Learning Recommendations:  None

General Description:  In this course, juniors focus on refining analytical skills in reading, writing and thinking. Through a study of American literature, students examine a wide variety of themes. Students further develop skills in vocabulary, grammar, mechanics and usage, oral communication, presentation and research skills through analytical essays, poetry, narratives and debate.

Content:  Skills-based according to Washington State Learning Standards for English Language Arts. The skills build from skills developed sophomore year and include but are not limited to: reading comprehension; informational and complex narrative reading; analysis of story elements; use and understanding and literary devices; analysis of informational and expository text; making predictions and inferences and understanding for text organizational structures. Further writing skills include: analysis and selection strategies for planning writing; use of multiple drafts and editing; collaboration and group evaluation; writing to varied audiences, voices, forms and genres; and the use of organizational structures.

Strategies: Students learn through a combination of: large and small group discussion; peer evaluation; independently directed reading and analysis; multiple draft writing; and direct instruction, including lecture and note-taking.

Homework:  Homework, when assigned, should typically not exceed 30 minutes per night.  The actual amount of homework will depend on the unit. During novel units there are nightly reading assignments, usually a chapter depending on the number of pages. Additionally, while writing papers there tends to be some writing which is expected to be done at home. Vocabulary and a variety of projects will occur throughout the year.