Course Syllabus

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Syllabus English 9A

Welcome

Welcome to English 9A! We’re so glad you’re here.

Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.

To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.

As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.

We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community! 

Pacing 

This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.

This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.

Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style. 

We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong. 

Course Description

Welcome to English 9A! This 9th grade English course introduces you to core literature skills to prepare you for college and career. This course is rich in feedback, allowing you multiple opportunities to develop mastery. 

The course is first and foremost founded on the readings which range from short stories and poetry to informational articles and essays. You are guided through these readings through activities that allow you to practice by sharing your initial thoughts and ideas on reading, receive timely feedback to confirm what you know, and learn from mistakes, preparing you as well as possible for quizzes and exams. There will be regular work on vocabulary and grammar as well as writing assignments or presentations for each lesson. 

Our hope is that you find the work enjoyable, easy to manage, that you feel supported, and that you are able to learn and grow! 

Here are the main course objectives:

  • be able to read, interpret, and analyze a variety of texts
  • be able to recognize, understand, and interpret the meaning of literary devices such as figurative language, story and poem structure, author's purpose, and structures of different types of writing
  • be able to respond to literature in writing that is well organized with an introduction, body with supporting details, and conclusion

Course Essential Questions

List two essential questions students will explore in your course–one for each half of the course.


What makes a good story?

How do poets make us think and feel?

Course Overview

Lesson

Objectives

Quiz

Assignment

1: Conflict and Plot Development
  • Compare and contrast literary themes with real-life experiences.
  • Find details and examples in the story that support your understanding.
  • Define what abstract concepts in a story mean to you.

Lesson 1 Quiz (15 Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 1 Assignment - Lights, Camera, Conflict! (75 Points)

2: Point of View, Paradox, and Symbolism
  • Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says directly, as well as what it implies.
  • Provide an objective summary of the text.
  • Determine a theme or central idea of a text.
  • Analyze how specific details reveal, develop, and refine the central theme over the course of the text, 
  • Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings,
  • Analyze how an author's choices create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.

Lesson 2 Quiz (15 Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

3: Characterization and Irony
  • Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings.
  • Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
  • Explain the methods of direct and indirect characterization.
  • Express your opinion(s) about the main character(s) in a story.
  • Cite textual evidence to support your analysis of what the text says directly, as well as what it implies.

Lesson 3 Quiz (15 Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 3 Assignment - Lights, Camera, Character! (75 Points)

4: Creating Suspense
  • Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says directly, as well as what it implies.
  • Analyze how specific details reveal, develop, and refine the central theme over the course of the text.
  • Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
  • Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings.
  • Analyze how an author's choices create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.

Lesson 4 Quiz (15 Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

5: Tone
  • Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says directly, as well as what it implies.
  • Analyze how specific details reveal, develop, and refine the central theme over the course of the text.
  • Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
  • Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings.
  • Analyze how an author's choices create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.

Lesson 5 Quiz (15 Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

Midterm Exam (50 MC Questions, 3 Points Each & Midterm Project: Analyzing Tone, 150 Points)

6: Topic and Theme
  • Determine a theme or central idea of a text.
  • Analyze how specific details reveal, develop, and refine the central theme over the course of the text, 
  • Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings.
  • Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
  • Determine the author's point of view or purpose in a text and how they express that point of view or purpose.
  • Determine whether there is valid reasoning and enough evidence to support the argument of a text.

 

Lesson 6 Quiz (15 Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

7: Introduction to Poetry
  • Analyze how specific details reveal, develop, and refine the central theme over the course of the text.
  • Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
  • Analyze how an author's choices create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
  • Identify poetic devices by name and defining features.
  • Use figurative language and sound devices in original creative writing.
  • Express what concepts in the literature mean to you.

Lesson 7 Quiz (15 Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 7 Assignment-Poetry Unleashed: Your World, Your Words (75 Points)

8: Narrative Poetry
  • Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says directly, as well as what it implies.
  • Analyze how specific details reveal, develop, and refine the central theme over the course of the text.
  • Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
  • Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings.
  • Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
  • Analyze how an author's choices create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.

Lesson 8 Quiz (15 Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

9: Poetic Devices and Meaning
  • Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says directly, as well as what it implies.
  • Analyze how specific details reveal, develop, and refine the central theme over the course of the text.
  • Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings.
  • Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
  • Analyze how an author's choices create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
  • Craft strong topic, supporting, and concluding sentences  in multi-paragraph writing.
  • Explain the effect of specific poetic devices.
  • Explain how details and examples support a position.

Lesson 9 Quiz (15 Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 9 Assignment - More Than Words: The Making of a Poem (75 Points)

 10: Mood and Theme in Poetry
  • Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says directly, as well as what it implies.
  • Analyze how specific details reveal, develop, and refine the central theme over the course of the text.
  • Analyze how complex characters develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
  • Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings.
  • Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone.
  • Analyze how an author's choices create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.

Lesson 10 Quiz (15 Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

Final Exam (50 MC Questions, 3 Points Each & Final Exam Project: Analyzing Symbolism, 75 Points)

 

Grades

Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:

Source Available Points
Lesson Assignments 300
Lesson Quizzes 150
Midterm Exam 300
Final Exam 300
Total 1050

 

Textbook & Technology Requirements

To fully participate, make sure you have:

  • A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
  • A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
  • Any other required textbooks or materials for the course

Textbook

All reading materials are contained within the course and no additional textbook is required. 

Technology

The most up-to-date requirements can be found here: 

Additional requirements for the course are below: 

  • audio and video recording capabilities (e.g., smartphone, camera)

If you ever have trouble accessing course materials or recording tools, reach out to your teacher for support. We are here to help!

Accessibility

If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.

Canvas Technical Support

Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due