English 9b

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to analyze literature and expository text in greater depth and produce complex writing assignments. Students will continue to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in earlier grades adding more refinement, depth, and sophistication with grade-appropriate material. The California Reading/Language Arts Framework states that students in the ninth grade are expected to read one and one-half million words annually, including a good representation of classic and contemporary literature, magazines, newspapers, and online articles.

Students will apply and refine their command of the writing process using their mastery of writing conventions to produce expository and argumentative essays of at least five to six paragraphs.

     Students will read and explore historical fiction and informational texts, with a focus on synthesizing and extending ideas presented in primary and secondary sources, including works by a single author dealing with a single issue. Furthermore, students will write expository essays and deliver expository presentations.

During the Argument component, students will read informational texts, with a focus on analyzing central themes and opposing ideas in multiple works. Students will write and orally respond to literature.

Course Description: The purpose of this semester course is to expose students to research-based employability skills for the 21st century.  Students will explore self-awareness, enhance research skills, and develop personal goal setting. This course will address essential literacy skills defined in the Common Core English Language Arts standards and the Anchor Standards for Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking and Language. Students will acquire the skills to cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support and then synthesize the information from various sources into a personal portfolio which includes their personal mission statement.