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:
9th Grade:
ENGLISH I Honors 19401, College Prep 19301
10th Grade:
ENGLISH II Honors 11401, College Prep 11301
11th Grade:
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
SPORTS AND SOCIETY College Prep 13308
SENIOR ENGLISH SEMESTER COURSES - Honors Only
MYTHOLOGY Honors 13402
EXPLORING NATURE Honors 13413
SENIOR ENGLISH SEMESTER COURSES - Honors OR College Prep
DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE Honors 13401 College Prep 13301
MURDER MOST FOUL Honors 13409 College Prep 13309
LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FROM BOSTON Honors 13403 College Prep 13303
LITERATURE TO FILM ADAPTATION Honors 13407 College Prep 13307
TRUE CRIME Honors 13411 College Prep 13311
FULL YEAR ELECTIVE
INTRODUCTION TO LAW Honors 10400
SEMESTER ELECTIVES
SPEECH Unleveled 10006
DRAMA I, II Unleveled I 10007, II 10008
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 three full year options
OR
Two semester options
OR
AP Literature & Composition
English Program Electives
Introduction to Law (full year)
Speech
Drama I and II
Creative Writing I, II and III
Journalism I and II