Course

English I
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.
 
Advanced English I
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.
 
Honors English I
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.
 
English II
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.
 
Advanced English II
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.
 
Honors English II
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.
 
English III
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.
 
Advanced English III
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.
 
Honors English III
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.
 
English IV
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.
 
Advanced English IV
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.
 
Honors English IV
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.
 
Journalism
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.
 
Journalism Lab
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.
 
Writer’s Workshop
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.

Humanitarian Studies
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. 
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