High School

English 1/English 1 Honors

1.0 Credit
36 weeks
Mother and son work and learn together at the desk in a home atmosphere
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Description: In each unit of this course, you will embark on a new journey. Through the study of literature, nonfiction, and life, you will explore the unknown, search for identity and equality, and seek achievement, opportunity, and understanding. You will read to analyze the way language is used to express human motivation and will research to examine the results of actions in the real world. The lessons in each unit will give you the tools you need to gain insights from what you read and to use your knowledge in creative and analytical writing.

Major Topics and Concepts

Module 01: Reading and Writing Narratives
Choosing Your Story
Discovering Characters
Identity Shaped by Conflict
Plot and Structure
Discovering the Theme
Writing and Publishing Your Narrative
Author’s Word Choice

Module 02: Analyzing Language and Structure
The Power of Words
Language and Structure in King’s Letter
Respond to a Writing Prompt
Organize and Develop Your Ideas

Module 03: Crafting a Winning Argument
Crafting a Winning Argument
What is an Argument?
Elements of a Strong Argument
Analyzing an Argument
Gathering Evidence
Writing the Opening
Outlining Your Argument
Writing Your Argument
A Powerful Presentation

Module 04: Exploring the Elements of Style
Essay Analysis
Diction and Tone
Poetry Paraphrase
Diction Deep Dive
An Effective Introduction
Plan the Body
Write the Body and Conclusion
Revise and Edit
Grammar Review

Honors: Shakespeare Study
Romeo and Juliet
Universal Themes and Language
Characterization and Diction
Historical Context in Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare and Art
Conflict and Foreshadowing

Competencies

Language and Structure in Writing

Students will demonstrate an understanding of language and structure in writing by describing the literary devices used in a piece of writing, describing the structure of a piece of writing, and creating a piece using literary devices and structure.

Narrative Writing

Students will demonstrate an understanding of narrative writing by analyzing a narrative and creating a story using narrative elements and devices.

Crafting an Argument

Students will demonstrate an understanding of crafting an argument by conducting research through source evaluation and documentation, formulating rhetorical appeals appropriate to audience and purpose, and delivering a presentation.

Literary Analysis

Students will demonstrate an understanding of literary analysis by explaining an author’s use of diction to achieve a purpose in a poem or creative nonfiction piece, and applying the writing process to an essay.

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Projects allow students to demonstrate competence and understanding of concepts and skills by completing a career-related task. For example, the assignment might be to create a mural, a package design, a speech, a film review, or a movie set – you name it! These creative projects are about applying your learning acquired through in-depth research to real-world career tasks.

Each competency will be addressed through a project that is based on a real-life career task. Here are the careers you will explore:  Technical Writer, Sports Journalist, Historian, Environmental Scientist, Public Relations Specialist, Politician, Training and Development Manager.

Please also review the competency statements to learn more about the major topics and concepts covered in this offering.

Projects

Competencies

Language and Structure in Writing

Students will demonstrate an understanding of language and structure in writing by describing the literary devices used in a piece of writing, describing the structure of a piece of writing, and creating a piece using literary devices and structure.

Narrative Writing

Students will demonstrate an understanding of narrative writing by analyzing a narrative and creating a story using narrative elements and devices.

Crafting an Argument

Students will demonstrate an understanding of crafting an argument by conducting research through source evaluation and documentation, formulating rhetorical appeals appropriate to audience and purpose, and delivering a presentation.

Literary Analysis

Students will demonstrate an understanding of literary analysis by explaining an author’s use of diction to achieve a purpose in a poem or creative nonfiction piece, and applying the writing process to an essay.

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Digital Badge

Experiences allow you to explore a career field you’re curious about while mastering competencies for school credit. Through career-focused experiential learning, you will develop and learn skills for application to tasks typically completed as part of a career rather than using traditional assessments like essays or tests. During your Experience, you’ll work with a professional in the field to support your learning whom we call an “outside expert.” You’ll earn a badge for your accomplishments to share on social media and higher education platforms, or with colleges, potential employers, peers, and colleagues to display your qualifications.

Here’s how experiences work:

  1. Each competency you work on is addressed through a separate deliverable predetermined by you and your instructor.
  2. Guided learning for each module consists of research and/or work with a professional in the field. Your instructor will coach you through this process.
  3. Each module culminates in a final demonstration of understanding, which includes a deliverable and a discussion-based assessment with your instructor.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say you’re curious about a career in healthcare. You decide you’d like to learn about this career area, make a professional connection, earn a badge, and meet competencies for your 9th-grade English requirement. While enrolled in English 1 Experiences, you conduct research to better understand language and structure in writing. Then you may work with an Occupational Therapist to help apply your writing skills to create an informational video about adaptive equipment for patients. The video aims to advise family members of patients regarding the use of accommodations and equipment to help patients perform daily tasks. Now you’ve earned the Language and Structure in Writing competency! This is just one example of the many ways Experiences can bridge competencies to careers.

Obtaining an Outside Expert: Prior to enrollment, please have an idea for an outside expert in mind or consult with our counseling department by emailing [email protected] for help in identifying one.

*A parent/guardian permission form and background check of the outside expert are both required to work with outside experts without parental supervision.

Competencies

Language and Structure in Writing

Students will demonstrate an understanding of language and structure in writing by describing the literary devices used in a piece of writing, describing the structure of a piece of writing, and creating a piece using literary devices and structure.

Narrative Writing

Students will demonstrate an understanding of narrative writing by analyzing a narrative and creating a story using narrative elements and devices.

Crafting an Argument

Students will demonstrate an understanding of crafting an argument by conducting research through source evaluation and documentation, formulating rhetorical appeals appropriate to audience and purpose, and delivering a presentation.

Literary Analysis

Students will demonstrate an understanding of literary analysis by explaining an author’s use of diction to achieve a purpose in a poem or creative nonfiction piece, and applying the writing process to an essay.