English 9 (Apex)

English 9 introduces students to informational and literary genres. Students investigate the elements of nonfiction and literature through the critical analysis of texts that range from essays, speeches, articles and historical documents to a novel, a play, poetry, and short stories. The range of texts includes canonical authors such as William Shakespeare, Franz Kafka, and Elie Wiesel, as well as writers from diverse backgrounds, such as Alice Walker, Li-Young Lee, and Robert Lake-Thom (Medicine Grizzlybear).

As they develop their writing skills and respond to theses, students learn to formulate arguments and use textual evidence to support their position. Throughout the course, students learn to engage with a variety of media types through which they process and synthesize information, discuss material, create presentations, and share their work.

English 9 supports all students in developing the depth of understanding and higher-order skills required by the state standards. 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 its anchor text. Students build their writing and speaking skills in journal responses, discussions, frequent free-response exercises, and essays or presentations, learning to communicate clearly and credibly in narrative, persuasive, and explanatory styles. Throughout the course, students are evaluated through a diversity of assessments designed to prepare them for the content, form, and depth of state exams.

The first semester of English 9 can be paired with one of two second semesters that each employ a different example of a full-length Shakespeare play. One option includes "Macbeth," and the alternative option includes "Romeo and Juliet."

This course is built to state standards.

This updated course was originally created for Apex Courses and is now available in Courseware.