And, the last two hundred pages of the textbook integrate and consolidate the writing and grammar skills that are presented in the literary portion of the book. Thus, it is a completely self-contained text that integrates all areas of the comprehensive English program. In order to make this textbook most helpful for teachers, there is a detailed teacher s guide that presents each lesson and provides the answers to all the questions posed to the students. And, because ninth grade is not too early to familiarize the students with the skills demanded by the Comprehensive English Regents Examination, a Regents Orientation and Review Handbook has been created. From it, teachers will be able to fully prepare their students, as each of the four required tasks is explained in clear, precise language and is accompanied by two practice assignments.
Supplementary material regarding scoring rubrics is provided as well.
In addition, the book has a feature that, to the best of our knowledge, is not duplicated anywhere. There is an entire unit that introduces students to Shakespeare and Elizabethan English literature. By means of selected quotes, students are shown five major themes of Shakespeare s plays and sonnets and are trained in the language and modes of expression of these classics. Our first priority has been to be sure that, secular though the content must be as required by law, these books will be free of any material that may conflict with the hashkafah of our finest Torah institutions. Every selection has been carefully reviewed by a team of talmidei chochomim and educators.