This course is designed to help students meet mastery of the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts while also preparing for future Honors, ERWC, and/or AP courses. The course content consists of intense reading and critical analysis of a broad range of literary works through the StudySync curriculum. Rigorous writing assignments, MLA citations, conventions, vocabulary development, grammar conventions, and public speaking skills are emphasized. While collaborative group skills are incorporated, the emphasis of the course is the depth and breadth of students’ critical thinking and analytical skills as applied to a variety of texts, including full length novels. All students who enroll in English II Honors may have a Summer Enrichment Project opportunity that will help the student prepare for the upcoming course.

Students will build upon skills acquired in English I and utilize StudySync through a consumable textbook and online platform to access a variety of literary genres such as short stories, speeches, poetry, informational texts, excerpts from novels, etc. Students will work closely with the literature through annotations, close reading, critical thinking and analytical questions, and writing prompts. There will also be vocabulary, grammar, and research skills included throughout the course.