English I: Language Skills Full Course Kit

English I: Language Skills is designed to prepare ninth grade students/high school freshmen for post-high school studies and careers which require strong communication skills.

Builds on skills learned in English Grammar Skills by reviewing the eight parts of speech and their application (including diagramming).

Requires students to read and evaluate carefully selected literature. Students learn to address literary concepts such as cause and effect, logic, premises, comparison, and contrasts.

Equips students to craft strong sentences and paragraphs, while becoming effective wordsmiths. Students gain experience writing pieces that inform, entertain, persuade, and challenge.

Exposes students to noble ideals and writing techniques expressing high ideals and beliefs through poems, letters, essays, narratives, editorials, articles, speeches, allegories, and research papers.

The Full Course Kit includes a printed Teacher Resource Kit (plus digital download) in addition to the five Chapter Texts and five Activity Books. The Chapter Text Books, the Chapter Activity Books, and the Teacher Resource Kit are all available for individual purchase.

Paradigm high school English is available in a seamless program that begins with English I and continues through English IV each earning one high school credit. Every grade level (I through IV) focuses on interpretation and development of writing styles, character, and wisdom.

A major feature of all Paradigm English courses is the vignette approach, carefully designed to engage students to aspire towards noble character and positive life purpose. During the learning process, students enhance vocabulary, build moral character, and gain insight on how to make and communicate wise life choices.

"Designed to be self-teaching." These are magic words for many homeschoolers particularly at the high school level. And while this curriculum has many positive characteristics, its self-teaching aspect is sure to rank high. But don't overlook the other positives: broad coverage of grammar, usage, and mechanics, vocabulary, literary elements, and composition as well as encouraging and character-building anecdotes and principles. Although utilizing a black and white format, the graphics are well designed and interesting.

The Chapter Texts (pages vary from 50 to 70 pgs) follow a pattern: vocabulary, vignette illustrating a life principle, and teaching segments. All straight-forward and easy to complete. The Activities Books are consumable with reading comprehension questions from the vignette, a vocabulary exercise, and several exercises reinforcing the Text's teaching segments. Most course Chapters contain 15 lessons divided into three Sections. Quizzes follow each Section with Tests for each Chapter. Students are expected to check their own work in the Activities. As an incentive, if they score 85% or better on the Section Quizzes (graded by parent/proctor), they may not be required to take the Chapter Test.

The Teacher's Resource Kit provides answers to activity questions as well as copies of the Section Quizzes and Chapter Tests along with their answers. The TRK also includes helpful, professional forms such as a Transcript Planner, Academic Contract, and Academic Goal Chart - all with directions for use. Included with the TRK is a digital access code to a pdf version.

Full Course Kits include the Texts and Activities books for all five chapters as well as the Teacher Resource Kit (printed plus digital access). ~ Janice

Please note: There are some miscellaneous items from older editions that are still available and can be used with the newer edition [TRK on CD-ROM (content is identical to the printed version) or Texts on CD-ROM].

These materials offer complete coverage of both writing and grammar.