Grade 10 Syllabus
Sophomores
QUARTER 1:
INTRODUCTION: rules and expectations, syllabus, 9/11 documentary/sample writing piece, grammar sheet, literary elements and story plot review/quiz. Essay format review and initiation of MCAS prep (which will be ongoing throughout the year).
SUMMER READING: Type 4 essay.
SHORT STORIES: For each short story there will be a vocabulary quiz, grammar focus activities (common grammar mistakes, and run-on/fragment sentences), study guide questions, and small project/group work. At the end of this unit there will also be a type 4 essay and unit test.
These are the stories we will be reading:
1. “The Cold Equations”4. “The Book of Sand”
2. “Everyday Use”
3. “The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant”
QUARTER 2:
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: introduction to the author and time period, one vocabulary quiz, study guide questions and frequent journal responses, Map of Maycomb group project, Scottsboro Boys Trial connections, in class trial, elements of literature activities, creative writing and mini research activities. There will be 4 quizzes during this novel (which will also be averaged together as a unit test grade) as well as a type 4 thematic essay. Grammar concepts covered include: suffixes, prefixes, roots and etymologies.
QUARTER 3:
NIGHT: will begin with an introduction to the Holocaust as well as scapegoats and genocide (WebQuest), background on the author, vocabulary (and quiz), study guide questions, activities involving literary elements, and reflective journal writing. We will view The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and complete a research paper (with a correctly formated works cited page and in-text citations). At the end of this unit there will also be a unit test and a final art-based project and presentation that will revolve around a selected research topic. The covered grammar concepts will involve: comma usage.
QUARTER 4:
SHAKESPEAREAN DRAMA & JULIUS CAESAR: review of Shakespeare and dramatic devises, information on the real Julius Caesar and ancient Rome (including movie), vocabulary (and quiz), study guide questions, selected translations from the play, and literary element activities. Four act projects will also be assigned with the last being the “Trial of Brutus.” There will be a unit test and type 3 essay thematic essay. Grammar concepts covered include: vocabulary from context and active vs. passive voice.
**Two supplemental reading novels will also be assigned. One will be specifically assigned, while the other will be a free choice selection.
** Each student will have a folder kept in the classroom. Any test, quizzes, projects, essays, old class materials, etc will be kept within it. Quizzes, tests and any written work will be logged within the folder in order to track progress. The student will take the folder with him or her at the end of the year as a review for the final exam.