engII

Units of Study

English II Subject Area Test Review

This is a very important year for English II students. Each English II student will be taking two state tests which they must pass in order to graduate. First is the English II Writing Prompt in which sophomores will have to write two essays, one narrative and one informative. The second test is the English II test. This will consist of both language conventions and reading comprehension items. We will be working hard in preparing students for these tests as well as getting them ready for English III. Please encourage your child to do his/her best in English. Students who do not pass both essays and the multiple choice end-of-course tests will have to retake these tests, even if they pass the course. You can find the course syllabus above. Read over it to stay informed as to the type of work students will be doing this semester. Also, if you would like to help your child review for the English II tests, click on the SATP Review link above.

UNITS OF STUDY

First/Third Term:

Short Story Unit-Students will read short stories found in our textbook: "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherall, "The Bet" by Anton Chekov, "Life is Sweet at Kumansenu" by Abioseh Nicol, and "Through the Tunnel" by Doris Lessing. Students will be introduced to a group of literary devices using these stories.

Essay Writing-Students will learn to write narrative and informative essays using the complete writing process: prewriting, drafting, editing/revising, and publishing. Students will also learn to holistically score writing. Students will develop thesis statements, introductory paragraphs, body paragraphs and concluding paragraphs. Students will also learn to improve their writing through various peer and self editing techniques. A total of six essays will be written, all of which will count as major grades.

Daily Grammar Focus-Students will correct grammar, mechanics, and usage errors.

Sustained Silent Reading-Daily, students will read a self-selected book. Students will also complete a Reading Journal entry weekly. Students must complete a Book Borrowing Agreement in order to check out books from the classroom library.

Spelling/Vocabulary-Students will receive a list of 20 spelling words and 5 vocabulary words for a weekly test each Wednesday. Lists are cumulative.

Poetry-Students will read and analyze poems and songs for literary devices.

Second/Fourth Term:

Essay-Students will continue to write narrative and informative essays.

A Midsummer Night's Dream-Students will read this great comedy of mistaken identity. Students will also learn about the life of William Shakespeare and Elizabethan England. Students will create quotation posters for this play. Students will view the video version of this play starring Calista Flockhart and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Night-Students will read and study this autobiographical work by Elie Wiesel. Wiesel shows us his experiences as a Jewish prisoner of the Nazis during the Holocaust in WWII. In addition, students will view the documentary The Last Days by Stephen Spielberg, which takes four Holocaust survivors back through their experiences in concentration camps.

Daily Grammar Focus-Students will continue to correct mechanics, usage, and grammar errors.

Sustained Silent Reading-Students will continue self-selected independent reading.

Spelling/Vocabulary-Students will receive a weekly list of 20 spelling words and 5 vocabulary words. Tests will be each Wednesday and are cumulative.

Mystery Unit-Students will read several mysteries and analyze what it is that makes a good mystery. Students will also discuss solving mysteries.