Course Goals
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Read novels, plays, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction for enjoyment and to improve critical reading skillfulness
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Engage in informal (discussion forums), instructional (parts-to-whole practice), and formal (essay) writing
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Hone the expression of ideas to demonstrate clarity, coherence, and perceptiveness
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Learn and practice several types of writing, including expository, compare and contrast, persuasive, and literary analysis essays
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Collect research sources, scrutinizing the credibility of websites and writers
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Receive incremental writing instruction with detailed, individual feedback
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Construct and refine the parts of an essay, practicing and then applying learning to 4- or 5-paragraph essays
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Learn and apply basic formatting and citation conventions in accordance with the newest MLA 9 guidelines
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Fine-tune grammar through workbook practice and editing
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Learn and apply new vocabulary in a variety of ways
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Engage in active discussions each week—both guided and student-led—on topics relating to the week's reading and writing
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Offer and receive helpful and positive peer feedback on writing forums
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Course Resources
Texts and Materials:
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EasyBib | a free online resource
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Easy Grammar Ultimate Series: 180 Daily Teaching Lessons – Grade 9
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MLA Made Easy: Your Concise Guide to the 9th Edition, Hatala​
Reading
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Animal Farm, George Orwell
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The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
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The Call of the Wild, Jack London
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Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury
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The Hound of the Baskervilles, Arthur Conan Doyle
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Julius Caesar (No Fear Shakespeare). William Shakespeare
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The Miracle Worker, William Gibson
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A Single Shard, Linda Sue Park
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