English 1 (G9/G10) Trial Class – Ms. Lara

Description

Course Description

English 1 is a college preparatory course designed to increase student proficiency in language arts skills. Students will develop an appreciation of literature through in-depth study of a variety of literary works, styles, genres, points of view, and literary devices successfully employed by many distinguished authors, communicating their valuable insights to the world. Students will respond to these studies through reading, discussion, analysis, creative works, analytical essays, and speaking. In addition, English 1 will emphasize the discovery and use of vocabulary as found in the books we read to increase comprehension and broaden student ability to communicate expressively.  The course will teach many English Language Learning strategies to bridge the second language gap from proficiency to fluency. The greater goal is to help each student develop the close reading, analytical writing, critical thinking, and complex speaking skills vital to a highly literate and engaged life in the modern world.

COURSE PLAN

• Units:
  • Short Stories & Poetry: Study Symbolism, Representation & Figurative Language; Become a more descriptive writer! 
  • Autobiography & Narrative: Read & Write Short Stories; Dive into Plot & Setting; Practice Drafting, Editing & Revision
  • “This I Believe” & Public Speaking: Write a 500-word essay on anything you are passionate about and speak it to your peers, utilizing valuable public speaking skills
  • The Alchemist: Analyze the Hero’s Journey & Following your Dreams
  • Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of Greek Mythology: Study Greek Myths, Cultural Context, and Impact on Modern day Language and Society
  • Lord of the Flies by William Golding: Sociological Discussion: Analyze Society vs. Individual; Good vs. Evil 
  • Theater & Performance: 12 Angry Men

  Lesson Format: 

  • Warm-up: Speaking & Vocabulary Investigation
  • Journal: Write about a Topic from the Lesson; Brainstorm & Writing Practice
  •  Lesson: Literary Topic Dissected  
    • Group Reading & Analysis 
    • Discussion
  • Independent Reading & Writing Assignment (to complete at home)
  • Enrichment Activities – connect literature to modern day & your own life!

Students will be able to:

1. Students will learn, identify and apply literary terms, describe how various literary elements contribute to mood or tone of a piece. 
2. Students will study, learn, & practice speaking new vocabulary words encountered in the literature study, understand the connotative forms of words, and recognize roots, prefixes, suffixes to synthesize new words in context.
3. Students will practice and improve their writing skills by utilizing a variety of writing strategies and writing types (from short answer to multi-paragraph essays), including pre-writing, peer editing and evaluation, writing portfolios, and in class journal activities.
4. Students will utilize speaking and listening skills to participate in the following activities: class discussions, small group discussion, oral reading and oral presentations, learning skills to perform, debate, and persuade.
5. Students will improve upon and demonstrate research, study and computer skills, recognizing credible sources, identifying bias, and synthesizing ideas from several sources.
6. Students will learn how to analyze an author’s intention, recognize effects on the audience, and synthesize their own perspectives with author’s that we read.
7. Students will improve their understanding of figurative language, idiomatic expressions, how it enhances writing, as well as how to use it in their own work, creating engaging descriptive writing.
8. Students will be able to write a strong thesis, with relevant justification, and a deep analysis of their points, as well as a strong conclusion that connects ideas from readings to their own lives and the modern world.

About the Teacher

Lara Rankin has taught English for fifteen years in different countries around the world. After getting her BA in Sociology and Photography at the University of California, San Diego, she worked with students with special needs for several years, trying to understand every kind of learner and diverse modalities of helping students to utilize their strengths and access learning from their own points of view.  She has taught in Honduras and Hungary, as well as many kinds of schools around the US.  After teaching English, Science, Art, and Music to 2nd, 6th, 10th and 11th grade students in the Caribbean, she came back to the US, and got her teaching credential at California State Monterey Bay.  Following this, she taught at a small high school in Santa Cruz, CA for twelve years, where she instructed 9-12th grade English, Art, Digital Photography, and History as well as Advanced Placement classes for 5 years. In 2012, she took a hiatus to complete a year as a Fulbright exchange teacher in Budapest, where she taught ESL and was an ambassador for the US. She was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 2015, and received a commendation for her work in 2018.  She now tutors students in many subjects, while being a student herself, pursuing another degree. She enjoys working with students and learning from them, and finding new ways to communicate and understand the world around us.