CP Junior English

Course Description:

CP Junior English is both a literature and a composition course. Extensive reading and writing lay the foundation for our thematic study of humanity’s concerns. Participation in class discussion, pointed research, and presentation of original material are integral to student success. Reading includes contemporary and classic selections from American, British and World Literature. Core texts include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah and Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Writing assignments include essays written in the following styles: Definition, Comparison, Division and Classification, Cause and Effect, Argument, Persuasion, Process and Narrative. These skills will be synthesized in a Persuasive Research Essay towards the end of the year. This extensive research project gives students a chance to reflect on quarterly themes and develop their own essential questions to guide their writing and presentation. We will read, discuss and improve students’ communication skills in order for them to be able to form opinions that they can solidly support and use to persuade others of their validity. Students’ skills will develop through their engagement in class and hard work.

Useful Links for submitting work:

CP Junior English: Period 3 - Google Classroom Link

CP Junior English: Period 6 - Google Classroom Link

Turnitin Link (for all periods)


English Language Arts & Literacy Competencies: Junior Year

(Each competency will be accessed during at least two quarters - many will be assessed during all four quarters as students continue to develop mastery.)

1. Reading Literature:

Students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, analyze, and critique a variety of increasingly complex print and non-print literary texts. (Quarter 1)

2. Reading Informational Texts:

Students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, analyze, and critique a variety of increasingly complex print and non-print informational texts including texts for science, social studies, and technical subjects.

3. Writing Arguments:

Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and critique texts or topics and support claims and reasoning with sufficient evidence for intended purpose and audience. (Quarter 1)

4. Explanatory Writing:

Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively write informative texts to examine and convey complex ideas for a variety of purposes and audiences. (Quarter 1)

5. Narrative Writing:

Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively apply narrative strategies for variety of purposes and audiences.

6. Research:

Students will engage in research /inquiry to investigate topics and to analyze, integrate, and present information.

7. Listening:

Students will demonstrate the ability to listen and view critically for a variety of purposes. (Quarter 1)

8. Speaking:

Students will demonstrate the ability to speak purposefully and effectively - strategically making decisions about content, language use, and discourse style. (Quarter 1)

9. Technology:

Students will demonstrate the ability to use the tools of technology (including digital media and the Internet) to gather, interpret, and analyze information and create shareable products.