Honors English 11 A
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credits: 0.50
Description:
This is the first of two courses that comprise Honors English 11. In this course, the student will focus on
the literary movements that comprise American literature, and trace the chronology of national
literature from the early American and colonial period through the periods of Realism and Regionalism.
In reading these diverse selections, the student will gain a thorough understanding of fiction, including
short stories, poetry and drama; as well as nonfiction genres, including the oral tradition, seminal
historical documents, and speeches. The student will also read Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s
play The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail. Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible may be read instead of The Night
Thoreau Spent in Jail. In reading these American plays and composing a dramatic scene, the student will
understand drama in its historical and literary context. Writing instruction guides the student through
the process of composing a descriptive essay and modeling the style of an American author. Throughout
the course, the student expands his vocabulary in context. The mastery of both critical vocabulary and
grammar skills helps the student become a more thoughtful and effective reader and writer. The Honors
course includes more rigorous curriculum and provides greater opportunities for the student to explore
concepts, engage in independent research, and demonstrate critical thinking skills.
Units:
New World, New Voices
In Unit 1, New World, New Voices, you will examine the concept of a national literature and read
different genres that comprise our national literary heritage. You will read and explore the ideas and
writing of the New World’s earliest inhabitants, visitors, and settlers. You will also analyze strategies for
persuasive writing as well as the denotative and connotative meanings of vocabulary words in context.
Additionally, this unit will give you practice composing timed writings.
American Romanticism (1820s–1850s)
In Unit 2, American Romanticism (1820s–1850s), you will read and analyze the short stories of Nathaniel
Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe and the poetry of Walt Whitman. You will also study the subgenre of
transcendentalism, a school of thought shaped by the prose of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Henry David
Thoreau's Walden will model the descriptive writing you will compose for your first portfolio
assessment.
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail
National Connections Academy
1001 Fleet St. 5th Floor Baltimore MD 21202
Toll-free 877-804-NACA (6222)
http://www.nationalconnectionsacademy.com
[email protected]
In Unit 3, you will read and analyze an American drama. The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail is a play in two
acts written in 1970 by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. The play is comprised of shifting scenes
from the real and imagined life of American writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862).
Arrested on July 23, 1846 for failure to pay his taxes, Henry David Thoreau spent one night in jail. The
play dramatizes that night, intercutting scenes in which Henry interacts with his cellmate with flashbacks
to events from the years leading up to the date of his arrest.
For the second portfolio assessment, you will compose a dramatic scene.
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail is the recommended play for English 11. Arthur Miller's play The Crucible
may be read instead of The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail with prior teacher approval. Lessons and
activities for The Crucible will appear on the lower half of the lesson pages. Do not proceed with The
Crucible unless you have received prior approval from your teacher.
Realism and Regionalism
In Unit 4, Realism and Regionalism (1860–1914), you will read, analyze, and interpret the short stories of
American Realist and Regionalist authors, as well as the poetry of Emily Dickinson. In your examination
of this literature, you will consider dialect, flashback, characterization, figurative language, and other
devices used by Realist authors. During this unit, you will gain practice correctly using apostrophes and
possessive pronouns. For your third portfolio assessment, you will select an American short story from
Unit 2 or 4 and compose an alternate ending in the style of the original author.
Semester Review and Exam
In this unit, you will prepare for and take the semester exam. Since this is a comprehensive exam, it will
cover the following units: Early American and Colonial Literature, American Romanticism, The Night
Thoreau Spent in Jail, Realism and Regionalism. Applying the test-taking strategies that you have
previously learned can help you be successful with the multiple choice, matching, short answer, and
essay questions on the semester exam.
Course Sets

English 11 (Basic, Standard, Honors)

LA Novel Kit G11 (Thoreau & Gatsby)
Kit
Online Text/eBook


iText American Short Stories
iText Multicultural II
National Connections Academy
1001 Fleet St. 5th Floor Baltimore MD 21202
Toll-free 877-804-NACA (6222)
http://www.nationalconnectionsacademy.com
[email protected]

iText Writing with Power 11 (Green) Student Ed
Textbook/Novel


The Great Gatsby
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail
National Connections Academy
1001 Fleet St. 5th Floor Baltimore MD 21202
Toll-free 877-804-NACA (6222)
http://www.nationalconnectionsacademy.com
[email protected]