English I

Unit 2: Survival

Essential Question: What does it take to survive?

In this unit, students will read and evaluate arguments in a short story and a nonfiction text to better understand the ways writers express ideas. These texts will focus on the essential standards of how an author's choices concerning text structure and/or time manipulation creates effects such as mystery, tension, and suspense. Students will develop a deeper understanding of how authors use phrases and clauses and will practice using the phrases and clauses in their own writing.

Unit 3: Literature of Civil Rights

Essential Question: How can words inspire change?

In this unit, students will read a variety of genres to better understand the ways writers express ideas. The texts will focus on the essential standards of how an author's ideas or claims are developed and how an author's points of view shapes the content and style of texts to inspire change. Students will develop a deeper understanding of how authors use language and rhetorical devices to create powerful and persuasive messages to convey the need for change. Students will develop informative and explanatory writing skills.

Unit 4: Star-crossed Romances

Essential Question: Do we determine our own direction in life and in love? Or are we simply at the mercy of fate?

In this unit, students will read a variety of genres (i.e. drama, short story, informational texts, etc.) to better understand the ways writers express ideas. These texts will focus on the essential standards of how characters and theme are developed throughout the course of the story. Students will develop a deeper understanding of how authors use language (diction, tone, mood) to convey meaning. Students will create an argumentative writing piece.

Unit 6: World's End

Essential Question: Why do we try to imagine the future?

In this unit, students will read and evaluate written narratives in a short story and a nonfiction text to better understand the ways writers express ideas. These texts will focus on the essential standards of how an author's choices concerning text structure and/or literary devices creates meaning to further develop the topic. Students will research their claims and participate in a debate answering the question: Which matters more - the present of the future?