Grade 9 - English

Core: English 9 (Credit: 1.00)

The English 9 course is an overview of exemplar selections of literature in fiction and nonfiction genres. Students read short stories, poems, a full-length novel, and a full-length Shakespeare play, analyzing the use of elements of literature in developing character, plot, and theme. For example, in selected stories, students compare the effect of setting on tone and character development. Likewise, in the poetry unit, students analyze how artists and writers draw from and interpret source material. Each unit includes informational texts inviting students to consider the historical, social, and literary context of the main texts they study. For example, in the first semester, a Nikolai Gogol story that is offered as an exemplar of magical realism is accompanied by instruction on that genre. Together, the lesson content and reading prompt students to demonstrate their understanding of magical realism by analyzing its qualities in a literary text. Throughout the course, students respond to others' claims and support their own claims in essays, discussions, and presentations, consistently using thorough textual evidence. The range of texts includes canonical authors such as William Shakespeare, Franz Kafka, and Elie Wiesel, as well as writers from diverse backgrounds, such as Alice Walker, Li-Young Lee, and Robert Lake-Thom (Medicine Grizzlybear). Course Materials Semester 1: Optional The Metamorphosis. Fraz Kafka. David Wylie, translator. (Classix Press, 2009). ISBN-10: 1557427666 / ISBN-13: 9781557427663. Other editions acceptable. NOTE: This book is provided in digital format in the course. If students wish to read offline, the above purchase is recommended. Semester 2: Optional Macbeth. William Shakespeare. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, eds. (Simon & Schuster, 2003). ISBN-10: 074377103 / ISBN-13: 8780743477109 Other editions acceptable. NOTE: This book is provided in digital format in the course. If students wish to read offline, the above purchase is recommended.

Core: English 9 Semester 1 (Credit: 0.50)

This course is only semester 1 of English 9.

Core: English 9 Semester 2 (Credit: 0.50)

This course is only semester 2 of English 9.

English Foundations I (Credit: 1.00)

English Foundations I supports adolescent literacy development at the critical stage between decoding and making meaning from text. Through intensive reading and writing skills instruction, deep practice sets, consistent formative feedback, graduated reading levels, and helpful strategy tips, the course leads students to improved comprehension and text handling. Semester 1 provides instruction in basic reading skills and vocabulary building. The student learns what a successful reader does to attack words and sentences and make meaning from them. Semester 2 provides instruction in basic writing skills, introduces academic tools, and demonstrates effective study skills. The student learns step-by-step processes for building effective paragraphs and learns how to use academic tools such as reference books and outlines. To provide additional support, the course uses text features and visual clues to draw students' attention to important information. The use of text features is also designed to help students internalize strategies for comprehending informational text. Characters appear throughout the instruction to offer tips and fix-up strategies in an authentic, first-person, think-aloud format. Their inclusion makes transparent the reading processes that go on inside the mind of a successful reader. This extra metacognitive support serves to bolster student confidence and provide a model of process and perseverance. Numerous practice opportunities are provided in the form of assessments that move from no stakes to low stakes to high stakes throughout a unit. This practice is centered on authentic and age-appropriate passages that are written in a topical framework and use controlled syntax and vocabulary. The difficulty of these passages gradually increases from a 3rd- to 5th grade reading level over the duration of the course. Additional support is offered through significant formative feedback in practice and assessment. This course guides students through the reading, writing, and basic academic skills needed to prepare for success in academic coursework. At the end of the course, the student should be poised for continued success in the academic world. The content is based on extensive national and state standards research and consultation with reading specialists and classroom teachers. It aligns to state standards for reading and writing and to NCTE/IRA reading and writing standards.

English Foundations I Semester 1 (Credit: 0.50)

This course is only semester 1 of English Foundations I.

English Foundations I Semester 2 (Credit: 0.50)

This course is only semester 2 of English Foundations I.

English Foundations II (Credit: 1.00)

English Foundations II offers a year of skill building and strategy development in reading and writing. Semester one is a reading program designed to help struggling readers develop mastery in the areas of reading comprehension, vocabulary building, study skills, and media literacy. Semester two is a writing program which builds confidence in composition fundamentals by focusing on the areas of composing, grammar, style, and media literacy. Both semesters are structured around ten mini-units which offer interactive instruction and guided practice in each of the four learning strands. Students read for a variety of purposes and write for a variety of audiences. The workshops stress high interest, engaging use of technology, relevant topics, and robustly scaffolded practice. Students learn to use different types of graphic organizers as they develop and internalize reading and writing process strategies. They build confidence as they develop skills and experience success on numerous low stakes assessments that encourage growth and reinforce learning. The reading program content is based on the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), International Reading Association (IRA), National Reading Program (NRP), and McREL, standards and aligned to state standards. The writing program is based on the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) standards and aligned to state standards.

English Foundations II Semester 1 (Credit: 0.50)

This course is only semester 1 of English Foundations II .

English Foundations II Semester 2 (Credit: 0.50)

This course is only semester 2 of English Foundations II.

Honors: English 9 (Credit: 1.00)

The English 9 Honors course is an overview of exemplar selections of literature in fiction and nonfiction genres. Students read short stories, poems, a full-length novel, and a full-length Shakespeare play, analyzing the use of elements of literature in developing character, plot, and theme. For example, in selected stories, students compare the effect of setting on tone and character development. Likewise, in the poetry unit, students analyze how artists and writers draw from and interpret source material. Each unit includes informational texts inviting students to consider the historical, social, and literary context of the main texts they study. For example, in the first semester, a Nikolai Gogol story that is offered as an exemplar of magical realism is accompanied by instruction on that genre. Together, the lesson content and reading prompt students to demonstrate their understanding of magical realism by analyzing its qualities in a literary text. Throughout the course, students respond to others' claims and support their own claims in essays, discussions, and presentations, consistently using thorough textual evidence. The range of texts includes canonical authors such as William Shakespeare, Franz Kafka, and Elie Wiesel, as well as writers from diverse backgrounds, such as Alice Walker, Li-Young Lee, and Robert Lake-Thom (Medicine Grizzlybear). Course Materials Semester 1: Optional The Metamorphosis. Franz Kafka. David Wylie, translator. (Classix Press, 2009). ISBN-10: 1557427666 / ISBN-13: 9781557427663. Other editions acceptable. NOTE: This book is provided in digital format in the course. If students wish to read offline, the above purchase is recommended. Semester 2: Optional Macbeth. William Shakespeare. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, eds. (Simon & Schuster, 2003). ISBN-10: 074377103 / ISBN-13: 8780743477109 Other editions acceptable. NOTE: This book is provided in digital format in the course. If students wish to read offline, the above purchase is recommended.

Honors: English 9 Semester 1 (Credit: 0.50)

This course is only semester 1 of Honors English 9.

Honors: English 9 Semester 2 (Credit: 0.50)

This course is only semester 2 of Honors English 9.