English

Classes offered at various grade levels may require a prerequisite. Refer to the course catalog for detailed information. (*) Requires approval to take before recommended grade level.

The English curriculum is based on Pennsylvania Core Standards.  Students in the high school prepare to take the Keystone Literature Exam at the end of their tenth-grade year.  The various courses have been structured to provide the needs of a broad spectrum of student abilities.

In addition to the required English courses of English 1, 2, and 3, certain electives are available to broaden the knowledge of students who have an interest in language arts and to receive their fourth required English credit.  These electives are available to eleventh and twelfth grade students.  They may not, however, be taken in place of the three required English courses.

EN110 COMPREHENSIVE ENGLISH 1 (Grade 9)  

Weight 1.0 Credit 1/year

English 1 students will read short stories, novels, dramas, and a variety of nonfiction texts while reviewing basic literary terms and applying terms to units of study.  Students will write multiple constructed response paragraphs to respond and analyze their reading. Vocabulary and grammar study is a focus. Any uncompleted classwork will be required to be completed that same night as homework. Any and all homework is graded.

EN120 COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH 1 

(Grade 9)

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

English 1 students will read short stories, poetry, novels, dramas, and a variety of nonfiction texts.  Review and application of literary elements and devices will be used. Students will write multiple constructed response paragraphs and analysis essays based on their reading. Vocabulary and grammar study is a focus. Reading and assignments outside of class are required and will be graded.

EN130 HONORS ENGLISH 1 

(Grade 9)

Weight 1.2 Credit 1/year

English 1 students will read short stories, poetry, multiple novels, dramas, and a variety of nonfiction texts.  Students will write multiple constructed response paragraphs, multiple timed analysis essays, and a research paper based on their reading. Vocabulary and grammar study is a focus. Students will discuss and analyze reading frequently. Reading and assignments outside of class are required and will be graded.

EN210 COMPREHENSIVE ENGLISH 2 

(Grade 10)  

Weight 1.0 Credit 1/year

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of English 1

As a continuation of English 1, students will read short stories, poetry, novels, dramas, and a variety of nonfiction texts. Students will practice basic skills to help them pass the Keystone Exam.  Students will write multiple constructed response paragraphs based on their reading. Vocabulary and grammar study is a focus. This course focuses heavily on Keystone preparation.  The state-mandated Keystone Literature Exam will be taken at the end of this course.

EN220  COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH 2 (Grade 10) 

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of English 1

As a continuation of English 1, students will read short stories, poetry, novels, dramas, and a variety of nonfiction texts.  Students will write multiple constructed response paragraphs and analysis essays based on their reading. Vocabulary and grammar study is a focus. Reading and assignments outside of class are required. This course focuses heavily on Keystone preparation.  The state-mandated Keystone Literature Exam will be taken at the end of this course.

EN230   HONORS ENGLISH 2

(Grade 10) 

Weight 1.2 Credit 1/year

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of English 1

As a continuation of English 1, students will read short stories, poetry, multiple novels, dramas, and a variety of nonfiction texts.  Students will write multiple constructed response paragraphs, multiple timed analysis essays, and a research paper based on their reading. Vocabulary and grammar study is a focus. Students will discuss and analyze reading frequently. Reading and assignments outside of class are required.  The state-mandated Keystone Literature Exam will be taken at the end of this course.

EN310 COMPREHENSIVE ENGLISH 3 

(Grade 11)

Weight 1.0 Credit 1/year  

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of English 1 and 2; or successful completion of English 1 and taking concurrently with English 2

This course provides an overview of American literature while strengthening students’ reading, writing, and communication skills for life beyond high school.  Students explore key authors, themes, and time periods in American writing,  and connect classic and  contemporary works to real-world experiences. Emphasis is placed on practical literacy—reading with understanding,  expressing ideas clearly and fully, gathering reliable research, and communicating with confidence in both written and spoken forms. Comprehensive English 3 builds essential skills for success in careers, community, and daily life.

EN320 COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH 3

(Grade 11)  

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of English 1 and English 2; or successful completion of English 1 and taking concurrently with English 2

The goal of College Prep English 3 is to prepare students for college-level reading and writing. To do this, the course focuses on a survey of American literature, looking at the various time periods and how literature changes over time in terms of style, topic, and themes. Students will read short stories, novels, dramas, and a variety of nonfiction texts.  Analysis of literature will be done through writing, class discussions, and projects.  There is also an emphasis on the research process so students will understand that research must be valid and credible.

EN330 HONORS ENGLISH 3

(Grade 11) 

Weight 1.2       Credit 1/year

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of English 1 and 2; or successful completion of English 1 and taking concurrently with English 2

The goal of Honors English 3 is to prepare students for AP English their senior year, to think critically, and analyze literature in conversation and writing.  To do this, this course focuses on a survey of American literature, looking at the various time periods and how literature changes over time in terms of style, topic, and themes. Analysis of literature will be done through writing, class discussions, and projects.  There is also an emphasis on the research process so students will understand that research must be valid and credible. The type of writing in this course will prepare you for most writing styles in college. 

Students electing honors level courses can expect to move at a fast pace, have a significant amount of out-of-class readings, and write analytical timed in-class essays to prepare for next year’s AP test.

EN410 COMPREHENSIVE ENGLISH 4 

(Grade 12)  

Weight 1.0 Credit 1/year

English 4 is a course structured around real-world reading and writing. Designed primarily for the student who is not planning to attend a traditional 4-year college after high school, this class focuses on the types of reading, writing, and speaking that adults use on a regular basis. Students will develop resume writing skills and interview skills. They will also improve reading comprehension through mainstream media such as magazines, online articles and publications, newspapers, as well as relevant contemporary fiction. 

EN510 COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH 4 - BRITISH LITERATURE 1 (Grades 12) 

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year  

This course is designed for students who are heading to a four-year college after high school. Students will work to refine their college-level reading and writing skills. To do this, the course focuses on the study of British literature including all literary movements throughout history. The course includes the study of historical context related to British literature, independent reading, vocabulary study, written assignments, class and group discussions, and  two literary analysis essays based on your reading. Students electing college preparatory classes can expect training towards academic thinking, speaking, and writing. There will be out-of-class assignments.

EN910 ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH – LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION (Grade 12) 

Weight 1.3 Credit 1/year

Prerequisite recommendation:   Students electing to take AP English must have successfully passed Honors English 3 or have a recommendation from their English 3 teacher.  This is due to the fact that many of the skills needed to be successful on the AP test start to be developed in Honors English 3.

This course is designed for students who are heading to a four-year college after high school. Students will work to refine their college-level reading and writing skills. To do this, the course focuses on the study of British literature including all literary movements throughout history. Students will read many plays, novels, short stories, and poetry. The bulk of reading for this course is done by students outside of class, and they are required to keep a reading journal throughout the year where they will write analyses of their reading. Students will also learn and apply a variety of challenging literary devices to their writing and analysis. Students will engage in many speaking situations where they must present to the class, share their writing, and lead and participate in class discussions. The course is heavily focused on literary, analytical writing, and students will practice many in-class, timed essays in preparation for the AP exam in May.  An additional focus will be preparation for the AP exam.  

ENGLISH ELECTIVES

EN421 JOURNALISM 1 

(Grades 10-12) 

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

Guidelines for choosing Journalism 1: Strong writing, technology, and interpersonal skills. Students learn the basics for writing, editing, photographing, and publishing news in print and online formats. Curriculum topics include media ethics, news judgment, basic interviewing skills, grammar, writing sports, news, features, opinion pieces, and publication design. By using the applications and electronic tools used by professional journalists, students write, design and publish the school newspaper, The Leonid, and its online counterpart, TheLeonid.com. Students in the class are staff members of The Leonid.

In the Journalism classes, students become members of the Leonid staff.  Therefore, Journalism classes do so much more than Write. They will be expected to interview administrators, teachers and students for assigned articles.  Often, they will attend after school events including school board meetings and sporting events to write articles or take pictures.  Students will use Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook and Twitter to publish stories. 

EN422 JOURNALISM 2 

(Grades 11-12)

Weight 1.0 Credit 1/year

Prerequisite recommendation:  Successful completion of 

Journalism 1 

Journalism 2 is intended for news enthusiasts who want to gain a more complex understanding of news production for print, web, and broadcast news, and to take on leadership roles on the newspaper staff. Building on topics such as media ethics, news judgment, basic interviewing skills, grammar, writing sports, news, features and opinion pieces, and publication design, students produce more complex multimedia products for print, online and TV publication. By using the applications and electronic tools used by professional journalists, students write, design, and publish the school newspaper, The Leonid, and its online counterpart, TheLeonid.com. Students in the class are staff members of The Leonid, and serve as mentors for the students in Journalism 1. 

In the Journalism classes, students become members of the Leonid staff. Therefore, Journalism classes do so much more than write. They will be expected to interview administrators, teachers and students for assigned articles. Often, they will attend after school events including school board meetings and sporting events to write articles or take pictures. Students will use Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to publish stories.

EN423 JOURNALISM 3 

(Grades 11-12)

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

Prerequisite recommendation:  Successful completion of 

Journalism 2

This full-year course is a continuation of Journalism 2.  In addition to the goals outlined in the Journalism 2 course, Journalism 3 provides students with is intended for news enthusiasts who want to gain a more complex understanding of news production for print, web, and broadcast news, and to take on leadership roles on the newspaper staff.  Building on topics such as media ethics, news judgment, basic interviewing skills, grammar, writing sports, news, features and opinion pieces, and publication design, students produce more complex multimedia products for print, online and TV publication.  By using the applications and electronic tools used by professional journalists, students write, design, and publish the school newspaper,The Leonid, and its online counterpart, TheLeonid.com. Students in the class are staff members of The Leonid, and serve as mentors for the students in Journalism 2. 

In the Journalism classes, students become members of the Leonid staff.  Therefore, Journalism classes do so much more than write. They will be expected to interview administrators, teachers and students for assigned articles.  Often, they will attend after school events including school board meetings and sporting events to write articles or take pictures. Students will use Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to publish stories.

EN430 CREATIVE WRITING 

(Grade 11-12) 

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to go beyond the writing that is taught in the required English courses.  Students will write every day.  Emphasis will be placed on the style in various forms of writing from short stories to poetry.  Students will read and analyze various genres of literature, including poetry, short stories, and other descriptive writing, for the purpose of developing their skills as a writer.  Students will be involved not only with independent writing, but also with self and peer evaluation techniques. 

In this class, students will learn lessons on writing skills specific to the genre of writing they will be executing.  Students will write multi-page memoirs, complete an original poetry collection, write and create a children’s book and write/produce their own Flash Fiction piece, in addition to other assignments, like an online blog.  The expectation is that students are aware of basic mechanics and sentence structure. There will be many out-of-class assignments.

EN440 COMMUNICATIONS

(Grades 11-12)   

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

How you communicate shapes how others see you — and how far you can go. In this class, you’ll learn how to speak, listen, and share your ideas in ways that help you feel confident in real life and online. You’ll try out skills like active listening, working with others, and creating messages that really connect with people. Through fun projects and real-world practice, you’ll see how good communication can make school easier, improve your relationships, and even help you stand out in future jobs.

EN450 PUBLIC SPEAKING 

(Grades 11-12) 

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

This course is designed to prepare the students to present their ideas  to a live audience.  The course is designed  to improve speaking skills by focusing on the 4 types of public speaking and knowing when to use each form. Additionally, students will learn about and practice effective verbal, nonverbal, and listening skills while  making them aware of his/her responsibilities as a speaker. Students will develop and deliver a  number of informative and persuasive speeches, and participate in  group discussions  to improve confidence, preparation, effective language choice, and delivery.

EN520   COLLEGE PREP AFRICAN-AMERICAN LITERATURE (Grade 12) 

Weight 1.1 Credit 0.5/semester

African-American Literature is a college preparatory level course that serves as an extension to English 3 (American Literature).  This course is designed for the college-bound senior who is anticipating attending a four-year college.  In addition to what is studied in English 3, they will have an opportunity to read a variety of additional works from the African-American genre, such as novels, essays, poems, speeches, and short stories.  Students in this class will study Inquiry Learning, and design their own path of study in a chosen topic. Students will write analytical essays regarding the influence of the time period and author’s perspective on literature and refine college-readiness skills. There will be many out-of-class assignments.

EN470   MYSTERY ANALYSIS (Grades 11-12) 

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

This comprehensive level course will use classic and modern mystery graphic novels and short stories to evaluate and analyze literature.  While reading mystery masters such as Edgar Allen Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes, anyone?), and Agatha Christie, students will build inductive and deductive reasoning skills as they figure out “Who done it?” In addition to stories, students will explore cold case crime scenes, modified escape rooms, and logical reasoning activities throughout the course.  Students will hone their narrative  writing skills as they create their own mystery settings, plot, and characters.

EN480 FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION IN LITERATURE

(Grades 11-12) 

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

This comprehensive level course will cover the origin and development of science fiction and fantasy literature.  You will learn how these genres began, how they’ve evolved, and why they continue to shape the way we imagine the future. You’ll step into new worlds, explore distant galaxies, and discover the extraordinary through classic and contemporary short stories and novels, analyzing big ideas like technology, heroism, identity, and what it means to be human. You’ll also have choice in what you read, with independent assignments allowing you to select novels that match your interests. If you enjoy creating your own stories, this course gives you the chance to craft an original science fiction or fantasy narrative, using the skills and techniques you’ve explored in class. All lessons, discussions, and assignments are designed to be completed during class time, so outside work will be minimal.