English I

                    English I students will contemplate the structure, meaning and value of a literary works
                    by combining the study of literature and composition.  Students will understand and  
                    appreciate different genres through reading, writing, and individual and group
                    discussion. Recognizing and analyzing literary techniques and devices will be
                    the focus of our study of literature.

                    General Course Objectives:

                    Students will:

•             Understand and appreciate five basic types of literature (short story, nonfiction, poetry,
              drama, and the novel).
•             Recognize and analyze literary techniques and devices including plot, character, setting,
              point of view, tone, style, theme, tone, irony, setting, philosophic points of view,
              foreshadowing, symbolism and allusion.
•             The above elements will be studied primarily as applied to literature of the world. Students
              will be familiar with the development and major genre of western world literature as well as
              significant ethnic literature. Accept the challenge of actively reading
              a variety of literary selections by famous authors from the past and present.
•             Discover the expression of personal and universal ideas and emotions
              in literature.
•             Expand vocabulary and reading skills through the study of literature.
•             Build proficiency in vocabulary word meaning, derivation, spelling, and usage.
•             Develop an interest in all types of reading materials.
•             Build skills to creatively and openly discuss opinions and ideas concerning the reading
              materials.
•             Develop a desire to set goals and to achieve them through independent
              thought and study.
•             Develop the ability to carefully listen to and follow instructions.
•             Learn to observe the rules of proper etiquette concerning others in the classroom and in the
              school.
•             Improve reading speed and comprehension.

                    Specific Course Objectives:

                    Students will complete the following through the study and practice of the writing process
                    and the study of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama, and the novel:

•             Build vocabulary skills.
•             Examine each author’s handling of the elements of short stories.
•             Participate in discussion of stories relating subject matter to personal experience and insight.
•             Demonstrate through tests, exercises, and composition, growth in vocabulary knowledge.
•             Examine nonfiction writing to detect author’s feeling, mood and tone.
•             Define and analyze forms of discourse including description, narration, exposition and
              argumentation/persuasive.
•             Apply some of the techniques of nonfiction writers to personal writing.
•             Master and apply skills needed in the reading of poetry.
•             Discover the expression of personal and universal ideas and emotions in poetry.

•             Share responses to poetry through discussion, writing, and related arts.
•             Express thoughts and feelings in original poems and other writings.
•             Bring characters and scenes to life through attentive reading of drama selections.
•             Discern the qualities of characters that influence relationships and outcomes in drama.
              Interpret one or more roles through expressive reading or acting in a production for the
              class or a larger audience.
•             In writing, explain the personality traits and significance of characters.
•             Read a personally selected novel and compose written documents pertaining to that novel.
•             Word lists from literature readings will be assigned periodically; the students will define the
              words, use them in sentences or paragraphs, and be able to spell them.