English 1 Syllabus

Instructor: Jill Bibb jill.bibb@trentonssd.org

English 1 is a course designed to meet the standards as set forth by the Tennessee Department
of Education for English 1; it is a required course for graduation. The course covers grammar,
writing, reading literature, and reading informational text.
Because of the rigor of the course, students are expected to be in class and to display a
competent work ethic at all times. We cover a large amount of material and being present in
class as an active learner is the biggest factor in achieving success in the class.

GRADE EVALUATION
Grades will be weighted according to PHS/TSSD policy.

AREAS OF STUDY
Grammar
Informational Text
Writing (essays, narratives, research paper)
Literature (short stories, poetry, novels)

GRAMMAR
Diagramming Sentences Commonly Confused Words
Phrases Comma Splices
Clauses Transition Words
Punctuation (comma, semicolon, colon) Parallelism

WRITING
Essays (analytical, argumentative, literary, informative)
Research Paper (MLA format)
Creative Writing (personal narrative, poetry, journal entries)

DRAMA
Romeo and Juliet

INFORMATIONAL TEXT
Weekly selected articles, news pieces (various sources)
Students will read and discuss selections listed below (time permitted):

POETRY
“Fire and Ice” “I Hear America Singing”
“Dream Deferred” “Siren Song”
“Dreams” “Casey at the Bat”
“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” “The Raven”
“The Bells” “The Seven Ages of Man”
“Jabberwocky” Selected Shakespearean sonnets
“The Road not Taken” Selected British poetry

FICTION
“The Cask of Amontillado” “Old Man at the Bridge”
“The Most Dangerous Game” “The Necklace”
“The Interlopers” “The Scarlet Ibis”
“The Red-Headed League” “Blues Ain’t no Mockingbird”
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” “Old Man of the Temple”
“The Invalid’s Story” “A Modest Proposal”
“Perseus” “Pyramus and Thisbe”
Selections from “The Canterbury Tales”

STANDARDS

STANDARD – LITERATURE 12-15 QUESTIONS @16-20 PTS

RL 9-10.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly - Draw
inferences
RL 9-10.2 Find theme/central idea of a text - Analyze in detail its development - Include how it
emerges/shaped/refined by specific details - Provide an objective summary of the text
RL 9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (those with multiple/conflicting motivations)
develop over the course of a text/interact with other characters/advance the plot/develop the
theme
RL 9-10.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text/order events
within it (parallel plots)/manipulate time (pacing/flashbacks) - Create such effects as
mystery/tension/surprise
RL 9-10.6 Analyze a particular point of view/cultural experience reflected in a work of literature
from outside the United States - Draw on a wide reading of world literature
RL 9-10.9 Analyze how an author draws on/transforms source material in a specific work (how
Shakespeare treats a theme/topic from Ovid or Bible or how a later author draws on a play by
Shakespeare)
RL 9-10.7 Analyze representation of a subject/key scene in 2 different artistic mediums - Know
what is emphasized/absent in each treatment (Auden’s “Musée des Beaux Arts” & Breughel’s
Landscape with the Fall of Icarus)
RL 9-10.10 Read/comprehend literature including stories/dramas/poems

STANDARD – INFORMATIONAL TEXT 22-25 QUESTIONS @29-33 PTS

RI 9-10.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly - Draw
inferences
RI 9-10.2 Find the central idea of a text- Analyze its development - Provide a summary
RI 9-10.3 Analyze how an author develops an analysis or series of events.
RI 9-10.5 Analyze in detail how an author’s ideas/claims are developed/refined by particular
sentences/paragraphs/larger portions of a text (a section or chapter)
RI 9-10.6 Determine the author's point of view and purpose in a text - analyze how the author
uses rhetoric to support.
RI 9-10.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims of a text - assess validity of
reasoning and evidence - identify false statements and fallacious reasoning.
RI 9-10.9 Analyze U.S. historical documents/literary significance (Washington’s Farewell
Address/the Gettysburg Address/Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech/King’s “Letter from
Birmingham Jail”) Address related themes and concepts learned
RI 9-10.7 Analyze various accounts of a subject told in different mediums (a person’s life story
in both print/multimedia) - Determine emphasized details in each account
RI 9-10.10 Read/comprehend literature fiction

STANDARD – READING/VOCABULARY 4-8 QUESTIONS @9-12 PTS

RL 9-10.4 Literature - Determine the meaning of words/phrases as they are used in the text -
Include figurative/connotative meaning - Analyze the impact of specific word choices on
meaning/tone (how the language evokes a sense of time/place - how it sets a formal/informal
tone)
RI 9-10.4 Informational Text - Determine the meaning of words/phrases as they are used in a
text - Include figurative/connotative/technical meanings - Analyze the cumulative impact of
specific word choices on meaning/tone.
L 9-10.4 Use multiple strategies to determine/clarify the meaning of unknown/multiple-
meaning words/phrases
L 9-10.4a Use context cues to determine the meaning of a word or phrase.
L 9-10.4b Identify word patterns of word changes that indicate meaning/part of speech - Apply
knowledge of Greek and Latin roots and affixes.
L 9-10.4c Use reference materials (college-level dictionaries/rhyming dictionaries, bilingual
dictionaries/ glossaries/thesauruses) to determine pronunciation/meaning - Find its part of
speech/etymology
L 9-10.4d Use a dictionary to check a preliminary determination of the meaning/word or phrase
L 9-10.5 Understand the use of figurative language/word relationships/ nuances in word
meanings
L 9-10.5a Interpret/Analyze figures of speech
L 9-10.5b Analyze nuances in the meaning of words w/ similar denotations

STANDARD - WRITING
W 9-10.1 Write arguments to support claims of substantive topics or texts, using valid
reasoning, relevant, and sufficient evidence.
W 9-10.1a Establish claims/counterclaims
W 9-10.1b Give evidence to support claims/counterclaims
W 9-10.1c Use appropriate transitional words/phrases to connect claims/
counterclaims/evidence
W 9-10.1d Write in a formal/objective style
W 9-10.1e Support argument w/ an effective conclusion
W 9-10.2 Write an informative piece - examine and convey complex ideas/information through
effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
W 9-10.2a Introduce a topic - organize complex ideas to make connections - include formatting,
graphics, and multimedia.
W 9-10.2b Develop the topic with well-chosen and relevant facts, definitions, details,
quotations, and other examples.
W 9-10.2c Choose appropriate, varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify relationships.
W 9-10.2d Choose precise language and vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic.
W 9-10.2e Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone.
W 9-10.2f Provide a concluding statement or section that supports the information presented.
W 9-10.3 Write a narrative to develop real or imagined events, using effective technique,
details, and well-structured sequence.
W 9-10.3a Establish the conflict - Introduce characters
W 9-10.3b Develop multiple plot lines - use dialogue, descriptions, pacing, and reflection.
W 9-10.3c Sequence events to build on each other.
W 9-10.3d Choose precise words, sensory details, and language to convey experiences, events,
setting, and characters.
W 9-10.3e Provide a conclusion that follows the form and reflects on the narrated events.
W 9-10.4 Produce clear, coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
grade appropriate.
W 9-10.5 Develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, and /or trying new
approaches.
W 9-10.6 Use words/phrases for reading/writing/speaking/listening - Gather vocabulary
knowledge when considering a word/phrase important to comprehension/expression
W 9-10.7 Conduct short or sustained research projects that answer a specific question or solve
a problem - narrow or broaden search - synthesize multiple sources
W 9-10.8 Collect information from multiple sources - Utilize advance searches effectively -
Assess the usefulness of each source - Use information in the text selectively to maintain the
flow of ideas - Avoid plagiarism - Follow a standard format for citation (footnotes/endnotes)
W 9-10.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and
research.
W 9-10.9a Apply evidence from literature to support analysis, reflection, and research in
writing.
W 9-10.9b Apply evidence from informational text to support analysis, reflection and research
in my writing.
W 9-10.10 Routinely write over extended and shorter time frames for a range of tasks,
purposes, and audiences.

STANDARD - SPEAKING AND LISTENING

SL 9-10.1 Initiate and participate in collaborative discussions - build on others' ideas - express
personal ideas clearly and persuasively.
SL 9-10.1a Prepare for a class discussion - participate by referring to my findings during
discussion.
SL 9-10.1b Work with peers to set and follow rules for collegial discussions - track progress
toward goals - define individual roles if needed.
SL 9-10.1c Encourage conversations - Ask/Respond to questions that relate the current
discussion to larger ideas - Bring others into the discussion - Clarify/Verify/Challenge
ideas/conclusions
SL 9-10.1d Respond to diverse perspectives - summarize points of agreement/disagreement -
justify or change views in light of new ideas and information.
SL 9-10.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media/formats
(visually/quantitatively/orally) - Evaluate the credibility/accuracy of each source
SL 9-10.3 Evaluate a speaker’s or point of view/reasoning/use of evidence/rhetoric - Identify
any fallacious reasoning/exaggerated/ distorted evidence
SL 9-10.4 Present information/findings/supporting evidence - Be clear/concise/logical so
listeners can follow the line of reasoning/organization/development/substance/style - Carefully
choose appropriate purpose/audience/task
SL 9-10.5 Use digital media (textual/graphical/audio/ visual/interactive elements) in
presentations to enhance understanding of findings/reasoning/evidence/add interest
SL 9-10.6 Adapt speech to a variety of tasks and concepts - demonstrate command of formal
English

STANDARD – LANGUAGE 7 QUESTIONS @7 PTS

L 9-10.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of English grammar/ usage when
writing/speaking
L 9-10.1a Use parallel structure
L 9-10.1b Use various types of phrases (noun/verb/adjectival/adverbial/
participial/prepositional/absolute) & clauses (independent/ dependent/noun/
relative/adverbial)
L 9-10.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of English
capitalization/punctuation/spelling when writing
L 9-10.2a Use a semicolon to join independent clauses
L 9-10.2b Use a colon to introduce a list/quotation
L 9-10.2c Spell correctly
L 9-10.3 Understand the functions of language in different contexts to help comprehend when
reading and listening.
L 9-10.3a Write and edit work to conform to appropriate style manual.
L 9-10.6 Acquire academic and domain-specific words/phrases - demonstrate independence in
gathering vocabulary knowledge as needed for comprehension and/or expression.