English

Legend:

🎓 fulfills a specific COURSE graduation requirement

🏫 Advanced Placement (AP) Course

⭐ Honors course

🍎 Pre-requisite course(s) must be completed first

🌎 ESOL

S1: Semester 1 Only

S2: Semester 2 Only

Sem: Semester course offered semester 1 or semester 2

FY: Full Year Course

Q: Quarter Course (must choose 2* or 4*)

*May be in different departments

Department Chair: Melissa Van Gieson

mvangieson@aacps.org

Fulfills These Requirements for Graduation:

🎓 4 years ENGLISH (4 credits)

ELECTIVE credit

REQUIRED courses are YEARLONG, 1 credit. Must choose both Sem 1 & Sem 2.

AP courses are YEARLONG, 1 credit. Must choose both Sem 1 & Sem 2.

Recommended Sequence of Courses:

required COURSE LISTINGS & DESCRIPTIONS

9th Grade Courses

English 9 🎓

English 9 builds upon students’ prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing and includes the four aspects of language use: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This course introduces and defines various genres of literature, including world literature, from a spectrum of time periods with writing expectations aligned to reading selections.

Honors English 🎓⭐

Honors English 9 builds upon students’ prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing and includes the four aspects of language use: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This course introduces and defines various genres of literature, including world literature, from a spectrum of time periods with writing expectations aligned to reading selections. Honors English 9 challenges students to apply analytic and critical skills to complex texts and to complete rigorous assignments. Students may be assigned reading over the preceding summer.

Daily English 9 w/ Reading 🎓

This daily course (meeting on both A and B days) is designed for students who need additional reading support. The course builds upon students’ prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing and includes the four aspects of language use (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) enhanced with researchbased reading strategies for comprehension and fluency practice.

10th Grade Courses

English 10 🎓

English 10 offers a balanced focus on composition and literature. Students learn about the different purposes and audiences of written compositions by writing argumentative, critical, and creative multiparagraph essays and compositions. Through the study of various genres of literature, including world literature, from a spectrum of time periods, students can improve their reading comprehension and develop the skills to determine the author’s intent and theme and to recognize the techniques used by the author to communicate his or her message.

Honors English 10🎓⭐

In Honors English 10 students apply critical theories and rhetorical analysis to literature and composition using challenging texts to practice critical reading; analyze themes, structures and details; apply grammar; and use research for oral and written compositions. Texts represent a variety of genres of literature, including world literature, from a spectrum of time periods. Students may be assigned reading over the preceding summer.

Daily English 10 w/ Reading 🎓

This daily course (meeting on both A and B days) is designed for students who need additional reading support. Students learn about the different purposes and audiences of written compositions by writing argumentative, critical, and creative multi-paragraph essays and compositions. Through the study of various genres of literature, including world literature, from a spectrum of time periods, students can improve their reading comprehension and develop the skills to determine the author’s intent and theme and to recognize the techniques used by the author to express his or her message. Students receive additional support for reading that includes research-based reading strategies and comprehension and fluency practice.

11th Grade Courses

English 11 🎓

In English 11 students continue to develop reading and writing skills. Students read a variety of genres of literature, primarily American, from a spectrum of time periods. Emphasis is placed on literary conventions and stylistic devices. Through frequent writing and research assignments based upon readings, students strengthen skills in logical writing patterns, word choice, usage, and techniques of using evidence from research.

Honors English 11🎓⭐

In Honors English 11 students read and analyze challenging texts representing a variety of genres of literature, primarily American, from a spectrum of time periods. Emphasis is placed on literary conventions, stylistic devices, and critical analysis. Through frequent writing and research assignments based upon readings, students strengthen skills in logical writing patterns, word choice, usage, and techniques of using evidence from research. Students receive preparation for AP English courses, including timed writing opportunities with authentic AP questions. Students may be assigned reading over the preceding summer.

AP Language & Composition 🎓🏫

In this culminating, college-level English course, students apply critical and analytical skills to classical and contemporary works of romance, comedy, tragedy, and satire/irony. Students learn through close reading, explication, comparative analysis, seminar, and extensive writing about literature. Students are required to complete outside reading during the preceding summer. AP English Literature and Composition prepares students for success on the AP exam and for effective reading and writing in college and beyond. Prerequisite(s): English 10 (Successful passage of MCAP)

12th Grade Courses

English 12 🎓

English 12 blends composition and literature into a cohesive whole as students write multi-paragraph critical and comparative analyses of selected literature, including contemporary works, continuing to develop their writing and language skills. Students demonstrate increasing independence in reading, writing, research, speaking, and listening.

Honors English 12 🎓⭐

Honors English 12 blends composition and literature into a cohesive whole and continues to develop students’ skills in writing, research, language, speaking, and listening. Students demonstrate increasing independence in critical and comparative analyses of selected challenging literature, including contemporary works, and in applying writing and language skills to develop multi-paragraph essays and presentations based on their reading and research. Students may be assigned reading over the preceding summer.

AP Literature & Composition 🎓🏫

COURSES REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

English Graduation Requirements

4 Credits

9th grade- English 9, Honors English 9, or Daily English 9 w/ Reading

10th grade- English 10, Honors English 10, or Daily English 10 w/ Reading

11th grade- English 11, Honors English 11, or AP Language and Composition

12th grade- English 12, Honors English 12, or AP Literature and Composition

Required Assessments

All students must take and pass the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) in English 10.

ELECTIVE OPTIONS

ELECTIVE courses are SEMESTER, .5 credit unless otherwise noted

American Film Studies 🍎(sem)

This course is a survey of American Film’s history ranging from the late 19th Century to today, as well as a study of the technique, fine art, narrative form, mode, craft, and influence of American cinema. The course will include screenings, lectures, discussion, exploration, investigation, analysis, and creation of film. Prerequisite(s): English 9 (C or better)

Honors Film & Writing 🍎⭐(sem)

Film and Writing is a course to help students gain a deeper understanding of difficult concepts. This course is designed to use film as a springboard for high-level discussion, reading and writing. The course allows students to become familiar with the interpretive language of film, to cultivate the reading of film as text, and to create writing artifacts that critically analyze film. Prerequisite(s): English 10 (C or better)

Seminar: AP English Language & Composition 🍎🏫 (FY)

This course prepares those students who require additional practice, guidance, and experiences beyond those available in their AP English Literature and Composition course, preparing them for success on the AP English Literature and Composition exam and for effective reading and writing in college and beyond. Students receive intensive assistance in the concepts and skills tested by the AP English Literature and Composition exam. Concurrent enrollment: AP Literature & Composition

Journalism (sem)

Students explore the role of journalists in a free society in terms of journalistic philosophy, ethics, law, and history. They participate and reflect upon all the components of journalism such as design and opinion. This is the foundation course for Yearbook 1.

Creative Writing (sem)

Creative Writing offers students the opportunity to develop and improve their technique and individual style in poetry, short story, drama, essays, and other forms of prose. Students study exemplary writing from various genres to obtain a fuller appreciation of the form and craft. Using reading and journal keeping as sources of ideas, students pursue individual interests and develop their skills.

Theatre Arts 1 (sem)

This course is a one or two semester elective introduction to theatre as a collaboration among actors, directors, producers, and technicians. It focuses on the process of theatrical production both on and backstage. Students develop body movement, voice, and character; direction; set, costume, light and sound design; and other theatrical skills and knowledge. By applying creative dramatics, using multi-media, performing, and creating a design portfolio, students demonstrate and extend their theatrical skills.

Theatre Arts 2 🍎 (sem)

Students specialize in areas of interest and apply this specialty working on production teams to design and perform excerpts from Lapine and Sondheim’s Into the Woods. Students form theatre companies within the class to apply their skills to a complete, student-selected, musical script within the class, and to participate in a full production at their school. Theatre Arts 2 meets and exceeds the State of Maryland Essential Learner Outcomes for Theatre. Prerequisite(s): Theatre Arts 1

Theatre Arts 3 🍎 (sem)

Theatre Arts 3 allows students to expand their understanding of theatre beyond improvisation and script reading, which are the focuses of Theatre Arts 1 and Theatre Arts 2. In this class students explore the historical aspects of theatre, examine the business side of theatrical production, build portfolios, and prepare for auditions. This class prepares students for the world of theatre beyond acting. Prerequisite(s): Theatre Arts 2

Musical Theatre (sem)

This course will survey the development of musical theater in Europe and America. Comprehensive training in the skills and techniques necessary for the staging of a musical production will be emphasized. The culminating activity may be the staging of a musical production for public performance.

Yearbook 1-4 🍎 (sem)

Students publish a yearbook by collaboratively learning and applying the following aspects of production: technology, theme, design, layout, graphics, writing and editing, photography, organization of staff and resources, business operations, and budgeting. They analyze publications using national criteria and develop a code of ethics. Students who elect to take the course more than once refine and expand their knowledge and skills, accept increasing responsibility for production, and assume leadership roles. Prerequisite(s): Journalism or B average in English

Read 180 (FY)

Read 180 is a highly differentiated reading intervention that accelerates instruction and allows struggling readers to experience success. The program directly addresses individual needs through adaptive and instructional software, high-interest literature, and direct instruction in reading, writing, and vocabulary skills. This reading intervention is provided for students who have been identified as needing focused and intensive reading instruction in addition to their regular English class. MUST BE RECOMMENDED: Students are placed in this program only after testing or evaluation.

Foundations of Language & Literacy (System 44) (FY)

This course is designed to provide the necessary reading supports for students requiring specific decoding strategies and skills as they grow to become proficient readers. MUST BE RECOMMENDED.

PSAT/SAT Preparation🍎 (sem)

Students in grades 10-12 prepare for the New PSAT and the SAT by developing and applying strategies to strengthen critical reading, writing, and mathematical abilities and test-taking skills. Through focused instruction, practice with actual test items, and independent activities, students diagnose their individual needs and implement a program to improve their immediate scores and their greater academic performance in high school and beyond. Prerequisite(s): Algebra 1

Telling Stories in One Act 🎓(Q)

FINE ARTS CREDIT. Share your story or re-tell existing narratives through elements of theatre and drama such as basic acting skills, characterization, and improvisation.

Theater Technology & Management- The Magic That Brings the Stage to Life 🎓 (Q)

FINE ARTS CREDIT. Produce, program, and manage visual scenes and audio design for a live-theater production after learning how to use behind-the-scenes technology.

MORE INFORMATION

For more detailed information about course descriptions, please visit AACPS' 2021-2022 Program of Study

English Electives 2021-2022

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