Literature and Composition (English) 9th Grade
Contact Information
Mr. Ferrante [email protected]
Mr. Byrd
[email protected]
Course Description​: Students learn that competence in the English language is not merely achieved
through mastery of a single skill, but through an integration of literature, composition and oral
expression. Students will explore and analyze literary terms, themes and structure. They will write in
appropriate terms about the literature itself, as well as personal experiences. English 9 is a standard
course which serves the needs of the majority of freshman.
Resources
Textbook: ​Elements of Literature, Third Course​ copyright 2009 by Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Required supplies:
1. A binder or folder to organize and keep notes, handouts, and assignments for the class. (Any paper handed to
students should be kept until final grades have been received at the end of the semester).
2. Standard writing supplies: blue or black pens, color (not blue or black) grading pens, highlighters.
3. Paper for notes and assignments .
4. A planner for keeping track of assignments and information is helpful for many students.
Semester 1
Marking Period 1
Unit 1 - 14 Days
Genre Focus: Short Story
Skill Focus: ​Reading closely and writing to analyze
Common Anchor Texts:
​
​The Cask of Amontillado, T
​ he Interlopers, The Scarlet Ibis
Essential Questions:
● Reading Literature:
● How do characters and conflict contribute to mood development?
● How can characters be relevant to students’ lives?
● How do we understand the structure of the short story?
● How do conflicts shape characters in a short story?
● How do characters and conflict contribute to theme development?
● How does one develop writing skills?
● How does writing contribute to effective communication?
● How does knowledge of word parts increase vocabulary and deepen comprehension of text?
Assessment: ​Benchmark Assessments
Marking Period 2
Unit 2 - 25 Days
*will begin approximately during the last two weeks of MP1
​​
Genre Focus: ​Novel and literary analysis
Skill Focus: ​Text Structure and the development of Ideas
Common Anchor Texts: ​(one of the following) ​A Tale Dark and Grimm b
​ y Adam Gidwitz,​ ​ ​To Kill A
Mockingbird by Harper​ Lee,​Animal Farm by George Orwell, ​Lord of the Flies by William Golding,
Night ​by Elie Wiesel (may be used for Unit 3 and 4)
Essential Questions:
● How are short stories and novels similar and different?
● What makes a theme universal?
● How do fiction and non-fiction interact in literature?
● What strategies can students employ when reading a longer piece of literature that will help
them comprehend better and become more efficient readers?
● How can knowing the historical context of a novel enhance understanding?
● How do novels shape or reflect society and culture?
● What is a literary analysis?
● How will students develop and support a thesis in their writing?
● Why is it important to understand the figurative meaning of elements introduced in a novel?
Assessment: ​Benchmark Assessments
Marking Period 3
Unit 3 - 10 Days
*will begin approximately during the last week of MP2
Genre Focus: ​Nonfiction text and argument
Skill Focus:​ Analyzing text to write arguments
Common Anchor Texts:​ ​Ain’t I A Woman by Sojourner Truth
Essential Questions:
● What do I need to do, as a reader, when I encounter a challenging text?
● What skills can be used in order to read and understand a text written in a vernacular very
different from our own?
● How do authors’ word choices and stylistic choices influence the overall meaning of a text?
● How do readers identify the main idea of an informational text?
● How do you choose a topic for argument?
● How do authors of informational text establish style?
• How do authors convey main ideas in informational text?
Assessment: ​Benchmark Assessments
Unit 4 -23 Days = Research Unit
*will end approximately one week into MP4
Genre Focus: ​Research Process
Skill Focus: ​Building and communicating knowledge through research
Common Anchor Texts: ​Research materials
Essential Questions:
What makes a source reliable?
● How do you find valid information for your research topic?
● How do you interpret the information you find?
● How do readers identify the main idea of an informational text?
● How do you choose a topic for argument?
● How do authors of informational text establish style?
● How do authors convey main ideas in informational text?
● How can questions guide my research?
● What types of questions do good readers ask as they read various types of texts?
● Why is it important to cite sources?
● How are outlines beneficial to writers?
● How do we use textual evidence to support our ideas in writing?
● How does the writing process influence a final product?
Assessment: ​Benchmark Assessments
Marking Period 4
Unit 5 - 20 Days = Choices and Consequences
Genre Focus: ​Drama
Skill Focus: ​Analyzing character development and motivation
Common Anchor Texts: ​Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Essential Questions:
● How are Shakespearean tragedy and comedy both alike and different?
● How are literature and history connected?
● How can studying drama help us understand ourselves and the different cultures of the
world? ● How can studying drama help us understand the political climate of Elizabethan
England?
● What reading strategies can we use to help us understand the language used by
Shakespeare? ● What are the three types of Shakespearean dramas?
Assessment: ​Benchmark Assessments
Grading Policy:
Tests 40%
Projects 20%
Quizzes 15%
HW & Classwork 15%
Participation 10%
Academic Dishonesty:
This includes both written and oral presentations. Examples of academic dishonesty include but
are not limited to:
·​ ​Submitting another person’s work as your own including:
o​ ​Copying and pasting information from the Internet
o​ ​Copying another student's work
o​ ​Not properly documenting and citing sources
·​ G
​ iving or receiving information during tests/quizzes or class assignments
·​ U
​ sing unauthorized materials during a test/quiz
*All instances of cheating and plagiarism will receive a failing grade and referral to grade level
administrator.
Make-Up Work Policy:
Late Classwork/Homework
If ​ABSENT, ​see the “Missing Work Folder” on the day of your return.
Also check Google Classroom for Assignments
Late Writing Assignments/Projects
If ​ABSENT, ​assignment must be turned in ​on or before due date​ for full credit.
Submit within ​ONE WEEK​ (5 school days) of due date for HALF CREDIT.
Late writing assignments/projects will not be accepted after one week.
Absent on day of Test/Quiz
Must make up within ​ONE WEEK​ (5 school days) upon return.
YOU MUST SEE ​ME to set up a date to make up the test.
NO MAKE-UPS​ after one week.
Extra Credit Policy:​ ​There are certain times that extra credit will be offered throughout
the course. These are the only opportunities for extra credit.