English
REQUIRED COURSES
*********** GRADE 9 OPTIONS
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 3100/3101 (Two Terms)
Two terms - 3100/3101
Grade 9
Course Description: Freshman English is a two-term sequential course for ninth-grade students. This course is designed to ignite and nourish a love of reading in young adults and to increase reading stamina, fluency, and critical thinking. Students will have the opportunity to choose books that meet their interests and their reading level in this course. In addition to reading in class and conferring with the instructor about their reading, students will be required to read for 2 hours outside of class time each week. Students will also read one core text each term and participate in book clubs. Core texts, passage study, and writing will focus on the genres of fiction, poetry, narrative, informational texts, and drama. To demonstrate critical thinking and literary analysis, students will study and apply various literary and rhetorical techniques to their independent reading, to in-class passage studies, and to their own writing. Students will learn the art of annotation and apply it to both literary and non-literary texts. Students will begin writing in more sophisticated prose and will write poetry, literary analysis essays, and argumentative essays. In addition, students will study various grammar concepts aligned with ACT skills and will be expected to apply these rules to their own writing.
ACCELERATED FRESHMAN ENGLISH 3098/3099 (Two terms)
Prerequisite: Grade of A in 7th and 8th grade English, and lexile score of 1151 or higher.
Grade 9
Course Description: This English course will offer advanced freshmen a challenging curriculum that focuses primarily on literary analysis. Students will read great works of literature, while examining the techniques used by writers to achieve their purposes. Students will write a variety of essays, including literary analysis. A systematic vocabulary and grammar program will also be taught.
*********** GRADE 10 OPTIONS
SOPHOMORE ENGLISH 3105/3106 (Two Terms)
Prerequisite: Freshman/Accelerated Freshman English
Grade 10
Course Description: Sophomore English is a two term course designed to help students improve their reading stamina and fluency while offering students the chance to read a wide range of literature and nonfiction. Students choose their own books and apply the numerous skills practiced in class to their individual reading selections. Students will write for a variety of purposes, from informal reflections to research essays. Two whole-group novels are studied, and weekly grammar lessons are also taught.
ACCELERATED SOPHOMORE ENGLISH 3102/3103 (Two Terms)
Prerequisite: Accelerated Freshman English or Consent of Instructor
Grade 10
Course Description: This English course will offer advanced sophomores a challenging curriculum that works on honing students’ critical thinking skills and knowledge in literary analysis, advanced persuasive and rhetorical techniques, and the research process. This is a fast-paced course that will require nightly reading outside of class. This course is considered part of the AP Pipeline and will focus on the skills and competencies required to be successful in AP English. Students will read a healthy mix of classical and modern literature, including works by Shakespeare, Sophocles, Dickens, Shelley, and Khaled Hosseini while examining the techniques used by writers to achieve their purposes. Students will write essays to persuade, to compare, and to analyze literature. Students will also write a 12-15 page, 10 sourced research essay. A systematic vocabulary program focusing on Greek and Latin roots and stems will be taught, as well as regular grammar review.
*********** GRADE 11 OPTIONS
JUNIOR ENGLISH 3115/3116 (Two Terms)
Prerequisite: Sophomore/Accelerated Sophomore English
Grade 11
Course Description: Explore the founding principles and literary expressions of the American character through relevant major and modern works. Study and synthesize grammar, vocabulary, and literary/rhetorical devices. Compose analytical essays, persuasive speeches and research papers to further develop and refine communication skills. Practice reading, writing, speaking and logical thinking strategies for future success as lifelong learners and citizens.
ACCELERATED JUNIOR ENGLISH 3123/3124 (Two Terms)
Prerequisite: Accelerated Sophomore English or Consent of Instructor
Grade 11
Course Description: Accelerated Junior English is a survey of American literature (with one sample of British literature) that takes students from the age of Puritanism through the Post-Modern Era. Each piece of literature is chosen purposefully, with the intent of not only exposing students to rigorous and classic pieces of writing, but to help prepare them for the Advanced Placement Literature & Language course next year. The assignments, annotations, readings, discussions, essays, and assessments ask students to think deeply about writing in an analytical way, connecting the information to general truths, other media, or their own lives. Students will be asked to research and write formal and informal pieces frequently, always developing their writing voice. Students should expect homework each night and a summer assignment
*********** GRADE 12 OPTIONS
SENIOR ENGLISH 3117/3118 (Two Terms)
Prerequisite: Junior/Accelerated Junior English
Grade 12
Course Description: Explore the founding principles and literary expressions of authors through a variety of genres. Study and synthesize grammar, vocabulary, and literary/rhetorical devices. Compose analytical essays, narrative papers, and special occasion speeches to further develop and refine communication skills. Practice reading, writing, speaking and logical thinking strategies for future success as lifelong learners and citizens.
AP ENGLISH LITERATURE, LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION
3175/3176/3177/3178 (Four Terms)
Prerequisite: Accelerated Junior English or Consent of Instructor
Grade 12
Course Description: This college-level course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of literature and nonfiction works. Students will build on their literary/rhetorical analysis skills and move toward independent analysis. Reading and writing assignments will prepare students for the AP English Literature and AP English Language exams offered in May. The primary focus of the course is on preparing students to be independent thinkers who are reading and writing at the college level. There is a summer reading requirement that will be distributed in May. Grade Weighted Class
*****************************************************
.
ENGLISH ELECTIVES
WORLD MYTHOLOGY AND FOLKLORE 3109 (One Term)
Prerequisite: Sophomore English or Accelerated Sophomore English
Grades 11, 12
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce Classical Mythology and the literary origins of various world cultures. It begins with acquainting students with the nature of myth or the traditional stories by which a people define their world and affirm its shared values. Students will learn various methods of interpreting these tales. Students will read the original authors in translation, and study various visual depictions from ancient and modern film, art, etc. Literary devices, content, style, and cultural diversity are studied.
WRITER’S WORKSHOP 3111 (One Term)
Prerequisite: Junior English or Accelerated Junior English
Grades 11, 12
Course Description: Writer’s Workshop is a one term course open to all students who have successfully completed Junior or Accelerated Junior English and who wish to continue writing in a variety of forms and styles, such as poetry, stories, plays, etc. Students complete creative writing and practical applications of writing on a daily basis. Students writing grows through active revisions of their own work and conferencing with teachers and peers. Choice reading, mini grammar lessons and group sharing are additional features of the class routine.
INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE 3110 (One Term)
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Description: Introduction to Theatre is a one-term course that introduces students to the many aspects of theatre. Acting training is done through improvisation exercise, theatre games, and pantomime, and culminates in scene work from plays. Also, theatre history, play reading and analysis, dramatic writing, character study, and an introduction to technical theatre (sound, lighting, set, costuming, make-up) are included in the curriculum. (Advanced Theatre is the continuation of the course.)
ADVANCED THEATRE 3119 (One Term)
Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre or Consent of Instructor
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Course Description: Advanced Theatre is a nine week course designed for the drama student who wants to further develop skills in theatre. The premise of the course is that students will act, design, direct, and produce a play at the end of the term which will be performed for an audience. Advanced study in acting, directing styles, and play analysis will be pursued. Stagecraft involving the technical elements of theatre (sound, lighting, set, costuming, make-up) will also be covered. Course work may be repeated for elective credit.