9th Grade English

You will read, write, and speak to appreciate diverse texts, build community, question power, and affirm identity. You will build skills to prepare for upper-level and International Baccalaureate coursework, such as academic writing, presentation skills, and discussion. Your story and life experience will provide an additional core resource. 

This course consists of 20% academic practice grades and 80% assessment grades. Mastering academic practice ensures success on English 9 assessments. English 9 offers 1 required credit toward the 21.5 required for graduation.

We will build upon skills learned in 9th grade English. We will read a variety of texts, ranging from novels, plays, graphic novels, poetry, etc. We will also embark upon the Personal Project, wherein you will create a project about something you are actually interested in.

11th

This course is designed to enhance students' critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills through the exploration of complex texts. Students will engage with a variety of literary genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, and drama, to develop a deeper understanding of the human condition. Through close reading, analysis, and discussion, students will learn to identify and interpret themes, symbols, and literary devices.

This course is designed to radically enhance students' critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills through the exploration of super complex texts. Students will engage with a wide variety of literary genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, and drama, to develop a wicked deep understanding of the human condition. Through intensely close reading, analysis, and discussion, students will learn to identify, interpret, and evaluate themes, symbols, and literary devices. 

IB Language and Literature is a two-year course. During these two years, students will be analyzing and creating connections between literary and non-literary texts through writing, discussion, research, and presentations. Students will be asked to work individually and collaboratively throughout the course.

Students will complete multiple IB assessments including a higher-level essay, two timed and hand-written analysis papers, and the individual oral assessment presentation. 

This course will help you develop writing strategies you will need for college-level courses. You will practice your writing frequently both in class and outside of class, and get regular feedback from the instructor. During class, we will emphasize active learning (discussing readings, writing during class, reading and responding to other students’ writing, and other activities designed to help you think critically about your writing). In this course, you will write papers that describe your personal experience, analyze the experiences of others, critique ideas in readings, and argue for or against recommendations found in your research.

If you successfully complete CIS Writing, you will earn 4 University of MN credits. Please note that you must take College Prep Writing during the first semester in order to qualify for CIS Writing.