English Electives

Electives

THE ART OF FILM (EN957)

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; 5 credits; One Year, Non-required English Elective

The Art of Film is a course devoted to promoting critical viewing skills.  This film study course encourages the application of critical viewing strategies to selected films.  It explores film history, film criticism, and film appreciation through a combination of chronological and genre-oriented approaches.  The course also exposes students to an understanding of the film industry and the economics of filmmaking and distribution. The structure of the course allows for independent practice in addition to student collaboration and oral presentation.  

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM  (EN951)

Grades 10, 11, 12; 2.5 credits; Half Year Non-required English Elective

Multimedia Journalism focuses on academic instruction and civic responsibility, with an additional concentration on the influence of technology on the profession. Journalists are no longer just writers. They are also bloggers, photographers, videographers, and social media managers. In this course, students are introduced to the fundamentals of researching, writing, and producing journalistic work in multimedia formats. They will develop their writing ability while learning to be educated consumers of information as they explore issues and topics that relate to the school district as well as local and global communities. Through research, writing, and speaking, students will practice academic skills, learn the civic responsibilities of journalists, understand the importance of diverse perspectives, and further develop their understanding of the world. Students will interact with the school community and become contributing writers to the school newspaper. This course can easily partner with the SAT Prep course.

EXPOSITORY & CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP (EN950)

Grades 10, 11, 12; 5 credits; One Year Non-required English Elective or English replacement course in senior year only

This course is designed to allow students to develop a personal writing and expository writing style and to become more proficient in the process of composing. Moving from the simple to the complex, instruction begins with personal narrative experiences and ends with the first chapter novel. In addition, the creative forms of short story, poetry, and drama are explored. In class, students focus on four core genres creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and drama. For each unit, students explore writers within the genre, experiment with writing in the genre, and then create writing projects that reflect their understanding of the structure and tools used to craft a new piece. Class time is divided among formal teacher presentations, examinations of mentor texts, and the reading and cooperative analysis and discussion of class manuscripts. Students work to develop characters and  also write skillfully about their own personal experiences and emotions through the process of prewriting, composing/drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. The culmination of this course is a final project and written portfolio developed through a contract between the student and the teacher.  ^^Three college credits may be earned through the Fairleigh Dickinson University Middle College Program.

PUBLIC SPEAKING AND WRITING (EN952)

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; 5 credits; One Year Non-required English Elective

In this course, students will learn how to effectively conquer nerves and deliver a variety of speeches. Students experience many different public speaking opportunities, from demonstrations to poetry readings. This course develops fundamentals of effective voice, diction, body control, poise, and ease.  Preparation and practice are provided in making short speeches including those to inform, to convince, to incite, to actuate, and to entertain. Introductions, conversations, demonstrations, poetry and prose readings, discussions, impromptu, and prepared oratory and debate procedures are also major elements of this course. 

SAT PREPARATION (EN921)

Grades 10 (spring only),11; 2.5 credits; Half Year Non-required English Elective 

The primary goal of this semester course is to help students prepare for the SAT in math and language arts.  Students will receive one marking period of mathematics instruction and one marking period of language arts instruction.  In this course, students will learn how the SAT is scored, review and practice math and language arts concepts for each question type, learn test-taking strategies, and practice pacing by taking several timed practice tests.

SERVICE LEARNING (EN241) 

Grade 12; 5 credits; One Year Non-required English Elective or English replacement course in senior year only; Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and departmental approval  

Service Learning combines community service with traditional English instruction, providing the opportunity to reflect critically on personal and civic responsibility. Students will explore local community-identified needs as well as the historical and philosophical roots of service. Students will design and complete service projects both on campus and in the field through partnerships with local organizations. Through research, writing, and speaking, students will practice academic skills, leadership skills, and develop their engagement with the community. The course will culminate in a project synthesizing their research and reflecting on their work.

BRIDGES TO SUCCESS - ELA

Grade 12;  2.5 or 5 credits; Elective

This course is designed to assist students with meeting their state testing requirements for graduation. Students will prepare for senior year administration of the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment, an alternative assessment, or the portfolio assessment.  Bridges to Success - ELA may be required for those students who have not met proficiency on the NJGPA assessment or earned the minimum score on one of the New Jersey Department of Education approved alternative assessments.   Those who have not met the minimum scores will develop a portfolio during the second semester for the high school graduation appeal process.

^^Course eligibility for the Middle College Program may vary from year to year.  Check with your instructor at the start of the school year to see the most up-to-date list of eligible classes.