Academic English 9 and Honors English 9

1
Academic English 9 andHonors English 9
The Transition to English
at the High School Objective To assist
students and parents
in selecting the appropriate
ninth grade English course
2
What are the Goals of the High School English
Curriculum?

• To develop critical thinking skills through the
  study of challenging texts
• To write effectively in a variety of modes
• To gain a deeper understanding and appreciation
  of literature through the careful analysis of
  texts
• To construct and defend an argument in both
  writing and speaking

3
Goals of the High School English Curriculum

• To recognize credible Internet and database
  resources and use them for responsible research
  and
• To cultivate thoughtful and articulate citizens
  who critically examine all kinds of
  textsliterature and emerging media products

4
English 9 Literature Selections
5
Outside Reading Requirements

• Outside Reading Requirements
• During the summer before ninth grade, students in
• Honors English 9 must read two novels from a
• specific list. One additional novel is required
  for
• each nine-week grading period.
• Students in Academic English 9 are assigned one
• novel to read for a summer assignment, and they
• read one additional novel for each nine-week
• grading period.

6
Writing Expectations forAcademic English 9
In Academic English 9, students work to master
the format of the single analytical paragraph
during their study of the short story and The
Pearl, the first unit of the school year. The
multi-paragraph, analytical essay is practiced
during study of To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and
Juliet, and Lord of the Flies.
7
Writing Expectation for Honors English 9
Students in Honors English 9 master the single
paragraph structure within the first unit of the
school year. Beginning with the second unit,
To Kill a Mockingbird, students learn the
structure of the multi-paragraph, analytical
essay and the skills of literary analysis and
argumentation.
8
Examples of Student Work Two student-written
introductions to analytical essays on To Kill a
MockingbirdExample 1

• What is perspective? Perspective is the way
  certain acts, ideas, beliefs, and cultures are
  viewed. Many people choose only to see from one
  perspective. How can you see and understand
  other perspectives? In Harper Lees To Kill a
  Mockingbird, the main characters are taught to
  consider another perspective which is uncommon
  during this time period. In fact, Atticus says,
  You never really understand a person until you
  consider things from his point of view.until you
  climb into his skin and walk around in it (34).
  For Jem and Scout to understand others, they must
  acknowledge the different types of people around
  them. The tendency of Maycomb County residents
  is to judge everybody about everything family,
  background, culture, skin color, and possessions.
  In order for Jem and Scout to escape the fate of
  Maycomb County, they must avoid judgments by
  interacting with others and attempting to
  identify with various types of people.
• Written during February of Ninth Grade in
  Academic English 9

9
Examples of Student Work Two student-written
introductions to analytical essays on To Kill a
MockingbirdExample 2

• In the much-loved classic, The Wizard of Oz,
  Dorothy searches for the knowledge of how to
  return home, without realizing that such wisdom
  solely resides in her heart. Through
  encountering the Tin-man, Cowardly Lion,
  Scarecrow, Wicked Witch and other citizens of Oz,
  Dorothy gains an understanding of Ozs society
  and of her own developing bravery. Utilizing her
  newly-acquired self-awareness, Dorothy dispels
  the powerful façade protecting the Witch and the
  Wizard by revealing their shrouded weaknesses.
  Similar to a childish Dorothy following the
  yellow brick road, in To Kill a Mockingbird,
  Scout also willingly follows the path set for her
  by society. Only when she becomes disencumbered
  from the towns oppressing guidance and begins
  to question the powerful symbol of prejudice is
  Scout able to perceive her own profound insight
  into humanity. Through observing and interacting
  with Maycombs inhabitants, Scout evolves from a
  presumptuous child to an empathetic young woman
  who understands the concealed, unremitting
  prejudices which imprison the towns mindset.
• Written during October
  of Ninth Grade in Honors English 9.

10
The Challenges of Honors English 9

• Extensive independent work, including long
  reading assignments with written responses to the
  text and multiple tasks completed simultaneously
• Written responses that include both personal
  reflections and analysis
• Expectations for thinking on a figurative level
  and
• A work ethic that meets these challenges.

11
Sequence of English Courses
12
Juniors select one of four year-long American
literature courses.

• War and Protest in American Literature
• Exploration of the American Dream
• The Individual and the Social Contract
• Honors American Literature

13
Seniors select either two semester-long courses
or one AP English course.

• Semester Courses
• Under the Microscope The Language of the
  Natural World
• Because I Said So The Language of Power
• Apocalypse Now Technology and the Future
• You Dont Know Me Exploration of Social Roles
• A Tale Told by an Idiot The Study of Modern
  Drama
• Honors European Literature
• Honors British Novelists
• Year-Long Courses
• AP English 12
• AP Language and Composition

14
English Courses Available for Elective Credit

• Journalism
• Imaginative Writing
• Reading Strategies
• Literature and Study Skills 1

15
Screening Criteria for
Honors English 9

• Standardized Assessments
• Reading/Language Arts achievement scores in
• 90th percentile
• A score of 125 and above on the verbal component
• of the Otis-Lennon assessment taken in seventh
  grade
• Writing Assessment
• Screening Criteria Scores on the January common
  assessment in Language Arts 8

16
Screening Criteria for
Honors English 9

• Academic Performance
• A grades in Language Arts 8
• Teacher Recommendation
• Reading facility at literal and figurative levels
• Ability to organize coherent essay
• A commitment to quality writingan interest in
  perfecting a piece, not just finishing it
• Command of grammar and mechanics
• Ability to work independently and in small groups
• Willingness to participate in class discussions
• Ability to accept criticism
• Interest in questions about the nature of society
  and the nature of human existence
• A stellar work ethic that accommodates
  significant independent work

17
Important Facts to Remember

• Students are required to take an English course
  during each semester of high school.
• The English Department encourages students to
  take a second English course whenever their
  schedules allow.
• Students who score below proficient on the Eighth
  Grade PSSA Reading Assessment will be required to
  take Literature and Study Skills during the first
  semester of ninth grade. This course will be in
  addition to English 9.
• Students who take academic English 9 may screen
  into Honors English 10.