English

Advanced students are self-motivated, self-disciplined, independent learners who wish to challenge themselves beyond the Regents level of English Language Arts.Advanced students are required to demonstrate a higher level of critical and analytical thinking and writing. The writing skills of advanced   students should show evidence of a high-level of sophistication and mastery. Summer work is required for high school advanced classes.

English 9 Advanced: Required Readings*

Fahrenheit 451 (Bradbury)The Odyssey (Homer) Romeo and Juliet(Shakespeare)

*Additional selections from approved list chosen by teacher

*Independent outside reading experiences

Regents level students are expected to read various pieces of literature independently and with considerable comprehension.The various language skills such as spelling, vocabulary development and functional grammar are derived from this emphasis on reading.Listening and speaking skills are stressed in every class through various classroom experiences: lecture, class discussion, classroom reading of plays and student presentations.

English 9 Regents: Required Readings*

Romeo and Juliet(Shakespeare) To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)

*Additional selections from approved list chosen by teacher

*Independent outside reading experiences

Advanced students are self-motivated, self-disciplined, independent learners who wish to challenge themselves beyond the Regents level of English Language Arts. Advanced students are  required to demonstrate a higher level of critical and analytical thinking and writing. The writing skills of  advanced   students should show evidence of a high-level of sophistication and mastery.Summer work is required for high school advanced classes.

English 10 Advanced: Required Readings*

Macbeth(Shakespeare) Lord of the Flies (Golding)Scarlet Letter (Hawthorne)  Night (Wiesel)

*Additional selections from approved list chosen by teacher*Independent outside reading experiences

Regents level students are expected to read fairly sophisticated pieces of literature independently and with considerable comprehension. The various language skills learned in the 9th grade will be honed.and speaking skills are stressed in every class through various classroom experiences: lecture, class discussion and classroom reading of plays and student presentations.

English 10: Required Readings*

Macbeth (Shakespeare) Lord of the Flies (Golding) Night (Wiesel)

Additional selections from approved list chosen by teacher

*Independent outside reading experiences

The college-level Advanced Placement course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the sources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. 

Advanced students are self-motivated, self-disciplined, independent learners who wish to challenge  themselves beyond the Regents level of English Language Arts. Advanced students are required to demonstrate a higher level of critical and analytical thinking and writing. The writing skills of advanced    students should show evidence of a high-level of sophistication and mastery. Summer work is required for high school advanced classes. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Examination  administered in May.The student assumes financial responsibility for the examination cost.

AP English and Composition: Required Readings*

The Fountainhead (Rand)

*Additional selections from approved list chosen by teacher

*Independent outside reading experiences

Regents level students are expected to read fairly sophisticated pieces of literature independently and with considerable comprehension.The various language skills learned in the10th grade will be honed. Listening and speaking skills are stressed in every class through various classroom experiences: lecture, class discussion and classroom reading of plays and student presentations.

English 11 Regents: Required Readings*

The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald) Caesar or Othello (Shakespeare)

*Additional selections from approved list chosen by teacher

*Independent outside reading experiences

Regents Exam: English Language Arts

The English 12 Advanced Placement course is designed to develop true students of literature by enabling students to analyze poems, novels, short stories and drama independently, to write effective critical analysis, to complete well-written, timed compositions on impromptu subjects and to synthesize treatments of specific themes. Students will be equipped with skills in stylistic analysis of prose passages and will be able to probe themes as evidenced in a variety of works. Students will formulate their own criteria for evaluating a novel, film or play and they will develop a love of the sound of well-spoken English. Exposure to other art forms as they relate to literature will round out the student’s artistic experience.

Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Examination administered in May. The student  assumes financial responsibility for the examination cost.

AP English Literature and Composition: Suggested Readings:

Frankenstein (Shelley) Kite Runner (Hosseini) Hamlet (Shakespeare)Their Eyes Were Watching 

God(Hurston)

This first course in the Freshman English sequence introduces college-level writing and revision, construction of expository essays, and research skills. Reading and class discussion center on the formal and informal essay. Research essay is required. Prerequisite requirements are an overall 85 average and an 85 or better on the English regents exam. If students register for SUNY 101 it is strongly recommended they also register for 102**.

In this second course in the sequence, students learn to read critically, to organize supporting details, and to develop coherent oral and written arguments. Fiction, drama and poetry are used as common texts. An analytical research paper is required.

The aims of this course are to aid students in overcoming fear of speaking before others, to experience a variety of speech situations and to establish good speech habits. Students will learn about preparing and delivering speeches. Several formal speeches are  required for successful completion of the course.

This course provides an exploration of the notion of a myth, as well as its presence in both ancient and modern cultures, as well as the study of a wide variety of myths from around the world. By understanding the literature of our past, we can better understand humanity itself, explore other cultures, beliefs and practices, and better understand our own place in the world.

This elective seeks to enhance the core curriculum in English, offering an exclusive forum for developing student writing styles.This course will highlight the appreciation of writing beyond the competency and expository levels; students will develop standards of  self-evaluation and analysis designed to facilitate a greater understanding of the writing process. This elective further seeks to  develop   proficiency in the use of computer and word processing programs.

The Creative Writing II elective is an intensive extension of Creative Writing I. This Workshop offers the serious creative writer further occasion to develop various poetic and prose forms. Emphasis is placed upon publication of works. Work sessions are highly critical, candid, and direct. Revision and editing are conducted by both the instructor and student workshop participants. The course keynotes student experience in the writing process. Creative Writing I is strongly recommended before taking this course.

This course is a study of classical and contemporary works in the genre of science fiction, from novels to short story, fiction and nonfiction and story in film. Some of the popular works of study include Frankenstein, Time Machine, War of the World, and I Robot. Lani Tupo writes, "If you take the shackles off your imagination, you can go anywhere with science fiction."

This course will reinforce the importance of children’s literature in education. It is designed for future educators potentially seeking a career in education. Students will study the style and form of various children’s stories, their authors and illustrators, from picture books to young adult literature. This course covers traditional literature from fables and myths and fairy tales, Caldecott and Newbery award winners, and YA literature. This course will offer students the experience of visiting elementary classrooms, reading to children, culminating in their authoring of an original children's story. 

This course exposes students to the inner workings of news-related agencies, introducing them to the technical and design aspects of producing various forms of journalism including: magazine, blogging, podcast and Dragon TV.  This course will allow students to participate in the production of our Dragon T.V. show, The Dragon Post, our online magazine,  podcasts, and program website.  Working on various design and writing projects all related to media will provide a real-world experience.   An emphasis will be placed on creating media that is relevant, well-written and thoughtfully produced.  Strong design, composition and lighting work will be emphasized. 

This course is a study of diverse contemporary literature from various world cultures. It explores various works of fiction, non-fiction, short story and novel. By reading the graphic novel Persepolis , The Kite Runner and The Alchemist, students will learn about the uniqueness of other cultures and develop a global perspective and understanding and respect for others.

This course will examine the many facets of pop culture and the media in the United States today - its scope will include in its examination a wide span of the different aspects of society - economics, entertainment, politics, sports, ethics, et. al. The course will examine the various cultural impacts of the media on each of these aspects of life, fostering a greater critical understanding and engagement of the world by way of the various media presences in our lives. 

The course will briefly examine the history of media and its influence on United States culture, and will incorporate the more well-known societal theories that help to determine meaning and relevance of various semiotic presences. The course will then expand to contemplate current events, technology evolution, and will seek to explore the societal notions of interaction versus interpretation in relation to consumption of media as a reflection of societal norms and values.

The overriding goal is to create critically engaged, 21st century learners by providing material and experiences that foster greater independent, critical thought and opportunities to utilize cutting edge technology and best-practice to prepare for  their post-secondary adventures.  

Students in 12th grade may take this course.