English /Language Arts II- Honors
This tenth grade course is the second in a series designed to accelerate development of and refine reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. It addresses the Maryland Core Learning Goals for English and offers a challenging experience to students with the strongest reading and writing skills. The fast pace and advanced content of this course stretch students’ abilities and educational opportunities. Students who plan to earn college credit by enrolling in Advanced Placement courses in junior and senior years and passing related AP tests should register for this honors class. Students are required to complete a research project it this course.

Texts: Glencoe Reader- Level 5
Traditions in Literature

Units:

The Search for Identity: Moments of Decision The literature of this unit will explore a wide range of conflicts ands resolutions. Variations on this universal theme may include personal decision-making, challenges and expectations, rites of passage and maturity, rebellion, objectivity versus subjectivity, and individual needs versus the needs of the community.

Voices in Literature: Points of View This unit will explore communication as a means of self expression and social change. Variations on this universal theme include self-awareness, listening for understanding, tolerance, evolution of values, globalism, the environment, the gender gap, racism/prejudice, and bias.

The Quest Variations of this unit will explore a wide range of goals and desires. Variations on this universal theme may include search for the ideal, struggle, justice and equity, brotherhood, the journey, individual recognition, the heroic and picaresque, rebellion, good versus evil, harmony versus chaos, equality, and freedom.

Activities will include:
1. reading short stories, poetry, essays, dramas, and novels
2. utilizing peer and self evaluation and editing to improve writings
3. maintaining a writing folder
4. analyzing literature to write compositions

    summary 
    comparison and contrast
    persuasion 
    character sketch/analysis
    response
6. studying vocabulary-weekly exercises and tests
7. developing and presenting an informative speech
8. preparing and presenting a research project
9. preparing for the PSAT and SAT


Factors for Grading:
Homework
Quiz scores
Tests and compositions
Weekly vocabulary exercises and tests
Final Exam- see County Policy
Attendance- see County Policy

Students are encouraged to record their grades in their agendas or to reserve a part of their notebook to record their grades and to monitor their academic process.