English I is a required, 5-credit, 10-month course, the second in the series of English I - IV. Students will hone their writing, speaking, viewing, listening, and research skills while reading and interacting with fiction and non-fiction from a variety of genres, including but not limited to myths, journals, poetry, short stories, epics, drama (i.e. Romeo and Juliet), novels, and memoirs (i.e. Night, The House on Mango Street). In addition, students will also work with non-fiction, informational texts, such as articles, editorials, speeches, video clips, and infographics (i.e. CommonLit.org, Newsela, LinkIt!). Students will be asked to compare and contrast, analyze, and evaluate texts.
Throughout the course, students will expand their vocabulary and develop their word-attack skills by working with and decoding vocabulary in-context.
Writing, which will constitute a major portion of in-class and homework assignments, will include evidence-based responses, expository and argumentative essays, narrative compositions, short-constructed responses, definitive sentences, and research project/paper(s). Students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in writing through a full array of activities aimed at developing a clear and cohesive essay. Conforming with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, formal writing will follow the MLA/APA format, employ the conventions of standard English, and adhere to the district’s policy on plagiarism. In addition to NJSLA/NJGPA, PSAT and SAT preparation, this thematically-based program encompasses cross-curricular connections between courses such as history, science and English. Moreover, an added emphasis will be placed on technology in order to prepare students for the NJSLA as well as for the 21st Century.
Click here to see the full syllabus for English I.