ENGLISH

Designed for students with average reading and writing skills.

This college preparatory course emphasizes the writing process and utilizes literary models, including short stories, plays, essays, poetry, and novels.

Designed for students with above-average reading and writing skills.

This college preparatory course emphasizes the writing process and utilizes literary models, including short stories, plays, essays, poetry, and novels.

Designed for students with high reading speed and comprehension skills and above average writing ability.

This advanced course is aimed at the high achiever who is motivated to take on challenging reading and writing assignments.

Prerequisite: Students must pass English 9.

This course emphasizes literary analysis, composition, and research. 

Prerequisite: An overall grade of not less than A- in  CP2 English 9 or B in Honors English 9 and the recommendation of the ninth grade English teacher. 

This course, aimed at serious language arts students with proven aptitude, provides the foundation for entry into junior and senior Honors and Advanced Placement courses. It requires considerable outside reading.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in English 10.

American Literature is a survey course that offers students an enhanced understanding of our national literature and how it reflects America’s cultural heritage and national identity. 

Prerequisite: An overall grade of not less than A- in English 10 CP2 or B in Honors English 10 and the recommendation of the tenth grade English teacher.

Honors American Literature is a survey course that offers students an enhanced understanding of our national literature and how it reflects America’s cultural heritage and identity. The course is designed for students with very high-level language arts skills, disciplined work habits, and the motivation to take on challenging assignments at a demanding pace.

Prerequisite: Enrollment by Department approval for students with a minimum of A- in Honors English 10. Students who are not selected and desire to be considered for A.P. may appeal for consideration. See the English Department Chairperson for details.

This rigorous course in rhetoric, or the art of persuasion, blends the study of American literature with an analysis of non-fiction texts and college-level writing. It is designed to challenge students to become skilled readers and writers who compose for a variety of purposes.

This course is for accomplished and industrious language arts students who seek advanced college placement. Every enrollee is required to take the A.P. examination. Multiple summer readings and accompanying assignments are required. Participation in round-table, seminar-style discussions is vital to success in the class.

The shared core of the senior courses emphasizes the reading, writing, and independent thinking skills essential for academic success, active citizenship, and personal enjoyment.

Through the analysis of works by distinguished scholars and professional writers, students will refine their reading, writing, and reasoning skills, broaden their world views, and develop their own voices. Students will write compositions for different audiences.  Each course emphasizes the use and application of research in student work throughout the semester.  The class environment will provide opportunities for active discussion and collaboration.

In addition to the core course requirements for English 12 Literature and Composition, this course will provide students with the opportunity to read and write  fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Students will read and discuss the work of a wide variety of writers as they use these works to inspire their own writing. They will also put together their own collections (known as a chapbook) and are encouraged to get some of their work published. In addition, the class will produce Ipswich High School’s literary magazine The Chameleon.

In addition to completing the core course requirements of English 12 Literature and Composition, students further develop and refine their language arts skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking at a high level in preparation for college and the world of work. While reading numerous nonfiction texts and studying journalism and media, students develop practical skills writing for our school newspaper. The course mandates production and participation on Ipswich High School’s online paper: The Tiger Transcript.

Prerequisite: Enrollment by department approval for students with 15 minimum credits and a minimum of B+ in American Literature Honors, B in AP English Language & Composition, or an aggregate A- in all previous English courses. Students who are not selected and desire to be considered for A.P. may appeal for consideration. See the English Department Chairperson for more details.

AP English Literature and Composition is an introductory college-level literary analysis course. Students cultivate their understanding of literature through reading and analyzing texts as they explore concepts like character, setting, structure, perspective, figurative language, and literary analysis in the context of literary works.This course is specifically designed for the gifted and industrious language arts student who seeks advanced college placement. Every enrollee is required to take the A.P. examination. Summer reading and accompanying assignments are required. Participation in round-table, seminar-style discussions is vital to success in the class.

This course invites students to explore the creative landscapes of speculative fiction. By analyzing classic and contemporary literature, films, and multimedia expressions, students will consider how science fiction and fantasy serve as powerful tools for exploring contemporary issues, challenging societal norms, and providing perspectives on the human condition. The course will also provide opportunities for students to investigate the role of genre-specific storytelling elements such as world building, magic, and the supernatural. As students delve into the speculative technologies that define science fiction, they will examine their real-world inspirations and discuss the ethical dilemmas presented by futuristic concepts and the role of technology in shaping our future. Text selection will vary, but may include works by the following authors: Brandon Sanderson, Robin Hobb, Jim Butcher, Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, J.R.R. Tolkien, Andy Weir, N.K. Jemison, Octavia Butler, Ken Liu, George R.R. Martin, Rebecca Roanhoarse, Ray Bradbury, Ursula K. Le Guinn, and student selected writers. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their understanding through presentations, journaling, class discussion, written responses, and imaginative projects that demonstrate their engagement with the course material.

This course will teach students the fundamentals needed to plan and produce our school yearbook. Using the latest desktop publishing and graphic design programs, students will facilitate the design process and assume responsibility for various sections. As a result, Yearbook requires students to exhibit personal responsibility, leadership, and artistic skill. Students will hone skills in the areas of writing, graphic design, photography, and business. Meeting deadlines and teamwork are essential.

This course provides students with an introduction to film as an important form of art, communication, and culture. Students will learn to “read” the language of film so that they will better understand and appreciate how movies impact their audiences. The course will offer an in-depth analysis of different kinds of films and the key technical and critical concepts used in understanding them. Students should expect to engage in critical analysis of individual scenes and whole films, as well as read and write about film. Creative independent and group projects will challenge students to interpret, and even create their own films.

Besides being a part of our daily lives, film has become an increasingly significant part of college curriculums. This course will provide a foundation for these college courses, as well as a more general foundation for interpreting film wherever students encounter it.

Prerequisite: Film Studies 1

This course builds on Film Studies 1 by introducing additional elements of film and developing a more advanced understanding of concepts learned in Film Studies 1. Topics covered include sound, acting, genre, history of film, film criticism, and documentary film. As in Film Studies 1, students should expect to engage in critical analysis of individual scenes and whole films, as well as read and write about film. Creative independent and group projects will challenge students to interpret, and even create, their own films. Students should bring a serious interest in the advanced study of film and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Open to grades 9-11

This course provides students the opportunity to explore writing in a variety of genres including poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Students who already write poetry, short stories, or journal entries and want to continue to refine their craft will benefit from time to revise, share ideas, and conference with their teacher and peers. Students who want to try different kinds of writing, meet like-minded writers, or are up for a new challenge will enjoy the creative freedom to work and build their portfolio of work. All participants will create a chapbook (collection of writer’s work) by the end of the class.

Let’s go to the theater!  Students in this course will utilize a flexible schedule to explore contemporary theater by attending five performances at the Huntington Theater in Boston. The class will meet on five Sundays over the course of the academic year from Noon – 6pm to engage in pre-show activities, view the show, and participate in the post-show Humanities Forum at the theater. Independent work on the shows, R block class discussions, and a reflective portfolio presentation will round out our critical engagement with the plays. We are hopeful that some Ipswich community members will join us for this journey through collaboration with the Ipswich Council on Aging. Parents are also welcome to join the class for the trips to Boston. Students in the class will be asked to cover the cost of their theater tickets which is approximately $15 per show for a total of $75 for the course.  Financial aid is available

This elective course provides students with a supportive environment in which to improve their public speaking skills and their confidence as speakers and presenters. Through activities, models, and practice, students will learn all facets of effective public speaking, including techniques of verbal and non-verbal communication, speech writing, speaking on camera, impromptu speaking, audience awareness, and conquering nerves. Students will practice speaking in a variety of settings and to a variety of audiences.  The skills learned in this class will be invaluable to students in their other courses as well as in many opportunities in life. Public speaking is truly a lifelong skill. 

Open to grades 9 and 10 by invitation.

This course invites students to strengthen their analytical reading and writing skills by critically exploring a diverse range of engaging texts and writing assignments. The purpose of this course is to cultivate stamina, confidence, and essential skills needed for academic success on the MCAS and beyond, as well as to grow students’ understanding of how literacy skills aid in the way we read, write, and shape our understanding of the world. 

This course introduces students to acting techniques and theater appreciation. Over the course of the semester, students will examine elements of playwriting, acting, design, directing, and production. Students will also learn to analyze plays and learn a little bit about the history of theater in hopes of fostering an appreciation of live performances. The course will build to the production of a one act play (performed in class) as an opportunity to demonstrate the skills and concepts learned over the course of the semester. 

Do you like to watch movies? Come study them with us! Movies & Film is designed to equip students with the basic theory and structure of screenwriting. Using contemporary movies as models, students generate their own story ideas in a genre of their choice. Screenwriting emphasizes the conventions of the form and genre – character, conflict, plot, dialogue – as well as the technical elements that make scripts and screenwriting unique. Upon completion of this course, students  will  have  conceived, developed, and crafted their own original idea into a professional screenplay.

Students in this course will study the history, psychology, and sociology of sports in our culture. Through fiction, non-fiction, biography, and movies, students will explore the ideas of personal triumph, goal setting, teamwork, and other concepts to help them craft a personal philosophy of sports. In an effort to understand why we value sports so deeply, the class will analyze how sports heroes across the ages impact culture. Assessments will include journals, researched reports, news stories, film criticism, peer interviews, and creative writing assignments. 

In this elective, we’ll focus exclusively on Shakespeare’s plays and poetry.  Making use of active learning strategies and an extensive collection of brilliant film productions, we’ll explore some of his most popular plays and sonnets.  We’ll ask ourselves how writing that is hundreds of years old can still ring true to us today.  In what ways do his plays cause us to reconsider our relationships, social constructs, beliefs about human nature and sense of self?  If you love the Bard and enjoyed his plays in your core English classes, then this is the elective for you. It is open to all students grades 9-12.

Prerequisite: Grades 11 and 12 (10th by permission only)

In the Gender Studies course, Ipswich High School students will critically examine the place of men and women in human culture and society. The course would survey a wide array of social, economic, political, and global topics that are included within the boundaries of gender studies. A primary goal of this class would be to provide students with an analytical lens that they can use to understand the social construction of  gender and how it intersects with power, oppression, class, age and sexual identity.  Maintaining an awareness of racial and ethnic groups, the course would also focus on analyzing how gender impacts privilege and oppression.  Opportunities would be provided to consider the effects that these concepts have on American perceptions of body image and beauty.  The class could also highlight and follow the development of gender in popular culture to focus on how it has been presented in both the past and present. This course will allow students to critically think about the concepts of how gender and sexuality play out in people’s daily lives, institutions, and media.