English Language Arts

English 9-2

Grade: 9   Credits: 1   Expectation Level: 2

Prerequisite: Department Approval

English 9 is a foundational course meant to provide support for students who have struggled significantly to demonstrate proficiency to meet the standards for English Language Arts (ELA). The primary focus of this course is to prepare students to take a college prep or honors course sophomore year. This course aims to develop basic reading, writing, speaking, and media literacy skills essential for graduation. Students read, discuss, and write about a wide variety of literature including short stories, drama, and novels. Reading focuses on the elements of fiction and on a variety of universal themes. Writing instruction emphasizes skill development through clear and well-developed paragraphs. Grammar and vocabulary are taught as they coincide with the reading and writing assignments and/or the students’ areas of weakness. Space is limited to 15 students in this course in order to provide highly structured support. 

Text selections: Glencoe Literature: The Reader’s Choice, Romeo and Juliet, The Secret Life of Bees, A Long Way Gone, and various teacher and self-selected titles 

Expectations: Students are expected to focus on developing basic English and reading skills and knowledge. In addition to daily assignments, journals, notes, and essays may be included in each quarter/semester. Students should expect to participate daily in class and to complete group and individual work. Students should expect to spend an average of 15 minutes per class studying and/or completing assignments for homework. So that teachers can provide as much individualized instruction and support as possible, this class is capped at 15 students maximum.

English 9-3

Grade: 9    Credits: 1    Expectation Level: 3 

Prerequisite: Department Approval

English 9 College Prep develops critical reading, analytical writing, public speaking, and media literacy skills essential for success in college. Students read, discuss, and write about a wide variety of literature including short stories, poetry, drama, and novels. Reading focuses on the elements of fiction and on a variety of universal themes. Writing instruction emphasizes critical literary analysis through clear and well-developed paragraphs. Grammar and SAT vocabulary are taught as they coincide with reading and writing assignments and/or the students’ areas of weakness.

Text selections: Glencoe Literature: The Reader’s Choice, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, A Long Way Gone, and various teacher and self-selected texts

Expectations: This is a rigorous English class designed to prepare students for college, therefore the standards for performance are high. Students should be responsible for their own work and have initiative to achieve with minimal prompting. Students should be emerging writers with practice with the five-paragraph essay. To be successful, students should be disciplined, independent readers who can read and comprehend lengthy, complex works of literature with some teacher support. Students are expected to be prepared to participate actively and cooperatively in each class.

English 9-4

Grade: 9   Credits: 1   Expectation Level: 4 

Prerequisite: Department Approval

English 9 Honors is an advanced level course taught at an accelerated pace. Its purpose is to challenge students who are advanced readers and skilled writers and who are seriously committed to academic excellence. Honors students read challenging selections and are presented with complex topics both in discussion and in writing assignments. Students also work toward further independence in critical thinking and writing processes. Honors English is the initial step toward the AP English program.

Text selections: Glencoe Literature: The Reader’s Choice, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, A Long Way Gone, and various teacher and self-selected titles

Expectations: This is an honors English class, therefore the standards for performance are very high. To succeed, students must be responsible for their own work and have initiative to achieve without regular prompting. Students must be strong writers with a good command of the five-paragraph essay including ideas, organization, and conventions. Furthermore, students should be disciplined, enthusiastic, and independent readers who can read and comprehend several lengthy, complex works of literature throughout the year. Students are expected to be prepared to participate actively and cooperatively in each class.

English 10-2

Grade: 10   Credits: 1    Expectation Level: 2

Prerequisite: Department Approval

English 10 continues the development of basic language arts skills toward graduation including basic reading comprehension and writing skills. Reading instruction focuses primarily on comprehension. Writing instruction focuses on further developing proficiency.  

Text selections: The Crucible, Free Lunch and selected texts that represent a diverse American experience

Expectations: Students must be organized and able to participate daily in writing, reading, and composition practice. Students should also come to class prepared and willing to participate in class discussions. A willingness to work cooperatively with others and a desire to learn are essential. So that teachers can provide as much individualized instruction and support as possible, this class is capped at 15 students maximum.

English 10-3

Grade: 10   Credits: 1   Expectation Level: 3

Prerequisite: Department Approval   

English 10 College Prep focuses on reading and writing with particular emphasis on critical thinking, listening, research, and study skills. Students read and analyze American literature and discuss the texts in terms of the elements of literature, literary themes, historical significance, influences, schools of thought/philosophies, and writing styles. Students further develop expository and argumentative writing skills to reach and maintain proficiency in writing. Grammar instruction is focused on correction areas identified in students' essays. This course also focuses on vocabulary development and its use to improve writing, PSAT, and SAT performance. Students also learn multi-step research and documentation skills.

Text selections: The Crucible, The Great Gatsby, Just Mercy, Enrique’s Journey, and selected texts that represent a diverse American experience

Expectations: Students should be independent readers and motivated to succeed. They must pass assignments in on time, confer with teachers for help as needed or requested, and take responsibility for their learning.

English 10-4

Grade: 10   Credits: 1   Expectation Level: 4

Prerequisite: Department Approval

English 10 Honors focuses on American literature and American authors. However, students may also read books from other nations, time periods, and disciplines to clarify or emphasize themes. Students write regularly, drawing from literature, personal experiences, or other appropriate sources. Writing instruction emphasizes refining writing skills gained from the previous year’s studies, developing more sophisticated organizational skills (especially unity, coherence, and logic), and improving critical analysis skills. Vocabulary is drawn from reading selections as well as from collections of words frequently used on PSAT and SAT tests. Students in this course also learn multi-step research and documentation skills.

Text selections: The Crucible, The Great Gatsby, Just Mercy, Enrique’s Journey, The Namesake and selected texts that represent a diverse American experience.

Expectations: Students should be strong, enthusiastic, and independent readers who already have an above-average mastery of reading, vocabulary, and grammar. Students should have excelled in English 9 Honors and should have been highly recommended by their previous English teacher for this honors course.

English 11-2

Grade: 11   Credits: 1   Expectation Level: 2

Prerequisite: Department Approval

English 11 is a course for students who may need to further develop and strengthen their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, and who may not have demonstrated sufficient levels of proficiency in some or all ELA standards yet. Therefore the focus of this course is on students reaching and maintaining proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. In addition, students engage in various activities in preparation for SAT. While each language arts course addresses all of the standards for ELA, this particular course pays specific attention to achieving and maintaining proficiency. The course is divided into five units that will prepare students for the senior English curriculum. So that teachers can provide as much individualized instruction and support as possible, this class is capped at 15 students maximum. 

Text selections: Lord of the Flies, Macbeth, 1984, and other selected poetry and essays

English 11-3 

Grade: 11   Credits: 1   Expectation Level: 3

Prerequisite: Department Approval            

English 11 College Prep is designed to meet the learning goals of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. The standards cover four essential strands: Reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. This course offers third-year college-bound students the opportunity to ready themselves for high-level writing, language use, and analysis of literature. Students analyze literature and use it as a source for writing. The elements of writing instruction include usage, sentence structure, and paragraph development and will lead to a polished essay. In addition, students have various activities that begin to prepare them for the SAT in the spring.

Text selections: Macbeth, 1984, Lord of the Flies, and various teacher-selected titles, with an emphasis on poetry

Expectations: Students should be independent readers and motivated to succeed. They must pass assignments in on time, confer with teachers for help as needed or requested, and take responsibility for their learning.

English 11-4

Grade: 11   Credits: 1   Expectation Level: 4

Prerequisite: Department Approval 

English 11 Honors is an advanced course designed to meet the learning goals of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts while challenging skilled readers and writers who are committed to academic excellence. Students develop reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critical thinking skills through the study of literature and nonfiction works. They develop literary analysis skills through close reading, and they write analytical essays that explore various motifs and themes. In addition, students have various activities that begin to prepare them for the SAT in the spring.

Text selections: Macbeth, 1984, Lord of the Flies, and various teacher-selected titles, with an emphasis on poetry

Expectations: Students must be prepared to complete work at a level that reflects high academic standards. Students must be self-motivated and take responsibility for their learning. Students are expected to be skilled critical readers ready to participate actively and thoughtfully in in-depth discussions of readings and the interconnectedness of ideas.

AP English Literature and Composition

Grade: 11   Credits: 1    Expectation Level: 5

Prerequisite: Department Approval     

AP English Literature and Composition is designed for the mature and self-disciplined student, who has demonstrated a superior aptitude for interpreting literature and for written and oral expression. This course features an intensive study of representative works from various genres and periods as well as masterpieces of world literature. As described in the official handbook of AP courses, “This course will engage students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature … [In addition], students will develop critical standards for interpreting the effects writers create.” To achieve these goals, students study a variety of works, their characters, action, structure, and language. Students also consider literary works in their historical context and in relation to their own lives and experiences. Students prepare to take the AP English Literature and Composition Exam to earn possible AP college credit.

Text selections: Selections from The Norton Advanced Placement English Workbook, various poetry selections, Wuthering Heights, Macbeth, Frankenstein and multiple independent reading selections from the Advanced Placement recommended reading list

Expectations: Students are expected to have already developed strong writing and analytical skills. Regular and extensive participation in class discussion is critical. Students are expected to take the AP Exam for English Language and Composition.

Divergent Perspectives in Reading and Writing

Grade: 12 Credits: 1    Expectation Level: 2

Prerequisite: Department Approval

This course is designed for students who need to further develop their skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Practical language skills are directed to areas needed for success in career and community life: Technical writing, reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and oral presentations. Literary selections offer a sampling of works from around the world with an emphasis on comprehension and relevance to community life.

Expectations: Students are expected to have regular attendance and to keep a three-ring notebook or a folder for directions, handouts, and returned essays. They are expected to keep weekly journals and, whenever possible, to bring their laptops daily for writing.      

Memoir and Identity Seminar (semester 1 only)

Grade: 12 Credits: .5  Expectation Level: 3 and 4 options offered

Prerequisite: Department Approval.  Students must be enrolled in a semester 1 and semester 2 seminar for English credit.

Memoir and Identity provides students with the opportunity to read and write memoirs. Strategies for effective personal narrative writing will help students develop their voices as writers and better understand their authentic selves. Reading selections include full-length memoirs, short essays, poetry, film, graphic novels, and other autobiographical texts. “Identity is partly culture, partly upbringing, but mostly the choices you make in life” (Briggs).

Level 3 Expectations: Daily class participation is required, so students must have a willingness to think, listen, and discuss in class. Students must also come to class prepared to learn. This means having all completed assignments and materials in hand. Assignments are to be completed in a thorough, timely manner. Homework is assigned regularly and will be essential to class discussion the following day. In addition to homework, students will also complete long-range assignments.

Level 4 Expectations: Students in this course are expected to be independent readers and strong writers who are highly motivated. Students enrolling in this course should have an above-average mastery of reading, vocabulary, and grammar prior to taking this class. Students must also be willing to participate actively and thoughtfully in class discussions as consistent participation in class is critical. Students will write formal papers that are polished through multiple drafts and writing workshops. Additionally, students will be required to construct on-demand responses to prompts. 

Psychology and Sociology in Literature Seminar (semester 1 only)

Grade: 12   Credits: .5   Expectation Level: 3 and 4 options offered

Prerequisite: Department Approval. Students must be enrolled in a semester 1 and semester 2 seminar for English credit.   

Psychology and Sociology in Literature examines the complex relationship between fiction, psychology, and society. A text’s narrator, characters, social structures, and language gives one access to conscious and unconscious motivations residing in the author, character, and reader. “Like the physical, the psychical is not necessarily in reality with what it appears” (Freud).

Level 3 Expectations: Daily class participation is required, so students must have a willingness to think, listen, and discuss in class. Students must also come to class prepared to learn. This means having all completed assignments and materials in hand. Assignments are to be completed in a thorough, timely manner. Homework is assigned regularly and will be essential to class discussion the following day. In addition to homework, students will also complete long-range assignments.

Level 4 Expectations: Students in this course are expected to be independent readers and strong writers who are highly motivated. Students enrolling in this course should have an above-average mastery of reading, vocabulary, and grammar prior to taking this class. Students must also be willing to participate actively and thoughtfully in class discussions as consistent participation in class is critical. Students will write formal papers that are polished through multiple drafts and writing workshops. Additionally, students will be required to construct on-demand responses to prompts.

Power, Protest, and Persuasion Seminar (semester 2 only)

Grade: 12 Credits: .5     Expectation Level: 3 and 4 options offered

Prerequisite: Department Approval. Students must be enrolled in a semester 1 and semester 2 seminar for English credit

Power, Protest, and Persuasion asks students to read, write, and think critically about the world around them. They will use the concepts of rhetoric to understand propaganda and dissent in connection to political and social power. They will use 20th century historical context to understand texts and connections to our world today. “Story telling is the essential human activity. The harder the situation the more essential it is” (Tim O’Brien).

Level 3 Expectations: Daily class participation is required, so students must have a willingness to think, listen, and discuss in class. Students must also come to class prepared to learn. This means having all completed assignments and materials in hand. Assignments are to be completed in a thorough, timely manner. Homework is assigned regularly and will be essential to class discussion the following day. In addition to homework, students will also complete long-range assignments.

Level 4 Expectations: Students in this course are expected to be independent readers and strong writers who are highly motivated. Students enrolling in this course should have an above-average mastery of reading, vocabulary, and grammar prior to taking this class. Students must also be willing to participate actively and thoughtfully in class discussions as consistent participation in class is critical. Students will write formal papers that are polished through multiple drafts and writing workshops. Additionally, students will be required to construct on-demand responses to prompts.

Villainy and the Study of Character Seminar (semester 2 only)

Grade: 12 Credits: .5        Expectation Level: 3 and 4 options offered

Prerequisite: Department Approval. Students must be enrolled in a Semester 1 and Semester 2 seminar for English credit

Villainy and the Study of Character delves into villain character types in stories, films, and other media. Students explore the dark side of human behavior by understanding why villains are made more often than born.   We ask: What personal, familial, social, technological, political, and scientific contexts create shadow archetypes?  Is villainy a false persona?  Can villains ever attain true self?   In the works we encounter, "All the most powerful ideas in history go back to archetypes…human beings divide their personalities into components, selectively sharing only certain components of their selves."  In Villainy, "Nobody can fall so low unless he has great depth" (Jung).

Level 3 Expectations: Daily class participation is required, so students must have a willingness to think, listen, and discuss in class. Students must also come to class prepared to learn. This means having all completed assignments and materials in hand. Assignments are to be completed in a thorough, timely manner. Homework is assigned regularly and will be essential to class discussion the following day. In addition to homework, students will also complete long-range assignments.

Level 4 Expectations: Students in this course are expected to be independent readers and strong writers who are highly motivated. Students enrolling in this course should have an above-average mastery of reading, vocabulary, and grammar prior to taking this class. Students must also be willing to participate actively and thoughtfully in class discussions as consistent participation in class is critical. Students will write formal papers that are polished through multiple drafts and writing workshops. Additionally, students will be required to construct on-demand responses to prompts.

AP English Language and Composition

Grade: 12   Credits: 1    Expectation Level: 5

Prerequisite: Department Approval

AP English Language and Composition is a challenging and rewarding course that introduces students to the formal study of rhetoric. Rhetoric, simply put, is the art of persuasion. It is composed of a rich and varied assortment of strategies, techniques, and appeals that when employed skillfully help us to communicate our ideas, persuade others of the validity of our arguments, and more critically and thoughtfully evaluate the validity of the arguments that we encounter in academic study and in our daily lives as citizens of a democratic nation. Students in this introductory college-level course gain the skills necessary to succeed as college-ready thinkers, readers, and writers. Through close analysis of a broad range of non-fiction texts, students refine their analytic skills, develop a working knowledge of rhetorical analysis, and improve their ability to communicate through writing. Successful completion of this course indicates that a student has developed a sophisticated level of competence in dealing with college-level textual analysis. Successful completion also indicates that a student is able to write and argue at a sophisticated level in a variety of modes, including exposition, narrative, synthesis, and analysis.

As this is a college-level course, textual materials will be college-level, and the workload will be appropriately challenging.

Text selections: The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, The Norton Sampler: Short Essays for Composition, Critical Terms for Literary Study, and selections of various essays

Expectations: Students are expected to have already developed strong writing and analytical skills. Regular and extensive participation in class discussion is critical. Students will be expected to take the AP Exam for English Language and Composition.

Debate

Grades: 9-12   Credits: .5   Expectation Level: 3

Prerequisite: None

Students enrolled in this elective course develop the ability to stand before an audience and clearly express ideas, share information, and support arguments. Debate is a fun yet challenging class that helps students develop research, writing, and speaking skills as well as critical thinking and critical listening skills. The topics explored in this class are diverse and varied and include issues that engage students with critical, real-world dilemmas. In the student congress debate unit students engage in the legislative process of proposing, researching, writing, presenting, and defending a bill or resolution in a congressional setting. Evaluation in all units is based on written work, class participation, and performance. 

Text and materials: Getting Started in Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Values in Conflict, relevant handouts

Expectations: Students must have demonstrated strong reading and writing skills in preparation for higher-level thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis. Students are expected to participate actively and cooperatively in each class. They should be independent learners full of initiative, motivation, and intellectual curiosity. 

Advanced Debate

Grades: 9-12   Credits: .5   Expectation Level: 3

Prerequisite: Debate, member of debate team, or teacher permission

Advanced Debate is a fun, engaging, and lively class for students who have some experience with debate and are eager to sharpen their argumentative skills by going head-to-head with other experienced debaters. We will engage in a variety of debate styles, learn how to meaningfully ground our positions in relevant philosophical contexts, and of course dive head-first into a variety of real-world issues. 

Expectations: Students must have demonstrated strong reading and writing skills in preparation for higher-level thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis. Students are expected to participate actively and cooperatively in each class. They should be independent learners full of initiative, motivation, and intellectual curiosity. 

Public Speaking

Grades: 9-12   Credits: .5    Expectation Level: 3

Prerequisite: None

The goals of this elective course all relate to developing the ability to stand before an audience and clearly express ideas in an organized and substantive message. In Public Speaking, students practice this skill many times. Students give a number of different types of speeches and regularly research their speeches through library and other online resources. Students explore techniques to control stage fright, to prepare and deliver different speeches, and to give and receive constructive criticism. The types of speeches include informative, persuasive, demonstration, impromptu, and special occasion speeches. Through a variety of media, students also examine public speakers and speeches to gain an understanding of rhetoric and public discourse.

Text selections: Essential Speech (Cengage Learning), online resources, and relevant handouts

Expectations: You do not need to already be comfortable in front of an audience to take this class. In fact, this is a great opportunity to gain confidence and overcome any fears of speaking in front of an audience. Students who enroll in this course are expected to participate actively and cooperatively in each class. Evaluation will include both traditional (quizzes, tests, homework) and performance-based (class discussions, speeches) methods. 

Creative Writing 

Grades: 9-12   Credits: .5   Expectation Level: 3

Prerequisite: None

Creative Writing is an elective workshop course that provides opportunities to experience writing as a tool for intellectual exploration, self-discovery, and creative expression. Students learn about and practice the process of writing poetry, short fiction, and creative non-fiction. Students gain skills in expressing themselves with originality, creativity, and clarity in stories, poetry, and personal essays. They will identify the successful elements of an effective piece of creative writing, experience being in a writing community, and learn to give and receive useful feedback. Students are encouraged to be writers-for-life, whether or not they choose creative writing as a career. 

Text selections: Stories, poems, memoirs, and essays from contemporary writers

Expectations: Students will be engaged with other class members and be willing to learn from one another. Students will be writing and revising work each week and enjoying the imaginative process of creation. Students will produce a digital portfolio of their work and present it as a final assessment.