Sophomore

ENGLISH 10 (005/006) 

Grade 10: Level 2/Honors

(Year) 1.50 credits

Literature studied in grade ten is written by predominantly twentieth-century authors. The anthology is Responding to Literature, Blue Edition. Literature includes the novel, short story, biography/autobiography, non-fiction, poetry, modern drama, Shakespearean drama and the media. The major theme of English 10 is retaining an individual identity while also thriving as a member of society. Key terms are identity, empathy, justice, mercy, legacy and responsibility.

In this course, students receive multiple opportunities to work towards proficiency in the following D-Y Learning Expectations: communicating appropriately and effectively through reading, writing, and oral presentation. To reach proficiency in writing, students will complete open response questions, process pieces, and timed writes. The focus is on writing and supporting thesis statements with evidence as well as improving fluency. To reach proficiency in reading, students actively read poems, short stories, and novels. When actively reading, students find main ideas, compare and contrast, detect bias, make connections, and build vocabulary. To reach proficiency in oral presentation, students learn to establish a purpose, organize thoughts, speak clearly and expressively, and maintain effective physical expression. 

Vocabulary studied is generated from the literature. Compositions assigned on a regular basis may be either literature or non-literature based. Students will present a minimum of three formal speeches.

Students are encouraged to develop a positive attitude toward implementing study skills, enjoying literature, improving writing skills and expanding vocabulary. Writing is integral in the process of learning, thinking and communicating. 

Students will exhibit correct standard English in oral and written communication and use MLA format in research projects and preparing essays and be assessed using school-wide rubrics. Students work towards developing independence in these skills as required to be college and career ready. 

Students will become familiar with the Next Generation MCAS exam’s format and practice writing and reading strategies using the rubrics and exemplars provided by the state.

Students continue learning and practicing the skills to meet the English Department’s Research Skills and Grammar Skills benchmarks which correspond to Common Core State Standards. 

Instructional methods include small and large group discussions, writing partnerships and response groups, oral reports, audio-visual materials and lecture. Mechanics and grammar are taught from composition assignments and oral responses.

Honors Option: 

Honors English 10 is for highly motivated students who demonstrate the skills necessary to analyze and understand as well as exhibit an appreciation for literature. Their attitude and performance reflect a sense of responsibility in written and oral expression and a desire to excel.

Students at the honors level examine the same themes as level 2 students, occasionally using different literary selections.

AP SEMINAR (034)

Grade 10: Advanced Placement

Year (1.5 Credits)

AP English Seminar is a full-year course which seeks to merge the curriculum requirements of a 10th grade English class with College Board standards. This course seeks to build a fluid pathway to the two other AP English course offerings at DY: AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition. Students will begin building foundational knowledge and skills in writing, collaboration, research, and presentation for future success in subsequent higher-level classes. AP Seminar employs a project-based learning approach that builds familiarity with the research process including, but not limited to, the following: investigating multiple perspectives and topics, engaging in the research process, sharpening  presentation skills, collaborating with others, as well as presenting real-world solutions to academic problems. Students will sharpen their analytical skills by participating in close readings of a variety of texts. The course culminates in a 3-part exam: a team presentation, an individual, 2,000-word research paper and presentation, and the traditional AP exam. As such, collaboration, individual responsibility, and a strong work ethic are integral to the class and necessary to be successful in this course.

A student who wishes to be successful in English 10 AP Seminar should:

• Have strong executive functioning skills, including the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks at once

• Contribute effectively and purposefully in a group setting

• Display strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills

• Consistently maintain a 90 or above in writing assignments throughout Grade 8 and 9

• Understand the importance of adhering to deadlines and assignment requirements

COMMUNICATIONS

Grade 8 (051) 

(Quarter)

Grades 9-12:  Level 2 (039)

(Semester) .50 credits

The course's primary goal is to help each student become a more effective speaker and listener. Emphasis will be placed on face-to-face communication skills, the importance of eye contact and body language, and ethical communication practices. The principles of the course are based on the theory of the communication model. Units studied include communication theories, demonstration, argumentation and persuasion, and interview techniques. Written work such as outlines, note-cards, and graphic organizers will accompany units where appropriate. The student will learn to use audio visual components to complement their presentations. Instructional methods will include individual presentations, small and large group discussions, and lectures.

GREEK MYTHOLOGY 

Grades 8 (050) 

(Quarter) 

Grades 9-12: Level 2 and Honors (049/099)

(Semester) .75 credits

Would you like to know why your sneakers are called Nike? This course is designed for students who have an interest in exploring the myths and legends that have shaped the modern world. It will be presumed upon course enrollment that students have basic proficiency in reading, writing and computer skills. Success in the course will be determined by students’ initiative both in and out of class. 

The chief focus of the course will be learning about and appreciating the role mythology plays in reflecting national, regional, and ethnic identities, as well as daily life. We will consider the role of mythology within the groups that perform and use it. Moreover, we will examine the influence of mythology systems on modern western culture. Although brief consideration will be given to the mythological systems of a number of cultures, myths and legends to be considered within the course will primarily include those of ancient Greece. Students should come to understand that these thought systems are both distinct from and interconnected with each other, and that they continue to command an important place in modern society as they replay themselves in modern form. Students will employ skills including reading, note-taking, essay writing, library research, individual presentations, group presentations and analytical thinking throughout the course.

LITERATURE AND FILM (033)

Grades 10-12:  Level 2

Semester (.50 credits)

In this class we watch and talk about movies. Why? Because while cinema has been around for little more than a century, it has established itself as an impactful form of literature capable of social change. This course introduces students to the art and enduring influence of a variety of films from throughout cinematic history. Students will study multiple genres, among them westerns, horror, science fiction, drama, and romance. With each film, students will study how devices commonly used to study written literature translate to the medium of film. Films will also be used to examine cultural issues both past and present, as well as how society’s attitudes towards certain social issues have changed over time.

POETRY (023)

Grades 9-12:  Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

Poetry focuses upon different styles of poetry, the life and culture of particular poets, the development of student writing and the analysis of poems. Language and its meaning will be examined by the student as both reader and writer. The student will recognize and analyze how readers create meaning and how writers convey meaning. The study of language includes differentiation between connotative and denotative meaning, sound and meaning, imagery, figurative language, tone and patterns.

In this course, students function as members of a writing community that stimulates the generation of ideas and methods of poetic development. The student as poet is aware of the continuum and recursive process of writing as well as practicing its various stages of pre-writing, drafting and editing. The student as reader actively engages in the analysis of how meaning is constructed. Instructional methods include large and small group discussions and presentations, writing partnerships and response groups, audio-visual materials, lectures, guest speakers and, when possible, field trips to community poetry readings.

INTRO TO FILM PRODUCTION (054) 

Grades 8 

(Quarter)

FILM PRODUCTION (055)

Grades 9-12:  Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

Film Production is the study of the ways in which cameras are used to create and convey meaning. Students will be exposed to the materials, processes, and artistic techniques involved in film, television and video. Students learn about the operation of a camera, lighting techniques, camera angles, depth of field, composition, storyboarding, sound capture and editing techniques. Students will practice their ability to express themselves abstractly with the camera and will learn to critically deconstruct various types of media. Teaching methods will include lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on work. Students electing this course should be interested in media and be willing to explore creatively. They also should be able to behave with maturity without immediate direct adult supervision.

ADVANCED FILM PRODUCTION (056)

Grades 10-12: Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

Prerequisite: C or higher in Film Production

Advanced Film Production is designed for the student who has an interest in media beyond Film Production and may be interested in pursuing communications as a career. Editing processes and visual composition in narrative media will be studied. Nonfiction topics will include media ethics, media as a vehicle for social change, and the role of media in politics. Students will learn to express themselves creatively using the camera. Students will also learn to deconstruct media messages and examine how media shapes their society.  Written essays, scriptwriting, and term papers are an integral part of Advanced Media Production. Students electing this course should be interested in media and be willing to explore creatively. They also should be able to behave with maturity without immediate direct adult supervision.

BROADCASTING TECHNOLOGY (037)

Grades 9-12: Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

Prerequisite: C or higher in Film Production and instructor approval

Broadcasting Technology is a hands-on video production course designed for the student who has a high interest in media beyond Film Production and an interest in public relations. The primary focus of this class will be to produce media to feature on online sites such as YouTube, on social media, and on Channel 22, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School's cable channel. Projects may include videotaping a concert, creating an advertisement for an upcoming theatrical production, interviewing a teacher or student, creating a podcast, generating promotional posts for social media, or taping a sporting event, among other activities. Productions will focus on using Channel 22 to bridge communication between the immediate school community and the larger community in the towns of Dennis and Yarmouth. Concepts from Film Production will be reviewed and expanded upon. Advanced editing techniques will be discussed. A heavy emphasis will be placed on time management and organizational skills. Students will be required to attend and videotape after school events. Students should be highly self-motivated and should be able to work well in collaboration with their peers, with staff, and with community members.

Honors Option: 

Honors Broadcasting is for highly motivated students who demonstrate the skills necessary for video production. Their attitude and performance reflect a sense of responsibility in producing media for broadcast.