Genres

This unit includes identifying and comparing key characteristics of literary genres.

Language Expressions

This unit includes comprehending and applying the rules which govern language expressions and usage. Students studying this unit develop an intuitive sense of language structure, and the ability to make judgments regarding how language expressions relate to the cohesiveness of sentences and passages.

Language Mechanics

This unit includes comprehending and applying the rules which govern punctuation and capitalization. Students studying this unit incorporate knowledge of language mechanics into original writing, and successfully edit passages for language mechanics errors.

Listening

This unit includes identifying and distinguishing between sounds and patterns in sounds, and constructing meaning from information delivered verbally.

Reading Operations

This unit includes constructing meaning from fiction and non-fiction selections at comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and judgment levels of understanding. Students are able to identify, discuss, and compare both concrete and abstract elements of selections (setting, plot, characterization, genre, historical period, theme, tone, moral message, and psychological and political implications).

Speaking

This unit includes practicing techniques and strategies (voice modulation, body language, ordering of ideas, visual aids, etc.) to convey meaning and to present information and opinions to groups. Students learn to choose appropriate topics, and methods of presenting topics, for specific audiences.

Spelling

This unit includes studying language and word structure knowledge to discern the correct spelling of words. Students edit passages for correct spelling by making connections between spelling, meaning, and structure.

Study and Research Skills

This unit includes developing organization and research skills needed to find appropriate resources, to judge resources as relevant or not relevant to a given topic, to categorize and synthesize information, to take notes in class, and to study for exams.

Vocabulary

This unit includes studying and applying knowledge of word structure (bases and affixes) to define unfamiliar words and understand technical or informational content.

Word Analysis

This unit includes examining word structure and phonetics in isolation.

Writing

This unit includes utilizing each stage of the writing process to create original pieces. Students explore a variety of organizational formats and purposes for writing (communicating ideas, opinions, and feelings, clarifying thoughts, and solving problems).