Kewaskum School District - Kevin Chambers

Mr. Chambers

Schedule: 2011-2012 Semesters 1 and 2

First Block English 11

Second Block English 11

Third Block English 9 skinny

Fourth Block Prep

CORE Syllabus

Ninth Grade English:

Reading Content/Genres:

To Kill a Mockingbird

Understand diversity and conflict in the South in the 1930’s.

Examine character development within the novel.

Elizabethan England/William Shakespeare

Students will learn about the daily happenings of an individual in Elizabethan England.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

Students will experience character development through stories about real teens. They will also gain strategies to be successful teens.

Odyssey/Mythology

Students will acquire a basic knowledge of Greek gods and goddesses.

Students will discover the major characteristics of a hero.

The Greek concept of hubris will be examined.

Reading Skills:

Text Structure

Examine elements of literature including plot, characterization, conflict, setting , theme.

Vocabulary Development

Identify and define crucial vocabulary to the meaning of a text.

Literary Devices

Students examine setting, mood, foreshadowing, flashback, and irony to support a theme.

Students will examine figures of speech such as simile and metaphor.

Writing Topics/Genres

Essay

Organize a five paragraph essay.

Research Paper

Students will learn the importance of topic sentence, thesis statement, and paragraph development.

Develop peer editing skills.

Writing Skills

Content/Composition

Students will learn about the writing process and the characteristics of good writing.6+1 traits

Library/research skills

Differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources of information.

Use online databases and print materials.

Grammar/Spelling

Parts of speech

Review nouns, verbs adjectives, and adverbs

Listening/Speaking

Formal public speaking.

Students will learn the process of preparing and delivering a formal speech.

Students will research topics and report information using the formal speech format.

English 9 - as taught by Mr. Chambers

We begin the semester with a brief library/research unit that is quickly followed by a review of the 6+1 writing traits and the writing process. This if followed by a composition unit which is based on Chapters 1-15 in the Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar: Communication in Action textbook. The writing process is taught using chapters examining the following forms: narration, description, persuasion, and exposition. The students will also write a book review, literary analysis, and annotation based on assigned out-of class reading.

Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar: Communication in Action is also the basis of the English 9 review of the parts of speech, grammar, usage and mechanics.

English 9 reads Romeo and Juliet, memorizes speeches and presents scenes from the play on stage. Stagecraft/dramatic production is an integral part of the Shakespeare unit. In addition, the research paper unit is tied to the Romeo and Juliet unit.

English 9 reads selections from the Odyssey and addresses the Wisconsin standard for technology by presenting a Greek myth using audio visual technology

CORE Syllabus

English 11

Reading Content/Genres:

The Moderns/Jazz Age

Identify and Define characteristics of “The Moderns” & “Jazz Age” by reading and analyzing the text Of Mice and Men

Identify and Define characteristics of “The Moderns” & “Jazz Age” by reading and analyzing the text The Great Gatsby

Identify and Define characteristics of “The Moderns” & “Jazz Age” by reading and analyzing various texts and short stories written by Ernest Hemingway

Contemporary Literature

Identify and Define characteristics of “Contemporary” Literature through the use of student choice novels and/or teacher chosen literature

Reading Skills:

Text Structure

Analyze plot structure, setting, character, and theme

Determine Importance of literary elements, structures, themes, and author’s intent.

Reading Strategies

Apply connecting skills to determine and aid in text content meaning/deciphering

Apply predicting skills to determine and aid in text content meaning/deciphering

Apply questioning skills to determine and aid in text content meaning/deciphering

Vocabulary Development

Utilize word family/etymology skills to determine and aid in text content meaning/deciphering

Utilize context clues skills to determine and aid in text content meaning/deciphering

Utilize usage skills to determine and aid in text content meaning/deciphering

Literary Devices

Identify and utilize sensory imagery elements in a variety of genres and authors

Identify utilize perspective/point of view (POV) in a variety of genres and authors

Identify utilize tone in a variety of genres and authors

Writing Topics/Genres

Expository Essay

Employ standard writing process to formulate written piece that uses elements necessary to create an

effective essay (Old Man and the Sea)

Persuasive Essay

Employ standard writing process to formulate written piece that uses elements necessary to create an effective essay.(Of Mice and Men)

Literary Analysis

Emplloy standard writing process to formulate written piece that uses elements necessary to create an effective essay. (Contemporary Novel)

Writing Skills:(Students will learn and use the 6 +1 traits of Writing)

Standard Writing Process

Employ process of prewriting, drafting, reviewing and revising, editing and proofreading, and

publishing in exercise of formulating an extended piece of writing/essay

Control of Language

Identify, determine, and utilize word choice in text and writing

Identify, determine, and utilize sentence fluency in text and writing

Identify, determine, and utilize voice in text and writing

Content/Composition

Determine, and utilize the best ideas and content in text and writing

Identify, determine, and utilize appropriate organization in text and writing

Identify, determine, and utilize effective voice in text and writing

Grammar/Spelling:

Review basic elements of syntax/sentence structure

Identify and utilize in writing pieces coordination and subordination to create complex

sentences; select and utilize accurate connectives to express clear relationships between

ideas in a sentence

present clear relationship between coordinate ideas using appropriate connectives to express addition, contrast, choice, or result; present clear relationship between independent and subordinate adverb or adjective clauses using appropriate subordinate conjunction to express time, cause or reason, purpose or result, or condition

Identify and utilize in writing parallel structure; avoid using faulty parallelisms

properly construct/balance sentences with coordinate ideas and compared or contrasted ideas

Listening/Speaking:

Organization

Working alone or with peers to organize ideas for whole group presentation or discussion

Prep

Working alone or with peers to prepare ideas for whole group presentation or discussion

Presentation

Working alone or with peers to organize ideas for whole group presentation or discussion and holding students accountable for the success of themselves and their peers

Listening Skills

Develop note-taking skills from various oral presentations

Develop questioning techniques from a variety of oral presentations and discussions

English 11 - as taught by Mr. Chambers

What is an American?

What is the American Dream?

These are the two questions that begin and end the English 11 class each term. By reading selections of American literature from the early twentieth century to the present day, students are exposed to many different authors’ views of America. The students are challenged to come up with their own, unique view on the topics. As Americans, they are expected to be able to articulate their perspective.

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