English, Grade 10, Academic (ENG2D)

Students will become familiar with major poetic forms, devices, and themes, as well as have the opportunity to write, present, and edit their own works.

Students will develop an understanding of literary devices, traditions, and conventions through close readings of short fiction.

Students will study the literary form of the novel by examining Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. They will respond to, reflect upon, and analyze questions, passages, and techniques in the work in order to build an understanding of the literary elements of the piece. Students will develop their formal writing skills with a persuasive essay.

We will examine the unique challenge of reading, performing, and creating meaning in dramatic works through a close reading and analysis of Williams’ classic play. Students will apply critical thinking and reading skills in studying the play’s characters and themes. Students will also consider the way that literature and theatre are rendered on film, through a comparison with the play’s cinematic adaptation.

Students will explore a number of diverse tools and techniques for exploring Shakespeare’s language and style through a close reading of Macbeth. Through reading aloud, scene analysis, small group performance, and film adaptation comparison, students will develop a sophisticated understanding of the play while furthering their understanding of creating both written and visual meaning through theatre.

Students will complete an independent novel study of Hosseini’s book. They will complete journal and media assignments which will allow them to reflect critically and creatively on the novel’s characters, themes, plot, and setting. This unit will serve as the course-culminating task.