Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9
This
course is designed to serve as an introduction to literature and its
various genres. The exploration of human relationships is the common
theme that students will encounter. Emphasis will be placed on thematic
units that will include the study of myths, epics, poetry, short
stories, novels, and essays. Reading comprehension skills will be
fostered as well. Students will complete a literary research paper.
Summer reading may be a requirement.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9
This
course is designed to support students as they refine critical reading,
writing and thinking skills. This course will expose students to
various compositional techniques through the exploration of human
relationships common in literature. Emphasis will be placed on thematic
units that will include the study of myths, epics, poetry, short
stories, novels, and essays. Reading comprehension skills will be
fostered as well. Students will complete a literary research paper.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9
Pre-requisites: Teacher recommendation AND prior academic achievement in Eighth Grade English
This
course is designed to serve the motivated and academically excellent
student. This is a writing intensive course that will focus on
independent assignments in addition to the regular course work. The
exploration of human relationships is the common theme that students
will encounter. Emphasis will be placed on thematic units that will
include the study of myths, epics, poetry, short stories, novels, and
essays. Reading comprehension skills will be fostered as well. Students
will complete a literary research paper.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10
English
II is an international literature course designed to expose students to
the global community through the exploration of literature from around
the world. Students will study poetry, short fiction, novels, and drama,
while tracing the evolution of certain themes common to the human
condition. This course has a strong concentration in writing and
continues to develop an appreciation for literary study. A literary
research paper is a requirement of the course. Summer reading may be a
requirement.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10
This
course is designed to support students as they refine critical reading,
writing and thinking skills. English II is an international literature
course designed to expose students to the global community through the
exploration of literature around the world. Students will study poetry,
short fiction, novels, and drama, while tracing the evolution of certain
themes common to the human condition. This course has a strong
concentration in writing and continues to develop an appreciation of
literary study. A literary research paper is a requirement of the
course.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10
Pre-requisites: Teacher recommendation AND prior academic achievement in Ninth Grade English
English
10 Honors is an international course designed to expose students to the
global community through the exploration of literature from around the
world. Students will study poetry, short fiction, novels, and drama
while tracing the evolution of certain themes common to the human
condition. Students are expected to read at least five selected
independent novels during the year. It is a writing intensive course
that will prepare students for Advanced Placement classes. This course
has a strong concentration in writing and continues to develop an
appreciation for literary study. A literary research paper is a
requirement of the course.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11
This
course of study is designed to provide an appreciation and
understanding of the American experience through exploration of American
literature. Various thematic units will present different perspectives
on The American Dream, focusing on economic/racial/socio-political
experiences. This writing intensive course addresses verbal development
and critical thinking skills. Research papers and group projects are
completed during this course. Summer reading may be a requirement.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10
This
course is designed to support students as they refine critical reading,
writing, and thinking skills. Students may examine writing and reading
through a seminar approach in this course. Students will explore the
American experience through an exploration of American Literature.
Various thematic units will present different perspectives on The American Dream,
focusing on economic/racial/ socio-political experiences. This writing
intensive course addresses verbal development, research composition and
group projects are completed during this course. SAT preparation is
integrated authentically.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11
Pre-requisites: Teacher recommendation AND prior academic achievement in English courses
This
course of study is designed to provide an appreciation and
understanding of the American experience through exploration of American
literature. Various thematic units will present different perspectives
on The American Dream, focusing on economic/racial/socio-political
experiences. Students are expected to complete a minimum of five
independent texts, in addition to the regular course work. Research
papers and group projects are completed during this course.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 12
This course is structured to reflect the 21st Century
approach to learning in a semester and seminar approach. This senior
experience is designed to place students in independent instructional
experiences in preparation for the transition that will occur between
high school, college, and the workplace. During the first semester,
students will examine their critical reading, writing, and thinking
skills. Semester one is dedicated to understanding and applying literary
theories introduced in English III, while students will be exposed to
informational texts, short fiction, and poetry. Research assignments,
media, literacy and debates will be organized for students who require
opportunities to support self-directed learning. The semester will
conclude with a culminating project or portfolio as documentation of
personal growth. During the second semester, as students demonstrate
mastery of various compositional modes and become acquainted with the
pre-requisites for effective discourse, they will explore longer works
within a self-directed critical study of them. Text selection is focused
on a variety of literature from the British Isles. Students will be
expected to work independently as well as collaboratively.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 12
This course is structured to reflect the 21st Century
approach to learning in a semester and seminar approach. This senior
experience is designed to place students in independent instructional
experiences in preparation for the transition that will occur between
high school, college and the workplace. During the first semester,
students will examine their critical reading, writing, and thinking
skills. Semester one is dedicated to applying and analyzing literary
theories introduced in English III, while students will be exposed to
informational texts, short fiction, and poetry. The semester will
conclude with a culminating project or portfolio as documentation of
personal growth. During the second semester, as students demonstrate
mastery of various compositional modes and become acquainted with the
pre-requisites for effective discourse, they will explore longer works
within a self-directed critical study of them. Text selection is focused
on a variety of literature from the British Isles. Students will be
expected to work independently as well as collaboratively. Independent
reading experiences may be a requirement throughout the year.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 12
Pre-requisites: Teacher recommendation AND prior academic achievement in English courses
This course is structured to reflect the 21st Century
approach to learning in a semester and seminar approach. This senior
experience is designed to place students in independent instructional
experiences in preparation for the transition that will occur between
high school, college and the workplace. Semester one is dedicated to
applying and analyzing literary theories introduced in English III,
while students will be exposed to informational texts, short fiction,
and poetry. The semester will conclude with a culminating project or
portfolio as documentation of personal growth. During the second
semester, as students demonstrate mastery of various compositional modes
and become acquainted with the pre-requisites for effective discourse,
they will explore longer works within a self-directed critical study of
them. Text selection is focused on a variety of literature from the
British Isles. Students will be expected to work independently as well
as collaboratively. Students will be expected to engage in effective
discourse throughout the year, while developing their metacognitive
reflections in their journals or portfolios. Independent reading
assignments will be incorporated through the year.
Shakespearean Readings/English IV
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 12
This
course invites 12th grade students who enjoy reading, writing,
research, and discussion to immerse themselves in the works of William
Shakespeare as a concentrated focus for their final English course. This
course is structured to reflect the 21st Century
approach to learning in a seminar approach. This senior experience is
designed to place students in independent instructional experiences in
preparation for the transition that will occur between high school,
college and the workplace. Those who hate The Bard’s works are
also invited to study the life, times, and works of Shakespeare through a
variety of lenses. Four plays and several sonnets will be examined as
works of poetry, dramatic pieces, works of social commentary, works of
complex literary structure, early psychological works, and more. This
course is designed to challenge conventional beliefs, deconstruct the
myth of Shakespeare, and celebrate the works of the world’s greatest
living playwright (who just happens to have been dead for four
centuries).
Advanced Placement English Language & Composition
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11, 12
Pre-requisites: Teacher recommendation AND prior academic achievement in English courses
Advanced
Placement English Language is a course designed for academically
excellent students. This course, taught in seminar format, is writing
intensive and prepares students to write in a variety of forms on
different subjects. It also emphasizes analytical reading of various
texts and responding to them through complex and skilled prose. This
course also prepares students to take the Advanced Placement English
Language and Composition Exam. All students enrolled in this class are
encouraged to take this exam.
Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11, 12
Pre-requisites: Teacher recommendation AND prior academic achievement in English courses
This course is designed for academically
excellent students. This course is designed to foster scholarly study
of literature with an emphasis on literary analysis, evaluation, and
theoretical study through compositional development. This is a
challenging course designed to fully engage students in literary
scholarship. At least 10 independently chosen texts will be read, in
addition to the study of poetry and short fiction. This course also
prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Exam. All students enrolled in this class are encouraged to take this exam.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Pre-requisite: English teacher recommendation
This
class is the foundation for the Journalism program. This year-long
course is open to students in grades 9 through 12. Students will be
introduced to journalistic writing skills, desktop publishing, broadcast
journalism, creative writing for the literary magazine, and yearbook
design and layout. Students taking this class should have a strong
interest in a variety of writing styles, basic key-boarding skills enjoy
working in cooperative groups and enjoy the challenge of public
speaking. Students will learn how to utilize Adobe In Design CS4 and Photoshop 6.0.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Pre-requisites: Journalism AND teacher recommendation
This
class builds on the skills started in Journalism I. Students must be
skilled in word processing and desktop publishing since this class will
publish the high school newspaper. After school meetings will be
required at deadline times. Additionally, students will build a personal
portfolio, containing a variety of journalistic pieces as well as
creative works including poetry, short stories, one act plays, and
biography or autobiography.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11, 12
This
course will provide students with opportunities to sharpen their skills
in writing. Writer’s Workshop, not only allows students to improve
their skills, it introduces them to rhetorical theory and current issues
facing composition today. Students will write in a variety of genres,
including but not limited to fiction, poetry, memoir, narrative, and
exposition. Students will also be trained as peer coaches and exposed to
compositional pedagogy. The role of technology in writing will be
explored and evaluated.
Poetry Workshop
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
This elective course will engage
students in a thoughtful study of poetry. Students will read, interpret,
analyze and write creatively in response to poetry composed from
various literary and historical movements. This course is designed to
provide students with various opportunities to explore the ways in which
poetry reveals elements of the human condition. Poetry Workshop
supports the development of collaborative learning groups where students
work closely with their peers to understand the ways in which voice,
tone and dramatic interpretation of poetry assist in the development of
themes found in various types of poems. Students will immerse themselves
in the study of poetic forms and devices while compiling a writing
portfolio. Students will continue to enhance their skills in close
critical reading, analysis and discussion - both in oral and written
form. Maturity in the organization and presentation of work will be
expected.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level10, 11, 12
This
elective course examines innate human rights through an exploration of
literature, poetry, philosophy and film. This multifaceted course will
afford students the opportunity to develop a global awareness of crimes
committed against humanity in an effort to promote social awareness and
community activism. Students will examine the ways in which diversity
and cultural studies develop social skills necessary to diffuse
prejudice and discrimination. Students will participate in school and
community events that will provide authentic real-world experiences that
support social research and global awareness. Frequent opportunities to
debate, discuss, reflect, and write for various audiences will foster
21st Century
problem solving skills. Group and individual projects will be required
as students investigate and study ways to approach national and global
issues including, but not limited to poverty, discrimination, genocide,
and inequitable educational opportunities.