English
Foundations of English I
Grade: 9
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: Teacher or Child Study Team recommendation
Students will make relevant connections to the outside world through units that explore the following themes: Identity, belonging, isolation, love, power and survival. Through the study of a variety of literary forms including short stories, the novel, poetry, drama, essays, podcasts, and video clips and film, students will strive to improve reading, writing, speaking, listening, presentation, and technology skills. Group work, such as peer review of student writing and group writing, as well as dramatic readings and hands-on projects, will foster collaborative learning. The use of technology as a learning platform inside and outside of class is required. An introduction to rhetoric, career writing, researching, and regular use of the Internet will develop essential readiness skills needed after high school. Digital, media and global literacies will serve as the foundation for the course.
College Prep English I
Grade: 9
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: None
The New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) reflect the skills and knowledge students need to succeed in college, career, and life. Over the course of the year, students in College Prep English I will read texts that are self-selected as well as unit texts that coincide with the unit themes of study. Throughout the 9th grade year, students will be introduced to the art of rhetoric and the Aristotelian Appeals. Students must be prepared to utilize digital, media and global literacies, particularly through their school-mandated Chromebooks on a daily basis and apply other relevant technologies. Writing with the aid of Google's suite of applications for education and researching on the Internet will develop essential career and college readiness skills. Preparing and presenting oral projects will be a staple of the ninth grade year and will assist in building confidence and communication skills. Students will also be exposed to MLA writing and nonfiction texts within their career areas, both of which will be utilized year long, and throughout the remainder of their high school education.
Honors English I
Grade: 9
Credit: 5
Prerequisites: 93+ in previous relative coursework; Advanced Proficiency on standardized test scores; summer reading assignment
The honors English 9 curriculum is a rigorous program of study requiring significant amounts of reading and writing in order to independently as well as collectively comprehend, analyze, and synthesize both nonfiction and fiction, including poetry, drama, visual arts, podcasts, and other media. Students make relevant connections to the outside world and across disciplines through units that explore and identify the five basic human needs: freedom, fun, belonging and love, power, and survival. The course moves at a faster pace and with a more in-depth study of literature, including supplementary fiction and nonfiction texts; students also will be introduced to the art of rhetoric. Much of the course is reading and writing intensive with much of the reading taking place outside of the classroom. Use of technology as a learning platform inside and outside of class is required. The successful honors English 9 student is highly self-motivated, accountable for his/her performance, and eager to apply constructive criticism from his/her instructor to further their reading, writing, speaking, listening, presentation, and technology skills.
Foundations of English II
Grade 10
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: Teacher or Child Study Team recommendation
Students make relevant connections to the outside world and across disciplines through units that explore “The American Dream” and its implications. Through the study of a variety of literary forms including short stories, the novel, poetry, drama, essays, podcasts, and video clips and film, students will strive to improve reading, writing, speaking, listening, presentation, and technology skills. Group work, such as peer review of student writing and group writing, as well as dramatic readings and hands-on projects, will foster collaborative learning. The use of technology as a learning platform inside and outside of class is required. An introduction to rhetoric, career writing, researching, and regular use of the Internet will develop essential readiness skills needed after high school. Digital, media and global literacies will serve as the foundation for the course.
College Prep English II
Grade 10
Credit: 5
Prerequisites: Summer reading assignment
This course will further develop the skills established from English I with a specific focus on American Literature and continued practice with writing and the art of rhetoric. Students will continue to explore a variety of conventional literary forms including short stories, novels, poetry, drama, essays, and podcasts. Reading, writing, speaking, listening, presentation, and project and problem-based activities remain the focus of student work. Further application of rhetoric, writing, researching, and regular use of the Internet will continue to develop essential college and career readiness skills. Preparing and presenting oral projects independently and collaboratively will continue to build confidence and help students explore their career focus. Digital, media and global literacies will serve as pillars for the course.
Honors English II
Grade 10
Credit: 5
Prerequisites: B average in CP or Honors English I with teacher recommendation, successful completion of summer assignment(s) and the ability to read, write, and think critically
This course is intended for students who have been identified as being capable of succeeding at an advanced level of English. There is a greater demand and expectation that students work independently both inside and outside class and possess above proficiency in reading, writing and critical thinking skills. There are also a greater number of required writing assignments. This course will further develop the skills established from English I with a specific focus on American Literature and continued practice with all language arts skills and the art of rhetoric. Units include, but are limited to,: American Exploration, The American Identity, and Rhetoric and Government and will be explored through the exploration of the style and craft of the American Literary Periods and their contributors, from Native American literature and the Puritan Era through the Modern Era. Students will continue to explore a variety of conventional literary forms including short stories, novels, poetry, drama, essays, and podcasts. Reading, writing, speaking, listening, presenting, collaborative group work, and self-reflection remain the focus of student work. As is the standard for learners in Honors English I, the successful Honors English 10 student is highly self-motivated, accountable for their performance, and eager to apply constructive criticism from their instructor to develop skills. Digital, media and global literacies will serve as a pillar for the course.
Advanced Placement Seminar
Grade 10
Credit 5
Prerequisites: B average in CP or Honors English I with teacher recommendation, successful completion of summer assignment(s) and the ability to read, write, and think critically
Advanced Placement Seminar invites students to think critically, collaborate and research topics of student’s choosing. Students will learn to read and analyze academic content while evaluating resources and seeking diverse perspectives. Furthermore, students will gather and combine this information to craft arguments bound in research. Seminar nurtures students to develop claims, provide evidence to support their claims and share their findings in academic writing. Students will also learn to identify a research question based on provided stimulus material; research the issue; analyze, evaluate, and select evidence to develop an argument; present and defend a conclusion; and produce a multimedia presentation to be delivered to their peers.
Students are assessed with two through-course performance tasks and one end-of-course exam. One performance task requires students to collaborate with a team to identify, investigate, analyze, and evaluate a real-world or academic problem or issue; consider and evaluate alternatives or options; propose one or more solutions or resolutions; and present and defend the argument for their solutions through a multimedia presentation. Students work independently on the second performance task that includes a written response and a multimedia presentation. Students are required to take the AP Seminar end-of-course exam.
*This course will satisfy the English 10 requirement for graduation; students taking this course are on the trajectory to take AP Research as an elective the following year.
Foundations of English III
Grade 11
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: Teacher or Child Study Team recommendation
This course will further develop the skills established from English II. Students will explore a variety of works under the umbrella of the human condition, including, but not limited to myths, non-fiction essays, and novels through a variety of mediums, including, but not limited to art, podcasts, and videos. Reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing activities remain the focus of student work, including more practice with the writing process regarding all types of writing. Computer and research skills continue to be a focus, particularly as students begin to prepare for life outside the classroom.
College Prep English III
Grade 11
Credit: 5
Prerequisites: Summer reading assignment
During the junior year of English, students will experience a range of World Literature under the umbrella theme of the Human Condition, which includes, but is not limited to mythology, Shakespeare, and British and American canonical and contemporary pieces. The readings will place the human experience within the context of world events over past centuries to modern times; this contextual overview will deepen appreciation for the written word as well as prepare students to be active, civic-minded adults. The art and study of rhetoric will continue to be a focus as will various types of writing. Reading selections dealing with a diverse range of human experiences- from Miller’s Crucible to personal memoirs—will provide the starting point for students’ own research as they begin to hone in on essential college and career readiness skills. Preparing and presenting oral projects independently and collaboratively will continue to build confidence and help students explore their career focus. Digital, media and global literacies will serve as pillars of the course.
Honors English III
Grade 11
Credit: 5
Prerequisites: B average in CP or Honors English II with teacher recommendation, successful completion of summer assignment(s) and the ability to read, write, and think critically
This course is intended for students who have been identified as being capable of succeeding at an advanced level of English and whose pace is accelerated. There is a greater demand and expectation that students work independently both inside and outside of class and possess above proficiency in reading, writing and critical thinking skills. There are also a greater number of required writing assignments. During the junior year of English, students will experience a range of World Literature under the umbrella theme of the Human Condition, which includes, but is not limited to mythology, Shakespeare, and British and American canonical and contemporary pieces. The readings will deal with a diverse range of human experiences— from Beowulf to modern novels such as The Art of Racing in the Rain—and will provide the starting point for students’ own research and writing projects. Assignments will place the human experience within the context of world events over past centuries to modern times; this contextual overview will deepen appreciation for the written word as well as prepare students to be active, civic-minded adults. The art and study of rhetoric will continue to be a focus as will varying types of writing. Use of a technology learning platform is required. As is the standard for learners in Honors English III, the successful honors English II student is highly self-motivated, accountable for his performance, and eager to apply constructive criticism from his instructor to further his reading, writing, speaking, listening, presentation, and technology skill and sharpen essential college and career readiness skills. Digital, media and global literacies will serve as pillars of the course.
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition (AP)
Grade 11
Credit: 5
Prerequisites: B average in CP or Honors English I with teacher recommendation, successful completion of summer assignment(s) and the ability to read, write, and think critically
*AP Literature and Composition is part one of a two-part course. Only students who successfully complete English Honors 10 or AP Seminar with teacher recommendation are eligible for AP Literature and Composition.
The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works. Students will be challenged in the analysis of literature at the undergraduate college level throughout the course of the school year via reading, writing and discussion. Students are not required, but strongly encouraged, to take the AP English Literature and Composition exam in May.
Foundations of English IV
Grade 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: Teacher or Child Study Team recommendation
This final course in the English sequence will focus on upcoming transitions from high school to the real world through project-based learning opportunities. Students will explore nonfiction and fiction pieces in various forms that make use of digital, media and global literacies as they prepare for life after high school. Reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing activities remain the focus of student work, including more frequent application of technology skills to learn and communicate successfully in college and career settings.
College Prep English IV
Grade 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisites: Summer reading project
This course is designed for students to explore a variety of literature during this time of important change in their lives. The reflective nature of the works covered will afford students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with societal expectations and to reflect, discuss, and write about complex social issues in relation to their responsibilities in an ever-changing world. Particular emphasis is placed on making real world connections to their lives by pivoting academic theory to practical application; students will study multiple genres of text including memoir, drama, nonfiction research based writing, and podcasts as well as other fictional texts. This course fosters cognitive, social, and emotional development through mastery and application of higher level thinking skills.
Serious attention will be given to essential college and career readiness skills in the areas of reading, writing, communication, and technology. The use of 21st century technology based learning platforms is accomplished through the utilization of Chromebooks and Google Classroom. As students prepare for life outside the high school classroom, they will use this integrated experience in order to improve upon all Language Arts skills. Active reading strategies, process writing, and higher order/critical thinking skills will be utilized to analyze and evaluate reading selections from specific time periods. Students will connect to their own lives while demonstrating proficiency of the writing process through narrative, reflective, expository, argumentative and research writing. Digital, media and global literacies will serve as pillars of the course and assist in preparing students for college and careers after high school.
Honors English IV
Grade 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisites: B average in CP or Honors English III with teacher recommendation, successful completion of summer assignment(s) and the ability to read, write, and think critically
This course is intended for students who have been identified as being capable of succeeding at an advanced level of English and whose pace is accelerated. There is a greater demand and expectation that students are capable of being self-directed and self-disciplined (as well as team-directed) both inside and outside class and possess above proficiency in reading, writing and critical thinking skills. There are also a greater number of required team-based projects and presentations. In this course, students will experience a range of 20th and 21st century British and American literature under the umbrella theme of identity as well as various modes of text including the study of rhetorical appeals through award-winning podcasts and the study of media literacy through critical examination of social media platforms and the “misinformation age.”
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition (AP)
Grade 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisites: B average in AP Literature and Composition with teacher recommendation, successful completion of summer assignment(s) and the ability to read, write, and think critically
*AP Language and Composition is part two of a two-part course. Only students who successfully complete AP Literature and Composition and a teacher recommendation are eligible for AP Language and Composition.
As one of the most challenging courses a senior high school student can take, AP English Language and Composition focuses on in-depth rhetorical analysis of text (primarily nonfiction) as well as constructing, deconstructing, and reconstructing written arguments. The course helps students build college-level skills in critically thinking on a wide variety of texts, and skills necessary in the writing of fully developed arguments. This course is meant for students who have already established and demonstrated a solid foundation in advanced-level reading comprehension and writing by their junior year in AP Literature and Composition. Students in this course should be prepared to read a significant amount of nonfiction works (as well as some fiction); to write critically on a daily basis (both short and extensive pieces); and to collaborate with their peers and teammates as this course is taught using a team-based learning model. Students are not required, but strongly encouraged, to take the AP English Language and Composition exam in May.