ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

Developing the communication and literacy skills that empower students to gain a better understanding​ of themselves and the world around them.

Core English Courses for Graduation Credit

English 9                                      

CPS/Honors 1 credit Grade 9

On the big screen, in the books we read, and even in everyday life, we encounter heroes and villains.  How are the values of our culture reflected in the traits we admire in our fictional heroes?  What forces work against our heroes?  In this class, we use the books we read and the discussions they generate to explore universal ideas such as heroism, challenges, dreams, and social justice issues.  Students will learn the tools for effective communication, both out loud and in writing, and begin to write and speak with an understanding of their audience and purpose.  No matter what their future plans hold, the ability to communicate with clarity, think critically, and work collaboratively will give students an advantage.  

 English 10                                      

CPS/Honors 1 credit Grade 10

 Literature can serve as a reflection of human nature to help us reflect on our current society, gain empathy for others, and become passionate about our beliefs. How can an individual impact his/her society?  What can cause a society to fall? What are the qualities of a good leader?  In this class, we will examine these questions as students read, write, and discuss a diverse selection of literature that focuses on worldly themes. A thematic approach will be used to examine classical and modern works. Themes for this program include Revolution and Rebellion, Imperialism, Justice and Injustice, and The Individual and Society. This course will prepare students for the collegiate learning experience in its research, organization, and test-taking skills that will be used to prepare for the PSAT’s and MCAS evaluations.  Students also have the opportunity to connect the literature to the outside world through the learning adventures that take place in the units.

English 10: Impact & Activism                                   

CPS/Honors 1 credit Grade 10 

A student-centered course focused on social justice, real-world application, and creating meaningful change. Students examine historical and contemporary social justice issues, including identity, inequality, power, and socio-economics, through texts, media, and real-world examples. The course emphasizes critical thinking, discussion, and action. Students explore how individuals and communities use advocacy, storytelling, and literature to address social issues. Through project-based learning, students are encouraged to use their voices responsibly and become informed, engaged citizens.

Diverse Themes in American Literature                                

CPS/Honors 1 credit Grade 11 

Reading has the ability to take readers on a journey to a time and place different from their reality.  Imagine living during the unfathomable era of slavery, being a member of the social elite in the roaring twenties, or living on Chicago’s Southside before the Civil Rights Act.  How do those experiences connect to our contemporary world?  Through samples from American Literature, both classic and contemporary, students will engage in the exploration of themes such as, but not limited to, “coming of age”, “the American dream”, “the lure of adventure”, “freedom and dignity”, and “self in society”.  In doing so, students will grapple with issues of American culture both historically and currently.  Students will continue to expand their toolbox of communication skills as they begin to understand the power of their voices as future leaders and change makers in our increasingly diverse society.

Advanced Placement English Language and Composition          

AP 1 credit Grade 11-12

Perhaps more than ever before, young people are credited with being interested and active participants in their local and global communities. But what does it mean to be an informed and engaged citizen? Where do you stand on social issues? And how do you effectively communicate those ideas to others in a way that might change not only minds but the world? 

In AP Language and Composition, students will read from a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts in order to become informed contributors to both national and international debates. This will include listening to podcasts, watching documentaries, reading the news, and considering the different viewpoints shared in essays, memoirs, and editorials.

 Students who elect this course will also work towards becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. This course instructs students on how to discern what the question is asking, how to take a stand, how to develop a point of view, how to construct engaging introductions and move past formulaic responses, and how to develop a unique writing style. Through rigorous study, students will also prepare to participate in the College Board Exam in May.

Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition         

AP 1 credit           Grade 11-12

 Students who elect this course will participate in a seminar that balances conversation and composition as we examine prose, poetry, and drama, and can expect to pose assertions about readings, to discuss their reasoning and textual evidence, and to experience peer and instructor feedback that challenges them to strengthen their interpretations and to strengthen their spoken and written expression.

 Though the works of this course are predominantly fictional, the questions the course poses are very real.  Students consider the function of literature: How it communicates human experiences that are often quite different from their own. Students seek to uncover deeper meanings in literary works, pursuing an understanding of both complexity and nuance.

 Students who enroll in this course should expect to participate in a learning environment styled in a seminar-workshop model: A time and a place to think, to talk, and to grow as readers, writers, and communicators with others who have volunteered to participate in a rigorous, culminating study of literature. In coordination with theater programs in Boston and Providence, AP English Literature and Composition students have opportunities to see professional theater productions, to participate in post-show discussions with actors and with other schools. 

English 12: Contemporary Literature                      

CPS/Honors 0.5 credits Grade 12

Why are memoirs so hard to put down?  How do writers take everyday events and turn them into something unforgettable?  In this class, we’ll read and write creative nonfiction - true stories about real lives that are just as exciting as fiction.    You’ll try writing your own, too - think punchy personal stories like 100-word narratives, vivid descriptions of places that matter to you, or stories that zoom in on one small unforgettable moment in time.  By the end, you’ll not only become a stronger writer, but you’ll also understand yourself and your world a little better.

English 12: Modern Communication                                                            

CPS/Honors 0.5 credits Grade 12 

This course explores how we share ideas in today’s world. You’ll investigate how communication works in various areas of life, including social, informational, and professional contexts. Whether blogs, news stories, vlogs, or podcasts, you’ll learn how to understand and create important messages. You'll build real-world skills like writing resumes, pitches, or proposals that get attention. Whether you're hoping to influence an audience, inform the public, or impress a future employer, this class will help you become a confident and clear communicator. 

English 12: Villainy                                    

CPS/Honors 0.5 credits Grade 12 

Why are villains so compelling—and what do they reveal about us? This course invites students to explore some of the most memorable villains in literature and film, examining how authors use antagonists to question morality, power, identity, and human nature. From classic figures to modern antiheroes, students will consider how villains are shaped by their societies and why the line between good and evil is often blurred. Designed for curious readers who enjoy big questions and bold characters, this course challenges students to rethink what it really means to be a “villain.”

English 12: Satire – The Critical Eye                       

CPS/Honors 0.5 credits Grade 12   

Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report, and The Onion are examples of television shows and newspapers that are rich in satire.  When society makes fun of various aspects of our lives with the intention of pointing out faults and hoping to correct them, we have satire.  The genre ranges from gently funny to bitingly harsh. Students will be asked to read a variety of satirical texts, from classic to modern, and will be expected to write their own satirical pieces as well.

English Electives

​Creative Writing: Narrative (Fall)                 

CPS/Honors 0.5 credits Grade 9-12  

Creative Writing 1 centers upon the development of short stories. Students enrolled in this course will participate in units that establish the foundations of narrative structures, how to develop powerful dialogue, and to use the elements of fiction to develop powerful and expressive writing for various audiences. While the act of writing is a personal endeavor, the process of writing can be a social one, and the course embraces the concept of the writing community: a collaborative effort amongst peers to support each other through peer feedback.

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Creative Writing: Poetics (Spring)                

CPS/Honors             0.5 credits         Grade 9-12

Creative Writing 2 centers upon poetics: the craft of writing poetry. Students enrolled in this course will participate in units that explore poetic forms: sonnets, sestinas, terza rima, and open-form poetry. The composition of poetry is both an expressive art and an exacting one, calling upon writers to aim, as Coleridge said, to produce “the best words in the best order.” This course embraces the concept of the writing community, and students will collaborate to provide peer feedback as they develop portfolios of their written work. Note: Creative Writing I is not a prerequisite for Creative Writing II

Creative Writing: Poetics 2 (Spring)   

Honors        0.5 credits        Grade 9-12

Creative Writing 3 gives students interested in poetry a workspace to continue developing their craft. Students in this course will participate in a workshop centered upon complexities of language and prosody (sounds and rhythms) in the pursuit of personalized thematic and topical explorations. As with other creative writing courses, peer critique and collaborative workshopping are essential components of participation in this study.

Journalism

Honors 1 credit Grade 9-12

Do you have a story to tell? Do you want to understand how media shapes the world and learn how to shape it yourself? In this course, you’ll explore the history, ethics, and principles of journalism while developing the skills to create compelling media that makes an impact.  You’ll learn the fundamentals of media literacy to become a savvy consumer of information and practice how to produce engaging content that elevates your voice and connects with your community.  You’ll create a multi-media publication for the school community and strengthen essential skills like public speaking, teamwork, time management, and adaptability. You’ll learn how to collaborate effectively, meet deadlines, and respond to feedback, just like professional journalists and media creators.  Whether pitching ideas, conducting interviews, or creating media content, this class gives you the tools to become a confident communicator and a powerful storyteller.  

Writing Center Fellow I and II (Fall/Spring)        

Honors         0.5 credit         Grade 11, 12

Are you interested in using your writing skills to help others?  Want to help run the student-led Writing Center at Nipmuc?  In this course, you will learn effective peer tutoring strategies and help design the student-run writing center and digital space for all classes to tap into as a resource.   Students enrolled in Writing Center Fellow I  will practice and implement strategies to provide peers with written and verbal feedback.  As fellows develop their confidence and skills, they will be expected to collaborate with teachers and students across disciplines and beyond the Nipmuc community.  

Students enrolled in Writing Center Fellow II can expect to work collaboratively within and beyond the Nipmuc community.  Opportunities include collaborating with teachers across disciplines to create resources for our school, teaming up with local publications to report on school news or events, or mentoring younger writers in the district.   Because fellows want to assist other students, they are periodically required to work during breaks or after school. Prerequisites: Students must have a recommendation from their current English Teacher and complete an application.

Writing Center Fellow: Leadership (Fall/Spring)

Honors 0.5 credit Grade 12

If you want to continue your work as a Writing Center Fellow, serving in a leadership role, this course is for you.   For the Writing Center to be truly student-run, it requires competent leaders who are willing to take on additional roles/responsibilities based on their personal strengths and interests.  Roles may include Digital Content Lead, Social Media & Communications Lead, Public Relations Manager, Schedule & Operations Manager, Data Analyst, and Branding & Design Lead, among others. Bring your initiative, time management, and charisma to this position and develop not only your skills but also your resume in this credential-building position. Prerequisites:  Successful completion of Writing Center Fellow I and II and enrollment in or completion of an AP English class.