English 1

English I class promotes student success by further developing reading, vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills, and encourages high level critical thinking in response to what is read.

Reader independence is developed through before, during, and after reading skill and strategy application in the areas of fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and response to text with exposure to a variety of award-winning  authors and literary genres. Students will utilize specific literary terminology when participating in deep discussions and literary analysis to obtain value from what is read.

Vocabulary acquisition occurs within meaningful context and purpose because when students "own" words, they use them in their speaking and writing. Vocabulary strategies utilizing techniques related to memory connections, context associations, and patterns will support vocabulary growth.

Grammar and writing skills are promoted through daily oral language exercises (SAT preparation), current events literary responses, journal quickwrites (26 line essay preparation), dialectic reponse (personal repsonse to quotes from text), and production of a major writing piece each six weeks.