This course is available in the Fall and in the Spring.
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12Credits: 0.50
Description:
This is the second of two courses that comprise Honors English 9. In this course, the student continues to explore a variety of literature selections from world literature. The student will learn strategies for reading epic poetry and study the characteristics of suspense stories. Also, the student will analyze the elements of drama as he reads William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. George Orwell's Animal Farm may be read instead of Romeo and Juliet.
Writing instruction focuses on analytical and expository writing, including in-depth instruction in the process of writing a research paper. This project teaches the student to critically analyze primary and secondary sources and to effectively support his ideas with information gathered from outside sources.
The Honors course includes more rigorous curriculum and provides greater opportunities for students to explore concepts, engage in independent research, and demonstrate critical thinking skills.
Units:
Echoes from the Past
In this unit, you will analyze fiction and poetry selections focused on ancient myths and literature. As you read, you will apply active reading strategies such as making inferences and forming personal connections with the text. You will also learn to understand and analyze elements of epic poetry, such as myth, figurative language, character, and tone. Throughout the unit, you will also learn strategies for learning new vocabulary, such as understanding multiple-meaning words and using a dictionary. Grammar instruction will focus on reviewing the use of pronouns. Finally, you will develop your writing skills as you create a summary for one of the selections in this unit.
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet tells the story of two youths desperately in love with each other despite the feud that exists between their two families. They are secretly married, but on the same day as their marriage, Romeo is banished for killing Juliet’s kinsman. While he is gone, Juliet fakes her death by taking a poisonous potion in order to avoid an arranged marriage. Romeo does not learn in time that she is not really dead, and kills himself as a result. Upon waking, Juliet discovers Romeo and joins him in death. Through Shakespeare’s timeless story, you will identify and analyze literary and dramatic elements, discover new vocabulary terms, and use comprehension strategies to make connections and draw conclusions.
Romeo and Juliet is the recommended text for Honors English 9. George Orwell's novel Animal Farm may be read instead of Romeo and Juliet with prior teacher approval. Lessons and activities for Animal Farm will appear on the lower half of the lesson pages.
The Dark Side
In this unit, you will analyze fiction, nonfiction, and poetry selections belonging to the suspense and horror genres. As you read, you will apply active reading strategies, such as making predictions and asking questions to better understand the text. You will also learn to understand and analyze elements of suspense and horror narratives such as foreshadowing, stock characters and archetypes, and the role of unreliable narrators. You will also examine literary elements such as poetic devices and tone. Throughout the unit, you will also learn strategies for learning new vocabulary, such as understanding denotation and connotation and the use of archaic language. Grammar instruction will focus on reviewing the rules of subject-verb agreement and the use of adjectives and adverbs.
The Research Paper
In this unit, you will develop important reading and analytical writing skills as you research and write about a topic of your choice. The lessons in the unit are planned to guide you through the challenging but rewarding process of writing a research paper. You will complete this project in three main phases:
- forming research questions and gathering information
- organizing and analyzing your research findings
- combining your own ideas with information from your research to create an effective, well-supported research paper
This unit differs from other units in the English 9 course in that it includes fewer reading assignments from your textbooks. Most of the reading you complete will be conducted as part of your research. Please note that it is especially important that you complete and turn in writing assignments consistently throughout this unit, since each new assignment builds on the work completed previously. Completing assignments on time and in order will help ensure that you have adequate time to develop and refine your ideas and to incorporate feedback from your teacher.
What Has Value?
In this unit, you will read fiction and poetry selections that analyze people’s differing values. As you read, you will apply active reading strategies, such as comparing texts and differentiating between fact and opinion. You will also learn to understand and analyze literary elements such as theme, tone, plot twist, and repetition. Throughout the unit, you will also review strategies for learning new vocabulary, such as understanding multiple-meaning words and using a dictionary. Finally, grammar instruction will focus on reviewing the skills taught earlier in the semester.
Semester Exam
In this unit, you will have the opportunity to prepare for and take the final exam for the concepts you learned throughout the semester. Since this is a comprehensive exam, it may be helpful to organize your notes in the order of the course outline before you begin to review. Using the test-taking strategies that you have previously learned can help you be successful with both objective and essay questions.
Online Text/eBooks:
- iText E Guide to Language, Writing, & Literature
- iText Pathways: Literature for Readers and Writers
- iText Romeo and Juliet
- iText The Red Badge of Courage
Seeking course credit at your full-time school? Please be aware that if you plan to transfer credit from National Connections Academy to a
non-Connections Academy school, the decision about whether to accept
NaCA course credits is wholly at the discretion of the school to which
you hope to transfer the credits.
We strongly recommend that you discuss
with your school their transfer credit policy, and inform them about
your plans to take a course or courses through NaCA, prior to
registering for a NaCA course. You may need the
course description and Credit Request Form
if you are not a Connections Academy student, but are seeking to obtain
credit for National Connections Academy summer school courses at your
full time school.
Course Description Credit Request formPlease
contact an Admissions and Support Representative at 888-440-2899 with questions.
Seeking course credit at your full-time school? Please be aware that if you plan to transfer credit from National Connections Academy to a non-Connections Academy school, the decision about whether to accept NaCA course credits is wholly at the discretion of the school to which you hope to transfer the credits.
We strongly recommend that you discuss with your school their transfer credit policy, and inform them about your plans to take a course or courses through NaCA, prior to registering for a NaCA course. You may need the course description and
Credit Request Form if you are not a Connections Academy student, but are seeking to obtain credit for National Connections Academy summer school courses at your full time school.
Course Description Credit Request formPlease contact an Admissions and Support Representative at 888-440-2899 with questions.