IAHS English I

During the first nine weeks, we will primarily focus on the short story.  We will also complete an activity where we will read a book in a day.  This will probably be one of the three following novels by Mark Twain.

 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

This novel depicts the life of a young boy growing up along the banks of the Mississippi River in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri.  Young Tom Sawyer along with his friends witness the murder of Tom Potter, and their lives are never the same.  This coming of age tale has been a classic of American literature for many years.  This book is recommended for the average reader.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

This novel continues the saga mentioned in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but the focus is shifted to Tom's friend, Huckleberry Finn.  Huck is the son of the town drunkard and manages to run away from home.  While floating down the Mississippi River, Huck encounters Jim, a slave running away to freedom.  This story chronicles their journey.  This book is recommended for the above average reader.

The Prince and the Pauper

This novel is different from the other two in many ways.  It is set in London during the reign of King Henry VIII.  Henry is near death, and his son, Prince Edward, is expected to take the crown.  Tom Canty is a pauper and bears a striking resemblence to the young prince.  When their paths cross, they realize how much they look like each other and try on each other's clothes.  The prince's servants think the prince is a peasant, so they throw him out.  Tom Canty is mistaken for the prince, while Prince Edward is mistaken for Tom.  This fictional tale is interwoven with historical facts.  This book is recommended for the struggling reader.

The 2nd nine weeks will find us still reading short stories.  A special unit studying Edgar Allan Poe's works will be included.  In addition to these, we will all read the same novel, The Outsiders, by S. E. Hinton.

 The Outsiders

This novel examines the lives of a group of boys called the Greasers.  These young men are often considered trouble and are often in conflict with the Socs, the rich kids.  The main conflict happens when Johnny, a Greaser, accidentally kills a Soc.  This tale relating the loss of innocence and the importance of friendship has been the favorite of many high school students.

This third nine weeks will be spent studying the genres of nonfiction and poetry.  Our novel will be Mississippi Trial, 1955 by Chris Crowe.  We will also complete a mini-research paper where you will research civil rights activists and accomplishments.

Mississippi Trial, 1955 

This tells a fictional account of the true story of the murder of Emmett Till in Mississippi in 1955.  Till, a young African-American, is accused of whistling at a white woman outside a store in Money, Mississippi.  Later that night, Emmett is kidnapped and is found later floating in the Tallahatchie River. 

The genres of poetry and drama will be introduced during the fourth nine weeks.  In addition to selected poems, we will be reading William Shakespeare's masterpiece Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet tells the timeless tale of a pair of star-crossed lovers.  Romeo, of the Montague family, is pining for the fair Rosaline when he meets Juliet, of the Capulet family.  The Montagues and Capulets are the British version of the Hatfields and McCoys; they just don't see eye to eye.  Romeo and Juliet wed in a secret ceremony and are soon parted after Romeo kills Juliet's cousin, Tybalt.  The remainder of the play is nothing but chaos as Friar Laurence's plan goes awry.  "For never was a story of more woe,  than this of Juliet and her Romeo."