English 4 Prescriptive

In English 4, students explore British and world literature from of a variety of genres and historical contexts. Beginning with The Odyssey and Beowulf, students grapple with the question of how cultures define monstrosity and heroism—a theme that recurs throughout the course. That theme continues into analysis of The Tempest, along with considerations of how language can be used to empower or subjugate. As they move into literature of the 18th century, students respond to the satire of Jonathan Swift and arguably the first realistic fictional novel, Robinson Crusoe. The question of how cultures and individuals define monstrosity and heroism grows in depth; students begin to examine how humans define and interact with what is perceived as "other." In analyzing Frankenstein, students are able to witness the struggle between monstrosity and heroism in both external and internal conflicts, through the lens of a writer of the Romantic era. Moving into the 20th century, students examine the rhetoric of wartime speeches by Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin. They are also given the opportunity to reflect on and respond to the writings of those who have colonized, and who have been colonized by, others, and to consider how imperialistic attitudes might be reflected in different, and contemporary, scenarios. Finally, students will enter the modern era, reading a one-act play, examining a technical document, and analyzing the effects media has on our perception of reality.

 Students break down increasingly complex readings with close reading tools, guided instruction, and robust scaffolding as they apply each of the lesson's concepts back to an anchor text. Students build their writing and speaking skills in journal responses, discussions, research, tasks, and essays or presentations, learning to incorporate language conventions to communicate clearly and credibly in literary, expository, procedural, and persuasive styles.

This course is built to state standards.