Extended English
Course Description:
The Extended English program includes mastery of the district’s English curriculum, but instruction in these basic language skills will be modified through acceleration and compacting. Additionally, the Extended English curriculum introduces students to broad-based themes, issues, and problems which allow for rigorous exercise of the imagination and critical thinking. The theme for eighth grade is “Justice,” which coincides with the history curriculum for eighth grade. Using critical thinking skills, students will investigate how the law and systems of justice are not necessarily synonymous with fairness and equality. Students will participate in in-depth novel studies, grammar and vocabulary instruction, and independent research projects.
Enduring Understandings:
Students will understand that …
Work will reflect original insights and interpretations and is not merely a summary of the ideas of others.
Extended interpretations are not merely stated but developed, making use of concrete examples, textual references, illustrations, and supporting details.
Written and oral contributions to class will reflect sensitivity to the subject matter and a precision of thought.
Final formal oral and written products will reflect thorough preparation, revision, and editing.
Extended work will reflect creative use of words, ideas, and imagination.
Extended work will demonstrate a clear understanding of the purpose and limits of a given assignment.
They will be an active participant – both as a listener and contributor in classroom discussions.
Essential Questions:
What is social justice? What are the responsibilities of the individual in regard to social justice?
What is oppression and what are the root causes?
What causes prejudice/injustice, and how does an individual’s response to them reveal her/her true character?
When should an individual take a stand against what he/she believes to be an injustice? What are the most effective ways to do this?
What are the benefits and consequences of questioning/ challenging social order?
How does labeling and stereotyping influence how we look at and understand the world?
What impact does family have over different stages of our lives?
What matters more; how we view ourselves, or how others see us?
What does it mean to grow up?
How can a person’s decisions and actions change his/her life?
Course Academic Vocabulary:
Justice, Fairness, Equality, Literary Terms, Genre, Figurative Language, Etymology, Parts of Speech
