ENGLISH
Foundations of English I Grade 9 Credits: 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 Credits: 5
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to equip students with the essential skills for academic success, while fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and executive functioning skills. Throughout the year, students will engage with a variety of texts, including novels, short stories, plays, poems, nonfiction articles, and digital media. They will learn to analyze these texts critically, developing strong reading comprehension, reading strategies and critical thinking skills. Students will also hone their writing abilities through various assignments. They will learn to craft well-structured arguments, conduct research effectively, and cite sources appropriately. Additionally, students will practice public speaking and presentation skills through class discussions and oral presentations. By the end of the course, students will have developed strong literacy skills, critical thinking abilities, effective communication techniques, and essential executive functioning skills such as time management, organization, and self-regulation.
Honors English I Grade 9 Credits: 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 Credits: 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, novel, poetry, drama, essays, and digital media, students will strive to improve reading, writing, speaking, listening, presentation, and technology skills. Group work: peer review, group writing, 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, and research will develop essential career 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 Credits: 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 digital media. 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 Credits: 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 are above proficiency in reading, writing and critical thinking skills. This course will further develop 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 will explore American Exploration, American Identity, and Rhetoric and Government through the lens of contributors ranging from Native American literature and the Puritan Era to the Modern Era. Students will continue to explore conventional literary forms such as short stories, novels, poetry, drama, essays, and podcasts. Improving language arts skills to improve written and oral communication 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, self-reflective, accountable for their performance, and eager to apply constructive criticism from their instructor and peers to develop skills. Digital, media and global literacies will serve as a pillar for the course.
Advanced Placement Seminar Grade 10 Credits: 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 and presentations. 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 Credits: 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 Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Summer reading assignment
Students will examine World Literature through the scope of the Human Condition. This includes, but is not limited to mythology, Shakespeare, and British and American canonical and contemporary pieces. 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 and will develop all forms of communication skills. Traditional and modern reading selections that explore a diverse range of human experiences 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 collaborative and independent oral projects 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 Credits: 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 designed for advanced students who are ready to accelerate their learning. 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. Students will examine World Literature through the scope of the Human Condition. This includes, but is not limited to mythology, Shakespeare, and British and American canonical and contemporary pieces— from Beowulf to The Art of Racing in the Rain. These readings are 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 and other writing formats will continue to be a focus and will help to develop all forms of communication skills. The successful honors English III student is highly self-motivated, accountable for their performance, and eager to apply constructive criticism from their instructor and peers to develop communication and 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 Credits: 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
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 Credits: 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 Credits: 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. 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 Credits: 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 Grade 12 Credits: 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 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 critical 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.