English

English I students study literature, reading comprehension, vocabulary, essay development, research, functional text, and communication. Through the study of novels, short stories, poetry, drama, and nonfiction, students analyze literary elements and devices, text structure, author’s purpose, and historical significance. Students develop strategies for reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition through explicit instruction, teacher modeling, and think-alouds. In addition, writing instruction focuses on the writing process with integrated grammar instruction. Students write a variety of multiparagraph essays as well as study a variety of communication strategies and the research process.

• English I Semester 1: In Semester 1 of English I, students begin by studying plot, setting, and character development through analysis of short stories and nonfiction texts. Five stages of the writing process are reviewed, as well as how to write a personal narrative. Next, students examine the elements of theme and conflict in addition to how to write a literary analysis. Students learn about types of narration and establishing a clear voice. Defending viewpoints is discussed, and students write a complementary persuasive essay. A novel study with The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway is the culminating exercise of the semester so that students can practice applying the skills they've learned in the previous lessons.
• English I Semester 2: In Semester 2 of English I, students will learn different poetic structures and analyze figurative language and poetic devices. Students will explore different types of nonfiction texts, including press releases, memoirs, and historic speeches, as well as how to conduct an interview and how to write a business letter. Greek mythology will be taught using Homer’s Odyssey. In addition, students will learn about Shakespearean comedy, tragedy, and drama by analyzing Romeo and Juliet. Students will review the research process and write a research paper before engaging in the culminating novel study using Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne and James Houston.

English II (Lexile^(R) range: 710 - 1670 - Average Lexile^(R) : 1102 )

English II students study literature, reading comprehension, vocabulary, essay development, research, functional text, and communication. Through the study of novels, short stories, poetry, drama, and nonfiction, students analyze literary elements and devices, text structure, author’s purpose, and historical significance. Students develop strategies for reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition through explicit instruction, teacher modeling, and think-alouds. In addition, writing instruction focuses on the writing process with integrated grammar instruction. Students write a variety of multiparagraph essays as well as study a variety of communication strategies and the research process.

• English II Semester 1: In Semester 1 of English II, students will examine the impact setting, suspense, and imagery have on the plot. Types of characters and techniques for characterization will be examined, as will different themes of conflict. Students will learn about the narrator's effect, including first- and third-person points of view, and will compare and contrast authors' perspectives. In addition, students will review the six traits of effective writing and compose a short story or autobiography as well as several essays: analytical, reflective, and chronological. A novel study with Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is the culminating exercise of the semester so that students can practice applying the skills they’ve learned.
• English II Semester 2: In Semester 2 of English II, students will learn different types of poetry including haiku and English and Italian sonnets, as well as the importance of rhythm, rhyme, and meter. Students will explore different types of nonfiction texts, including historical speeches, news articles, and memoirs. In addition, students will learn about myths and legends and the idea of the hero. Students will discuss elements of drama, in particular farce, and investigate two historical theatres. Written composition will include technical documentation and several essays. Students will review the research process, including sources, documentation, and organization, before writing a research paper. A final novel study with The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros concludes the semester.

English III (Lexile^(R) range: 660 - 1470 - - Average Lexile^(R) : 1109)

English III students study literature, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and functional text. Through the study of American literature covering the period from 1400 to the present, students analyze literary elements and devices, text structure, author’s purpose, and historical significance. Students develop strategies for reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition through explicit instruction, teacher modeling, and think-alouds, and apply these strategies to complex texts. Students write a variety of essays with an emphasis on responding to literature through analysis and synthesis.

• English III Semester 1: In Semester 1 of English III, students will read American literature from different historical periods between 1400 and 1960. Students will learn the overall importance of historical context in literature and analyze the implications of these within the texts provided. Students will analyze themes, evaluate archetypes, draw inferences, and examine both fiction and nonfiction texts. Some of the works included are Phillis Wheatley's poems, The Masque of the Red Death, The Minister's Black Veil, A Dog's Tale, and the Chrysanthemums.
• English III Semester 2: In Semester 2 of English III, students will read American literature from different historical periods between 1960 and the present. Students will learn the overall importance of historical context in literature and analyze the implications of these within the texts provided. Students will analyze media bias, evaluate story structure, draw inferences about language, and examine authors' choices. In addition, students will research and write longer pieces. Some of the works included are Son, The Trip Back, Litany, Mrs. Perez, and the Bean Trees.

English IV (Lexile^(R) range: 640 - 1520- Average Lexile^(R) : 1160)

English IV students study literature, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and functional text. Through the study of British literature covering the period from 449 to the present, students analyze literary elements and devices, text structure, author’s purpose, and historical significance. Students develop strategies for reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition through explicit instruction, teacher modeling, and think-alouds, and apply these strategies to complex texts. Students write a variety of essays with an emphasis on responding to literature through analysis and synthesis.

• English IV Semester 1: In Semester 1 of English IV, students will read British literature from different historical periods between 449 and 1798. Students will learn the overall importance of historical context in literature and analyze the implications of these within the texts provided. Students will analyze themes, evaluate archetypes, draw inferences, and examine satire and nonfiction texts. Some of the works included are Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, Paston Letters, Macbeth, Gulliver's Travels, Samuel Johnson's Dictionary, Paradise Lost, and the King James Bible.
• English IV Semester 2: In Semester 2 of English IV, students will read British literature from different historical periods between 1798 and the present. Students will learn the overall importance of historical context in literature and analyze the implications of these within the texts provided. In addition, students will analyze poetry, satire, voice, and literary elements as well as evaluate social and cultural effects and the clarity and validity of arguments. Some of the works included are Don Juan, Frankenstein, Pygmalion, and Heart of Darkness.