Idaho Arts Charter School
English Department

   SEVENTH GRADE ENGLISH      EIGHTH GRADE ENGLISH     
   FRESHMAN ENGLISH    TENTH GRADE ENGLISH      SENIOR ENGLISH     
   SPEECH     

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SEVENTH GRADE ENGLISH

This course will focus on the following:

• Shurley English Grammar
• Novels that tie into current school Focus Investigations
• Portfolios created
• Selections of prose and poetry from literature anthology
• Focusing on the sentence and the paragraph as integral parts of the five-paragraph emphasizing pre-writing, drafting and revising, as well as grammar skills.
• Selections read will enhance reading comprehension, build vocabulary, complement grammar and writing instruction.

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EIGHTH GRADE ENGLISH

This course will focus on the following:

• Shurley English Grammar
• Reading from literature anthology that support Focused Investigations and develop comprehension concepts of expository and literary text
• Acquire decoding skills using root words, prefixes, suffixes
• Develop vocabulary and explain relationships of words including connotation/denotation, antonyms, synonyms, multiple meanings
• Development of prewriting, drafting, editing, revising and publishing of written work
• Emphasis on expository, persuasive and creative writing

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FRESHMAN ENGLISH

This course will focus on the following:

• Shurley English Grammar
• Enhancing reading comprehension, build vocabulary, emphasize the steps in writing the five - paragraph essay
• Emphasis on textual analysis through prose and poetry selections
• Understanding of Shakespeare through the play "Romeo and Juliet".
• Emphasis on current Focus Investigations through novels and projects
• Portfolios created

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TENTH GRADE ENGLISH
Students will continue their study of literature, grammar and writing. Literature units covered include fiction (the short-story), non-fiction, poetry, drama, the novel, and the heroic tradition. Students will use the writing process to complete a variety of writing projects that include but are not limited to a short story, expository writing, persuasive writing, literary response, poetry, and a research paper.

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SENIOR ENGLISH

This course will focus on the following:

• Selections will focus on the British Tradition. We will begin with the earliest literature from the Anglo Saxon Period and will include "Beowulf" and "Canterbury Tales". A general overview of the Renaissance and then the Romantic time period with readings from the Eighteenth Century and Victorian authors will be a major part of the curriculum. In the 20th Century literature, literary works will be read and discussed to show the change in thought and beliefs through the centuries. The Time Machine and The Lord of the Flies will be read for this time period.
• A research paper, in the MLA style, will be done as a final project.

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SPEECH

During this semester course students will acquire listening skills by considering point of view, support of ideas, quality and effectiveness of the communication. Students will also develop speaking skills that demonstrate the ability to analyze the audience and appropriate topic, deliver narrative, expository and persuasive presentations that incorporate multiple perspectives, well-reasoned arguments and effective speaking techniques. Study of the various forms of mass media and their uses and effects will be covered.

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