Designed for ninth grade English teachers, this curriculum guide contains (1) a course description; (2) educational goals; (3) teaching perspective; (4) a set of general principles; (5) a list of questions that teachers ask, along with answers; (6) an overview; and (7) directions for writing as a process, higher level thinking skills, how to measure more than recall, speaking and listening, and conventions of the English language. Also included in the guide are core works lesson plans and instructional materials for "Shane"; "A Christmas Carol"; "The Outsiders"; "The Pigman"; "Romeo and Juliet"; "Animal Farm"; "The Good Earth"; "Hiroshima"; "A Midsummer Night's Dream"; and "The Yearling." A general appendix includes: (1) reading activities; (2) writing activities; (3) a 13-page list for independent reading; (4) book report activities; and (5) study skills activities. (MS)