August

Conventions:  Usage packet
Literature:  Short story unit:  review plot structure, and story elements
Writing:  Journals

September

Conventions:  run-on’s, comma splices, fragments
Literature:  Continue short story unit:  Direct and indirect characterization, types of characters ( flat, stock, round, dynamic, static
Writing:  journals; sentence combining, character descriptions

October

Conventions:  pronouns
Literature:  novel unit:  The Old Man and the Sea  (parable)
Writing:  transitions; journals; composition (characterization of Santiago)

November

Conventions:  troublesome verbs; (lie/lay; sit/set; rise/raise)
Literature:  Continue novel
Writing:  journals; sentence combining, apply themes from novel

December

Conventions:  usage review
Literature:  Poe  (“The Pit and the Pendulum”); other short stories
Writing:  journals; sentence combining; using imagery to create a tone and mood

Second Semester
*Each week:  Students study 10 vocabulary words coordinated with individual abilities.
                       In teams, students work on editing sentences and paragraphs.
                       Mini grammar lessons target weaknesses found in writing assignments

*3rd quarter:  Students are required to read a book from a required reading list.

*4th quarter:  Students are required to read a book of their choice (with teacher’s approval).

Conventions: Pronoun review (personal, indefinite, reflexive, agreement)
Literature/Speaking: Communication cycle, types of communication, speech terms 
Writing:  Journals, self assessment on communication skills

Conventions:  Apostrophes
Literature/Speaking: Articulation (tongue twisters) ; practice with rate, speed, volume, and intonation; Partner introductions, narrative speech 
Writing:  Journals, peer assessments, self assessments

Conventions:  Usage practice, parallel structure, sentence combining
Literature/Speaking:  King Arthur, chivalry, medieval romance; descriptive speech; presentation of personal shield
Writing:  journals, connotation, denotation, research medieval shields and coat of arms; written explanation of meaning of shield

Conventions: sentence variety, sentence combining, sentence structure
Literature/Speaking:  novel, poetry, oral interpretation(marking scripts)
Writing:  journals, peer assessments, self assessments

Conventions:  Subject/Verb agreement
Literature/Speaking: Research Speech, outline, introductions, thesis statement, conclusions, group discussins
Writing:  MLA citation style, writing notecards, using library resources including databases