Department Chair: Jessica Kennedy-Coyne
jkennedy-coyne@aacps.org
Legend:
🎓 fulfills a specific COURSE graduation requirement
🏫 Advanced Placement (AP) Course
⭐ Honors course
🍎 Pre-requisite course(s) must be completed first
S1: Semester 1 Only
S2: Semester 2 Only
Sem: Semester course offered semester 1 or semester 2
FY: Full Year Course
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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)
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)
9th grade- English 9, Honors English 9, or Daily English 9 w/ Reading
10th grade- English 10 or Honors English 10
11th grade- English 11, Honors English 11, or AP Language and Composition
12th grade- English 12, AP Literature and Composition, or AP Language and Composition
All students must take and pass the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) in English 10.
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)
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)
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.
Media Productions/Journalism offers students the opportunity to
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): B average in English
Students will participate in 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 9 class. Students are placed in this program only after
testing or evaluation
This course is designed to meet the needs of striving readers who will participate in a research-based reading intervention program that builds phonemic awareness, phonics, reading comprehension, academic vocabulary, and writing skills. Students who need extra support in decoding, including Special Education students and English Language learners, will be assigned to this course
Students in grades 10-12 prepare for the PSAT and SAT by developing
and applying strategies to strengthen their mathematical, reading and
writing 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.
Recommended: Geometry and Algebra 2