High School English: English II, Semester I (10th Grade-Sophomore)

Welcome Tenth Graders!
I am so excited to meet you!

In this semester-long course, students will continue building a strong set of foundational skills to be successful in high school and college English. The primary goals of Sophomore English (English II) are to write analytically and persuasively, master complex usage of different parts of speech, learn advanced techniques for using commas and other punctuation, and analyze rhetorical strategies and fallacies used in persuasive texts. Students will continue to work to understand nuance, symbolism, author's purpose. Additionally, they will be able to critically analyze the elements of fiction and non-fiction. 

Students will read fictional drama, informational texts, historical speeches, and short stories. Most literature will be presented via class readings so that students can see and learn critical thinking strategies for upper-level reading; however, students will be required to read one book independently each semester. This course will include weekly guided writing practice as well as independent writing. 

This class will meet live 2 times per week; however, there will be one hour of required homework between each class. Some outside studying may be necessary. This means that students will spend at least 4 hours per week on this class: 2 live hours and 2 flexible hours. 
Live classes will include lecture-style instruction, class discussions, group work, and some fun games and activities. 
Required homework assignments will vary but may include: online quizzes and tests, workbook activities, projects, and pre-recorded classes. Students will take tests and quizzes using Google Forms. Students will receive a class calendar at the beginning of the semester. This calendar will include all of the homework assignments and major grades. Students should be diligent to turn in their homework assignments by the due date. Students who turn in late work will earn a 50% penalty on that assignment. 

The semester is broken into three units. Parents may receive progress reports at the end of units one and two upon request. Parents will receive final exam scores and report cards at the end of the semester. If you would like to receive progress reports and/or a transcript, please notify me at the beginning of the semester or as soon as possible. Thanks! 


Please note: The Monday-Wednesday section of this class begins on American Labor Day. I completely understand if you have plans for that week, but please encourage your student to watch the class video for that lesson. :) 
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UNIT ONE (Weeks 1-4):

Vocabulary- 	Rhetorical and Persuasive Terms: Ethos, Logos, Pathos, D.I.T.S., logical fallacies, etc. 
Grammar- 	Syntax and Word Placement: Using grammar to create persuasion
Literature- 	Editorials and Historical Speeches: Analyzing Ethos, Logos, and Pathos; Spotting Logically Fallacious Statements; 
                        Distinguishing Fact from Opinion; Elements of the Rhetorical Triangle
Writing- 	Persuasive Essays Project
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UNIT TWO (Weeks 5-9):

Vocabulary-	Greek Roots, Literary Terms
Grammar- 	Using various sentence structures
		        Using commas, colons, and semicolons
Literature- 	Short Stories: 
                        "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
                        "The Lady, or The Tiger" by Frank R. Stockton
                        "Julius Caesar" by Joshua J. Mark (Encyclopedia Entry)
Writing- 	Persuasive Writing for Debating
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UNIT THREE (Weeks 10-14):

Vocabulary- 	Shakespeare-related vocabulary
                        Archetypes
                        Complex vs. Flat Characters
                        Elements of Drama
Grammar- 	Continuing Commas
Literature- 	Julius Caesar
Writing- 	Rhetorical Analysis of a Text