English
Students must take 4 credits of English to graduate.
The goal of the English department is to help students become critical thinkers, competent communicators, lifelong readers, and aware citizens. These concerns will be addressed through a study of literature, oral communications, and writing.
Freshman English
1 Credit-Required
Grade 9
In Freshman English, students will improve their understanding of basic literary terms and techniques and develop sensitivity to others as they experience the struggles of characters as reflected in literature. Students will also write a literary analysis, poetry and informative essays, use revising as a means of improving writing, practice rudimentary research and writing skills including MLA documentation style and increase command of the English language in vocabulary and grammatical usage. Finally, students will be introduced to the fundamental theories of oral communication, grow in respect for the spoken ideas of others and prepare and deliver speeches.
Sophomore English
1 Credit-Required
Grade 10
In Sophomore English, students will be able to recognize distinct genres: novel, drama, poetry, and short story, attain a growing ability to share personal responses to literature with other students and improve standards of judgment by being exposed to good literary models. Students will also write expository, narrative, persuasive, and autobiographical essays, apply guidelines for drama, short stories, and poetry to their own creative writing and improve the quality of their writing through guided practice and the study of grammar. Finally, students will develop skills necessary for selecting, researching and organizing ideas.
Junior English
1 Credit-Required
Grade 11
In Junior American Literature, students will grow in appreciation of major literary works, become acquainted with significant American authors and their works and practice literary research and literary criticism. Students will also articulate a personal interpretation of a major literary work, write clearly and effectively through journal response and extended writing assignments and respond critically and constructively to the writing of peers. Finally, students will be able to analyze and understand experiences with the media and its influence and appreciate the significance and impact of various media.
Senior English
1 Credit-Required
Grade 12
Seniors, on the recommendation of the English department, will be split into two sections. One section will be an accelerated English class while the other section will have a more moderate pace. Both classes will concentrate on careful reading and analysis of literature from Britain, beginning with “Beowulf” and progressing into the modern era. As students read they will consider the work’s structure, style, themes, historical and cultural connections, as well as, the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, tone and more. There is also a very strong focus on writing of various essays and the reviewing of grammar.
Individual Reading I & II
.5 or 1 Credit-Elective
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
The purpose of this class is to foster a love of reading; prepare students for the next level in life whether students will be entering college, the workforce, or upper level high school courses; expose students to a variety of literature; and share or recommend book titles with classmates. The teacher’s goal is to broaden the students reading through discussions, book reviews, activities & library awareness. Students may choose which books they read, but a minimum of 200 pages must be read per week. Assessments will be book talks, conferencing with the teacher, and book reviews. This course can be taken as a semester or a year course.
Combined Ind. Reading & Writing
.5 or 1 Credit-Elective
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 (priority given to upper classmen)
Self-motivated students may combine both reading & writing (perhaps 50% reading & 50% writing) according to their interests & personal goals, as well as the requirements of Individual Reading & Writing