English / Language Arts
Each Mt. Vernon graduate must have completed 4 credits of English / Language Arts. Here is a list of these courses:
English I - Year Long
English II - Year Long
Gifted English I, II, III, IV - Year Long
Folklore - Semester
Creative Writing - Semester
Great Books - Semester
Novels I, II, III - Semester
College English - Year Long
Journalism - Year Long
American Literature - Semester
Mythology - Semester
Speech - Year Long
Debate - Year Long
Course Description
English 1
English I, a required course for graduation from Mount Vernon High School, prepares students for effective communication and in-depth, precise thinking for future endeavors in high school, college, and the workplace.
Pre-Requisites: None
English 2
Students will learn, identify, and analyze examples of plot, figurative language, and elements of persuasion. Students will read a novel (To Kill a Mockingbird), a drama (Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Julius Caesar), and several examples of short story, non-fiction, and poetry. Students will write on a regular basis, including journal entries, essays, and a persuasive/expository paper. In addition, students will be required to give presentations in front of the class over their persuasive/expository topic. Students will also participate in pair and share, group and class discussions.
Pre-Requisites: English 1
Journalism
Journalism serves as an elective English course for graduation from Mount Vernon High School, teaches principles and skills for effective writing in the field of journalism, and provides students with an authentic reading audience.
Pre-Requisites: Application process
Folklore ½
In this course, we will engage in learning and discussing what folklore and folktales are overall, then read and analyze a variety of genres within folklore including Tall Tales, Fables, Fairy Tales, Legends, and Folktales. We will watch movies based on some of the folklore we read in class, draw comparisons, and write critical analysis of the movies based on the genres. We will not only read examples of literature within each of these genres, but also creatively write our own examples of fables and legends.
Pre-Requisites: English I and English II
Creative Writing ½
Students will read and write in a variety of genres including, but not limited to, poetry, creative non-fiction, fairy tale, flash fiction, and screen writing. Over the course of the semester, students will work on their multi-genre project which will count as their final in class.
Students will learn about the power of words and how to link them together to create word pictures that tweak the emotions of their readers. Students will learn the elements of good fiction and poetry.
Pre-Requisites: English 1 and English 2, except with permission
Great Books ½
Students will develop of skills in the areas of reading, writing, critical thinking, and speaking. This will be achieved through reading four novels: A Wrinkle in Time, Animal Farm, Pride and Prejudice and In Cold Blood. Students will use literary analysis to determine the author's theme.
Pre-Requisites: English 1, English 2
Novels 1 ½
Students will read past Gateway Readers Award books and then complete a page about their insights.
Pre-Requisites: English 1
Novels 2 ½
Students will read the current Gateway Readers Award books and then complete a page about their insights.
Pre-Requisites: English 1, Novels 1
Novels 3 1/2
Students will read the preliminary Gateway Readers Award books and then complete a page about their insights.
Pre-Requisites: English 1, Novels 1 and 2
American Literature & Composition
American Literature and Composition will help students become a better readers, writers, speakers, and thinkers. Students will enjoy compelling works of non-fiction and classics from literature, learn research-based writing, and improve vocabulary and grammar.
Pre-Requisites: English 1, English 2
College English
An introduction to college-level writing in which students develop critical reading and writing skills. The emphasis in reading has students locating, evaluating, and synthesizing information in an analytical and ethical manner. The emphasis in writing develops students’ understanding of the ways writers generate and express ideas for different purposes to various kinds of audiences across a range of contexts, including social, academic, and professional. Students work on argumentation, rhetorical analysis, and editing for clarity, style, and conventions.
Pre-Requisites: Successful completion of English I, English II, and American Lit. & Composition
Gifted English 1
Freshman level class for gifted high school students.
Pre-Requisites: Identified in Gifted Program/Freshman
Gifted English 2
Continued instruction for gifted students.
Pre-Requisites: Identified in Gifted Program/Sophomore, Junior/Senior
Gifted English 3
Continued instruction for gifted students.
Pre-Requisites: Identified in gifted Program /Sophomore, Junior/Senior
Gifted English 4
Continued instruction for gifted students.
Pre-Requisites: Identified in gifted Program/Sophomore, Junior/Senior
Mythology 1/2
Explore Classical mythology as well as lesser-known cultures inventions. In addition, learn why mythology continues to be important to our modern world.
Pre-Requisites: English I & II
Speech
Speech class covers a broad array of public speaking situations. Students will study communication, the process of listening and speaking, debate, formal and informal speaking. They will work individually and in group situations to learn how to effectively communicate with an emphasis on real world events.
Pre-Requisites: None
Debate
In Debate, students will learn the art of competitive debate as well as multiple other kinds of public speaking skills. Students who participate in this course will be required to attend at least 3 Speech and Debate competitions throughout the season, ranging from February - April. Students will have the choice of participating in debate, speech, or other individual events. If you enjoy challenges and would like to feel more comfortable speaking in front of others, this class is for you!
Pre-Requisites: None