North Dallas High School
English I Syllabus
Fall 2014-Spring 2015
Journey of the Self
Instructor: Mr. Horstman
Course Title: English I
Credit: ½ credit for each semester/1 credit for a full year
Room: 320
Tutoring: Monday & Thursday 4:00—5:00 p.m. or by appointment
Course Description: This course will provide a comprehensive study of grammar, literature, thinking
skills and writing concepts (building upon those covered in previous years); as well as, the introduction
of new and more in depth analysis. Written and oral interactions with the text as well as a study of
vocabulary will also be included.
Texts:
-Holt McDougal Literature
and Grammar
- Monster by Walter Dean
Myers
- Romeo and Juliet by William
Shakespeare
- 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
- Night by Elie Wiesel
- Odyssey by Homer
- -Out of the Dust by Karen Hess
- -Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
- -Chasing Shadows by Swati Avasthi
Supplies: Paper, Pencils, Pens, Highlighter, Binders, Folders, Pencil Bags and Composition Book
Grading Policy:
15% Six Weeks Tests
40% Classwork/Journals
25% Tests/Quizzes
20% Projects
Reporting Categories according to the STAAR Blueprint—
 Category 1: Understanding/Analysis Across Genres
 Category 2: Understanding/Analysis of Literary Texts
 Category 3: Understanding/Analysis of Informational Texts
 Category 4: Composition
 Category 5: Revision
 Category 6: Editing
Make-up Policy: Students are allowed to complete missed assignments due to EXCUSED absences
within five (5) days after returning to school.
Retest Policy: Students are allowed to retake any failed test within five (5) days of receiving the failing
grade. If the test is passed on the second attempt, the failing grade will be replaced with a 70. If it is
now passed, the highest grade will be entered into the gradebook.
Class Protocol:
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Classroom Rules:
Keep “off topic” discussions outside the classroom—focus on the learning at hand
Participate—The more involved you are, the more likely you are to succeed.
Attendance—Be sure to attend every day and BE ON TIME!
Create a universally accepting environment
Respect the other students’ right to learn
Always ask questions
Bring all appropriate materials to class.
Save your homepage for home.
FALL
1st Six Weeks: “Monster”
Theme: Making Sacrifices
Genre: Literary Analysis of Fiction
Overarching Questions:
1. What do we learn about making sacrifices from these
texts?
2. What do we learn about the purpose and processes
of writing to analyze literature?
3. How do one person’s actions affect everyone else
around them?
Research Component: Teen Crime in Texas
Writing Focus: Open-ended response (OER), baseline essay,
& personal exploration through journal writing
Grammar Focus: Adverbs, varying sentence structure,
introductory words & phrases
Sirens, and Circe, and Cyclopes, oh my!
2nd Six Weeks: “Odyssey”
Theme: Epic Hero
Genre: Greek Mythology
Overarching Questions:
1. What makes a family?
2. What is worth fighting for?
3. What makes a “true” hero?
4. Does absence really make the heart grow fonder?
Research Component: Local Heroes in the Media
Writing Focus: Revising/editing & thesis statements within
expository texts and OERs
Grammar Focus: Commas, semicolons, punctuation, oh my!
3rd Six Weeks: “Night”
Theme: Voicing a Viewpoint
Genre: Persuasive Essay
Overarching Questions:
1. What viewpoints are these texts voicing?
2. What does it mean to persuade people through
writing?
3. What do these texts tell us about methods in
persuasion?
Research Component: Demographics Affected by The
Holocaust
Writing Focus: Structure and focus within paragraphs
Grammar Focus: Commas, fragments and run-ons
SPRING
4th Six Weeks: “Romeo & Juliet”
Theme: Tragedy
Genre: Drama
Overarching Questions:
1. How is drama different from other literary
forms?
2. Are Shakespeare's views on love, loyalty,
friendship, and fate still relevant today?
3. What roles do fate, hate, and the many facets of
love play within this narrative and in modern day
life?
4. What are the characters motivations for action?
Research Component: Famous Family/Social Feuds
Writing Focus: Writing, revising & editing expository
texts.
Grammar Focus: Subject/Verb agreement
5th Six Weeks: Poetry Unit “Out of the Dust”
Theme: Forgiveness
Genre: Poetry
Overarching Questions:
1. What poetic devices are used within this text?
How is free verse effective in telling her story?
2. What struggles are portrayed within this novel
and how do they personally compare?
3. What does it take to be able to forgive?
4. What does a poetic portrait look like for you?
Research Component: Up close and Personal Poets
Writing Focus: Figurative language and manipulatives
for the writing process
Grammar Focus: Quotations and citations
6th Six Weeks: “13 Reasons Why”
Theme: Choices & Responsibility
Genre: Narrative; Personal Voyage
Overarching Questions:
1. What makes the main character sympathetic?
2. Are we responsible for the actions of others?
Research Component: Teen Suicide
Writing Focus: Persuasive Writing Introduction
Grammar Focus: Bulldog Point review