English 1

Grade level:                9

Prerequisite(s):         

Length:                        One year

Credit:                         1.00

Requirement Fulfilled:      English

Content:

English 1 presents a varied spectrum of literature:  the short story, novel, non-fiction, poetry, and drama.  The emphasis on the writing process deals primarily with the five-paragraph essay and journalizing utilizing the six-writing traits.  There is also a review of various grammar and language skills which need improving.

Expectations:

Come prepared to class everyday.

Follow oral and written instructions.

Be respectful of self and others.

No late homework will be accepted.

Work independently or in small groups.

Participate during class discussions.

Skills Taught:

Various writing formats – including creative, expository, and persuasive.

Communication skills with an emphasis on being able to present effective speeches.

Interpretation of the following literary genre:  the short story, novel, non-fiction, poetry, and drama.

Grammar skills such as language, mechanics, and paragraph structure.

Methods of presentation(s):

The majority of class time will be used for discussion, guided practice, and independent or group work.  Students should expect and receive homework each night.

Activities Include:

Continued work on their portfolio.

An introduction to the research paper writing in connection with the Science Department.

Various individual and group projects dealing with literature.

English 2

Grade Level:              10

Prerequisite(s)            English 1

Length                         Year

Credit                          1.00

Requirement Fulfilled       English

Content:                                

English 1 presents a broad spectrum of literature: the short story, non-fiction, poetry, drama, the novel, the legendary tale, and classic literature.  The emphasis is on the writing process with students writing in a variety of formats.  There is also an extensive review of grammar and usage.  Students in English II will also work with the guidance counselor on the career-oriented I-Search Project.

Expectations:                        

Come prepared to class everyday.

Follow oral and written instructions.

Be respectful of self and others.                                         

No late homework will be accepted.

Work independently or in small groups.

Participate during class discussions.

Skills Taught:           

Various writing formats, including creative, expository, and persuasive.

Communication skills with an emphasis on public speaking.

Interpretation of literature.

Interpersonal skills with an emphasis in group-related activities

Methods of presentation:

The majority of class time is used for discussion, guided practice, and independent or group work.  Students should expect three to four homework assignments and a quiz or test each week.                

Activities Include:

I-Search Project

Advertising Project with the emphasis on persuasive language

Literary Analysis Paper                         

Informative, extemporaneous speech

English 3

Grade Level:              11

Prerequisite(s)            English II

Length                         Year

Credit                          1.00

Requirement Fulfilled       English

Content:                                

English 3 offers study in American literature and its relationship with history in the United States.  This course surveys American writers from Puritan times to the present where the history of America, reflected through literature, is the focus.  The composition, which is interwoven throughout the year, requires an understanding of our language and its structure.  The composition styles include, but are not limited to, persuasive writing and the formal research paper.

Expectations:                        

Come prepared to class everyday.

Follow oral and written instructions.

Be respectful of self and others.                                         

No late homework will be accepted.

Work independently or in small groups.

Participate during class discussions.

Skills Taught:           

Various writing formats, including research and persuasive.

Communication skills with an emphasis on public speaking.

Interpretation of literature and its relationship with history.

Interpersonal skills with an emphasis in group-related activities

Methods of presentation:

The majority of class time is used for discussion, guided practice, and independent or group work.  Students should expect three to four homework assignments and a quiz or test each week.                

Activities Include:

Formal Research Paper 

Persuasive Speech                                                   

Independent Novel Project with Class Presentation

English 4

Grade Level:              12

Prerequisite(s)            English 3

Length                         Year

Credit                          1.00

Requirement Fulfilled       English

Content:                                

English 4 is a survey of world literature from ancient to modern times.  Selections by Native American, Ancient Greek and Roman, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, African, European, North American, South American, and British writers will be studied.  The students will also study writing styles and formats, including, but not limited to, creative writing, personal essays, and persuasive essays. There is an emphasis in writing scholarship application essays, as well. 

Expectations:                        

Come prepared to class everyday.

Follow oral and written instructions.

Be respectful of self and others.                                         

No late homework will be accepted.

Work independently or in small groups.

Participate during class discussions.

Skills Taught:           

Various writing formats, including creative and persuasive.

Communication skills with an emphasis on public speaking.

Interpretation of literature.

Interpersonal skills with an emphasis in group-related activities

Logical reasoning and detecting fallacies.

Methods of presentation:

The majority of class time is used for discussion, guided practice, and independent or group work.  Students should expect three to four homework assignments and a quiz or test each week.                

Activities Include:

Short Story Writing   

Research Debate Project                                        

Senior Portfolio                               

Persuasive Speaking

Advanced Placement Language and Composition

Grade Level:              11

Prerequisite(s)            English II

Length                         Year

Credit                          1.00

Requirement Fulfilled       English

Content:

Advanced Placement English Language and Composition "engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes." (The College Board, AP English Course Description, May 2007, May 2008, p. 6) AP English Language and Composition will be taught in conjunction with AP US History.  Students will focus primarily on analyzing the rhetoric used in various types of writing and writing original rhetoric on a variety of topics. During this course, students will engage in formal and informal writing, identify examples of language used well, read pieces from many subject areas and time periods, and develop a more mature prose style.

Expectations:

Completion of Summer Assignments            

Come prepared to class every day.

Follow oral and written instructions.

Be respectful of self and others.                                         

No late homework will be accepted.

Work independently or in small groups.

Participate during class discussions.

Skills Taught:           

Students will focus on introduction to rhetorical analysis as well as early American authors. Some essays will be taken through the draft process, while timed essays will not. As much as possible, the selections will align with the major topics discussed in AP US History.

Methods of presentation:

The majority of class time is used for discussion, guided practice, and independent or group work.  Students should expect an essay and a quiz or test each week. 

Activities Include:

Voice of Democracy Speech

Historical Research Paper

Rhetorical Analysis Essays

Timed Essays

Practice AP Tests

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition

Grade Level:              12

Prerequisite(s)            English III or AP Language

Length                         Year

Credit                          1.00

Requirement Fulfilled       English

Content:

Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition “engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature.  Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers.  As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone”(The College Board, AP English Literature and Composition Course Description, 2006-2007, p. 4).  Students will study literary works from a variety of genres and periods.  Students will write expository, analytical, and argumentative essays.

Expectations:

Completion of Summer Assignments            

Come prepared to class every day.

Follow oral and written instructions.

Be respectful of self and others.                                         

No late homework will be accepted.

Work independently or in small groups.

Participate during class discussions.

Skills Taught:           

Students will focus on learning to read fiction responsively (close reading) and honing their skills in responding to literature through writing.  Students will begin work on their senior project, which will include writing a research paper.  Students will write numerous essays in response to their reading assignments.  Longer essays and papers will go through the entire writing process, including peer editing and rough drafts. Students will also focus on reading, analyzing, and responding to poetry and drama. 

Methods of presentation:

The majority of class time is used for discussion, guided practice, and independent or group work.  Students should expect an essay and a quiz or test each week. 

Activities Include:

Voice of Democracy Speech

Senior Research Paper

Literary Analysis Essays

Timed Essays

Practice AP Tests