The English department is committed to strengthening your reading skills through exposure to diverse texts and strategies. Throughout the year, we will focus on four different aspects of literature: novels, short stories, poetry, and plays balanced with a myriad of nonfiction selections.

You will read a variety of texts from different authors with different writing styles and varying purposes. We will investigate literary techniques, discuss themes, and examine the influences that precipitated the writing. You will be asked to create projects, evaluate the texts, and model some of the writing.

It is a proven fact that when given an opportunity to read books of choice, people read more. The more you read, the more knowledge you gain, the better you become at reading AND writing, your vocabulary develops, and so much more! With this in mind, there will be times when you will read a self-selected independent choice book assignment throughout the year. At times, the class will engage in book clubs.

You will be asked to create narrative, persuasive, argumentative, and informative forms of writing, as well as research-based writing. There will also be frequent smaller writing assignments during and outside of class. Regardless of writing genre, the emphasis will be on gaining skills to add to your growing repertoire of writing techniques and strengths. We will also be examining aspects of grammar.

We will work together for you to successfully complete writing assignments through writing conferences, workshop-style opportunities, peer cooperation, revision opportunities, and mini-lessons.

The more words and parts of words we know, the more information we can unlock.

Vocabulary instruction will be an additional component of both the reading and writing instruction. There will be vocabulary terms directly from your reading and some that you choose for yourself. The study of classic roots will further enhance your understanding of word meanings and functions. We'll also be using a vocabulary program.