9 Honors
English Class Overview
e-mail address: rebekahwilson@ncolonie.org
class blog: mrswilsonenglish.edublogs.org
- Where do stories come from?
- Why are they important?
These are the guiding questions that we will be exploring throughout the year. In order to answer these questions, we will:
- examine the origin and structure of stories
- read and evaluate various fiction and nonfiction texts
- examine the elements and devices authors use to create meaning
- examine the struggle of individual desires versus societal expectations
- use close reading strategies to find patterns in texts
- understand and practice the research process (note taking, drafting, revising and citing based on the MLA Standards)
- analyze language and word choice
Semester 1: “What’s the use of stories that aren’t even true?”
- Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
- Short Stories
- 1984 by George Orwell
- Two-genre essay writing
- Argumentative essay writing
Semester 2: The hero’s journey
- The Odyssey by Homer (selections)
- Dante’s Inferno by Dante Alighieri (selections)
- Sonnet Cycle
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
- Argumentative writing
Guidelines and Expectations:
- All students will be respectful and tolerant at all times.
- Be on time and prepared
- There will be no cell phones or electronic devices used within the classroom.
- Participate in class discussions.
- Give every task your best effort
Materials:
- Student planner
- Pens and pencils
- A folder for handouts
- Spiral one-subject notebook
Homework Policy:
Homework will be given on a weekly basis and should be completed by the beginning of the period on the day that it is due. You will receive partial credit for a homework that is handed in up to one day late. Any assignments handed in past this point will receive a zero.
Late Penalties:
You will receive a 5-point deduction each day that a formal assignment is late. If you do not turn in the assignment within 5 school days, the assignment will earn a zero.
Extra Help:
I encourage you to seek extra help after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2:30-3:00. I can also be reached via email at rebekahwilson@ncolonie.org with questions about homework assignments.