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Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor souls who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.

--Theodore Roosevelt

Students in English 9, 2B and 4A and English 10 2A are reading Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. Students are working in small grouups and independently. Novel will conclude before the end of March. There are no extra books to send home. Students who are absent should plan to catch up when they return. A few books may be available over a weekend if returned on Monday morning. My email is cjonas@bedford.k12.va.us.

Students in Englsih 10 3 A/B have just finished reading Julius Caesar. An essay exploring the moral dilemma of Brutus or a soldier from the Viet Nam War concludes this unit. March begins English grammar, usage and writing skills. Students are preparing for the Writing Predictor Test and next year's SOLS. Absent students should email for current work.

Late breaking news! After school tutoring is now available on Wednesdays and Thursdays until 4:30. Subjects include Reading Comprehension, Study Skills, Writing and general English skills.

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Course Overviews

Here are the syllabi for English 9, 10 and Short Story.

Course Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, 9th grade students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in the following:
Communication: Speaking, Listening, Media Literacy
9.1 The student will make planned oral presentations independently and in small group
9.2 The student will produce, analyze, and evaluate auditory, visual, and written media messages.
Reading
9.3 The student will apply knowledge of word origins, derivations, and figurative language to extend vocabulary development in authentic texts.
9.4 The student will read, comprehend, and analyze a variety of literary texts including narratives, narrative nonfiction, poetry, and drama.
9.5 The student will read and analyze a variety of nonfiction texts.
Writing
9.6 The student will develop narrative, expository, and persuasive writings for a variety of audiences and purposes.
9.7 The student will self- and peer-edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, and paragraphing.
Research
9.8 The student will use print, electronic databases, online resources, and other media to access information to create a research product.

General Timeline
As English 9 moves through the Bedford County 9th Grade Pacing Guide students will:
• Read a variety of literature, including, but not limited to , novels, plays, essays, speeches, short stories, and poetry
• Write essays, poems, and stories
• Write to a prompt frequently (in preparation for the writing SOL)
• Learn vocabulary and grammar associated with each unit
• Complete a research project

Course Texts and Bonus Materials
Holt Elements of Literature, third course (literature) – Home copy provided on loan.
Great Source Wri

Homework

Ms. Jonas' Bulletin Board

Web Resource Links

Writing Lab Help for SRHS