Course Syllabus
Honors English, Grade 10
2014-2015
Instructor:
Nathan Vrona
Classroom – E218
Phone:
480-883-5202
E-mail
Vrona.Nathan@cusd80.com
3700 South Arizona Avenue
Chandler, Arizona 85248
Office Hours in E218
2:15-4:00 Tuesday and Wednesday
and by appointment
TEXTS:
Interactive Reader: Critical Analysis Great Source Education Group. 2000.
Literature. McDougal Littell 2009
The Lively Art of Writing. Lucile Vaughan Payne.
Writers Inc. Great Source Education Group. 2008.
Teacher / Student-Selected Books (Fiction / Non-fiction), Essays, Short Stories, Poems
Goals:
This is a rigorous pre-AP class, which builds a foundation for college and career readiness.
Students must 1) read widely and deeply from a diverse range of challenging texts; 2) use
writing as a tool for learning and communicating, identifying and focusing on a purpose, writing
to a specific audience, and adapting the form and content of writing to accomplish a particular
task; 3) build knowledge through research and analysis of literary and informational texts, as
well as through the use of technology; 4) participate in discussion, providing relevant information
and textual support to analyze and synthesize a multitude of ideas and texts; 5) gain control
over the conventions of Standard English (grammar, usage, and mechanics), as well as
effectively use language to convey meaning; and expand vocabulary, appreciating nonliteral
meaning, shades of meaning, and relationships to other words.
REQUIREMENTS:
-Students must be self-motivated, possess strong reading and writing skills, and participate in class
discussion and activities.
-Students must do their part in helping to create a classroom environment that promotes learning. This
includes, but is not limited to, arriving on time, showing respect for everyone in class, doing your own
work, and keeping the classroom a place that is safe and free from ridicule.
-Students will be required to complete assignments and honor due dates.
SUPPLIES: Two-Pocket Notebook with metal fastener, blue and/or black pens, #2 pencils, three
highlighters: yellow, pink, and green; college-ruled lined paper; 1 box of tissues, flash drive.
EVALUATION:
Portfolio
Practice / Homework
Summative
Formative/Quizzes
35%
15%
35%
15%
Semester Grade:
Quarter One – 40%
Quarter Two – 40%
Final Exam (no final exemption) – 20%
Course Syllabus
Quarter One Essential Questions: What is a learner? Why are stories important? What stories
are worth reading? When is sacrifice necessary? When does ambition lead to tragedy? What
should be a government’s role in society? What is the role of a leader? What makes an effective
leader? A dangerous leader? A worthwhile leader? What happens when members of a society
are at odds with the rulers of that society or with that society itself? What is the price of
knowledge? When does knowledge become dangerous? What is a monster? What are the
responsibilities of the creator of new technology?
Quarter One
Academic
Vocabulary;
Literary
Vocabulary;
Grammar
and usage
Reading
Summer Read: The Outliers
Novel: Frankenstein
Drama: Antigone
Poetry / Short Stories / Essays / Text Excerpts
Elements of Literature/Terms
Tragedy and the Tragic Hero
Archetypes
Historical and Cultural Aspects of Literature
Writing





6-Traits: Ideas/Content,
Organization, Word
Choice, Sentence Fluency,
Voice, Creative
Conventions
Narrative
Research
Expository
Persuasion
Quarter Two Essential Questions: Are humans basically good or evil? Is survival a matter of
chance? What is the relationship between our actions and the consequences of those actions?
What is our responsibility to ourselves, others, our country, and the world? How do pride,
jealousy, and/or loyalty affect our choices? How does society’s view of others impact our own
view of others?
Quarter Two
Academic
Vocabulary;
Literary
Vocabulary;
Grammar
and usage
Reading
Novel: The Count of Monte Cristo / Tale of Two
Cities
Drama: Othello/Julius Caesar
Poetry / Short Stories / Essays / Text Excerpts
Elements of Literature/Terms
Historical and Cultural Aspects of Literature
Research
Writing





6-Traits: Ideas/Content,
Organization, Word
Choice, Sentence Fluency,
Voice, Creative
Conventions
Narrative
Research
Expository
Persuasion
Course Syllabus (cont.)
Quarter Three Essential Questions: On what basis should we judge others? What is the
American Dream? When is crime justified? What are the qualities of a friend? What is the
difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law? Why are laws essential to a just
government?
Quarter Three
Academic
Vocabulary;
Literary
Vocabulary;
Grammar
and usage
Reading
Writing
Novel: The Book Thief / Of Mice and Men
Drama: “Trifles”
Functional Text
Poetry / Short Stories / Essays / Text Excerpts
Elements of Literature/Terms
Historical and Cultural Aspects of Literature





6-Traits: Ideas/Content,
Organization, Word
Choice, Sentence Fluency,
Voice, Creative
Conventions
Narrative
Research
Expository
Persuasion
Quarter Four Essential Questions: What is a hero? What is the role of a tragic hero in
literature? What is a functional family? What is our responsibility to our family? What is our role
within our family? How does family shape who we become? Can people live in isolation? Do
heroes get to be human?
Quarter Four
Academic
Vocabulary;
Literary
Vocabulary;
Grammar
and usage
Reading
Writing
Novel: Cry the Beloved Country / Literature
Circles
Drama: Death of a Salesman; Glass Menagerie;
Elements of Literature
Poetry / Short Stories / Essays
Rhetorical techniques





Figurative language,
imagery, detail, diction, and
syntax
Narrative
Research
Expository
Persuasion/ Argument
In order to be an active member in a literate society, you will be given ample opportunities to
read and discuss great literature. One of these opportunities comes in the form of reading a
self-selected book each quarter, assigned over each break. Happy reading!
This syllabus gives an overview of what to expect from 10 th Grade Honors English, but it is subject to change.
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