English

ENGLISH

The English department’s primary responsibility is to educate its students to communicate in society and prepare all students for college and career readiness.  To fulfill that responsibility, the department’s instruction and curriculum helps students to develop skills to communicate and present ideas clearly and persuasively.  Incorporating the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for English Language Arts and Literacy, students will become college and career ready by learning to demonstrate independence, building strong content knowledge, responding to the varying demands of audience, task, purpose, and discipline, comprehending as well as critiquing, valuing evidence, using technology and digital media strategically and capably, and learning to understand other perspectives and cultures.  

The curriculum and instruction will help students to develop increased abilities to make connections and to recognize patterns in order to construct meaning.  In English classes, students will devise appropriately challenging projects, establish specific goals and work independently to complete and present their projects.

Students will be taught to detect bias, recognize patterns, weigh evidence, evaluate arguments, make connections, recognize and be able to think through cause and effect relationships to make sensible independent judgments and draw conclusions.  Learning experiences will enable students to become proficient in effective group skills including the ability to collaborate, negotiate, and behave in a respectful and tolerant manner.

Students will interpret the meaning of literary works, both fiction and non-fiction, films and media through appropriate analytical techniques.  Literature and authors reflect racial, ethnic and cultural diversity.  The works studied will present real dilemmas faced by human beings. Students are encouraged to extend their appreciation of literature into other course work as well as recreational reading.

Literature also constitutes the basis for writing either as a study model or thinking response. Writing is both a means of developing fluency and a tool for learning.  Students learn to write Standard English in a grammatically acceptable, coherent and well-organized manner for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Teacher, peer and self-evaluation assessment practices include, but are not limited to, quizzes, tests, exhibitions, portfolios and performance-based tasks that require both skill and content knowledge.  These assessments will be evaluated using common rubrics.  In all English courses, students will receive multiple opportunities to work towards proficiency in the following D-Y Learning Expectations: communicating appropriately and effectively through reading, writing, and oral presentation.  

Faculty

Mrs. Stephanie Balboni - Department Chair

Mr. Matthew Crossetti

Ms. Kaitlyn Gleason

Mr. Jeff Howell

Dr. Carrie Koscher

Mr. Bill Levasseur

Ms. Alyssa Martin

Mr. Sean Meagher

Mr. Reade Whinnem

8th GRADE – ENGLISH (061/062)

Grade 8: Standard and Advanced

(Year)

Students work towards proficiency in the following D-Y Learning Expectations: communicating appropriately and effectively through reading, writing, listening, and oral presentation. Additionally, students are encouraged to work towards academic independence through self-advocacy. 

Students are exposed to a wide variety of  both independent and community reading experiences. Aligned to the Common Core, the curriculum provides a challenging and rigorous balance of informational and literary texts that increase in complexity over the course of the year. Additionally, vocabulary instruction is structured around acquiring both domain specific and academic vocabulary as it relates to complex text. Students will analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats and evaluate the motives behind its presentation.

Writing assessments require students to write for a variety of purposes and audiences. Assignments include Narrative, Argumentative, Opinion, and Expository tasks. Through the use of technology, students will use MLA format to produce organized and clear writing that presents the relationships between information and ideas. Students will work collaboratively with their peers to exercise revision and editing skills. Students will begin learning and practicing the skills necessary to meet vertically aligned benchmarks within the common core.

Students will become familiar with the MCAS exam format through practice testing and teacher-led review of rubrics and exemplars provided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

ENGLISH 9 (001/002)

Grade 9:  Level 2/Honors

(Year) 1.50 credits

Literature studied in grade nine is world literature, written by predominantly North American and European authors. The anthology is Responding to Literature, Orange Edition. The major units are the novel, short story, non-fiction, poetry, and Shakespearean drama. Principles of the Communication Model are learned and demonstrated in informational speeches.

Vocabulary lessons are generated from the literature studied. Compositions assigned on a regular basis may be either literature or non-literature based.

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 begin learning and practicing the skills to meet the English Department’s Research and Grammar Skills benchmarks. 

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.

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

Honors Option: 

Honors English 9 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 and occasionally use different literary selections. 

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 lectures. 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. 

ENGLISH 11 (009/010) 

Grade 11: Level 2/Honors

(Year) 1.5 credits

English 11 is a cultural and thematic journey into American culture and identity. Throughout the course, students will gain insight into American literature through the examination of novels, plays, short stories, essays,and poetry. In coordination with the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for English Language Arts and Literacy, the course will address language, literature, composition and media skills.

Students will read selected works by some of the following authors: Arthur Miller, Mark Twain, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Zora Neale Hurston, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Kate Chopin, Frederick Douglass, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, J.D. Salinger, and Amy Tan. In addition, selections may be taken from the anthology Responding to Literature, American Edition. Students will learn to read for understanding, including explanation, interpretation, connection, perspective, empathy and self-knowledge.

Students will engage in writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. Assignments may include: reader-response journals, personal essays, literary analyses, and expository essays. A central component of the writing program includes an argumentative research paper formatted in MLA style. Students will also engage in college preparation assignments such as: writing college essays and writing timed SAT style essays. Students will have the opportunity to improve oral communication skills through formal and informal presentations using a variety of available technology and media. They will also refine discussion and reasoning skills throughout the course.

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

Students will be expected to set personal academic goals and assess their progress through reflective responses. 

Honors Option: 

Honors English 11 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.

AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION (017)

Grade 11: Advanced Placement

(Year) 1.50 credits

AP English Language and Composition is a writing course focused on the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction text and practice of developing well-reasoned analytical and argumentative writing. For the purposes of this course, rhetoric is the effective use of language to clearly express ideas with a specific purpose and audience in mind. In this course, we examine the author’s use of rhetoric- the ways in which authors use language to influence their audiences. We also construct our own arguments, employing the tools of rhetoric in order to persuade our audiences. 

This course is designed for students who enjoy readings in various kinds of expository and argumentative prose and the study of language in the genre of prose. Students engage in becoming skilled readers of prose written during a variety of periods and in different disciplines and rhetorical contexts. Students will become skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Student writing will be commensurate with their readings as they will write in a variety of forms including narrative, exploratory, expository and argumentative and on a range of subjects. The goal is to read complex texts and to write fluent prose rich with insight and evidence. Students will identify writers’ strategies and then practice them. Study of fiction and poetry focuses on rhetorical and linguistic conventions. 

ENGLISH 12 (043/048) 

Grade 12: Level 2/Honors

(Year) .75 credits

English 12 is a semester based class designed to assist seniors with their post high school plans as well as reinforce their critical thinking and reading and writing skills. 

The first unit is devoted to building on preparatory work from eleventh grade and finalizing college essay requirements for the CommonApp, or “mission statements” for those without immediate plans for higher education. The focus is on personal narrative, using the required admissions essay/statement as a chance to reflect on their experiences and their future.

Additional units use fiction and non-fiction texts, essays, poetry, etc.to touch on themes of personal philosophy, destiny, social commentary and decision making. Learning experiences include tracing the patterns and thematic similarities to make connections between their own life experiences and the world around them. 

Vocabulary is generated from the literature studied. Compositions assigned on a regular basis are both literature and non-literature based. A word-processed cultural and literary analytical essay in MLA format is the final product of each unit. The first unit culminates in the generation of a personal essay appropriate for future college admissions. Students will practice strategies to help them read critically and think analytically. 

Writing is integral to the process of learning, thinking and communicating. Students are encouraged to develop a positive attitude toward implementing study skills, enjoying literature, improving writing skills and expanding vocabulary. All major assignments must be word processed in MLA format. Students will exhibit correct standard English in oral and written communication and use MLA format in daily class work, research projects and preparing essays. All work will be assessed using common department and school-wide rubrics. 

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

Instructional methods may include small and large group discussions, reader’s theater, 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 12 is for highly motivated students who demonstrate the skills necessary to analyze, understand and exhibit an appreciation for literature and language. Their attitude and performance reflect a sense of responsibility and creativity in written and oral expression. Honors English 12 moves at a more accelerated pace than the level 2 course but it is not as demanding as Advanced Placement English.

AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION (015) 

Grade 12:  Advanced Placement

(Year) 1.50 credits

Advanced Placement English emphasizes the development of skills in critical reading of imaginative literature: poetry, drama, novels, short stories, and in writing about literature. The course is for students up for the challenge of college level work. Most classes are conducted in seminar format. 

The short-term goal is preparing students for success on the Advanced Placement English Examination in Literature and Composition, administered by the Educational Testing Service for The College Board in May. 

Important long term goals include providing students the opportunity to learn at a pace commensurate with their ability; to engage students with intellectually mature material; to refine reading and writing skills; and to encourage life-long habits of reading, writing and thinking.

Learning activities include complete and close reading of literary texts, evaluation and analysis of literary works, active class participation and group discussion. Writing is integral to the study of learning, thinking and communicating. Students will practice for the AP Exam with released AP: Literature and Composition exams from previous years. They will respond to and analyze multiple choice questions from these exams. Students are strongly advised to take the Advanced Placement Examination in May, and those who do so will be exempt from the course final examination.

INTEREST ELECTIVES

COMMUNICATIONS

Grade 8 (051) 

(Quarter)

Grades 9-12:  Level 2 (039)

(Semester) .50 credits

NOT OFFERED 2025-2026

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. 

CREATIVE WRITING 

Grade 8 (052) 

(Quarter) 

Grades 9-12:  Level 2 (029)

(Semester) .50 credits

Creative Writing is a class designed for all levels of students who like to write and want to improve their writing skills. In Creative Writing, students will not only learn to be writers, but also will learn how to be readers, responders, and editors. They will learn what it means to be part of a writing community. A positive attitude toward growth as a writer is a prerequisite for this course. Instructional methods will focus on initially establishing a comfortable and nurturing writing environment, small group work, individual conferencing, and occasional large group direct instruction. Students will keep a journal in which they will write in response to guided prompts as well as individual choice topics. Students will accept the responsibility to generate ideas; select ideas for development; consider various methods and techniques of idea development; experiment with new techniques, styles, and genres; and finally, edit specific drafts for mechanical accuracy.  Students taking this course should be prepared to have their work published either in an online forum or in a print magazine for distribution.

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’ll dive into the world of cinema—not just watching films, but actively analyzing and discussing them. Why? Because, though film has existed for just over a century, it has quickly proven itself a powerful and influential form of literature, one that can drive social change. This course invites students to explore the artistry and lasting impact of films across the cinematic spectrum. From westerns to horror, science fiction to drama, students will examine a diverse range of genres. With each film, we’ll apply literary analysis techniques to understand how narrative devices, themes, and symbolism transcend the written word and come to life on screen. In addition, films will serve as windows into cultural and societal issues, allowing us to track how perspectives on topics such as identity, morality, and power have evolved 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.

ANIMATED FILMS AND LITERATURE (018)
Grades 8
(Quarter) 

Have you ever wondered if there is a deeper meaning to some of the classic animated films you watched as a kid? Are you the type of person who likes to ask questions, expose plot holes, or break down how artistic choices impact the overall message of a story? More importantly, would you rather watch Shrek and make a parody comic strip instead of reading books and writing papers? 

In Animated Film & Lit, each unit pairs a movie up with major literary analysis concepts. After learning about the literary devices, you will watch the films as a class, analyze them, and then demonstrate your knowledge by completing a creative project related to the learning goals of that unit. We will also look into other aspects of the films, such as historical and cultural context, music, and art style.

MEDIA

INTRO TO FILM PRODUCTION (054) 

Grades 8 

(Quarter)

FILM PRODUCTION (055)

Grades 9-12:  Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

Film Production is the art and science of using the camera as a storytelling tool to create and convey meaning. In this course, students will explore the materials, processes, and creative techniques that shape film, television, and video production. From mastering camera operation to experimenting with lighting, angles, and depth of field, students will gain hands-on experience in the technical aspects of filmmaking. They will learn how to compose shots, storyboard narratives, capture sound, and refine editing skills. This course encourages students to think abstractly and use the camera as a medium for self-expression while also developing a critical eye for analyzing different forms of media. Instruction will include a blend of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on projects. Ideal for students with a passion for media and a willingness to engage creatively, this course also requires a degree of maturity and the ability to work independently without constant supervision.

BROADCASTING TECHNOLOGY (037/035)

Grades 9-12: Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

Prerequisite: C or higher in Film Production and instructor approval

Broadcasting Technology is an immersive, hands-on video production course designed for students passionate about film and media creation. This class focuses on producing content for the DY News Show, DYMedia1 YouTube, social media, and the cable channel of the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District. Students will have the opportunity to work on a variety of exciting projects, including creating promotional videos for upcoming events, interviewing students and faculty, recording major school events and ceremonies, and producing podcasts. Through these productions, students will learn how media can serve as a bridge, connecting the school community to the larger towns of Dennis and Yarmouth. Building on skills from the Film Production course, this class places a strong emphasis on developing time management and organizational abilities. Students will also be expected to attend and film after-school events. Ideal candidates will be self-motivated, collaborative, and eager to engage creatively and professionally with peers, staff, and community members.

Honors Option: 

Honors Broadcasting is designed for highly motivated students who have already demonstrated a strong foundation in video production. Students will take on greater responsibility in the production of the DY News Show, including writing news copy for on-air talent. Honors students are expected to approach their work with a high level of professionalism, showing a strong sense of responsibility as they create media for broadcast.