Syllabus

Quarter 1 Unit Theme: Survival

Students will read and evaluate arguments in a short story and a nonfiction text to better understand the ways writers express ideas. These texts will focus on the essential standards of how an author's choices concerning text structure and/or time manipulation creates effects such as mystery, tension, and suspense and how an authors ideas/claims are developed. Students will develop a deeper understanding of how authors use phrases and clauses and will practice using the phrases and clauses in their own writing. Students will create an argumentative writing piece.

Quarter 2 Unit Theme: Civil Rights

Students will read a variety of genres to better understand the ways writers express ideas. The texts will focus on the essential standards of how an author's ideas or claims are developed and how an author's points of view shapes the content and style of texts to inspire change. Students will develop a deeper understanding of how authors use language and rhetorical devices to create powerful and persuasive messages to convey the need for change. Students will create narrative writing.

Quarter 3 Unit Theme: Star-Crossed Romances

Students will read a variety of genres (i.e. drama, short story, informational texts, etc.) to better understand the ways writers express ideas. These texts will focus on the essential standards of how characters and theme are developed throughout the course of the story. Students will develop a deeper understanding of how authors use language (diction, tone, mood) to convey meaning. Students will create an informational/explanatory writing piece.

Quarter 4 Unit Theme: World’s End

Students will read and evaluate written narratives in a short story and a nonfiction text to better understand the ways writers express ideas. These texts will focus on the essential standards of how an author's choices concerning text structure and/or literary devices creates meaning to further develop the topic. Students will research their claims and participate in a debate answering the question: Which matters more - the present of the future?

Be Respectful

      - -Arrive to class on time

       - Refrain from talking over or interrupting others

       -  Respect ideas, opinions, and property of others

         -Water is acceptable but no other food or drink allowed

         -Phones should not be seen or heard unless teacher instructs you to have it out for class purposes.

Be Responsible

         -Bring your materials to class (textbook, Laptop, paper, pencil, novel)

         -Participate in class

         -Complete assignments on time

         -Stay on task while in the classroom

Be Safe

         -Don’t touch others or their things

         -Follow procedures for entering and exiting the classroom safely

         Refrain from throwing things towards the trashcan or at others.