English Program
ENGLISH PROGRAM
The English Department offers a required four-year sequence of comprehensive courses, each of which combines the study of writing, speaking, literature, non-fiction, reading, grammar, and language. All students must pass four years of English in order to graduate.
The English Department Program is designed to develop and improve critical thinking, written expression and oral communication skills through in-depth analysis, revision, refinement and reflection of the tools necessary for success in college and the workplace. The MHS English curriculum blends traditional texts with investigations of contemporary literature and non-fiction. Students will master an appreciation of universal themes and develop an understanding that language paradoxically binds and divides humans. In all four years, students will further develop and refine the ability to rationally and persuasively support claims in both writing and oral communication. In writing, students will develop and support a solid claim/position, make authorial choices regarding structure, organization, style, diction, persuasive techniques and syntax and engage in multiple, substantial revisions of their own work. Students will craft writing for a variety of purposes and audiences including personal reflections, academic essays, and major research projects. Similarly, students will also craft and refine oral communication skills in a variety of settings for a variety of audiences. Vocabulary expansion and development will also be a major focus each year. All grade 9 through grade 11 courses, particularly honors sections, are designed to prepare students to be successful if they choose to take Advanced Placement English Language and Composition as a junior and/or Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition as a senior.
Course Listings:
ENGLISH I Honors 19401, College Prep 19301
ENGLISH II Honors 11401, College Prep 11301
ENGLISH III Honors 12401, College Prep 12301
THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE - ENGLISH Honors 12402
SENIOR ENGLISH FULL YEAR COURSES
AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE Honors 13405
BRITISH/WORLD LITERATURE Honors 13412
SENIOR ENGLISH SEMESTER COURSES
DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE Honors 13401
MYTHOLOGY Honors 13402
MURDER MOST FOUL Honors 13409
LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FROM BOSTON Honors 13403
LITERATURE TO FILM ADAPTATION Honors 13407
SPORTS AND SOCIETY Honors 13408
TRUE CRIME: THE ART OF STORYTELLING Honors 13411
EXPLORING NATURE Honors 13413
ELECTIVES
DRAMA I, II Unleveled I 10007, II 10008
PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE Honors 10401
CREATIVE WRITING I, II, III Unleveled 10003, 10004, 10005
JOURNALISM I, II Unleveled - I 10009, II 10020
LANGUAGE ARTS SUPPORT Unleveled 10010
MCAS ENGLISH PREPARATION Unleveled 10011
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION PROGRAM Unleveled 10001, 10002
Grade 9
English 1
(Honors or College Prep)
Grade 10
English 2
(Honors or College Prep)
Grade 11
English 3
(Honors or College Prep)
OR
American Experience
OR
AP Language & Composition
Grade 12
English 4 - senior course grades will be calculated as full year classes
Pick either:
one of the two full year options (Honors)
OR
(Honors) two semester options
OR
AP Literature & Composition
English Program Electives
Drama I and II
Creative Writing I, II and III
Journalism I and II
Debate