COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This introductory English course combines the study of literary genre with a focus on composition skills. Students will learn effective communication skills by focusing on the 6 + 1 Traits of writing developed by the Northwest Regional Education Laboratories. Oral communication and research skills are included.

PREREQUISITES:

None

COURSE LENGTH:

Two semesters

REQUIRED TEXT:

Students select from a choice of novels in the first semester, and in the second semester they will read The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, by Jerome and Robert E. Lee; ISBN #055327838X

COURSE OUTLINE:

Semester 1

Diagnostic Assignment: This is used to assess student skills, and it will be used throughout the course to demonstrate improvement

• Introduction
• Six Trait Focus: Ideas
• Six Trait Focus: Organization
• Six Trait Focus: Sentence Fluency
• Six Trait Focus: Conventions

Semester 2

• Six Trait Focus: Voice
• Six Trait Focus: Word Choice
• Six Trait Focus: Presentation
• Introduction to Research
• Biography/Autobiography