English II v14 Syllabus
English II v14 Course Syllabus
Description:
In English II, students learn how the human experience—real life—is the foundation of the best stories, plays,
poems, films, and articles. In each unit of the course, students explore a specific aspect of the human experience
such as laughter, obstacles, betrayal, fear, and transformation. Through the study of literature, nonfiction, and life,
students explore what it means to be human, what it means to be fulfilled, triumphant, empowered, and
transformed.
As in life, students have many choices in the English II course. They choose the order in which they complete the
units. Students also choose some of the works they read and have countless choices when it comes to
demonstrating what they have learned. Whether reading a poem or a novel, writing a story or an analysis, or
studying a Shakespearean tragedy or a modern suspense film, students explore what it means to be human, a
subject on which they are already experts!
Estimated Completion Time: 2 segments/32-36 weeks
Major Topics and Concepts:
Segment 1
Laughter
Readings
Excerpt of Gulliver’s Travels, Much Ado About Nothing, and “The Curious Case of Benjamin
Button,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” and selected poems
Concepts
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Skills
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Honors
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Humor devices
Free verse poetry
Limerick form
Irony
Satire
Humor in Drama
Misplaced modifiers
Vocabulary strategies
Greek and Latin roots
Writing a roast or toast
Conducting literary analysis
Creating or analyzing a modern satire
Hunting for humor in real life
Study and apply the sonnet form
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English II v14 Syllabus
Love and Loss
Readings
Selected poems, “The Pomegranate Seeds,” and “Was It a Dream?”
Concepts
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Skills
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Honors
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Figurative language
Poetic forms and devices
Elements of Fiction: plot, character, conflict, theme, setting, point of view
Tone
Mood
Diction
Connotation and denotation
Imagery
Syntax
Greek mythology
Allusion
Symbolism
Comma usage
Greek and Latin roots
Experiencing and analyzing poetry
Creating a work place document
Analyzing short stories
Writing a farewell and a eulogy
Delivering a speech: use of voice, eye contact, gestures, and tone to accomplish purpose
Analyze “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” by Leo Tolstoy
Pride
Readings
Selected poems, speeches, myths, and excerpts of Oedipus Rex and Cathleen Ni Houlihan
Concepts
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Skills
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Honors
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Writing process
Prewriting strategies: webs, maps, outlines
Short answer and extended response writing
Peer editing
Essay revision
Overview of all modes of writing
Study of definition, cause and effect, and compare-contrast
Greek mythology
Conducting literary analysis
Analyzing theme in culture and society
Writing an effective thesis statement
Using writing strategies to create an effective draft
Drafting and revising an essay
Read, analyze, and create a project for Great Expectations or Anthem
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English II v14 Syllabus
Obstacles
Readings
Novel choice of Hiroshima, Of Mice and Men, or Enrique’s Journey
Concepts
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Skills
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Honors
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Purpose and audience in writing
Historical context
Elements of Fiction: Conflict
Elements of Fiction: Character
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Parallel structure
Reading nonfiction and fiction
Developing a reading plan
Researching an author’s life to understand context
Researching real-world problems that are relevant to literature
Creating a multi-media project to demonstrate knowledge and skills
Research a problem pertaining to the novel Enrique’s Journey and propose a solution
Segment 2
Betrayal
Reading
Julius Caesar
Concepts
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Historical context
Shakespearean language
Course Assessment and Participation Requirements:
To achieve success, students are expected to submit work in each course weekly. Students can learn at their own
pace; however, “any pace” still means that students must make progress in the course every week. To measure
learning, students complete self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, projects, discussion-based
assessments, and discussions. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with teachers; the minimum
requirement is monthly. When teachers, students, and parents work together, students are successful.
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