Teacher: Dave Hobbs, Ed. D.
Course Length: 2 Trimesters
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: English 1, American Literature, World Literature
Course Description:
Through a consideration of different writing genres and essential
skills, students will explore classic and contemporary literature.
Students will use this final opportunity to polish their reading
and writing skills before employing those skills as an adult.
Throughout the course, students will be required to generate a
portfolio exhibiting the refinement of three years of writing
instruction.
Course Competencies:
Students will:
 read literary texts fluently and
accurately
 analyze and interpret literary
texts, citing evidence
 employ reading strategies
covered in grades 9, 10, &11
 understand and apply appropriate
English conventions, including
grammar and usage
 use identification skills and
strategies to unlock the meaning
of unfamiliar words
 understand and apply the writing
process





apply understanding of English
conventions
write in response to literary or
informational text
identify and evaluate potential
sources of information in media
– world web, documentaries,
periodicals
analyze and interpret informative
texts citing evidence (critical
reading / viewing of media)
connect what has been read (plot
/ideas /concepts) to prior
knowledge, other texts, or the
broader world of ideas
Essential questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What are some challenges of the contemporary world?
How are these challenges depicted in literature and writing?
How can we adapt/ contribute as citizens?
What are your areas of weakness in writing, reading, speaking, and researching?
5. How can those weaknesses be improved?
Culminating and Common Assessment:
A multi-genre portfolio of students’ best writing from the course is an essential
component of the class. The portfolio rubric will be directly tied to the competencies
expected of a Winnacunnet graduate. Options will include a variety of genres (i.e. poetry,
expository, research, analytical, personal) of writing. Teacher and student will agree upon
the way in which the student demonstrates these competencies in the portfolio.
Essential Portfolio Genres:


Expository
o Analytical
o Persuasive
Creative
o Poetry
o Personal Narrative (college
essay)

o Media (artwork, scrapbook,
multimedia)
Professional
o Etiquette (e-mail, interviews,
appearance)
o Resume/ Cover Letter
o Letter
o Common Application (College/
Job)
Course Outline & Possible Texts:
Trimester 1: Western Traditions


The Novel:
o The DaVinci Code
o In Cold Blood
o Invisible Man
o The Green Mile
Shakespeare:
o Hamlet
o Midsummer Night’s Dream

o Julius Cesar
o The Tempest
Nonfiction:
o Touching the Void
o Into the Wild
o The Perfect Storm
o Fast Food Nation
Trimester 2: The Challenge of Modernity

Fiction of the Future:
o Brave New World
o Fahrenheit 451
o 1984
o Feed
o War of the Worlds

Madness in Literature:
o One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s
Nest
o Girl, Interrupted
o Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
o Heart of Darkness