Unit 1: Short Stories and Essays

As the first unit, the examination of the short story lays the foundation of the course. Students will read and demonstrate their understanding of fiction beginning with the short story through discussion and reflection that will foster their personal growth. The teacher will teach various strategies to read, understand, interpret and analyse information within the short story. This unit will also include effective essay writing and an introduction to the comparison/contrast essay. Students will demonstrate their understanding through personal reflection, daily participation, discussions, creative writing, written work, daily reading, and group work.

 

Stories will include:

 

The Cask of Amontillado

Sonata for Harp and Bicycle

The Most Dangerous Game

The Necklace

The Scarlet Ibis

On Summer

Carry Your Own Skis

 

During this unit there will be almost daily writing prompts, one expository essay, and a unit test upon completion.

 

Projects will include:

A poster using the Four Methods of Characterization to illustrate one of the characters we have been introduced to in the selections.

 

 

Unit 2: Novel - Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke

In this unit the students will be given the opportunity to examine the novel critically within the context of their own lives by exploring values and related issues in the novel. The teacher will assist the students by providing activities that facilitate this exploration through group discussion, debate, theme/symbol jigsaw, presentations, journal writing and creative extension. 

 

Students will be expected to complete the reading assignments on schedule. There will be daily reading comprehension quizes and a Novel test.

 

There will be a final project for the novel.

 

Unit 3: Poetry

Poetry is all around us and enriches our lives. Students will read, explore, interpret, and write poetry. Emphasis will be given to critical reading, research, and oral recitation of poetry to enhance student understanding of the genre. The culminating activity of this unit is designed for students to explore their  identity through an poetry portfolio which will contain a selection for both poems they have written and poems that speak to them. 

 

Students will create a poetry portfolio of their own writing which we will work on in class as an addition, students will be asked to choose a Poet from the class list and find five poems from that author with which they identify. They will write a brief analysis of each poem from a personal perspective and choose one to recite to the class.

 

Unit 4: Drama – Romeo & Juliet

Students will expand and apply skills learned thus far, in the course, to the study of drama. Students will read and discuss the text. Teachers will provide students with the opportunity and information necessary to interpret the elements of dramatic structure, character and characterization, theme, setting and dramatic devices. Students will understand the importance of the context (social, cultural and political) in which a literary work was created and apply this knowledge in appreciating the text being studied. Students will demonstrate their understanding by reading, discussing, analysing and by participating and responding in various creative activities (e.g., dramatic presentation, prompt booklet and journal responses).

 

There will be daily journal prompts and a quiz at the end of each act.

 

Project: Capulet Ball

Students will take on the role of Party Planner for the Capulet Ball. Each group will be Assigned a research task related to the Renaissance. These tasks will relate to our party. The final assessment will be a Capulet Ball.

 

Vocabulary - Students will enrich their vocabulary through the exploration of the Sadiler Vocabulary series D. Each week students will study a unit of 20 words through the exercises in the workbook, creation of sentences, and a deeper look into the etymology of the words.

 

New Units are assigned each Wednesday and unit tests are given the following Wednesday. Please see the Vocabulary Tab for additional links, games, and information.

 

Research Paper - Each student will be responsible for researching and writing a 3-5 page arguementative paper from a list of provided topics. This semester long project will explore a common theme in all of our selected work and will culminate at the end of the semester. Please see the Research Paper page for additional information.