English 9 (Honors)
Grades 9
2 credits
Prerequisite: School counselor approval
Honors English 9 places emphasis on four major areas: reading comprehension, written composition, English language conventions, and vocabulary. Students will participate in challenging in-depth analysis of the various genres including short stories, novels, graphic novels, poetry, non-fiction excerpts with additional vocabulary lessons, and dramas. They will develop critical thinking skills by examining the plots, themes, and other literary conventions included in the literature they read. Literature Circles will provide the students an opportunity to learn a literature classic in a small group environment, and vocabulary lessons are interwoven throughout the entire course. Students will write compositions for different purposes and audiences, and a three to four page research paper. The English language conventions used in the composition component of the class will also be used for improving their oral communication skills. The honors section primarily reads the same texts as the standard section (with a few exceptions). The honors students are expected to have more independence with the reading, and the pace of the lessons is somewhat faster. Class discussions and writing assignments also involve greater analytical depth at the honors level.
01/23