Do Now: Please write the following information on the index card. Your child’s name Your name Your E-mail address One standout fact or memory about your child (to help me remember him or her)

Elements of Literature and Composition: Honors New Common Core State Standards- Curriculum is skills based, rigorous, and solidifies the student's foundation before going on to AP English or Honors English Junior year.

Ms. Kim’s Background I’m a mom too. B.A. in English from Rutgers University M.A. in Teaching from The College of New Jersey This is my eleventh year of teaching at MHS, and I have taught all grades here.

Focus: Writing- developing and expanding the analytical essay; research writing; using descriptive and figurative language in narrative pieces Critical Reading- Close Reading: Read critically to determine theme and central ideas; analyze characters; analyze word choice (stylistic and linguistic devices) to determine tone and mood; determine author's point of view or purpose Public Speaking- Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussion and gain confidence speaking in front of the class through presentations, recitations, and Socratic Seminars.

Focus: Vocabulary Development- emphasis on context clues and critical reading; parts of speech; making connections with the text and not memorizing definitions (most of the vocabulary words assigned to the students are selected from the texts they read as well as CCSS grade level vocabulary words) Grammar- assist with the writing process and enhance editing skills; application

What we will be reading” To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Uncle Tom’s Children by Ricard Wright Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Othello by William Shakespeare Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway Various short stories, poetry, nonfiction articles, and persuasive speeches

Types of Writing Narrative Writing Journal Responses Research Writing Formal Response Writing Literary Analysis Persuasive Speech