Course Outlines
The following points should be addressed when preparing course outlines.
Name of the course:
no levels
English 3 -1 credit (all levels)
Course description:
In two to three paragraphs, describe the course in terms of focus, purpose, aims and
objectives. This should be a summary.
This year long course required of all juniors not taking AP or IB English will
focus on students engaging in critical thinking about what it means to be an
individual in society. The standards of the Common Core are the foundation of
this curriculum. The course will require students to read closely, question and
evaluate messages, including how they are delivered, and synthesize information
and ideas to make personal meaning or arguments within various contexts.
Readings will include both fiction and non-fiction texts ranging from novel length
to short essay. The goal is to produce college and career ready students.
Topics:
In narrative or outline form, list what you will cover in your course.
The CCSS will be the skill set covered. Our focus for the junior year will build on the
skills developed in the 9th and 10th grades.
The topics covered are:
How does society influence individuals?
Building context: What is society?
✓
What are the societal influences that affect personal decision making? How
✓
does one express him or herself in society?
Race
✓
Ability
✓
Gender
✓
Image
✓
Politics
✓
Family dynamics
✓
Mass media
✓
Common Assessments:
ASSESSMENTS
Annotation for rhetorical purpose and context
Rhetorical and contextual language
Metacognitive reflection
Response to literature
Integrating text
Argument essay
Oral presentation
Biased and slanted language
CCSS Power Standards:
1. Accesses and Engages with a Range of Texts and Text Complexities
 Determines the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text
RI/L.4 (11-12)
 Reads and comprehends at the 9-10 text complexity band proficiently
RI/L10. (11-12)
 Produces clear and coherent writing utilizing the writing process
W.4/.5/.6/.10; L.1/.2 (11-12)
 Initiates and participates in effective collaborative discussions with diverse
partners SL.1a/b/c/d; SL.3 (11-12)
2. Reads Closely to Analyze and Infer
 Determines the central idea(s), theme(s), characters, and events in a text to
show how they emerge and develop across the text. RI/L.2/.3 (11-2)
 Analyzes a point of view or purpose or cultural experience to understand
how an author uses rhetoric/allusions to advance an argument RI/L.6/9;
L.3; SL.3 (11-12)
 Analyzes various accounts/representations of a subject told in different
mediums, determining what is emphasized or absent RI/L.7 (11-12)

Draws evidence from texts to support analysis, reflection, and research W.9
(11-12)
3. Writes and Speaks to Convey Clear and Precise Thinking
 Cites strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the
text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. RI/L.1 (1112)
 Analyzes in detail how an author’s choices, ideas or claims are developed
and refined by particular sentences or larger structural elements (special
order, time) and how this creates specific effects (tension, surprise, humor,
etc) RI/L. 5 (11-12)
 Writes arguments to support claims in analysis of substantive topics or
texts, using valid reasoning and sufficient evidence W.1a/b/c/d/e;
W.3(embedded)
 Presents information and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and
logically for a particular audience, purpose and task making strategic use of
digital media as appropriate SL.4/.5/.6 (11-12)
4. Engages in Frequent short and sustained Inquiry Projects
 Conducts research projects to answer a question or solve a problem;
narrows or broadens the inquiry when appropriate; synthesizes multiple
sources on the subject and demonstrates understanding W.7 (11-12)
 Gathers relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital
sources, assesses the usefulness of each source and integrates information
selectively to avoid plagiarism W.8; SL.2; L.6 (11-12)
Resources:
List the books and other resource materials and software that will be used in the
course. Information should include what is currently available as well as what is
being ordered.
Q1: Selected essays and readings, The Things They Carried, Restrepo
Q2: Hamlet, selected readings and essays
Q3: Mass Media: selected contemporary readings and multi-media
Q4: Into the Wild, selected Transcendentalist and historical essays