Mrs. Yakov / English Courses

"Education is the soul of a society."

School Year: 2009-2010 Samuel S. Fels High School

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During the course of the 11th-grade curriculum, students engage challenging texts and thought-provoking writing assignments. The overall thematic focus is on "Finding America" through an analysis of American literature. As students mature academically, they also grow in their understanding of the evolution of the American identity.

Students become critical readers, thinkers, and writers. Informational (expository), narrative and persuasive essays are accomplished through a well-rounded, comprehensive writing program that involves the strong development of the thesis statement. In addition, research papers/projects are required in English 3.

Students prepare for standardized assessments by gaining solid skills in the following:

The Elements of Literature - esp. how setting affects mood, tone, direct/indirect characterization, irony, satire, imagery, paradox, and theme development
Vocabulary Skills - prefixes, suffixes and word roots
Writing Skills - organization, content, focus, development and style
Reading Comprehension - making inferences, identifying author's purpose and recognizing main idea/theme
Persuasive Devices - logical appeals, ethical appeals, emotional appeals, rhetorical questions, red herring and bandwagon usage

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A Heads-Up for Students -- Important Dates & Information:

Final Draft, Due Date: Wednesday, May 19th

May 26-27 Acuity (Predictive) Test
May 15th: 4th-Quarter Interim Reports

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Click here to access the online textbook,

Elements of Literature,5th ed.

(HOLT online learning)

User Name: ptest3

Password: test

OBTAIN A TEXTBOOK WHEN INTERNET ACCESS IS NOT SECURE
A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST SIGN THE TEXTBOOK COMPACT

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The African American

Literature textbook is

not available online.

Therefore, the text

is used only in class.

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"The Crucible" by Arthur Miller is covered during the first three weeks of November.

The major focus of the reading is to evaluate John Proctor as an Aristotelian Tragic Hero.

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Students produce PowerPoint presentations after completing research papers in preparation for senior-year graduation requirements.

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The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is covered during the first three weeks of December.

The major focus of the reading is to analyze how the literary elements of character and setting are used to develop the theme of alienation in the novel.

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While reading works of literature assigned in English class, students are directed to focus on specific vocabulary, literary devices and genre details.

Scoring Rubrics, Checklists, and Examples are available for students to use as a guide when drafting written responses. All students are given ample time to draft constructed responses for proficient results.

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The Color of Water by James McBride is covered during the month of January.

The major focus of this unit is to analyze autobiographical elements as well as political points of view.

Mrs. Yakov / English Class

Click here to access the online textbook,

Elements of Literature,5th ed.

(HOLT online learning)

User Name: ptest3

Password: test

The major focus of the reading is to analyze how the literary elements of character and setting are used to develop the theme of alienation in the novel.