The
English Curriculum at The
Full
Year Courses
(1 Credit)
HONORS ENGLISH
I
Grade 9
#0404 - Honors
(limited to 25 students)
*See description in Honors Program Section
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
If the student wishes to override this
recommendation, he/she must petition for a conference with the English teacher
and the department chairperson prior to being admitted into the course.
Parents are encouraged to attend this conference.
ENGLISH
I Grade 9
#0401 - College Prep
(limited to 25 students)
Students develop their communicative skills by examining the various
genres of mythology, novel, poetry, nonfiction, drama, and short story.
Students study the themes of heroism, coming of age and choice as presented by
writers from different cultures and times and engage in writing activities
pertaining to this literary study. Research and editing skills, oral
presentations, and vocabulary study are also addressed. This course is designed
for those students who are interested in attending a competitive four-year
college or university upon graduation from The
ENGLISH I
#0403 - Career
(limited to 15 students)
Grade 9
Students work with a variety of media
as they explore units entitled Literary Elements, The World of Animals, Beyond
the Ordinary, and Contemporary Issues. The theme of "Choices"
connects these units and enables students to study what choices are, how to make
good ones and how choices affect their lives. Vocabulary study and writing
activities will be drawn from the various literature selections. This course is
designed for those students who are interested in attending a two-year
technical or community college, a four year non-competitive college, or
entering the work force upon graduation from The
HONORS ENGLISH
II
Grade 10
#0414 - Honors
(limited to 25 students)
*See description in the Honors Program Section
Prerequisites: Successful completion of English I (Honors) and teacher
recommendation or teacher recommendation and an A in English I CP. If a student
wishes to override this recommendation, he/she must petition for a conference
with the English teacher and the department chairperson prior to being admitted
into the course. Parents are encouraged to attend this conference.
ENGLISH II
#0408 - College Prep
(limited to 25 students)
Grade 10
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English I
This course in designed to challenge students with readings that test
and develop their critical reading, thinking, and writing skills. Thematically,
literary selections will be based on Conflict of Wills, Choice and Consequence,
Critics of Society, and Know Thyself and are authored by writers from Britain,
Europe, Asia, and Africa. Students will continue to learn how to improve
writing, speaking, reading, and listening skills in addition to increasing
their vocabulary and developing test-taking strategies. This course is designed
for those students who wish to attend a competitive four-year college or
university upon graduation from The
ENGLISH II
#0407 - Career
(limited to 15 students)
Grade 10
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English I
Using the prose and poetry of British, European, Asian, African writers
for reading skills construction, students examine their own use of language.
Appealing selections based on the theme "Choice and Consequence" help
students refine their skills in the basic areas of communication. Emphasis is
upon the practical application of language power. This course is designed for
students who are interested in attending a two year technical or community
college, a non-competitive college, or entering the work force upon graduation.
HONORS ENGLISH III
#0424 - Honors
(limited to 25 students)
Grade 11
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors English II, Teacher
recommendation or a grade of A in English II CP and teacher’s recommendation.
If a student wishes to override this
recommendation, he/she must petition for a conference with the English teacher
and the department chairperson prior to being admitted to the course. Parents
are encouraged to attend this conference.
Failure to turn in a research paper by the end of the last day of the
academic school year will result in 0 credit for both English III and U.S.
History II and III.
ENGLISH III
#0485 - College Prep
(limited to 25 students)
Grade 11
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
A survey of literature of the Western Hemisphere with an emphasis on
literature of the
Failure to turn in a research paper by the last day of the academic
school year will result in 0 credit for both English III and U.S. History II
and III.
ENGLISH III
#0487 - career
(limited to 15 students) Grade
11
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
This course continues to
emphasize students' effective communication skills. "The Struggle for
Identity" is the theme for the year as students react to the diversity of the
American people which will be celebrated in this American literature course.
Reliance upon one's self and one's fellowman will be recognized as students
collaborate on various projects. Reading, writing, and test-taking strategies
will enable the student to think and communicate clearly and effectively. This
course is designed for students who are interested in attending a two year
technical or community college, a four year non-competitive college or entering
the work force upon graduation.
The Elective Program
Juniors must take and pass English
III but can subscribe to elective courses. Each elective includes work in
speaking, listening, reading, writing, and critical thinking so as to emphasize
basic English instruction. All students must take and pass four years of
English. In their senior year, students must take at least one semester of a
literature elective. It is recommended that all college prep seniors take one
semester of writing elective.
Full
Year Courses
HONORS
ENGLISH IV: SEMINAR IN WRITING THROUGH LITERATURE
Grade 12
#0455
Prerequisite:
Approval of English Department Chairperson; C+ in honors English III; Top 20%
in his/her class or have attained 550+ on Verbal SAT.
Credit may be give by the
This
Advanced Placement course offers further training in writing through the
analysis of selections from prose, drama, and poetry. Written composition involves literary
interpretations. Successful completion
of this course qualifies students to AP English examination.
First
Semester Courses
(1/2 Credit)
THE AMERICAN
EXPERIENCE
Grades 11, 12
#0411 - College Prep
This course focuses on the development of the novel in
JOURNALISM I AND GRAPHICS
#0425 - College Prep
(Limited to 20 students) Grades
11, 12
In
this course, students study the functions and influences of mass media. Because
the course is divided into two segments, theory and practice, students gain a
perspective in journalism and its history as they engage in such practical
exercises as writing, interviewing, and layout. Such effort leads to the
production of the school newspaper.
Students will use the Aldus PageMaker Desktop Publishing Program along
with laser scanning and laser postscript printing to prepare their written work
for the newspaper.
CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCE: SENIOR
WRITING
#0421 College Prep
Grade 12
(Limited to 20 students)
This course, a senior elective for
college prep students, intends to instill confidence and to help students
attain competent writing abilities. Instruction will be given in the rhetorical
writing process, with emphasis on style and grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Students will apply these writing strategies for self-discovery, cognitive
development, academic studies, and practical applications. While most students
know the basics of good writing, this course will capitalize on that knowledge,
provide coaching and practice, and enable students to communicate more effectively.
T.V. PRODUCTION
#0442 - College Prep
- Career
Grades 11, 12
(Limited to 18 students)
Students will analyze the television medium from the
standpoint of the viewer, critic, writer, production staff, and program
producer. All students will produce tapes in the television studio. They will
also review literature dealing with the evolution and impact of television
within the American society and comment, both orally and in writing, upon this
development.
CREATIVE WRITING
#0446 - College Prep
- Career
Grades 11, 12
(Limited to 20 students)
This comprehensive writing course
exposes students to the following types of creative writing: short story,
mystery, poetry, fable, children's story and one-act play. While providing
specific techniques and guidelines for each of the required assignments, the
course also allows students to work at their own pace. Students must be prepared
to share their work with the class and to support the efforts of their
classmates.
VOCABULARY AND SEMANTICS
#0448 - College Prep
Grades 11, 12
This course concerns itself with the
working of our language. Students will use basic semantic principles in
employing new words learned through the use of word lists, word games, and etymology
exercises. Through sample tests and the level of vocabulary used in the course,
students will be exposed to the type of question used in the Scholastic
Assessment Test.
SHAKESPEARE
#0431 - College Prep
Grades
11, 12
This course emphasizes the
distinction between Shakespeare tragedy and comedy. Examples of these dramatic
forms will be read and investigated. In addition, students will explore various
aspects of the Elizabethan world through independent projects.
SHORT STORY
#0435 - College Prep
- Career
Grades 11, 12
This course explores the short story
as a genre. Stories form world literature is studied from a philosophical,
sociological, and technical point of view. Writing requirements focus on essay
exam questions, literary analysis, and a short story.
CAREER ENGLISH COMPOSITION
#0427 - Career
Grades 11, 12
The emphasis is on language skills:
grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and abbreviation. Spelling and
vocabulary, general and technical, are viewed and developed. Students will
compose letters, paragraphs and other forms of communication necessary after
high school.
Second
Semester Courses
(1/2 Credit)
JOURNALISM
II AND GRAPHICS
#0051 - College Prep
Prerequisite: Journalism I
Grades 11, 12
(Limited to 20 students)
In Journalism I students study and
practice specific types of journalistic writing and analysis. In Journalism II,
they further explore these skills through a team-taught class in the technology
education area. Students will put forth their journalistic skills as they write
for printed media and produce a school newspaper. Students will use the Aldus
PageMaker Desktop Publishing Program along with laser scanning and laser
postscript printing to prepare their written work for the school newspaper.
Careers in these areas will be heavily stressed.
CREATIVE
WRITING
#0055 - College Prep
- Career
Grades 11, 12
(Limited to 20 students)
Same description of first semester
course #0446
VOCABULARY AND SEMANTICS
#0058 - College Prep
Grades 11, 12
Same
description of first semester course #0449
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
#0061 - College Prep
- Career
Grades
11, 12
(Limited to 20 students)
Students will examine, develop, and
practice various speaking styles. Selection and organization of materials, the
use of visual aids, and an understanding of effective speech techniques will
enable students to acquire the skills necessary to advocate their
positions in a variety of settings. Through reading, listening, and viewing
famous speeches, students will learn to analyze successful speeches and their
effectiveness.
WOMEN IN LITERATURE - 19th and 20th
Centuries
#0071 - College Prep
Grades
11, 12
This course will explore themes regarding
women in literature, as well as the works of particular woman poets and
novelists, such as Charlotte Bronte, Emily Dickinson, Amy Lowell, Flannery
O'Connor, Tillie Olsen, and Maya Angelou. Course work will include an in-depth
written study of a particular woman author and her writings. Critical reading
and writing skills are emphasized.
T.V. PRODUCTION
#0081 - College Prep
- Career
Grades 11, 12
Same description as First-semester
Course #0442
CONFIDENCE
AND COMPETENCE: SENIOR WRITING
#0422 - College Prep
(Limited to 20 students)
This course, a senior elective for
college prep students, intends to instill confidence and to help students
attain competent writing abilities. Instruction will be given in the rhetorical
writing process, with emphasis on style and grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Students will apply these writing strategies for self-discovery, cognitive
development, academic studies, and practical applications. While most students
know the basics of good writing, this course will capitalize on that knowledge,
provide coaching and practice, and enable students to communicate more
effectively.
SCIENCE FICTION
#0085 - College Prep
- Career
Grades 11, 12
This course is the study of the imaginative future,
its possibilities and limitations. Students will read selections by the better
writers of science fiction, discuss theories of the future, and write their own
science fiction stories. Creative analysis of science fiction classics will be
required to help sharpen writing and reading skills.
YOUTH IN MODERN LITERATURE
#0091 - College
Prep Grades
11, 12
Students will read a variety of
novels, plays, and short stories in which the main characters, in various ways,
are searching to answer the ultimate question - "Who Am I?" Included in the reading will be works by such authors as
Knowles, Plath, Cormier, Salinger, Oates and Hemingway.
FILM STUDY: PAST AND PRESENT
TECHNIQUES
#0459 - College Prep and
Career
Grades 11, 12
This course focuses upon visual
communication through a study of film, both its form and content. A survey of
motion picture history combines with class study of an accompanying texts. Film
analysis will be the basis for writing essays.
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