1. 11B English
Course Overview

2. Goals
To continue to foster good reading, writing and speaking skills, especially in the area of persuasive/argumentative text.
To focus students on particular reading, writing and vocabulary skills which may be needed for their post-high school endeavors, whether college related or work related.
To help students achieve the best scores they are capable of on PSAT and SAT tests

3. Major Course Components
Literature
Non-Fiction/Informational Texts
Writing- including Research Paper (Jr. Theme) or shorter research projects
Vocabulary Building
Oral Presentation
Technology Integration
Class Discussion
Each of these components is linked to specific CCSS

4. Plan for the Year Literature for discussion and written analysis
PSAT Prep Activities
Persuasive speech, written response, and team debate activities
Preliminary Jr. Theme assignments/Research Review
Jr. Theme Rough and Final Drafts/Research Projects
SAT Prep Activities
Return to Literature after research units
Vocabulary building and grammar instruction activities will be on-going throughout the year, worked into the activities of the other individual units

5. Possible Literary Works for Study
Animal Farm George Orwell
Witness Karen Hesse
The Crucible Arthur Miller
Night Elie Wiesel
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee
The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger
Selected Short Stories from Lit Anthologies

6. Jr. Theme
The preliminary parts of the project will start in the 2nd quarter: topic selection, thesis statement, gathering of resource materials, making of preliminary outline and works cited pages, and rough draft composition
The final paper will be due in the 3rd quarter: final draft of 10 page position paper, with cover page and final outline and works cited pages
Several exercises/assignments in persuasive/argumentative speaking and writing will occur in the 1st quarter, to help students get prepared to tackle the Jr. Theme project

7. Grading
For 11B 1st and 4th quarters: 60% Quizzes, Tests, Final Compositions % Homework and collected Classwork % Class Prep and Participation
* 2nd and 3rd quarters the Theme work will count 25% on its own, and the other categories will be adjusted so it all comes out to 100%
Formative assessment scores will appear in the gradebook but have a weight of 0%