Sonoma Valley High

Achieving Excellence

FRESHMAN YEAR

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." - Martin Luther King

9th grade instruction introduces our diverse student community to their advanced academic journey and future success. Thematic instruction anchored in enduring archetypes such as the American Dream, The Hero’s Journey, and Utopia provides an engaging focus for standards-based instruction. All classes study a wide range of full length works, selected articles, poetry, and essays. The freshman year introduces the elements of the SVHS writing program, including grammar and vocabulary development. Students compose literary and personal essays and complete an academic research paper. Independent Reading programs are an important part of the English curriculum at each level in support of our goal: multi-culturally and academically literate graduates ready for the next steps in their education.

From the Freshman Reading Lists:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou Year Published: 1969

Maya Angelou's memoir of abuse, racism, and the redemptive power of language.

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Heroes, Gods, And Monsters
by Evslin Year Published: 1966
Greek Mythology!

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

by Mark Hadddon Year Published: 2003

15 year old Christopher Boone shares his world through the lens of autism as he faces new challenges while trying to solve the mystery of a dog's death.

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Shakespeare

by One of these works: A Midsummer Night's Dream; The Merchant of Venice; Much Ado About Nothing Year Published: Classic Literature

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Of Mice and Men

by Steinbeck Year Published: 1937

Steinbeck's enduring story of Depression area migrant farm workers confronting social and economic oppression as they reach for the American dream of home.

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SVUSD Non-Discrimination Statement: The Sonoma Valley Unified School District prohibits, at any district school or school activity, discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment, intimidation, and bullying, based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This shall apply when applicable, to interns, volunteers, and job applicants. For questions, concerns or complaints, please contact District Equity and Title IX Compliance Officer: Jonathan Ferrer– HR; 17850 Railroad Avenue, Sonoma, CA 95476, DirectorHR @sonomaschools.org, 707-935-6008

Sonoma Valley High

From the Freshman Reading Lists:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Heroes, Gods, And Monsters

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Shakespeare

Of Mice and Men

Sonoma Valley High

Achieving Excellence