English 1



English 1 is a one-year required core course for 9th grade students, which meets the A-G (UC/CSU) requirement.

English I examines autobiography, memoir, nonfiction texts, essays, poetry, drama, and print advertising. The course explores various themes in literature with close attention to themes of cultural diversity, an emphasis on social and personal meaning, and an analysis of the way in which a work of literature is related to the themes and issues of its historical period. The California State Content Standards for grade 9 English/language arts  are addressed in this course including a focus on word analysis, fluency, and systematic vocabulary development, reading comprehension, literary response and analysis, writing strategies, writing applications, written forms and conventions, and speaking applications.

In each of the six marking periods, students will study a major piece of literature, short story or poetry unit, or nonfiction text. Additionally, students will write one paper per grading period which is graded by the teacher; one assignment must include research techniques. Students will write three on-demand essays in class per year with an emphasis on the CAHSEE writing types. By the end of the year, students should be able to produce a text of a least 1,000 words (3 pages, 2x-spaced, 12pt font).

Textbook: The adopted anthology of literature for this course is Elements of Literature published by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. Students will write daily and are required to bring materials to class including: a writing utensil, notebook, and loose-leaf binder paper.

Core Literature Selections : Students will read four or more core literature selections. The following list includes books on the core and supplemental reading list that are most commonly taught:

Additionally, students will read self-selected books, books from the supplemental core literature list approved by the OUSD Board of Education, print advertising and information materials, and selected short stories and poems that the teacher provides. Types of assignments/Activities:
  1. Students read fiction and nonfiction books and respond orally and in writing.
  2. Students read short stories and study plot features.
  3. Students read, analyze, and recite poetry.
  4. Students practice writing daily.
  5. Students learn and practice the structures of paragraphs.
  6. Students write multi-paragraph narrative and expository essays. Students understand the stages of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and final draft presentation and publishing.
  7. Students write business letters.
  8. Students learn research methods including interviewing techniques and online research.
  9. Students learn and practice written and oral language conventions: grammar, spelling, and punctuation correctness.
  10. Students perform narrative, descriptive, and expository oral presentations.
  11. Students study and analyze historical speeches.
Assessments:
  1. Homework
  2. Written projects
  3. Tests and quizzes
  4. Outside reading logs
  5. Classroom discussion participation
 Source: OUSD Curriculum Guidelines

Grammar:



Grammar:  Students should be able to:

Source: Jim Burke, The English Teacher's Companion (2nd Ed. 2003), at page 126