English I - College Prep

English 9 is designed to develop a common foundation among the population of incoming students. Students will study the elements of genres, and develop core writing skills. Students will be able to respond to literature. They will be able to take notes on reading, interpret the main ideas, events, or themes of a variety of novels, stories, poetry, other print material, and electronic media, make generalizations, supported by specific details and examples, about the key concepts, characters, and themes of written, oral, and visual works. Students will conduct research and will focus on the writing and revision process to develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

English I - Honors

This course is a college preparatory class for first-year high school students, that covers the requirements of English 9. It is designed with the college bound student in mind, focusing on organization, study & test taking skills in addition to the study of genres in literature

English II - College Prep

This course is designed to build upon the understanding of genres and literary concepts that were introduced in previous years. Students will be able to appreciate responding to literature. They will be able to take notes on reading, interpret the main ideas, events, or themes of a variety of novels, stories, poetry, other print material, and electronic media, make generalizations, supported by specific details and examples, about the key concepts, characters, and themes of written, oral, and visual works. Students will be able to analyze and consider works as they contribute to and rise out of their social, historical, and cultural context. Students will write a research paper with a focus on conducting research from a variety of sources. Students will focus on and gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.

English II - Honors

The purpose of this course is to provide the continuation of instruction in English skills for those tenth grade students who plan to attend college. Critical competencies in all discourse areas will be developed with strong emphasis on the critical analysis of literary forms. The course will be thematic in approach, and writing will be explored as a process. Students will be encouraged to work independently and collaboratively. The course will provide the student with an overview of literary genres of varying length and complexity. These forms will include essays, biographies, autobiographies, poetry, drama, the short story and the novel. These genres will be presented, looked at, and analyzed in thematic, social, and historical contexts. Also, vocabulary and related ELA writing will be included. The use of technology, both as a learning resource and in writing, will be implemented on a regular basis.

English III - College Prep

American Literature is a study of the major literary topics and themes across the history of the United States from pre-colonial times to present day. The ultimate goal for this class is to expose students to American culture, heritage, and history through study of our literature; and, to continue advancement towards more mature, refined writing skills. Students read and analyze works, including poetry, short stories, novels, drama, and nonfiction. The literary works provide opportunities for critical writing, creative projects, and collaborative discussions. Students will also practice key skills in terms of grammar, vocabulary, usage, mechanics and comprehension. This is an important year for each student in preparing for college readiness. The research paper will focus on the research and communication of a ‘Controversial Topic’ of the student’s choosing. Students will write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

English III - Honors

This course is designed to provide college-bound students an inferential and in-depth overview of American literature from a chronological perspective. Emphasis is on the implementation and comprehension of formal essays, sermons, historical documents, speeches, short stories, poetry, drama, and the novel within a thematic and historical framework. In addition to literature, the course includes vocabulary, and writing from an integrated approach.

English IV - College Prep

Literature Through the Ages is a study of the fundamental literature from around the world across many centuries in supplement of earlier courses. In an increasingly global society, this opportunity to explore other cultures is extremely valuable to our shared future. A primary objective is to give students the opportunity to develop an understanding of a breadth of foundational texts that have shaped not only literature but culture itself. The course is designed chronologically to allow students to compare/ contrast the values, archetypes, and stories of varied cultures from around the world at given times throughout history. This results in an examination of the shared ‘Human Experience’. Students will spend time engaged in dialogue, both in discussion and written reflections, about the texts and the cultures that produced them. The course will also include grammar study and etymology as a way of learning more about language, improving writing skills, and enhancing skills needed to be successful on standardized or placement tests. Students will focus on several forms of literature: novels, plays, poetry, short stories, non-fiction. Students will be prompted to see the lives of the people of other cultures as they are really lived, through their own eyes, bringing to life the textbook ideas they may have of those cultures.

English IV - Honors

This is an important year for each student in preparing for college and career readiness. Time will be given to professional exploration, resume and cover letters, scholarship information and an overview of the college admissions process. At the Honors level a detailed unit will be done at the opening of the year on these skills as well as a workshop on Personal Statement writing. The capstone writing element will be second semester in the form of a multi-faceted Research Project. This will focus on developing a complex argument highlighting the cultural and historical values of an archetype we have studied and presenting those findings in both a research paper and physical media. The ‘Archetypal Analysis’ will be of the student’s choosing with teacher approval. Students will write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.The Honors course incorporates a rigorous independent reading schedule of challenging novels and plays. These selections will delve deeply into historical context, and students will be expected to effectively draw contrasts to their own world and cultural perspective while understanding how these texts have provided the framework.

Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition (AP)

Prerequisites: Final grade of A in Honors English 11 and completion of summer homework The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works. The AP English Literature and Composition course aligns to an introductory college-level literature and writing curriculum. Students develop the skills of literary analysis and composition as they repeatedly practice analyzing poetry and prose, then compose arguments about an interpretation of a literary work. Challenging summer homework will be required for all students taking this course. Summer Homework will be a significant portion of students’ quarter one grades. This AP course will count as a 4th year English course. Failure will result in summer school. This course also offers students the opportunity to not only earn college credits through mastery on the AP exam in May but also opportunities for dual-credit enrollment.