High School English

CLASS IS FULL Please contact Tess Doornink to be placed on the wait list.

This is a customized English course is designed for students to meet High School English requirements as well as to prepare them for college-level English classes. Students will demonstrate their understanding of plot, character development, types of conflict, and theme as they study both American and World Literature. Students will study a World Literature epic, completing customized study guides at home and participating in Socratic Seminars during class. Likewise, they will complete lessons and perform scenes from a stage drama by an American playwright.

Students will write a full-length literary review of an American or World Literature novel of their choice with prompts provided by the instructor. Students will demonstrate their understanding of literary analysis terms as they respond to specific writing prompts. They will recognize, analyze, and interpret literature with an understanding of worldview through their writing. They will respond to the writing of others in groups and on discussion boards.

Finally, students will write and present a formal Persuasive Essay on a non-fiction topic of their choice. This essay will require skills such as research, note-taking, and writing from an outline. Students also will learn the basics of position and counter-position writing and presentation to an audience. They will formally present their essays to an audience.

Students will need to plan for 45-60 minutes of homework four days a week. Parents must provide oversight for student’s daily progress on assignments, function as a parent-editor for all writing assignments and facilitate discussion questions.

Grades will be updated weekly at schoology.com. Students who do not have an 80% at the end of fall semester will need instructor permission to continue into second semester. At spring break, students are required to have an 80% or above to be guaranteed registration in a Literature and Composition class at Sound Learning for the following year. Visit Sound Learning’s General Course Requirements for more information.

Prequestites:

Completion of the following courses:
Narnia Composition 1 (or equivalent)
Literature and Composition 1 or 2 (or equivalent)
Introduction to American and World Literature (or equivalent)

If you have questions about placement, please contact Joy Pope.

Please visit Sound Learning English Department Sequence for more information.

Course Day and Time: Mondays, 3rd Period – 10:55-12:05

Tuition: $230 per semester = $460 yearly, plus registration fees

Required Student Materials:

World or American novel of the student’s choice (parent and teacher approval)
The Odyssey, by Homer (translated by W.H.D. Rouse, ISBN#978-0451-53068-4)
The Miracle Worker, by Henry Gibson (textbook will be provided with no fee)
Persuasive Essay (student selected topic and research materials – parent and teacher approval)

Recommended Materials: (not required)
Fix it! Grammar (Levels 1-6)
Grammar will not be formally taught in this class. For parents who want a structured grammar program, Fix it! Grammar encourages students to immediately apply new grammar knowledge in context, aiding in the transfer of grammar skills into their own writing. Student lessons require both independent and interactive work with a parent to apply terminology and strategies from Teaching Writing: Structure and Style. After determining student placement, purchase of a Fix It! Grammar teacher’s manual also provides free access to a downloadable PDF copy of the student workbook for each level.

Fix It! Teacher’s Manual
Spiral Bound, $19.00 (Each Level)

Contact Information: E-mail jpopecreekside@msn.com Phone 360-710-1810
Click here for information on Enrollment and Registration