. Write clear and concise essays that support theses with evidence, convey information from primary and secondary sources, and distinguish between relative values of ideas. 6. Think critically and problem solve by effectively completing group and individual projects and assignments.

Course Objectives Students will 1. Read and comprehend grade level appropriate material by predicting, visualizing, inferring, questioning, connecting, summarizing, determining importance, and synthesizing. 2. Comprehend and analyze by reading skills, including author’s purpose, supportive details, comparative relations, and drawing conclusions. 3. Develop grade level appropriate speed, accuracy, and intonation (fluency). 4. Write and speak using correct grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling of standard English conventions. 5. Understand the meaning of new words through the use of literal and figurative language, connotation and denotation, and word origins. 6. Understand that cultural and historical influences impact literary works. 7. Analyze the use of style and literary devices such as irony, metaphor and simile in terms of the impact of the reader. The students will identify the speaker, tone, point of view, and other literary characteristics and analyze literary works in these terms. 8. Write coherent and well-reasoned essays showing an understanding of the audience and purpose. 9. Compose multi-paragraph autobiographical, expository, analytical, reflective, persuasive, cause and effect, compare and contrast, and research essays. The students will understand and practice the stages of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and final draft presentation and publication. The students will generate and express their own ideas with clarity, coherence, conciseness, and fluency in both written and oral communication. 10. Respond to literature in written form. Students will use appropriate citations in MLA style and support their ideas through detailed analysis of the text.

1 Course Outline Students will read required core pieces and several full-length works of literature. Students will complete related key assignments. Differentiated enrichment assignments will be completed based on student ability level.

Standards-based text: READ 180, Stage C. Scholastic.

Instructional Methods and/or Strategies Whole class and group discussion Direct and explicit instruction, including modeling Group work (whole and small) Oral presentations (group and individual) Independent reading Structured questions Peer editing Video/DVD Reading logs Journals Research strategies Kinesthetic/Tactile modes Computer assisted instructional support (as needed)

Assessment Methods and/or Tools Tests and quizzes Semester finals Homework Written research-based project Essays Oral/visual presentations Rubrics

2 Unit One Central Theme: Survivors

Central Topics Facing Challenges and Adversity Impact of Life Altering Events Choices We Make and Their Impact Responding to the Influence of Others

Reading Focus Reading for meaning with class discussion Main idea and supporting details of life issues text Reading for details Reading for sequence of events Point-of-view Author’s purpose Drawing conclusions Fluency

Writing Focus Prewriting, drafts, revisions and editing Expository writing Understanding form, audience, and purpose Narrative writing Use of transitions

Language Focus Grammar Verb tenses Sentence fragments Usage Sentence structure

Vocabulary Focus Word in context Prefix/Suffix Word Origins/Roots/Derivations Synonyms/Antonyms

Core Text Newspaper Article: Juanes – Songs of Survival Magazine Article: Beyond Brave by Emily Costello Non-fiction: Homeboy to the Rescue

3 Key Assignments 1. Read and discuss major text and related pieces that describe a central character’s survival of challenges. 2. Maintain reading logs.

Enrichment Assignments To be determined

4 Unit Two Central Theme: Combat Zone

Central Topics Toll of war on the lives of individuals Man versus man Facing and overcoming conflict Healing of old wounds

Reading Focus Reading for meaning with class discussion Literary and story elements Historical influence on literary works First person narrative Point-of-view Editorial Cartoon Fluency

Writing Focus Prewriting, drafts, editing, and revision Response to literature Reading logs/Journals Autobiographical essay Purpose for writing Poetry

Language Focus Run-on sentences Comma splices Sentence structure

Vocabulary Focus Words in context Word study Word families

Core Text Short Story: Ambush by Tim O’Brien Poem: The Names by Billy Collins

Suggested Supplemental Readings Fiction: The Odyssey by Homer

5 Key Assignments 1. Read and discuss major text related to conflict and war and the impact on lives. 2. Maintain reading logs.

Enrichment Assignments 1. Watch and discuss video about September 11th. 2. Write poem based on images in the video. 3. Research memorials constructed in the United States that pay tribute to heroes and victims.

6 Unit Three Central Theme: Lyrics: Innocence to Experience

Central Topics Right to free expression Expressing opposition Controversy surrounding censorship Expressing ideas and values

Reading Focus Read for meaning with class discussion Important details Summarizing Analyzing song lyrics for meaning Author’s tone Point-of-view Elements of poetry and literary devices Fluency

Writing Focus Prewriting, drafts, revisions and editing Persuasive writing Expository writing Letter writing

Language Focus Verb tense Mechanics of punctuation

Vocabulary Words in context Target words used in discussion and writing Suffixes Antonyms/synonyms Connotation/denotation Word choice/tone

Core Text Letter to the Editor: MTV Unplugged Magazine Article: The Day the Music Died by Karen Fanning Nonfiction: Rockers, Rappers and Freedom of Speech Poetry in adopted textbook Selected song lyrics depicting various music (rock and roll, rap, ballads, country/western), important message and controversy

7 Suggested Supplemental Reading/Activities To be determined during process--supplemental readings are a means of differentiation. Movie “Footloose”

Key Assignments 1. Read and discuss elements of poetry found in song lyrics. 2. Maintain reading logs.

Enrichment Assignments 1. Analyze song lyrics for meaning. 2. Write a song/lyric poem stating a personal point-of-view using elements of poetry. 3. Write a persuasive letter to a public government entity stating an argument and rationale. 4. Research and present a controversial aspect of the music industry.

8 Unit Four Central Theme: Choices and Consequences

Central Topics Choices and decisions Understanding and accepting consequences of our own decisions Life’s gambles

Reading Focus Problem/solution Summary/graphic organizers Point-of-view Author’s purpose Identifying details Inference--interpreting graphs and charts Fluency

Writing Focus Prewriting, drafts, revisions and editing Persuasive writing Problem/solution

Language Focus Irregular verbs Clauses and phrases

Vocabulary Focus Multiple meaning words Words in context Dictionary skills

Core Text Newspaper Article: Money Matters: American Teens Flunk Money Quiz Magazine Article: Caught in Gambling’s Grip Nonfiction: Right on the Money

Suggested Supplemental Readings To be determined during process--supplemental readings are a means of differentiation.

Key Assignments 1. Read and discuss texts for the outcomes of choices and consequences. 2. Maintain reading logs.

Enrichment Assignments 1. To be determined.

9 Unit Five Central Theme: Friends or Foes

Central Topics Competition of life Balancing friendships Struggles for power

Reading Focus Story elements Activating prior knowledge Setting purpose Point-of-view Drawing conclusions Critical analysis of book review Fluency

Writing Focus Prewriting, drafts, revisions and editing Literature critique Incorporating quotes within writing (MLA style) Quote explication

Language Focus Subject/verb agreement Combining sentences Grammar and usage Metaphor/simile

Vocabulary Focus Word families Prefixes

Core Text Short Story: Amigo Brothers by Piri Thomas

Suggested Supplemental Readings To be determined during process--supplemental readings are a means of differentiation.

Key Assignments 1. Read and discuss to better understand the human issues of being friends or enemies. 2. Maintain reading logs.

10 Enrichment Assignments 1. Evaluate a book review. 2. Write own book review and submit for publication.

11 Unit Six Central Themes: Connecting the Inner Mind with the Outer World

Central Topics Mind over matter Searching for a cure Expectations versus outcomes

Reading Focus Cause and effect Supporting opinion Point-of view Identifying details Fluency

Writing Focus Prewriting, drafts, revisions, and editing Form, audience, and purpose Narrative essay Cause and effect

Language Focus Mechanics Double negatives Latin/Greek roots and suffixes Synonyms Technical vocabulary

Core Text Newspaper Article: Super Mouse Magazine Article: Life with Half a Brain by Maria Chang Nonfiction: The Human Brain

Suggested Supplemental Reading/Activities To be determined during process--supplemental readings are a means of differentiation.

Key Assignments 1. Read and discuss informational text to identify details and opinions. 2. Maintain reading logs.

Enrichment Activities 1. Research controversial or experimental medical procedures or medical stories of survival beyond all expectations. 2. Write a cause and effect essay discussing if the benefits of experimental surgical procedures outweigh the final outcome.

12 Unit Seven Central Theme: Crime and Punishment

Central Topics Lessons learned and turning your life around Dealing with problems Teen issues Friends and enemies

Reading Focus Compare and contrast Point-of-view Interdisciplinary text Functional literacy Literary elements of drama Fluency

Writing Focus Prewriting, drafts, revisions, and editing Descriptive essay Compare and contrast essay Audience and purpose Persuasive essay Letter writing

Language Focus Grammar Mechanics Superlatives Quotation marks

Vocabulary Focus Idioms Context clues

Core Text Newspaper Article: Too Tough on Teens? Personal Narrative: Leaving Crime Behind by Anthony Carroway Nonfiction: Youth Crime…Adult Time

Suggested Supplemental Reading/Activities Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet

13 Key Assignments 1. Read and discuss themes, conflicts, and teen issues found in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. 2. Maintain reading logs.

Enrichment Activities 1. Write a compare and contrast essay comparing teen issues found in Romeo and Juliet and teen issues in today’s society. 2. Write a descriptive essay describing the characteristics of an important adult in your life. 3. Write a persuasive letter to a character explaining your point-of view of a controversial teen issue. 4. Recite a soliloquy.

14 Unit Eight Central Theme: Front Lines of Justice

Central Topics Racism/Biases Civil rights Freedom of speech Road to equality

Reading Focus Making inferences Cross text analysis Literary elements Point-of-view Drawing conclusions Figurative language Fluency

Writing Focus Prewriting, drafts, revisions, and editing Analytical Reflection Personal narrative Reading Logs/Journal

Language Focus Grammar Mechanics Sentence fragments Adverbs Irregular verbs

Vocabulary Focus Words in context Semantics

Core Text Biographical Sketch: Angry Young Men Historical Document: In Their Own Words Poem: Ballad of Birmingham by Dudley Randall

Suggested Supplemental Reading To be determined during process--supplemental readings are a means of differentiation.

15 Key Assignments 1. Read and discuss issues of race and societal class in the various readings. 2. Maintain reading log.

Enrichment Activities 1. Write a personal narrative essay that explains a time when you were a victim of racism or bias. 2. Analyze “The Ballad of Birmingham” for figurative language and literary elements. Create a symbolic representation of one of the characters or an incident in the poem to share with the class. 3. Reflect on a class system in today’s society that you feel you are a part of and write a journal that characterizes your point-of-view.