Course Syllabus
Modern English
Course Description:
This course is designed for students who may need more support and direction in English. It will focus on reading, writing, and editing skills with application more towards practical, everyday reading and writing experiences than on academic. Emphasis will be on improving sentence maturity, writing skills, and editing errors out of finished work. The course will include a study of contemporary literature and a variety of novels, a unit on language used by the media, a unit on critical television viewing, a unit on a reputable news magazine with students having a month-long subscription, and a unit on writing business letters, filling out applications and business forms correctly.
Prerequisite: English teacher’s signature
Course Outcomes:
After completing this course, students will be able to:
Analyze main and minor characters in classic and contemporary works of literature and examine their influences, attitudes, and relationships
Identify the style, point of view, dialogue, and methods of description and narration in literature.
Explain and use literary terminology.
Identify the 5 w’s and H in newspaper writing.
List and describe the eight parts of speech, the parts of a sentence, the kinds of sentences, clauses and phrases.
Employ the use of correct punctuation.
Write complete sentences and paragraphs expressing ideas clearly and concisely.
Edit their writing using standard English editing symbols.
Use library resources and the internet to identify and evaluate resource information.
Demonstrate the correct format for writing essays and research papers.
Organize and develop a portfolio using specific criteria.
Course Assessments/Culminating Performances
Unit 1
Content/Subject Matter
Course Description:
This is designed to be a full year junior level English course for students who wish to attend a technical college, enter the military service, directly enter the work force after high school, or those who are uncertain of their post high school plans. The course will examine classic works of literature along with contemporary works. Students will be exposed to writing styles and thematic interpretations of literature. Also, emphasis will be placed on mature writing development. Sentence development, grammar usage, word choice, and writing coherence will be stressed.
Objectives:
Students will seek to:
· Find meaning in classic works of literature
· Find enjoyment in reading of daily newspapers and magazines
· Interpret what they have read in a constructive manner
· Write coherent paragraph
· Write grammatically correct varied sentences
· Specifically express coherent thoughts
· View reading and writing as a manageable task rather than a chore.
· Find respect for varying viewpoints
COURSE OUTLINE
Semester One
Weekly vocabulary work
Reading of classic literature and interpretation
Review of basic grammar skills
Sentence variety work
Paragraph development
Essay development
Individual attention to writing and reading issues