Course Offerings -- English

English Department

Students taking IB English will be encouraged to purchase their novels from our bookstore so that they are able to highlight, underline and take notes directly on the text. This is not a required strategy – but students in the IB program, in particular, have found this strategy to be most helpful.

English 1 7010 & Social Studies 7310

Prerequisite: None

Length: One year

Credit: One full credit for English; one full credit for Social Studies

Description: This course will combine English and social studies through the project-based learning framework. This cross-curricular approach is designed to develop a process for problem solving and inquiry. It seeks to develop independent thinkers and autonomous learners while fostering the 21st-century skills of critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration. Projects are guided by driving, or essential, questions that are designed to be authentic and applicable in real-world contexts. Students direct their own learning as they seek to find their own solutions or answers to the question. Each project includes an integrated novel study, related to the theme of the project. Students are introduced to visible thinking routines to cultivate the development of their critical thinking skills and to deepen content learning. They will also develop their research and writing skills (narrative, expository and persuasive) throughout each of the projects.

English II 7021

Prerequisite: Successful completion of English I Length: One year

Credit: One full credit

Description: English II is an IB-preparatory, literature-based course focused on the reading of various literary genres, including but not limited to short novels, essays, drama, and poetry. The overall aims of the course are to develop the power of oral and written expression and to encourage a personal connection to literature through reading and analysis. Students utilize visible thinking routines to cultivate the development of their critical thinking skills and to deepen content learning. English II prepares students for success in the IB program, expanding students' ability to actively process their thinking and problem solving, foster a creative mindset, and articulate their learning orally and in writing.

IB English SL I 7031 / IB English SL II 7041

Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II Length: Two Years

Credit: One full credit per year

Description: This course focuses on challenging texts in multiple genres and historical periods from international authors. The IB student will develop a global perspective of the human experience and a personal appreciation of literature. Students learn the language of literary analysis in order to be able to systematically analyze a writer’s style, use of structure and content. The IB II course builds on the existing curriculum by adding authors and works in poetry, short stories and essays. Students are expected to master the skills for literary analysis, written composition and oral presentation.

IB English HL I 7032/ IB English HL II 7042

Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II Length: Two Years

Credit: One full credit per year

Description: This course focuses on challenging texts in multiple genres and historical periods from international authors. The IB student will develop a global perspective of the human experience and a personal appreciation of literature. Students learn the language of literary analysis in order to be able to systematically analyze a writer’s style, use of structure and content. At this level, students take on additional coursework in preparation for the higher-level exams. Students are expected not only to increase organizational and analytical writing skills but are also expected to complete sophisticated comparisons of authors and works. This course adds requirements and course load to the standard level IB English II course.