In the third trimester, students are introduced to academic debate. This course is an introduction to composition and literature. During the year students study and respond to different literary genres, including the short story, drama, poetry, novels and essays. Works studied include Romeo and Juliet , Lord of the Flies , Catcher in the Rye and Great Expectations . Class discussions reinforce comprehension and increasingly focus on analysis as the year progresses.
Students write both narrative and expository essays, and a unit is devoted to research methods.
I also emphasizes vocabulary, critical thinking, and the development of study skills. Required of all ninth grade students. In this course students read poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction, focusing not only on issues of plot and theme, but also on characterization, structure, and voice. Students experiment with various forms of expository and narrative writing, using free writes and reflective journals as tools to develop both composition and analytical skills. Vocabulary and grammar are studied in the context of reading and writing assignments.