College Prep English 9
Course Syllabus: Fall 2006/ Spring 2007
Lisa H. Edmondson
Email: Lisa.Edmondson@Hardin.kyschools.us
Planning: 1:45-3:15
Course Description
The College Prep English 9 course introduces a variety of
sophisticated texts appropriate to the high school curriculum.
Practicing a variety of strategies, students read beyond the literal
level to arrive at deeper understandings of author purpose and
meaning in the four genres of literature: short story, novel, poetry,
and drama. In nonfiction selections (persuasive, informational and
practical/ workplace), students explore audience, purpose,
supporting details, organizational patterns, rhetorical devices, and
persuasive techniques in practical, real-world situations.
CP English 9 students develop a practice portfolio, which
may include a poem or short story, memoir, and assorted speeches,
editorials, feature articles, and essays developed in English and
other classes.
In addition, students will perform tasks in a variety of
individual, small group, and large group contexts. Through these,
students will develop important organization, teamwork, and study
skills essential to their development.
Reading Selections include…
McDougal Littell’s The Language of Literature
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Night by Elie Wiesel
KIRIS/CATS release questions
Literary Calvacade/ Read Magazine/ Scope Magazine
Vocabulary Power Plus for the New SAT: Vocabulary, Reading,
and Writing Exercises for High Scores
KCCT and Standardized Test Preparation from McDougal Littell
Grammar, Usage and Mechanics Book by McDougal Littell
Assorted newspaper and magazine articles/ research articles and
essays
Requested Supplies
1. Due to the importance and number of supplemental
handouts, students will need
to purchase a one to two
inch three-ring binder.
2. For daily exercises and warm-up activities, students will
need a small one-subject notebook.
3. Students are asked to supply either one box of tissues or
one roll of paper towels for classroom use.
4. Other helpful supplies include highlighters, access to a
dictionary and thesaurus at home, correction fluid, paper, and
blue or black ink pens (red, pink, purple, etc. pens are
inappropriate for formal papers at the high school level).
5. CP students are encouraged to purchase copies of the novel
Night by Elie Wiesel and The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien for
use in class. Night is available at Walden books at a
discount if the student shows their CHHS student ID. Having
personal copies of these books will allow students to
highlight the text and take notes.
Homework
CP English 9 students are generally highly responsible, selfdirected young people. Because of the need to practice skills and
strategies learned in the classroom and to accommodate differences
among individuals, students are expected to read some assignments
and to write and revise certain papers outside normal class hours.
Every effort is made to work with the schedules of these students
who are typically involved in worthy extra-curricular activities;
however, students are expected to prepare and bring materials to
class and to prepare for frequent quizzes and tests. The length of
outside preparation varies according to the length and complexity
of an assignment and student involvement.
Standing Assignments
The students will complete a vocabulary unit every week. Each
Friday, students will have a vocabulary homework assignment due
as well as a quiz. The first vocabulary lesson will be due and the
first quiz will take place on August 11.
Evaluation
Students are evaluated through a variety of methods
including objective tests, open-response questions, in-class
writings, portfolio pieces, projects, vocabulary and reading
quizzes, worksheets, study guides, and participation (i. e. having
needed materials, completing study guides, maintaining a class
notebook, and making responsible contributions to group tasks.)
Tests, projects, and writing assignments will be worth 50% of the
total grade, quizzes will comprise 30%, and class participation and
daily grades will count for the remaining 20% of a student’s final
grade. The percentage of points earned will determine a student’s
grade: 92%-100% earns an A, 83-91% earns a B, 74%-82% earns
a C, 68%-73% earns a D, and 68% and below earns an F.
Because completing assigned tasks promptly is so important
in the workplace, punctuality is stressed. Points will be deducted
for assignments turned in past the due date. Generally speaking,
daily assignments will be given half credit if turned in late; on
writing assignments or weighty projects, 10 points will be
deducted for each day late. Failure to complete assignments
results in a zero on that assignment. When absent, students are
responsible for copying assignments from the Make-up calendar
located in the classroom and should follow the make-up policy
outlined in the CHHS Student Handbook in determining when this
make-up work is due. Much of the learning process occurs in the
classroom; therefore, good attendance is essential for maximizing
student learning and performance.
Outline of Learning Activities
The course focuses on effective characteristics of both spoken and
written language. The following outline provides the major units
of study and the general objectives of each area of concentration.
For each of these objectives, students will engage in a variety of
learning experiences, which build on material studied earlier in the
semester. Materials and learning activities may be subject to
revision due to state mandated curriculum changes and individual
class and/or student needs.
The written focus centers on fiction and non-fiction. Students will

Learn new strategies for literary interpretation

Prepare a personal-expressive portfolio piece

Read and interpret Night by Elie Wiesel and The Hobbit by
J. R. R. Tolkien

Study the unique characteristics of the memoir

Review standardized test-taking procedures

Read a variety of informational, persuasive, and/or
practical/workplace articles and apply knowledge gained in a
variety of academic and practical situations

Study persuasive techniques with an emphasis on evaluating
an argument, giving supporting details, and comparing/contrasting
differing points of view

Study vocabulary and sentence structures which increase
sophistication in language understanding and use

Review standard conventions in punctuation and usage

Study the unique characteristics of the novel, particularly
heroic-journey archetypes

Select novels and non-fiction books for in-class reading
time—Monitored Independent Reading Practice (MIRP)
The oral focus centers on the distinctive features of language that
is meant to be heard rather than read: poetry, drama, and speech.

Learn and practice effective strategies for a deeper
understanding of poetry

Analyze Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in terms of the
unique characteristics of Elizabethan drama

Learn research techniques including note-taking,
summarizing, and documenting

Complete a group research project and make an oral
presentation to the class