English

Required English Courses

40325Y/40326Y    Literary Genres & Composition

1.0 credit - 2 semesters

Grade: 9

Lit. Genres is a two-semester literature and composition course which will work on building critical thinking and communication skills through reading, writing, and speaking. Literature will expose students to a variety of viewpoints and writing styles. From non-fiction and short stories, through classic & contemporary literature, students will be able to make connections from great literature to their world. The writing process, coherent paragraphing, then narrative, argumentative, and analysis essays are taught. Technology, public speaking, researching skills, vocabulary, and grammar are also components of the curriculum.

Priority Standards:

- Establish clear ideas; support and analyze ideas using evidence.

- Apply conventions of standard written English.

- Engage audience through effective delivery.

- Read closely to determine what the text says and make logical inferences.

40515/40516   Literary Themes & Composition

1.0 credit - 2 semesters

Grade: 10

Literary Themes and Composition is a two-semester survey course which will engage students in a wide variety of  reading and writing experiences within underlying themes. Each unit will be tied together with the study of multiple pieces of literature such as a novel, poetry, essay, or nonfiction articles along with a variety of writing opportunities such as journals, well-developed paragraphs, structured essays, and research.  The course also includes units in word study, grammar, incorporating and emphasizing useful technology. In addition to honing analysis of rhetoric and critical thinking skills, students will be expected to meet oral communication standards through discussion.

Priority Standards:

Semester 1:

- Establish clear ideas; support and analyze ideas using evidence.

- Apply conventions of standard written English.

- Engage audience through effective delivery.

- Analyze style and structure (How the author says it).

Semester 2:

- Organize ideas skillfully.

- Apply conventions of standard written English.

- Engage audience through effective delivery.

- Read closely to determine what the text says and make logical inferences.

40413Y/40414Y   United States Literature  & Composition

1.0 credit - 2 semesters

Grade: 11

*AP Language & Composition or AP Literature & Composition may be taken in place of US Lit. & Composition. Students must have received a Grade of B or better in previous high school language arts courses or department approval

United States Literature and Composition is a two-semester literature and composition course which will engage students in a wide variety of writing experiences as well as in the reading of representative novels, short stories, plays, and poetry from the wealth of literature the United States has produced, including, but not limited to, the works of: Hawthorne, Poe, Whitman, Dickinson, Twain, London, Gilman, Steinbeck, Hughes, Frost, Millay, Faulkner, O’Connor, Walker, Alexie, and Erdrich. An emphasis is given to the major literary periods, Colonial to Contemporary. The course also includes units in word study and grammar, incorporating and emphasizing useful technology. In addition to honing analysis and critical thinking skills, students will be expected to meet oral communication standards through discussion seminars.

Priority Standards:

- Establish clear ideas; support and analyze ideas using evidence.

- Use craft and style to express ideas (How you say it).

- Applies conventions of standard written English.

- Engage effectively in collaborative discussions.

- Analyze representative authors, texts, techniques, and literary periods.

40530   Creative Writing

0.5 credit - 1 semester

Grade: 11 or 12

One-semester course that focuses on improvement of style and use of various revision techniques. Typical units include, but are not limited to personal essays, nature writing, poetry, fiction and scripts. Students will develop revision strategies to compile a final multi-genre portfolio. Students will also study creative skills in writing through representative authors.  

Priority Standards:

- Use craft and style to express ideas (How you say it).

- Organize ideas skillfully.

- Apply conventions of standard written English.

40658    Critical Writing

0.5 credit - 1 semester

Grade: 11 or 12

This one-semester course focuses on effective communication based on principles of rhetoric regarding purpose, audience, and methods in academic, professional, and personal writing. Emphasis is placed on using proper form and language to achieve the desired impact. Standard English Conventions of usage, sentence structure, punctuation, and capitalization are fundamental. Researching, outlining, drafting, and revising will result in production of authentic writing including but not limited to the personal statement/ application essay; business letters and memos; career research essay, resume, and cover letter writing plus interviewing in addition to the study of professional models including analysis and presentation of a nonfiction book study. The culminating project is creation of an original, digital magazine. 

Priority Standards:

- Establishes clear ideas; supports & analyzes ideas using evidence.

- Use craft and style to express ideas (How you say it).

- Organize ideas skillfully.

- Apply conventions of standard written English.

Dramatic Literature & Performance

0.5 credit - 1 semester

Grade: 11 or 12

The course will include an overview of the history of theatre and various acting theories, the basics of stage terminology and blocking technique, and the discovery of character through motivation, intention, objectives, obstacles, and subtext. Students will analyze and rehearse monologues, as well as collaboratively develop a variety of scenes for in-class performance. Students will read, discuss, and complete written analysis of classic plays of the twentieth century. Students will also experience, discuss, and critique amateur and professional live theatre. Students will complete thorough character analysis and scene study to better understand the foundation of building a character. 

Priority Standards:

-Use craft & style to express ideas.

-Engages audience through effective delivery.

-Analyze style and structure.

- Analyze representative authors, texts, techniques, and literary periods.

40570    Oral Interpretation of Literature

0.5 credit - 1 semester

Grade: 11 or 12

One semester performance-based course. Students will read, discuss and complete written analysis of various literary pieces for performance. Students will build the skills and confidence necessary to speak and read effectively before an audience. Included presentations: interpretation of prose, poetry, and children’s literature. Students will analyze and rehearse monologues, as well as collaboratively develop a variety of scenes for in-class performance. Students will also experience, discuss and critique amateur and professional live theatre. 

Priority Standards:

- Use craft and style to express ideas (How you say it).

- Organize ideas skillfully.

- Engage audience through effective delivery.

- Engage effectively in collaborative delivery.

- Read closely to determine what the text says and make logical inferences.

40590   World Literature

0.5 credit - 1 semester

Grade: 11 or 12

One-semester course that exposes students to the thought, culture, and literature from around the world.  Emphasis will be on cultural connections and understanding through a symposium style of close reading, analysis writing, and focused discussion.

Priority Standards:

- Establish clear ideas; support and analyze ideas using evidence.

- Engage effectively in collaborative discussions.

- Analyze style and structure (How the author says it).

- Read closely to determine what the text says and make logical inferences.

40560    British Literature

0.5 credit - 1 semester

Grade: 11 or 12

One-semester course surveying the different eras and literature of the United Kingdom from Anglo-Saxon writings to the present with a focus on the significant impact that British literature had on American writers and culture.Selections range from Beowulf to essays by Virginia Woolf with emphasis given to Chaucer, Shakespeare, Hardy and the Romantic poets.

Priority Standards:

- Establish clear ideas; support and analyze ideas using evidence.

- Organize ideas skillfully.

- Engage audience through effective delivery.

- Analyze representative authors, texts, techniques, and literary periods.

40663 Speech Communications

.5 credit - 1 semester

Grades: 11 & 12

This is a one semester course focusing on building public speaking skills through a variety of practice exercises, informal, and formal speeches and formal debate.  We will examine the elements of speechwriting and delivery that most effectively gain and maintain the attention of an audience. Students will be speaking about topics of personal interest  and serving as an active audience for  classmates. They will also engage in informal and formal debate activities to sharpen your skills of presenting a compelling argument and winning over an audience.

Priority Standards:

- Establish clear ideas; support and analyze ideas using evidence.

- Use craft and style to express ideas (How you say it).

- Organize ideas skillfully.

- Engage audience through effective delivery.

40659    Literature for Stage and Film

0.5 credit - 1 semester

Grade: 11 or 12

One-semester course offering students the opportunity to examine the literature of drama, fiction, film, and the relationships among them. The class will examine adaptations of textual narrative into film and stage productions. Students will analyze and evaluate these productions through a literary lens.

Priority Standards:

- Establish clear ideas; support and analyze ideas using evidence.

- Organizes ideas skillfully.

- Engage effectively in collaborative discussions.