in a nutshell
Course Themes:
Hero: Through a journey, the hero discovers a sense of self. Through the hero, society
learns about man’s capabilities in adverse situations.
Journey: A journey can be physical, spiritual, or intellectual. A journey takes us from
familiar surroundings and comfort zones so that we can discover the self. Not all who
experience a journey emerge as heroes; some will turn their backs on the experience and
refuse to change while others will allow their unique experiences to transform the self in
such a way that it benefits the greater good.
Self: Throughout life, we seek to know our true identities. We do not understand who we are
until we are presented with adversity. We also learn from these obstacles and acquire new
tools that hopefully broaden our perceptions.
Six Weeks
Major Works
st
1
The Alchemist
Life of Pi
Writing
Expository Writing
Elements of Fiction
2nd
The Odyssey
Journey of the Hero
Poetry
Expository Writing
Research Essay
3rd
Short Stories
Non-Fiction Selections
ROR Selection
Expository Writing
Literary Analysis
4th
Romeo and Juliet
Poetry
Literary Analysis
Poetry
5th
Into the Wild
Non-Fiction Selections
Short Stories
Expository Writing
6th
Tuesdays with Morrie
ROR Selection
Memoir
Persuasive Strategies
Example of an English I Calendar: 2nd 6 Weeks
MONDAY
TUESDAY
October
7
Odyssey: Book 9
WEDNESDAY
8
Odyssey: Book 9
THURSDAY
9
STAAR Expository
Essay Strategies
FRIDAY
10
STAAR Expository
Essay Strategies
Vocab. Unit 2 cont.
Grammar Review
11
STAAR In-Class:
Expository Essay
(Quiz Grade)
Vocab. Unit 2 cont.
Vocab. Unit 2 cont. Vocab. Unit 2/
Grammar Review
Grammar Review
Grammar Quiz
Project Overview
14
15
16
17
18
Odyssey: Bk. 9-10 Odyssey: Bk. 10-11 Grammar Review
Odyssey: Book 21
No School
Begin Voc. Unit 3
Grammar Review
Take-Home
Odyssey Reading
Quiz
Odyssey Book 12
Work on Odyssey
Project
Prep. Work for
Odyssey Project
21
22
23
24
Odyssey Project
Odyssey: Book 22- Odyssey: Book 22- Odyssey: Major
Odyssey Test
Due (MAJOR Grade) 23
23 cont.
Symbols, Themes, Review
Archetypes,
Vocab. Unit 3 cont. Grammar Review
Grammar Review
Juxtapositions,
Discuss Essay
Grammar Review
Conflicts
Outlines
28
29
30
31
Test Review
Odyssey Unit Test:
Part One: In-Class
Odyssey Unit Test: Begin Life of Pi
Discuss Essay
Essay
Part Two: MC Test
Grammar Review
Outlines
(50% MAJOR Grade) (50% MAJOR
Grade)
4
5
6
7
Life of Pi Reading Life of Pi cont.
Life of Pi cont.
Work on Life of Pi
Quiz
MAJOR Grade
Vocab. Unit 4
Vocab. Unit 4 cont.
Vocab. Unit 4/
cont.
Grammar Quiz
Grammar Review Grammar Review
25
November
1
Life of Pi cont.
Grammar Review
8
Work on Life of Pi
MAJOR Grade
Major Works
Writing
The Alchemist (summer reading)
Reflexive Writing & Literary Analysis
Life of Pi
Expository Writing
Homer’s The Odyssey
Timed Write Literary Analysis
Short Story
Creative Writing
Rhetoric and Non-fiction
Persuasive Writing & Research
Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet
Expository Writing
Poetry
Research
2nd Six Weeks Calendar: The Odyssey
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Reflexive Essay Due
TAKS Practice
11
6
18
Summary 11
GW: Epic Simile
HW: Book 8
25
8
Book 1 Close Reading
Unit 4 Vocab
HW: Close reading
questions
13
26
14
27
Quiz Books 11-12
Summary 14-18
Film
HW: Book 19
2
Discuss 22/
Theme Chart
HW: Book 23
7
Friday
15
Introduction:
Peer Grade Vocab
Discuss Books 1, 2
Unit 4 Vocab Quiz
The Odyssey
Epithet
Summary 3,4
Silent Read Books 5,6
Annotating Text
Silent Read Book 1
HW: Book 1 SQs; study
HW: Book 5-6, SQs
Film Clip: Trojan War
HW: Book 1, Book 2
for vocab
HW: Unit 4 Vocab due
Pgs. 93-98
tomorrow
19
20
21
22
Quiz Books 5,6
Discuss 9
Discuss 10
Discuss 11
Discuss 8
Group Work: Cyclops
Tone Analysis Practice
Silent Read Book 12
Silent Read Book 9
Film Clip
HW: Book 11 Pgs. 249HW: Book 12
HW: Book 9
HW: Book 10, SQs
257
Discuss 12
GW: Cs and Ss
HW: Book 13, SQs
1
Thursday
TAKS Benchmarking
12
Holiday
Wednesday
Discuss 23
Summary 24
Themes, Motifs, Symbols
28
Discuss 19
HW: Book 20
3
29
Discuss 20
Silent Read Book 21
HW: Book 21, SQs
4
Review for test
Film
HW: Study!!!
Discuss 21
Silent read Book 22
HW: Book 22
5
Major Test:
The Odyssey
Timed Write prep: Tone
Analysis
Six Weeks
Major Works
1st
Life of Pi (summer reading)
Non-Fiction Selections
Writing
Literary Analysis
Expository Writing
2nd
The Odyssey
Journey of the Hero
Poetry
ROR Selection
Expository Writing
Research Essay
3rd
Short Stories
Literary Criticism
Non-Fiction Selections
ROR Selection
Literary Criticism
Expository Writing
4th
Philosophy, Rhetoric Study
Poetry
Non-Fiction Selections
Research Essay
Poetry
Expository Writing
5th
Shakespeare Study
Poetry
Literary Analysis
Poetry
6th
Novel Study
ROR Selection
Literary Analysis
Persuasive Writing
Components Particular to
English I pAP-TAG Humanities
Curriculum:
•
ROR Options are specific to TAG and align
with World Geography units
•
Grammar focuses on sentence
construction and precision in writing
(clauses, phrases, appositives, absolutes,
varied sentence structures);
•
•
heavy emphasis on writer’s style and voice
In general, more challenging and
sophisticated selections for each genre
study
(essay, non-fiction/rhetoric, short story,
etc.)
Literary Criticism
Pedagogy:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Collaborative and independent work
Options for personal choice
Creative options to demonstrate
mastery (not just tests or pencil/paper
assignments)
Book discussion groups
Student-initiated project design
Faster pacing as warranted
A focus on HOW to think not WHAT to
think
Heavy emphasis on articulation of
meaning through text evidence
Fostering connections to the world at
large (global competencies)
Alignment with the World Geography
TAG units of study
Cross-curricular approach to projects
Summer Reading
Required of all English classes at HPHS
For all Freshman English classes for 2014-15:
English I and English I pAP:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
English I pAP-TAG Humanities:
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Be prepared . . .
for discussion and assignments that will begin day 1
to be an active reader through annotations
for essays, journals, and other activities and assessments
Helpful Hints to be Successful in
Your Freshman English Class
Be responsible!
No late daily grades accepted!
Use a planner/calendar/Moodle!
Be proactive and communicate with
your teachers!
Information will be posted on the Counseling
th
website in the 8 Grade Information folder
Questions?
Thank you for coming!