Junior English
Syllabus: 2013-2014
(All dates and assignments subject to change to meet the needs of the class.)
Aug. 25-29
Portfolio Essay & Class Contract
*Sep.
Grammar: Brushstroke phrases.
Mythic Themes: Origin Myths. (p. 18-28) Focus on archetypes and making complex inferences.
from Iroquois Constitution. (p.40) Focus on symbolism.
1-5
Sep. 8-12
Test. Vocabulary. from Of Plymouth Plantation (p.58) from Sinner in the Hands of an Angry God
(p.87) Focus on audience, author’s purpose, and style.
Sep. 15-19
Test. Puritan Influence: poetry by Anne Bradstreet (p.76). Focus on syntax, inversion, conceit,
rhetorical techniques. The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving. (p.228)
Focus on characterization and how the time period affects literature.
Sep. 22-26
Begin Crucible. (p.1123) Introduce historical background, author, characters,
themes, vocabulary, and elements of drama. Anticipation guide.
Sep. 29-Oct. 3 Continue Crucible. Focus on external/internal conflicts, symbolism, and setting.
Oct. 6-10
Test over Act I & II. Continue reading The Crucible. Focus on biblical allusions &themes.
Oct. 13-17
Continue Crucible. Focus on direct/indirect characterization. Introduce literary analysis
essay.
Oct. 20-24
Finish Crucible. Discuss, review and analyze important scenes, characters and themes.
Oct.27-31
Test. Watch movie. Essay due.
Nov. 3-7
Speeches (p. 100-124) Focus on rhetorical techniques, tone, audience, and elements of
persuasion. From The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. (p. 141) Discuss and analyze
Franklin’s virtues. Group work.
*Nov.10-14
Begin Scarlet Letter. Introduce background, characters, themes, and symbols.
Nov. 17-21
Continue Scarlet Letter. Focus on symbolism, time period, themes, and characterization. Assign
Projects
Nov.24-28
Continue reading Scarlet Letter. Focus on author’s purpose, character’s motives, and analyzing
significant passages.
Dec1-5
HOLIDAY!!
Dec. 8-12
Continue Scarlet Letter. Focus on syntax, inferences, and STAAR short answer responses.
Dec.15-19
Finish Scarlet Letter. Complete projects and present presentations.