Course Description

  • During this course, students will focus on writing complete and grammatically correct paragraphs, essays and research papers. They will learn useful vocabulary words and practice grammar skills they will use in their writing and use to help others peer edit their work. Students will read both fiction and non-fiction critically and present their ideas in both written and verbal forms. Finally, students will learn to present and organize formal speeches and other presentations.

Proficiency learning targets for Grade 9 ELA

  • Writing Proficiency Targets

    As evidenced based on classroom assessments, the student is able to:

    • Introduce and develop information about a topic (9.7.2.2)
    • Organize and format information to maximize content clarity and audience understanding. (9.7.2.2)
    • Organize and write using formal standards (9.7.2.2)
    • Organize using formal academic writing. (9.7.1.1)
    • Produce clear and coherent writing. (9.7.4.4)
    • Organize and develop content using formal writing process. (9.7.4.4)
    • Generate effective research questions. (9.7.7.7)
    • Develop an outline according to evidence gathered (9.7.7.7)
    • Synthesize multiple sources to support research questions. (9.7.7.7)
    • Integrate multiple types of credible sources to support research (9.7.8.8)
    • Provide accurate citations for evidence. (9.7.8.8)

    Reading-Literature Proficiency Targets

    As evidenced based on classroom assessments, the student is able to:

    • Find and use textual evidence to support analysis (9.4.1.1)
    • Summarize a text. (9.4.2.2)
    • Explain how a theme develops over the course of a text. (9.4.2.2)
    • Use context clues to define words and phrases, including figurative language. (9.4.4.4)
    • Explain how words and phrases contribute to tone and mood. (9.4.4.4)
    • Engage in discussions about issues related to Minnesota Native Americans. (9.9.1.1)
    • Self-select a variety of student-appropriate texts based on interest. (9.4.10.10)

    Speaking and Listening Proficiency Targets

    As evidenced based on classroom assessments, the student is able to:

    • Participate in a variety of discussions on substantive topics. (9.9.1.1)
    • Prepare for discussions by gathering evidence and perspectives. (9.9.1.1)
    • Abide by commonly held rules, goals, and outcomes that define the purpose of the discussion. (9.9.1.1)
    • Provide citations (oral and written) when presenting evidence. (9.9.4.4)
    • Logically organize information for an audience. (9.9.4.4)
    • Formally present info clearly, concisely, and logically (9.9.4.4)
    • Recognize ethical standards in media literacy. (9.9.7.7)

    Language Proficiency Targets

    As evidenced based on classroom assessments, the student is able to:

    • Correctly use grammar in speaking and writing. (9.11.1.1; 9.11.2.2)
    • Correctly use punctuation and spelling in writing. (9.11.1.1; 9.11.2.2)
    • Use context clues and word structure to determine meaning of words. (9.11.4.4)

Materials Used

    • Textbook -- resources found in textbook include *
      • Holt Elements of Fiction: Third Course
    • Mythology
      • Various Creation Stories (www.bigmyth.com)
      • Various Aesop's fables
      • Various Epics
    • Short story/Elements of Fiction
      • “Sniper” by Liam O'Flaherty *
      • “Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury *
      • “The Interlopers" by Saki *
    • Of Mice and Men and essay writing review
      • Of Mice and Men by: John Steinbeck
      • “To A Mouse” by: Robert Burns
      • Surviving the Dustbowl (PBS documentary found on Youtube)
      • “The Migrant Experience” Library of Congress
      • Various songs by Woody Guthrie
      • John Steinbeck’s speech to the Nobel Prize committee
    • Research Writing
    • Non-Fiction Graphic Novels
      • The Legend of Auntie Po by: Shing Yin Khor
      • They Called Us Enemy by George Takai
      • March: Book 1 by John Lewis
      • Trinity by Jonathan Fetter-Vorn
      • Fever year by Don Brown
      • Redbone by Christian Staebler
    • Non-fiction Literature Circles
      • Unbroken: Teen adaptation by Laura Hillenbrand
      • Into the Wild by: Jon Krakauer
      • I am Malala: Teen adaptation by: Malala
      • Popular by: Maya VanWagenen
      • Laughing at My Nightmare by: Shane Burcaw
      • Bite of the Mango by: Mariatu Kamara
      • Night Flying Woman by: Ignatia Broker
      • Obsessed:  My Life with OCD by: Allison Britz
    • Poetry
      • “Folding Wontons In” by: Abraham Chang *
      • “‘Hope’ is a thing with feathers” by: Emily Dickinson *
      • “Ballad of Birmingham” by: Dudley Randall *
      • “Almost Ashore” by: Gerald Vizenor
      • “The Sacred Circle” by: Adrian Louis
      • “Anonymous Is Coyote Girl” by: Anita Endrezze
      • “Old Prairie House Between Tulsa and Bartlesville” by: Diane Glancy
      • “Flies Buzzing” by: Mark Turcotte
    • Romeo and Juliet
      • Romeo and Juliet by: William Shakespeare *
      • Romeo and Juliet Directed by: Zeffirelli
      • Romeo and Juliet Directed by: Luhrmann
      • Romeo and Juliet Directed by: Carlei