English III ~ Goals of the Standard Course of Study

Goal 1: The learner will demonstrate increasing insight and reflection to print and non-print text through personal expression.

Proof: The student can produce a well-written journal response of 100 to 200 words in 15 to 20 minutes that can answer a prompt and connect recently-read American literature, recently-viewed video, and/or personal experience with the issues and themes in the prompt, whether the prompt is a line from literature, a video clip, a work of art, or a proverb or axiom.

Goal 2: The learner will inform an audience by using a variety of media to research and explain insights into language and culture.

Proof: 1. The student can produce a well-written formal essay that explains the modern importance of a theme in recently-read or recently-viewed selections of American literature. The student demonstrates the ability to prewrite effectively, generate sufficient detail, organize for strong impact on an audience, compose with few grammatical errors, and revise well.

2. The student can produce and deliver a well-written speech of about five minutes that explains his/her insight into recently-read or recently-viewed selections of American literature.

3. The student can produce a visual representation ~ either a collage, a drawing, a video clip, or other non-print form ~ to convey an insight into recently read or viewed selection of American literature.

Goal 3: The learner will demonstrate increasing sophistication in defining issues and arguing effectively.

Proof:

1. The student can state a position in writing on relevant themes from text, film, and/or life experience, offer at least two arguments to support that position, and generate the detail, examples, and explanations to prove those arguments, while still understanding the audience’s point of view and while controlling their own voice.

2. The student can state a position in seminar, verbally, on relevant themes from text and film, while considering audience and voice, and support that position with at least one argument supported with detail, example, and/or explanation.

Goal 4: The learner will critically analyze text to gain meaning, develop thematic connections, and synthesize ideas.

Proof:

The student can answer at least 75% of MC questions written at the level of recall and interpreting at the rate of 10 within 10 minutes, with the text open.

The student can answer at least 50% of MC questions written at the level of inference and analysis at the rate of 10 within 15 minutes, with the text open.

Goal 5: The learner will interpret and evaluate representative texts to deepen understanding of literature of the United States.

Proof:

The student can answer 75% of MC questions written at the level of recall and interpreting at the rate of 10 within 10 minutes, with the text open.

The student can answer 50% of MC questions written at the level of inference and analysis at the rate of 10 within 15 minutes, with the text open.

Goal 6: The learner will apply conventions of grammar and language usage.

Students in English III analyze United States literature as it reflects social perspective and historical significance by continuing to use language for expressive, expository, argumentative, and literary purpose. The Emphasis in English III is critical analysis of texts through reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using media. In addition, the student will:

Ø Relate the experiences of others to their own.

Ø Research the diversity of American experience.

Ø Examine relationships between past and present.

Ø Build increasing sophistication in defining issues and using argument effectively.

Ø Create products and presentations which maintain standard conventions of written and oral language.