English 4, Semester A

Course Description

English 4A is the first semester in a two-semester series that is designed to improve students’ ability to communicate, interpret, analyze, read, and write. The ability to read analytically and write expressively is the cornerstone for success in all post-high school endeavors. In English 4A, students explore the development of British literature through various genres and grow their critical thinking skills through literary analysis, writing, and presentations. As part of this course, students are expected to complete a multimedia presentation exploring the impact of limited perspective on society. 

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) 

UTHS courses are designed in alignment to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) which define the skills and content to be taught in each course and grade level in the state of Texas. 

Semester Topics

• Unit 1: The Academic Toolbox
• Unit 2: Demystifying College Admissions
• Unit 3: Epic Beginnings
• Unit 4: The Way to Dusty Death
• Unit 5: Proposing Change
• Unit 6: Celebrating Nature, The Self, and Personal Freedom
• Unit 7: Monstrous Futility
• Unit 8: Capstone Project

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course, you will be able to—

• analyze various genres of literature and understand their significance to culture and time period;
• analyze the critical attributes of each genre to appreciate the artistry of the writer;
• develop and use research-based word attack skills when encountering unknown vocabulary;
• analyze media for messages, purpose, and audience;
• compose various types of essays and narratives dependent on audience, purpose, and message;
• incorporate standard grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling into all written work;
• analyze written research studies, develop a worthy research question, gather credible sources, synthesize those sources, and construct a presentation mindful of audience, message and purpose.

Required Course Materials

Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses.  

Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:

• Textbook (eBook Included): Mirrors & Windows: Connecting with Literature - British Tradition (Grade 12), edited by Brenda Owens
  • Publisher: Carnegie Learning Inc., 2021
  • ISBN#: 978-1-53383-669-4
• Novel(s):
  • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand: 
  • Pens or Pencils
  • Tape or Glue

Course Organization

Students must complete the course in sequence: You will not be able to access the next unit until all work in the preceding unit is completed. You may take your final exam only after completing all units and submitting all graded assignments.  

• Units: Each unit includes multiple lessons and graded assignments as well as ungraded practice quizzes to help you check your understanding of the material.
  
  
• Summative Assessments: Each course includes two online, virtually proctored summative assessments testing your understanding of the material presented in the preceding 2-3 Units.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice
  • Time Allowed: 1 hr 30 min
    
    
• Final Exam: Each course includes an online, virtually proctored final exam testing your knowledge of all material presented in the course.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice and free response
  • Time Allowed: 3 hrs 20 min

Course Grade Weighting

Your final course grade is calculated by weighting the three assignment groups displayed in the table below:

Online Proctored Exams

All course exams, including both summative assessments and the final exam, must be completed online. Students must test online with Proctorio and are required to add the Proctorio extension to either their Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser—installation instructions are provided in the student's course. Proctorio uses a student's computer, web camera, and microphone to record video of both the student and their desktop during the exam. Then, UTHS instructors review the student's exam video data collected by Proctorio. Only authorized UTHS staff and instructors can view the exam recordings. Student data is not shared with any persons or organizations outside of UTHS and are deleted after one year. We encourage you to visit Proctorio's Data Security and Privacy site pages to learn more about how we protect student date.