Course Description
Welcome to English 4! English 4 is a two-semester course that follows a historical timeline beginning in Old English and progressing to the Postmodern era. As students visit each era, they will explore the literature that both influenced the society at that time as well the literature that reflected society. Students will become acquainted with all genres of reading – fiction, poetry, drama, literary nonfiction, expository, and persuasive – as well as explore in a hands-on fashion the genres of writing including the college essay, the analytical essay, the rhetorical essay, the research essay, a multimedia project, and responses to literature.
Students enrolled in English 4 will master the skills to allow them to become college and career ready. Each type of writing is taught as a process, so students learn the process of writing.
The challenging aspect of taking an English course as an independent learner is that you must be more aware of and consciously involve yourself in the learning process and use the interactive notebook as an essential tool.
Course Objectives
Upon completing this course you will be able to:
- analyze various genres of literature and understand their significance to culture and time period.
- analyze the critical attributes of each genre to appreciate the artistry of the writer.
- develop and use research-based word attack skills when encountering unknown vocabulary.
- analyze media for messages, purpose, and audience.
- compose various types of essays and narratives dependent on audience, purpose, and message.
- incorporate standard grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling into all written work.
- analyze written research studies, develop a worthy research question, gather credible sources, synthesize those sources, and construct a presentation mindful of audience, message and purpose.
Required Course Materials
| Interactive Notebook |
This may be a small composition notebook or a spiral notebook. |
| Your journal is where you will keep notes and ideas you have for writing. You may write your draft copies in your journal. | |
| Your journal is where you will keep notes and ideas you have for writing. You may write your draft copies in your journal. | |
| Review what you write in your notebook and use it to help you complete graded assignments. | |
| Dictionary Access |
You will need access to a dictionary for words that you may find in your reading and not know the definition. |
| Dictionaries may be in book form or accessed online. | |
| Textbook | You will need to purchase a textbook because the course involves reading text. |
| Information for ordering textbook: English IV Textbook Literature Texas: The British Tradition (Grade Twelve) Prentice Hall: Pearson ISBN-13: 978-0-13-368446-9 ISBN-10: 0-13-368446-6 |
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| Novels | You will need to have access to the following major works:
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| Internet Access | Libraries and coffee shops often provide free Wi-Fi access |
| Software | Adobe Reader is required to view PDF documents |
| You will need a word processing program for creating and uploading assignments. Written assignments must be saved as a PDF. Audios should be saved as an MP3 and videos should be saved as an MP4. Canvas has a feature for downloading audio and video which you may also use. |
Course Organization
This semester course consists of:
- 8 units with 3-6 lessons per unit.
Each lesson includes the following components of the 5E model: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. - 13 graded assignments
- 1 final exam
Final Examination
The final examination is comprehensive; it covers the material from all units. To pass the course, you must receive a grade of 70 percent or better. You can apply to take the Final Exam after 100 percent of your graded assignments have been submitted, and at least 70 percent have been graded and returned to you.
Format: Multiple-choice and essay, online
Time Allowed: 3 hours
Materials Allowed: None
Semester Topics
- The Academic Toolbox
- Demystifying College Admissions
- Epic Beginnings
(Old English, Medieval, 449 -1485) - The Way to Dusty Death
(English Renaissance, 1485 – 1625) - Proposing Change
(17th and 18th British Literature, 1625 – 1798) - Celebrating Nature, The Self, and Personal Freedom
(The Romantic Period, 1798 – 1832) - Monstrous Futility
(The Romantic Period, 1798 – 1832) - Capstone Project