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About Honors English 10 

Welcome to Honors English 10 at NHS! In this class, we will explore the world through novels, plays, short stories, poetry, and more. We believe that by focusing on the skills of reading and writing, we can develop our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. We hope that you will take ownership of your experience in this class as you dive into some of the best writings the world has to offer.  

 

Class Learning Objectives 

Our class will focus on the skills necessary for successful and insightful reading and writing. Through our work together, we will build your abilities to read, analyze, discuss, and write about many topics. Each skill in our class will help you as you face difficult reading and writing assignments in your other classes throughout high school and beyond.  

 

Term 1/3 

  1. I can write an objective summary. 
  1. I can analyze how author’s choices in structure contributes to the development of a central idea and facilitates connections between ideas. 
  1. I can produce clear and coherent writing that is appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. 
  1. I can analyze how an author’s choices regarding point of view helps achieve the purpose of the text. 
  1. I can trace and evaluate the development of an argument and assess whether the line of reasoning is valid. 
  1. I can organize my writing to include effective introductions, conclusions, structures, and formats. 
  1. I can use precise language and appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas. 

  

Term 2/4 

  1. I can analyze how complex characters are developed and interact over the course of a text. 
  1. I can analyze how author’s choices in structure contributes to the development of a theme and creates dramatic effects. 
  1. I can introduce a topic clearly using precise claims or a thesis statement and logical line of reasoning. 
  1. I can support claims and thesis statements in an analysis or argument with relevant evidence using credible sources and proper citation. 
  1. I can analyze what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences. 
  1. I can analyze the theme or central idea and its development over the course of a text. 
  1. I can determine figurative and connotative meanings and analyze the impact they have on meaning, tone, and mood. 
  1. I can compare and contrast other texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras, and personal experiences within or outside of pieces of literature. 

  

Major Works 

Throughout the year, we will use several major texts to focus our study while we weave in short texts, excerpts, and poems to enhance our study and understanding of the skills we are developing. This year, we will read or view:  

1. Literary Circle Choices: Long Way Down, Nimona, Speak, Born a Crime, Wednesday Wars, Uglies, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Noggin, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Count of Monte Cristo, Lord of the Flies  

2. Macbeth by William Shakespeare  

3.The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
  

Expectations  

Your success is greatly determined by your dedication to the work we do together. Please make sure to:  

  1. Be Prepared! Do the work you are assigned. Take it seriously. Be ready to read, write, and discuss. 
  1. Be Positive! This is a place where you will be asked to take risks, where people are putting themselves out there. Make sure you have a positive and kind attitude so we can ensure that this is a safe space for everyone. 
  1. Be Actively Engaged! You are the person in charge of your education, and it is vital that you are the most active participant in this process. Speak up. Bring me questions, concerns, and ideas you have for how this can work better for you. 
  1. Be Respectful! This means wearing a mask, staying home if you are sick, helping us make this class work in these difficult times, valuing those around you enough to treat them with dignity and humanity. 

 

Grading Scale 

Your grades will be a list of skills we will be working on mastering throughout that term. With each assignment, you will have opportunities to practice and assess those skills. This work will be reflected in your grade so that each score can and will be updated with the current work you do. 
 

This means that the only place you will find a running list of assignments is Canvas. Your MyDSD score will be based solely on your mastery of the skills and can always be changed as you learn more. We will repeat each skill a few times through the year, so I will even consider doing a grade change if you master a skill later in the year. 

 

A = 90-100 

B = 80-89 

C = 70-79 

D = 60-69 

F = 59 and below