An Introduction to the World of Literature and Identity
Course Description:
English I develops basic structures of reading and writing, using a variety of works from diverse authors to increase student interest, awareness, appreciation, and understanding of a variety of genre as well as opportunities to apply the writing process to promote communication through written expression. Students will come to understand that personal expression and the way we express ourselves is influenced by society and culture through literary analysis, reflective writing, persuasive writing and character analysis.
The scope of this course should address the topic of IDENTITY through many lenses. Consider the following guiding questions to guide your text choices and topics for discussion.
English I develops basic structures of reading and writing, using a variety of works from diverse authors to increase student interest, awareness, appreciation, and understanding of a variety of genre as well as opportunities to apply the writing process to promote communication through written expression. Students will come to understand that personal expression and the way we express ourselves is influenced by society and culture through literary analysis, reflective writing, persuasive writing and character analysis.
The scope of this course should address the topic of IDENTITY through many lenses. Consider the following guiding questions to guide your text choices and topics for discussion.
- What is changeable within ourselves?
- How does what we know about the world shape the way we view ourselves?
- How do our personal experiences shape our view of others?
- How do we form and shape our identities?
- In a culture where we are bombarded with ideas and images of “what we should be,”
- How does one form an identity that remains true and authentic for her/himself?
- What turning points determine our individual pathways to adulthood?
- In a culture where we are bombarded with other people trying to define us, how do we make decisions for ourselves?
Curriculum Guide:
The DMPS curated Topics and Learning Targets have been updated for the 22/23 school year to account for the initial implementation of one unit from the Odell High School Literacy Curriculum. Teachers must create their own Odell account to access the digital curriculum materials. Click the image to the right to be redirected to the Odell website. |
Complex Texts: Grade-level Materials for All
Text complexity is a measure of multiple intersections of Lexile, language features, themes, and knowledge demands. Every text used for whole group instruction should be carefully considered for how it will serve grade-level access to standards based instruction. Supplemental texts can be used to support individual students build content vocabulary but all students should have access to grade-level materials every day. Please consider the following rubrics when discussing text complexity with your PLC.
9th Graders should be exceeding 1050L by the end of the year to be on track for proficiency.
9th Graders should be exceeding 1050L by the end of the year to be on track for proficiency.
- Rubric for Assessing Fiction
- Rubric for Assessing Non-Fiction
- Lexile Finder (look up a book)
- Lexile Analyzer (check passages from texts to determine current Lexile)
Additional Resources
English I is primarily supported by the 2012 Holt McDougal Literature Grade 9 textbook and is supplemented by the 2015 Prentice Hall Writing Coach Grade 9 textbook. Additional resources, as compiled by DMPS teachers, are listed below.