Textbooks:

9th grade - http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/holt_elementsoflit-3/

Reading/Writing Workshop

For 9th  Literature

The story is you.  Man tells the story so many times that he  becomes the story.  The story lives on after him, and he becomes immortal.

This class will focus on the theme of Who Am I. The first half of the semester, we will review the basic genres of literature and read The Odyssey or Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan .  The second half of the semester, we will read the novel House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.

The class will be set up in a reading/writing workshop with specific assignments that must be completed with the reading.

Reading Journal - You will keep a reading journal of your notes from the book (Competency 1).  In your journal, you can use any note taking system that you like (Cornell notes, poem, song, draw picture, flow chart, mind mapping, outlining). 

Literature Group - After we read in class, we will work in a literature group to speak about the novel (competency 4). 

Research - Next, you will need to write two essays:  an informational and a persuasive essay.  Before writing, you will need to research.  Research will include picking the topic/thesis, choosing your sources, validating your sources, brainstorming ideas and questions, taking notes, and creating an outline. You will need to meet with me to receive approval on your topics for these essays.  Also, the essays must include a works cited page and at least three (3) internal citations each.  Research will include using three sources (of course, one of the resources is the book).  You will need to complete an annotated bibliography and a works cited page.  Three internal citations must be in the essay or it will not be graded. (Competency 3)

Research Papers – You will write two essays:  one informational essay and one persuasive essay.  They will be typed, 12 point font, in MLA style.  (Competency 2 and 6)

Presentations - You will present your book that last two weeks of the semester and talk about what you have learned through reading and writing (Competency 5)

Throughout the semester, we will take a break from the reading/writing workshop to have lessons on propaganda, current events, etc. 

Timetable

Grades - Grades will be based on the six competencies for English (defined by the State of Georgia and Henry County District).  The six competencies are:

Competency 1                     Analyzing                  30%

Competency 2                     Writing                     

Competency 3                     Research

Competency 4                     Collaboration

Competency 5                     Speaking

Competency 6                     Language

Materials Needed

·        Journal

·        Folder

·        Paper

·        Pencil

ELECTRONIC POLICY –