English

Unit 1: "Against All Odds"

Learning Targets

• Students initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions

• Students determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text

• Students analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States

Unit 2: "Breaking Down"

Learning Targets

• Students analyze the logic (including assumptions and beliefs) and use of evidence (existing and missing information, primary sources, and secondary sources) used by two or more authors presenting similar or opposing arguments (such as articles by two political columnists that address the same issue)

• Students demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. This includes, but is not limited to, similes, metaphors, characterization, and rhetorical devices

• Students demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. These include colons, semicolons, and clause

Unit 3: "Love and Loss"

Learning Targets

• Students determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies

• Students identify five elements of Shakespeare’s writing style

• Students verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (for example: by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary)

Unit 4: "Freedom at All Costs"

Learning Targets

• Students develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and utilize a minimum of three pieces of evidence for each of these claims

• Students collaborate effectively as group members or leaders to engage in a class-long debate

• Students draw multiple pieces of evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research

Unit 5: "Epic Journeys"

Learning Targets

• Students use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole

• Students write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas

• Students interpret information and draw conclusions based on the best analysis

Unit 1: Rhetorical Analysis

Learning Targets

• Students analyze rhetorical situations

• Students define ethos, pathos, and logos in relation to rhetoric

• Students apply ethos, pathos, and logos to formulate a rhetorical analysis

• Students identify rhetorical appeals in visual texts

• Students revise my writing to heighten the sophistication and have a clear and identifiable line of reasoning

• Students defend a claim with relevant and specific evidence

• Students develop a thesis statement that conveys a defensible, interpretive claim

• Students identify tone and tone shifts and the purpose they serve

• Students analyze the purpose of specific diction to make rhetorical appeals

Unit 2: Argument

Learning Targets

• Students identify the difference between a claim and a statement

• Students identify various types of evidence and the purpose that each type serves

• Students implement logical reasoning and organization to formulate an effective argument

• Students use background knowledge to deduce fallacies when analyzing an argument

• Students provide constructive feedback to my peers

• Students formulate my own conclusions based on information analyzed

• Students select relevant evidence to support my argument

• Students provide reasoning to support my argument

Coming Soon

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Unit 1: Introduction to Literature

Learning Targets

• Students explain the function of structure in a poem

• Students explain the function of diction, imagery, and symbolism

• Students develop textually substantiated arguments

• Students implement relevant and sufficient evidence to develop and support a line of reasoning

• Students identify and distinguish between literal and figurative language

• Students identify the details of a literary analysis that enable a writer to defend a claim

• Students develop commentary that establishes and explains relationships among textual evidence, the line of reasoning, and the claim

Unit 2: Verisimilitude - The Misconceptions of Reality

Learning Targets

• Students analyze the techniques that authors use to ground the audience in the reality of the text (verisimilitude)

• Students explain how a character’s choices, actions, and language contribute to depth and complexity

• Students ​​​​​​​identify and explain contrast and the purpose it serves to the text

• Students ​​​​​​​identify and explain metaphors, similes, and allusions and the purpose they serve to the text

• Students ​​​​​​​craft a line of reasoning through commentary and explain the logical relationship between the claims/evidence

• Students ​​​​​​​identify and explain the purpose of tone and tone shifts

Unit 3: Identity: Part I - The Constraints of Worldview

Learning Targets

• Students analyze thematic complexities

• Students apply sociological lenses when analyzing thematic complexities

• Students ​​​​​​​identify text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world comparisons and the purpose they serve

• Students ​​​​​​​formulate inferences based on evidence

• Students ​​​​​​​develop a thesis statement that conveys a defensible, interprative claim and establishes a clear and supportive line of reasoning

• Students ​​​​​​​develop a Quick Write comprised of 1) a claim that requires relevant/supportive textual evidence and 2) the evidence itself

Unit 3: Part II - The Constraints of Worldview

Learning Targets

• Students engage in discussion with logical reasoning to support a claim

• Students identify and describe specific textual details about a character, that character’s perspective, and that character’s motives

• Students identify and make claim to author’s purpose

• Students​​​​​​​ develop a thesis statement that conveys a defensible, interpretive claim and establish a clear supporting line of reasoning

• Students​​​​​​​ identify and explain irony and the purpose it serves the text

• Students​​​​​​​ identify and annotate a text for literary devises 

Unit 1: Baseline Topics Include: Norms, Behavior & Routine

Learning Targets - 

• Students feel confident in their ability to accomplish their ACCESS Goal for the school year and know what the standards are to reach that goal

• Students communicate their needs to their teachers either in person or via email

• Students contribute to their class as a community member, respect boundaries, and keep their classroom clean

• Students access their resources, know how to use Schoology, and organize their classwork in their binder

Unit 2: Identity Topics Include: Displacement, Traditions, and Heritage

Learning Targets

• Students analyze the important parts of a text and understand the basis of the story using a plot chart

• Students identify new vocabulary, use the words in a sentence, and use a graphic organizer to comprehend information

• Students discuss my identity using the English I know 

• Students analyze how my identity impacts my life

Unit 3: Screen Time, Rules, and Bottled Water

Learning Targets

• Students write a formal summary of a text

• Students use Citation Verbs, Nouns, and Pronouns to credit an author

Unit 4: Education, Robots, and Sports

Learning Targets

• Students write an opinion paragraph responding to a prompt

• Students write and present an opinion speech while delivering some eye contact

• Students ​​​​​​​use modal verbs, simple present and past tense in my speech and writing

Unit 5: Gaming, Health, and Street Art

Learning Targets - 

• Students write a justification (argumentative) paragraph

• Students write and present an argumentative speech with minimal hesitation over vocabulary words

• Students ​​​​​​​accurately use homophones and pronouns in their writing and speech

Unit 6: Drought, Bullying, and Image

Learning Targets - 

• Students further develop their writing, speaking, and reading skills by interacting with more complex texts

• Students express their confidence by delivering a speech on a topic of their choice

Unit 7: Sleep, Driving, and Money

Learning Targets - 

• Students access new vocabulary in English

• Students analyze a text and provide evidence to support or discredit an argument

Unit 1: Introduction to Reading Strategies and Skills

Learning Targets - 

• Students apply decoding strategies to read effectively

• Students utilize context clues to build vocabulary

• Students determine the main idea and identify supporting details

• Students actively employ reading strategies to enhance comprehension

• Students demonstrate reading fluency and comprehension

Unit 2: Literary Analysis

Learning Targets

• Students identify elements of fiction and nonfiction texts

• Students analyze character development, plot, and setting in a text

• Students recognize different genres and their characteristics

• Students make inferences and draw conclusions from the text

• Students write summaries and respond to literature effectively

Unit 3: Reading for Information

Learning Targets

• Students identify text structures, such as compare/contrast and cause/effect

• Students use graphic organizers to organize information from texts

• Students skim and scan texts to locate key information quickly

• Students analyze and evaluate informational texts critically

• Students write informational essays and reports using gathered information

Unit 4: Vocabulary Development

Learning Targets

• Students identify and use context clues to determine word meaning

• Students apply prefixes, suffixes, and roots to understand word parts

• Students expand vocabulary through reading and word study

• Students apply new vocabulary in speaking and writing

• Students ​​​​​​​use a dictionary and thesaurus effectively

Unit 5: Grammar and Language Skills

Learning Targets

• Students review and apply parts of speech and sentence structure rules

• Students​​​​​​​ use verb tenses and ensure subject-verb agreement in writing

• Students​​​​​​​ practice punctuation and capitalization rules correctly

• Students​​​​​​​ use correct grammar and mechanics when writing

• Students​​​​​​​ edit and revise written work to improve its quality

Unit 6: Writing Process

Learning Targets - 

• Students use the steps of the writing process

• Students generate and organize ideas effectively for writing projects

• Students craft strong introductions and conclusions in writing

• Students ​​​​​​​develop coherent paragraphs with supporting details in compositions

• Students ​​​​​​​incorporate descriptive language and sensory details in writing

Unit 7: Narrative Writing

Learning Targets - 

• Students use key elements of a narrative, including plot, characters, and setting

• Students​​​​​​​ write personal narratives and fictional stories

• Students​​​​​​​ use dialogue and description to make narratives engaging

• Students​​​​​​​ apply effective narrative techniques such as flashbacks and foreshadowing

• Students​​​​​​​ revise and edit narratives to ensure clarity and coherence

Unit 8: Persuasive Writing

Learning Targets - 

• Students develop persuasive techniques and appeals used in writing

• Students write persuasive essays and argumentative pieces to support claims

• Students provide evidence and reasoning to back up persuasive arguments

• Students ​​​​​​​address counterarguments and opposing viewpoints in writing

• Students ​​​​​​​revise and edit persuasive writing to make it more effective

Unit 9: Research and Expository Writing

Learning Targets - 

• Students conduct research using reliable sources to gather information

• Students ​​​​​​​evaluate and synthesize information from various sources

• Students ​​​​​​​organize and outline research papers effectively

• Students ​​​​​​​write expository essays and informative pieces using gathered information

• Students ​​​​​​​cite sources and create a bibliography following citation guidelines

Unit 1: "The Foundation"

Learning Targets

• Students initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions

• Students determine a theme or central idea of an article on hip hop and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text

• Students analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States

Unit 2: "The Underground to the Mainstream"

Learning Targets

• Students analyze the logic (including assumptions and beliefs) and use of evidence (existing and missing information, primary sources, and secondary sources) used by two or more artists presenting similar or opposing arguments (such as articles by two political columnists that address the same issue)

• Students demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. This includes, but is not limited to, similes, metaphors, characterization, and alliteration in songs

Unit 3: "The New Squad"

Learning Targets

• Students determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies

• Students identify five elements of both New York and Los Angeles hip hop style

• Students verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (for example: by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a rap lyrics database)

Unit 4: "West Coast-Gangsta Rap & Beyond"

Learning Targets

• Students develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and utilize a minimum of three pieces of evidence for each of these claims with regards to an element of hip hop

• Students collaborate effectively as group members or leaders to engage in a class-long debate

• Students draw multiple pieces of evidence from musical review texts to support analysis, reflection, and research

Unit 5: "The Rise of Personas-Wu Tang Clan, Outkast, Alternative Hip Hop"

Learning Targets

• Students use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole

• Students respond to the allusions and references in the canon of these hip hop artists

Unit 6: "The Global Phenomenon"

Learning Targets

• Students analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a variety of hip hop work  from outside the United States

• Students compare and contrast the hip hop styles of a chosen country with the United States

Unit 1: Improv

Learning Targets

• Students apply active listening
• Students deliver an impromptu speech
• Students organize my argument effectively
• Students support my claim with reasoning
• Students state a position and make a definitive claim
• Students adapt to the topic provided 
• Students apply appropriate hand gestures and body language 
• Students ​​​​​​​articulate when speaking
• Students ​​​​​​​project my voice when speaking
• Students ​​​​​​​make eye contact with the audience

Unit 2: Demonstration

Learning Targets

• Students propel conversations by posing and responding to questions

• Students ​​​​​​​deliver a demonstrative speech

• Students ​​​​​​​demonstrate command of the audience’s attention

• Students ​​​​​​​demonstrate command of the English language when writing or speaking

• Students ​​​​​​​present information clearly and concisely for the audience

• Students ​​​​​​​make strategic use of digital media in presentations to enhance audience understanding

Unit 3: Special Occasion

Learning Targets

• Students identify the tone and context of an occasion to appropriately deliver a toast
• Students ​​​​​​​collaborate with peers to conduct interviews
• Students ​​​​​​​initiate and participate in a range of collaborative discussions
• Students ​​​​​​​introduce a topic and organize storytelling inform my audience
• Students ​​​​​​​respond to diverse perspectives and respectfully agree or disagree
• Students ​​​​​​​produce a written speech with clear thematic purpose
• Students deliver a special occasion speech

Unit 3: Special Occasion

Learning Targets

• Students identify the tone and context of an occasion to appropriately deliver a toast
• Students collaborate with peers to conduct interviews
• Students initiate and participate in a range of collaborative discussions
• Students introduce a topic and organize storytelling inform my audience
• Students respond to diverse perspectives and respectfully agree or disagree
• Students ​​​​​​​produce a written speech with clear thematic purpose
• Students deliver a special occasion speech

Unit 4: Informative

Learning Targets

• Students ​​​​​​​use technology to produce a relevant informative presentation
• Students ​​​​​​​synthesize relevant and appropriate information from multiple digital sources
• Students ​​​​​​​integrate multiple sources and compile information in a digital format
• Students ​​​​​​​deliver factual information on a topic with relevant, and sufficient evidence, that is appropriately adapted to the audience
• Students ​​​​​​​deliver an informative speech

Unit 5: Persuasive

Learning Targets

• Students ​​​​​​​implement strategic use of language to add interest and persuade the audience
• Students deliver information and evidence clearly, logically and persuasively
• Students evaluate a speaker’s point of view, use of evidence and reasoning to formulate a logical counterargument
• Students determine my position on an argument and effectively articulate my claim and reasoning
• Students deliver a persuasive speech

Unit 1: What is Travel Writing?

Learning Targets

• Students define travel writing

• Students implement sensory details to create imagery within my writing

• Students implement descriptive adjectives to enhance my writing and further immerse the audience 

• Students budget for a two week vacation including transportation, accommodations, activities, meals and incidentals

• Students design an extended vacation that requires planning and researching specific destination and locations 

• Students ​​​​​​​communicate with others about a cultures different than my own

• Students ​​​​​​​identify elements of what defines culture and analyze my culture

• Students ​​​​​​​explore and promote enticing qualities of a location

• Students ​​​​​​​use digital resources to research cultural differences of specific locations

Unit 2: The Enticement of Travel

Learning Targets

• Students identify qualities that make a destination valuable

• Students ​​​​​​​compare contrast cultures

• Students ​​​​​​​discuss similarities and differences in personal culture and identity

• Students ​​​​​​​respectfully identify differences in beliefs and cultures

• Students ​​​​​​​identify a contrast within writing and expand on the purpose that the contrast serves

• Students ​​​​​​​provide my peers with constructive feedback to aid in the revision process

• Students ​​​​​​​use descriptive language to immerse the audience in my story

• Students ​​​​​​​collaborate effectively with a peer to design the perfect destination

• Students ​​​​​​​collaborate with a peer to research various destinations

• Students ​​​​​​​shift conversation from surface culture to shallow culture

• Students ​​​​​​​define elements of shallow culture

Unit 2: The Enticement of Travel

Learning Targets

• Students identify qualities that make a destination valuable

• Students compare contrast cultures

• Students discuss similarities and differences in personal culture and identity

• Students ​​​​​​​respectfully identify differences in beliefs and cultures

• Students ​​​​​​​identify a contrast within writing and expand on the purpose that the contrast serves

• Students ​​​​​​​provide my peers with constructive feedback to aid in the revision process

• Students ​​​​​​​use descriptive language to immerse the audience in my story

• Students ​​​​​​​collaborate effectively with a peer to design the perfect destination

• Students ​​​​​​​collaborate with a peer to research various destinations

• Students ​​​​​​​shift conversation from surface culture to shallow culture

• Students ​​​​​​​define elements of shallow culture

Unit 3: The Little Moments

Learning Targets

• Students appreciate my surrounding

• Students journal about my past experiences

• Students select especially well-chosen words to use to be concise, yet impactful in my writing

• Students assess my budget and plan accordingly

• Students review and assess the final budget for a year abroad

• Students record and journal about what it would be like to live in a different country

• Students research the housing market for a year abroad and plan accordingly

• Students research the cultures of a country and how to assimilate into a year abroad

• Students research the extensiveness of planning for a year abroad

• Students research and various forms of travel writing and the means in which are profitable