Freshman English balances a study of literature, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and writing. Students study short stories by a variety of authors, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and excerpts of Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, which contains classics of Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. In addition to the literature previously stated, students are also required to read Accelerated Reader novels and take computerized comprehension tests over the novels. Writing assignments are interwoven into the literature in the form of weekly journal assignments that cover a variety of styles. Students also complete several larger writing units, including a formal research paper. Grammar is studied during both semesters through DOL (Daily Oral Language), with the first semester focusing on the parts of speech and the second semester focusing on conventions and usage. A 30-lesson vocabulary series is used to expand student’ vocabulary. The series incorporates the study of analogies, which requires the students to review words from previous lessons.

Texts Used:

Literature, grade 9. (2012). Orlando: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Holt Handbook Grammar-Usage-Mechanics-Sentences Third Course, John E. Warriner, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2003.

Major Supplementary Materials Used:

   Novels:

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Mythology by Edith Hamilton

Accelerated Reader Novels

   Videos:

            Fahrenheit 451

            Romeo & Juliet (Franco Zeffirelli)

            Romeo & Juliet (Baz Luhrman)