Ponderosa High School

English 4 – Career Composition

Ms. Samboy H 3

Course Description:

English 4 – Career Composition is a two-semester course designed for students who have demonstrated competence in prior English classes. You will be challenged to extend your skills in literary analysis, to refine your essay writing abilities, to practice research techniques, to increase your vocabulary, and to become more comfortable with public speaking. The course emphasizes preparation for community college, trade school, or to a career as you read works of contemporary literature selected to increase critical thinking, reading, writing, and speaking skills.

First Quarter: August 7 – October 13

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Dialectical journals, quizzes & timed writes

Reflective Essay

Study of Japanese/Chinese culture/supplemental readings & research presentation

Unit Test – scantron and short answer

College and Career Planning Unit and The Catcher in the Rye by

Resume w/cover letter

Photo Art

College Application Essay and/or “This I believe” paper

Guest speakers

Research and Texting in the Rye

Interpretive Essay

Dialectical journals, quizzes & timed writes

Second Quarter: October 16 – December 15

Continuation and completion of College Planning Unit

Kindred by Octavia Butler

Group research project

Timed writes, journals, & quizzes

Analytical essay and scantron unit test

Watch Down on the Delta

Family biography/family tree/ & history quilt

Final:	December 12-16

200 point Analytical Essay synthesizing multiple sources

100 point Group Assignment

Third Quarter: January 8– March 23

Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Study of Afghan Culture

Journals, timed writes, and frequent quizzes

Partner Photo Story Assignment

Redemption letters

Study of Afghan poetry

Argument Essay

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

Dream Journal

Study of Native American culture/supplemental readings & research presentation

Create Mystical Realism

Research Project

Analytical Essay and Unit Test

Fourth Quarter: April 2 – May 25

Choice Unit: The study of one contemporary novel of choice

Group Research Presentation (40 minutes)

Supplemental Readings

2 page Critique w/2 sources

30 point Extra Credit assignment available

Tuesday’s With Morrie by Mitch Albom

Quick writes, aphorisms, eulogies, & bucket lists

In-class Discussion

Watch Bucketlist

Final: May 22- 26

200 point Thematic Essay citing 3 sources

GRADUATION: May 26

Attendance: Regular attendance is critical for success in this course. So much of what we do cannot be recreated outside of class. If you are on campus the day an assignment is due, then it must be turned in that day, even if you are not in class. Make-up work follows the school policy. Assignments can be found on Aeries, on the shelf in H3, on the website, and by consulting with the instructor. Make up work during 1st or 2nd, at lunch, during 7th, or after school (by appointment).

Writing: Students writing will be critiqued regularly. There will be frequent timed writes assessed by the instructor, peers, and the individual student. A commonly used rubric is as follows:

Breadth or scope of discussion /10

Selection and integration of quotes /10

Level of analysis /10

Quality of writing /5

Voice /5

Evaluation: Grades will be based on accumulated earned points. Tests, quizzes, essays, oral assignments, and projects will be assigned a numerical value based upon importance and completion of state standards.

A = 90 – 100

B = 80 – 89

C = 70 – 79

D = 60 – 69

F = 59.9% and below

Grades are available online for the benefit of the parent and the student. Feel free to contact Ms. Samboy at (530) 677-2281 x. 2296 or ksamboy@eduhsd.k12.ca.us at any time. Keep updated at ksamboybruin.weebly.com