At our school, English and Social Sciences courses are designed to be interdisciplinary, blending literature, history, and critical thinking into a cohesive learning experience. By studying these subjects together, students make meaningful connections between historical events, cultural contexts, and literary works, fostering deeper understanding and engagement. This integrated approach equips students with the skills to think critically, analyze complex ideas, and communicate effectively, preparing them for success in academics and beyond.
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Students must earn four credits in English for both the Standard and Advanced Studies diplomas. Students at ATI-UMW must take an English course each year of high school.
English High School Courses: High school English courses (Honors and Academic) are organized in thematic units that address “essential questions.” In these units, students engage with and analyze a wide range of literary and non-fiction texts; evaluate other’s ideas; and synthesize, support, and articulate their own ideas, preparing them to participate in thoughtful, civil dialogue with others. These texts include both canonical works and contemporary works with diverse characters and by authors representing diverse backgrounds. Students also have the opportunity to select their own books throughout the year in book clubs and independent reading, and these activities are tied to the curriculum in meaningful ways. Beyond basic literacy skills, engagement with rich, varied literary works helps students make sense of their own experience, appreciate the universality of the human experience, and gain an understanding of the ways in which others’ experiences may differ from their own. Students not only develop critical reading and writing skills in these units, but also learn important research skills and oral language skills, giving presentations and participating in small group discussions and structured dialogue activities. Information- and media literacy skills are also emphasized, helping students to evaluate the validity and reliability of information they find or persuasive arguments they encounter. Explicit instruction in vocabulary development and grammar are integrated into these units and support students’ development as readers and writers. Vocabulary instruction draws from the texts as well as from a study of roots and affixes that is coherently mapped out across all four grades, helping students develop the skills to make sense of unfamiliar words in the future.
Academic courses challenge students to master rigorous standards while providing individualized support.
Honors courses are offered in Grades 9, 10, and 11. While they focus on the same skills as academic courses, honors courses are distinguished by a more rigorous and inquiry-based study of literature and nonfiction texts. Honors courses receive a weight of 0.5 and move at an accelerated pace, cover a greater breadth and depth of textual study, and require more independent work. Honors students must complete an independent Big Question Project in which they bring research-, analysis-, and synthesis skills to bear in articulating and supporting their own responses to a “big question” of their own.
Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment Courses are offered at the higher grade levels and may allow students to earn college credit. Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment (DE) courses may earn college credit and are governed by the content objectives of our partners, the College Board and Germanna Community College. ATI-UMW teachers will provide a comprehensive syllabus and identify novels and informational texts that may contain sexually explicit content as outlined in Policy 5055. Families should note per section E (4), “Alternative materials may not be available for content associated with standardized national or state assessments, such as AP, SOL, Dual Enrollment, and/or IB exams.” This should be considered when enrolling in an AP or DE course.
English 9
Course Code 1130 (w/ World Geography)
Prerequisite: English 8
1 Credit
In ninth grade, students continue to build upon skills previously learned in earlier grades. There is a continued emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. In fiction texts, students will apply knowledge of literary terms and analyze a variety of genres. In ninth grade there will be an increased emphasis on nonfiction reading, and students will make inferences and draw conclusions using explicit and implied textual evidence. The student will continue to expand vocabulary using the structural analysis of roots and affixes to understand complex words.
The student will also plan, draft, revise, and edit while writing in a variety of forms with an emphasis on analysis and persuasion while defending a position using counterclaims, reasons and evidence from credible sources. Students will analyze and interpret the social, commercial, and/or political motives behind media messages. Students will use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in small groups. The student will apply research techniques to analyze information gathered from diverse sources by identifying misconceptions, and possible bias citing both quoted and paraphrased information using either MLA or APA style. Students will continue to work in collaborative groups assisting with setting rules and working toward consensus. (VDOE, 2017)
English 10
Course Code 1140 (w/ World Geography)
Prerequisite: English 9
1 Credit
In tenth grade, students continue to build upon skills learned in earlier grades. There is a sustained emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will analyze the cultural and social function and universal themes of fictional texts from different cultures. Tenth grade students will analyze and synthesize information from nonfiction texts to solve problems, answer questions, and generate new knowledge. The student will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations, idioms, classical allusions, and figurative language.
The student will continue to use the writing process to write/compose with an emphasis on persuasion and analysis while showing relationships among claims, reasons, and evidence from reliable sources. The student will create media messages and analyze the cause and effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. Students will continue to use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in small groups. The student will continue to build research skills presenting information gathered from diverse sources, identifying misconceptions and possible bias while crediting sources using MLA or APA style. The tenth-grade student will continue to become a skilled communicator, working both independently and in collaborative groups while presenting alternate views and working toward common goals. (VDOE, 2017)
Honors Courses - A series of sequential courses, designed to prepare students for college and AP English, DE English Composition, or IB English courses. The instruction develops fundamental skills in inquiry (research), rhetorical analysis, argument, and synthesis above and beyond the scope of the Virginia Standards of Learning.
Honors English 9
Course Codes 1130H (w/ AP Human Geography)
Prerequisite: English 8
1 Credit
In ninth grade, students continue to build upon skills previously learned in earlier grades. There is a continued emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. In fiction texts, students will apply knowledge of literary terms and analyze a variety of genres. In ninth grade there will be an increased emphasis on nonfiction reading, and students will make inferences and draw conclusions using explicit and implied textual evidence. The student will continue to expand vocabulary using the structural analysis of roots and affixes to understand complex words.
The student will also plan, draft, revise, and edit while writing in a variety of forms with an emphasis on analysis and persuasion while defending a position using counterclaims, reasons and evidence from credible sources. Students will analyze and interpret the social, commercial, and/or political motives behind media messages. Students will use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in small groups. The student will apply research techniques to analyze information gathered from diverse sources by identifying misconceptions, and possible bias citing both quoted and paraphrased information using either MLA or APA style. Students will continue to work in collaborative groups assisting with setting rules and working toward consensus. (VDOE, 2017)
Honors English 10
Course Codes 1140H (w/ AP Human Geography)
Prerequisite: English 9
1 Credit
In tenth grade, students continue to build upon skills learned in earlier grades. There is a sustained emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will analyze the cultural and social function and universal themes of fictional texts from different cultures. Tenth grade students will analyze and synthesize information from nonfiction texts to solve problems, answer questions, and generate new knowledge. The student will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations, idioms, classical allusions, and figurative language.
The student will continue to use the writing process to write/compose with an emphasis on persuasion and analysis while showing relationships among claims, reasons, and evidence from reliable sources. The student will create media messages and analyze the cause and effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. Students will continue to use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in small groups. The student will continue to build research skills presenting information gathered from diverse sources, identifying misconceptions and possible bias while crediting sources using MLA or APA style. The tenth-grade student will continue to become a skilled communicator, working both independently and in collaborative groups while presenting alternate views and working toward common goals. (VDOE, 2017)
English Electives
Creative Writing
Course Code 1172
Grade(s): 9-12
Prerequisite: None
0.5 Credit
Elective Creative Writing offers a broad survey of fictional and nonfictional forms of writing techniques and skills, and practice in original writings, peer review, and revision. Students will write in a variety of forms, including autobiography, poetry, drama, fiction, creative nonfiction, and digital storytelling. Students produce a portfolio of work, which includes reflections on the writing process, a biography, and revised student work.
Newspaper Journalism I
Course Code 1214
Grade(s): 10-12
Prerequisite: None
1 Credit
Elective Students learn the basics of newspaper production while serving as staff writers for the school newspaper. Units of study include school press law and ethics, layout and design, basic photography, basic publication technology, journalistic research, interviewing, plant preparation, and advertising. Students are introduced to publication software.
Photojournalism I
Course Code 1215
Grade(s): 10-12
Prerequisite: None
1 Credit
Elective Students learn the basics of yearbook production while serving as staff members for the school yearbook. Units of study include school press law and ethics, layout and design, basic photography, basic publication technology, journalistic research, interviewing, unifying concept, plant preparation, and advertising. Students are introduced to publication software.
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