209 College Prep English 9
Grade 9, 1 credit
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of Eighth Grade English
Freshman English is designed to develop the students’ critical thinking and writing skills through an introductory study of literature. Students are introduced to analytical strategies which they utilize in the evaluation and interpretation of novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. The course reviews literary terms which students apply in the process of dealing with literature.
The course also focuses on the development of thesis writing, with emphasis on vocabulary development and gained proficiency in grammar, mechanics, and conventional usage of oral and written language. Students are introduced to the thesis format and write essays on the literary works they are studying. Journal writing, as an important component of metacognitive reflection, is also emphasized.
All college preparatory freshmen complete a unit on the research process, which culminates in their writing a five to seven page analytical paper.