Specialized Academic Instruction: English

Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) English 2

Prerequisite: Individual Education Plan Team Recommendation

Course Description: An entry level course.  Instruction is based on initial and ongoing individual assessment in reading (word recognition, fluency and comprehension) and written language skills.  Remediation of reading and written language skills is addressed in the context of modified grade level standards-based instruction, which includes: vocabulary development through the acquisition of affixes,  comprehension strategy development (summarization, prediction, question-asking, clarification), recognition of literary devices (figurative language, imagery and symbolism), and written language (paragraph and essay structure, thesis development, accuracy in mechanics through the editing process).  The writing process – Planning, Organization, Writing, Editing and Rewrite – is introduced and reinforced throughout the year.  Literature includes appropriate selections from the general education ninth-grade curriculum which are modified as needed, as well as other high interest, and self-selected works.  Organization skills, follow-through, preparedness, and assuming personal responsibility are emphasized. 

Major Projects:  Essays and research report

Approximate homework assigned daily: 30 minutes nightly

Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) English 2

Prerequisite: Individual Education Plan team recommendation

Course Description: Second level English class.  Students reinforce and further develop skills and concepts from the previous level of English.  Students continue developing basic grammar and written language mechanics, focusing on certain parts of speech and punctuation. Literature is selected and modified from general education freshman curriculum, and include short stories, poetry, fiction and non-fiction.  Previously taught literary terms are reviewed, and new terms introduced and related to the course literature.  The writing process, vocabulary development and fluency continue to be reinforced and developed.  Organization skills, follow-through, preparedness, and assuming personal responsibility are emphasized. 

Major Projects: Students write short stories, essays and poetry.  Students present their work both in written form, and in oral presentation.  This will include the use of technology, such as Power Point presentations.

Approximate homework assigned daily: 20 to 30 minutes / 4 times per week. (Projects may require more time.)

Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) English 3

Prerequisite:  Individual Education Plan team recommendation

Course Description:

Third level English class. Students reinforce and further develop skills and concepts from the previous level of English.  Students continue developing basic grammar and written language mechanics, focusing on certain parts of speech and punctuation. Literature is selected and modified from general education freshman curriculum, and include short stories, poetry, fiction and non-fiction.  Previously taught literary terms are reviewed, and new terms introduced and related to the course literature.  The writing process, vocabulary development and fluency continue to be reinforced and developed. Organization skills, follow-through, preparedness and assuming personal responsibility are emphasized. 

Major Projects: Students write short stories, essays and poetry.  Students present their work both in written form, and in oral presentation.  This will include the use of technology, such as Power Point presentations.

Approximate homework assigned daily: 20 to 30 minutes / 4 times per week. (Projects may require more time.)

Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) English 4

Prerequisite: Individual Education Plan team recommendation

Course Description: Fourth level English class.  The students read from a wide range of writers, selected and modified from the general education sophomore literature curriculum. Genres include the short story, drama, poetry, and the novel.  Non-fiction and fiction reading strategies continue to be developed.  Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, speaking and listening are taught in the context of the literature, not as isolated skill areas.  This course focuses on developing students’ discussion, writing, and analytical skills.  Individual and collaborative projects are assigned. Direct instruction continues in the development of correct sentence structure, parts of speech, the writing process in general, and specifically in paragraph writing and essay construction.  Appropriate computer skills are integrated into various writing projects.  Students access and retrieve information from reference books in the library, the internet, from oral history, and other sources.  Students review skills necessary to become responsible and contributing members of our community.  Organizational skills, follow-through, preparedness, and assuming personal responsibility are emphasized. 

Major Projects:  One per semester integrating literature, analytical skills, and the application of content to present-day life.

Approximate homework assigned daily:  15 minutes

Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) English 2

Prerequisite: Individual Education Plan team recommendation

Course Description: Second level English class.  Students reinforce and further develop skills and concepts from the previous level of English.  Students continue developing basic grammar and written language mechanics, focusing on certain parts of speech and punctuation. Literature is selected and modified from general education freshman curriculum, and include short stories, poetry, fiction and non-fiction.  Previously taught literary terms are reviewed, and new terms introduced and related to the course literature.  The writing process, vocabulary development and fluency continue to be reinforced and developed.  Organization skills, follow-through, preparedness, and assuming personal responsibility are emphasized. 

Major Projects: Students write short stories, essays and poetry.  Students present their work both in written form, and in oral presentation.  This will include the use of technology, such as Power Point presentations.

Approximate homework assigned daily: 20 to 30 minutes / 4 times per week. (Projects may require more time.)

Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) English 3

Prerequisite:  Individual Education Plan team recommendation

Course Description:

Third level English class. Students reinforce and further develop skills and concepts from the previous level of English.  Students continue developing basic grammar and written language mechanics, focusing on certain parts of speech and punctuation. Literature is selected and modified from general education freshman curriculum, and include short stories, poetry, fiction and non-fiction.  Previously taught literary terms are reviewed, and new terms introduced and related to the course literature.  The writing process, vocabulary development and fluency continue to be reinforced and developed. Organization skills, follow-through, preparedness and assuming personal responsibility are emphasized. 

Major Projects: Students write short stories, essays and poetry.  Students present their work both in written form, and in oral presentation.  This will include the use of technology, such as Power Point presentations.

Approximate homework assigned daily: 20 to 30 minutes / 4 times per week. (Projects may require more time.)

Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) English 4

Prerequisite: Individual Education Plan team recommendation

Course Description: Fourth level English class.  The students read from a wide range of writers, selected and modified from the general education sophomore literature curriculum. Genres include the short story, drama, poetry, and the novel.  Non-fiction and fiction reading strategies continue to be developed.  Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, speaking and listening are taught in the context of the literature, not as isolated skill areas.  This course focuses on developing students’ discussion, writing, and analytical skills.  Individual and collaborative projects are assigned. Direct instruction continues in the development of correct sentence structure, parts of speech, the writing process in general, and specifically in paragraph writing and essay construction.  Appropriate computer skills are integrated into various writing projects.  Students access and retrieve information from reference books in the library, the internet, from oral history, and other sources.  Students review skills necessary to become responsible and contributing members of our community.  Organizational skills, follow-through, preparedness, and assuming personal responsibility are emphasized. 

Major Projects:  One per semester integrating literature, analytical skills, and the application of content to present-day life.

Approximate homework assigned daily:  15 minutes