Read Like a Writer; Write Like a Reader

English IA Course Syllabus

Instructor: Mr. Tom Brady

Email: tbrady1@houstonisd.org

Main Textbooks: Language of Literature, McDugall Littlel

Elements of Language, Third Course, Holt Rinehart

Image Grammar

First Six-Weeks

LITERATURE: FICTION—SHORT STORIES

Objectives:

• 1. Identify some elements of fiction
• 2. Read short stores from culturally diverse writers
• 3. Identify and analyze literary elements, rhetorical strategies, and conventions
• 4. Write an analytic composition using examples
• 5. Apply a variety of active reading strategies to comprehend text
• 6. Vocabulary study: Acquire grade level and content specific vocabulary and strategies
• 7. Contribute to TAKS and End of Course preparation

GRAMMAR AND USAGE REVIEW

Topics:

• 1. Parts of Speech – nouns, verbs and adjectives
• 2. Sentence Construction – simple and compound, sentence combining, types and special features
• 3. Sentence editing and revision

VOCABULARY: Words originating from reading

LITERARY EMPHASIS: Modes of Discourse – Descriptive, Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive

COMPOSITION: TAKS and End of Course methodologies and strategies

TEST PREPARATION: Basic Skills – TEKS / TAKS

End of Course

ASSESSMENT: Portfolios, Presentations, Projects, Objective and Subjective Tests,

Open-ended Responses, Extended Essays, Discussions, Written and Verbal Tests

LITERATURE: Epic Poetry

Objectives: Understand and appreciate a classic epic poem; demonstrate familiarity

GRAMMAR AND USAGE REVIEW

Topics:

• 1. Parts of Speech – nouns, verbs and adjectives – plus adverbs
• 2. Sentence Construction – simple and compound, sentence combining, types and special features
• 3. Sentence editing and revision

VOCABULARY: Words originating from reading, Literary Terms, Rhetorical Devices, And Conventions

LITERARY EMPHASIS: Modes of Discourse – Descriptive, Narrative, Expository,

COMPOSITION: TAKS and End of Course methodologies and strategies which include Compare and contrast writing

TEST PREPARATION: Basic Skills – TEKS / TAKS

End of Course

ASSESSMENT: Portfolios, Presentations, Projects, Sentence Writing, Open-ended

Responses, Extended Essays, Discussions, Written and Verbal Tests

LITERATURE: SEASONAL, CLASSIC NARRATIVES

Objective:

• 1. Appreciate and analyze a classical, seasonal short story and classical Autobiographical fiction orally and in writing
• 2. Analyze literary elements orally and in writing
• 3. Apply a variety of reading strategies including mapping in determining meaning of words, poetic style, and shades of meaning
• 4. Vocabulary study: Grade level and content specific vocabulary and Strategies
• 5. TAKS and End of Course preparation and the Final

GRAMMAR AND USAGE REVIEW

Topics:

• 1. Parts of Speech – nouns, verbs and adjectives
• 2. Sentence Construction – simple and compound, sentence combining, types and special features
• 3. Sentence editing and revision
• 4. Subject-verb agreement

VOCABULARY: Words originating from reading

LITERARY EMPHASIS: Literary elements in autobiographical fiction

COMPOSITION: TAKS and End of Course methodologies and strategies which include

Compare and contrast, description, narrative, persuasive modes

TEST PREPARATION: Basic Skills – TEKS / TAKS

End of Course

The Semester Final

ASSESSMENT: Portfolios, Presentations, Projects, Sentence Writing Tests,

benchmark and diagnostic tests, Open-ended Responses, Extended

Essays, Discussions, Written and Verbal Tests, Final Examination

Things to Know

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• Three ring binder (1 to 2 inches, 2 pocket)
• A supply pouch
• Multiple ink pens – at least three blue or black pens and one red
• Map pencils as required in science and social studies
• Pencils for Scantron tests
• Scissors, glue stick, and highlighters to be kept in the supply pouch with the
• Pens, pencils, and map pencils
• Individual reading, magazine or book
• Ample notebook paper, regular lines
• A spiral notebook for journal writing
• Materials for making flash cards

GRADES WILL BE CALCULATED ON THE TOTAL POINT SYSTEM

TUTORIALS:

Assignment to afternoon or before school tutorials will be determined by academic

grades. Attendance will be imperative. A zero on any assignment at a mid-grading

period will result in a failing progress report. Failure to turn in assigned work in a

timely manner may also mean academic detention will be appropriate. In short, no one

is here to allow students to fail. A safety net called tutoring or academic detention is in

place in room 217.

MAKE-UP WORK:

Assignments are to be picked up the first day upon returning to class; they are

generally due within 48 hours along with a excused form from the attendance

office. Late work will be accepted with points taken off.

PLAGIARISM:

Assignments not done entirely by the student will receive the grade of zero.

BENEFITS:

Students needing to adjust behavior or academic performance may be assigned teacher

detentions.

NOTES: