English
English 9
This is a required full year course in which students will explore a variety of literary genres and styles, ranging from a Greek epic poem to a modern American novel. Through the examination of various novels, short stories, poems, and plays, students will further develop their appreciation of literature. There will be a number of different focal points in this course, including: teaching students how to approach and analyze literature; developing written and oral communication skills; developing critical thinking skills; and improving grammar and vocabulary skills.
Text: McDougall Littell
Writer’s Inc. (DC Heath)
Numerous novels
Credits: 1
Grade: 9
Pre-Requisite: None
English 10
This year-long sophomore English course is designed to teach students how to approach and analyze literature, improve written and oral communications skills, and improve grammar and vocabulary skills. Literature that spans the continents and the centuries will be read, enabling students to make connections to their concurrent World History classes. Direct instruction in grammar will be complemented by modeling reading strategies students can use independently to increase their comprehension levels. Texts that may be studied include Macbeth, All Quiet on the Western Front, Animal Farm, and Night.
Text: McDouglass Littell
Various Novels
Vocabulary Workshop
Credits: 1
Grade: 10
Pre-Requisites: Completion of Grade 9 English
English 10 Honors
This sophomore class aims to both test and challenge highly motivated and talented students of English, who wish to develop disciplined writing, analytical, rhetorical and presentational skills and some knowledge and appreciation of literary arts. The course includes study of grammar, a range of literary texts and an introduction to commentary. There is a conscious aim to prepare students for the styles of work required for AP level study in grades eleven and twelve. As such, work necessarily becomes harder as the course progresses. Students wishing to enroll must have high grades and strong self-direction to cope with the extensive reading required.
Text: Cry the Beloved Country; Night; MacBeth and1984
Credits: 1
Grade: 10
Prerequisites: See AP/Honors Addendum
American Literature
Eleventh grade English is an American Literature course designed around the essential question “How are we to live?” and to provide an overview of the progression of American Literature from the 15th century to present day. Throughout the course students will read about, analyze, and discuss different theories of human nature in order to broaden their understanding of an experience. Noted American authors studied include Hawthorne, Miller, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Whitman, Emerson, Thoreau, Dickinson, and others. Much of this literature study will be integrated with students’ concurrent study of U.S. History.
Text: McDougal Littell: American Literature
Various American novels
Credits: 1
Grade: 11
Prerequisites: Completion of Grade 10 English
Advanced Placement Language and Composition
Students in this introductory college-level course read and carefully analyze a broad and challenging range of nonfiction prose selections, deepening their awareness of rhetoric and how language works. Through close reading and frequent writing, students develop their ability to work with language and text with a greater awareness of purpose and strategy, while strengthening their own composing abilities. As this is a college-level course, performance expectations are appropriately high, the workload is challenging, and effective time management is important. The demanding curriculum requires students to bring sufficient command of mechanical conventions and an ability to read and discuss prose. The course is constructed in accordance with the guidelines described in the AP English Course Description.
Text: 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology by Samuel Cohen
Various Novels
Credits: 1
Grade Level: 11
Prerequisites: See AP/Honors Addendum
British Literature
Students read an overview of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Modern, integrating a study of history to better supply a context for an appreciation and understanding of the literature, with emphasis on a variety of prose and poetic genres. Students write critical and argumentative essays, complete a research paper, and engage in creative writing projects. Students will understand the characteristics and components of the media and make technology-assisted oral presentations.
Text: McDougal Littell: British Literature
Various British Literature novels
Credits: 1
Grade: 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Grade 11 English
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
This is a college level course based around detailed study of literature of all genres from multiple countries and times. The course will involve both close reading and close analysis of texts, structural analysis, the writing of articulate and well-ordered essays, literary analyses and frequent multiple choice tests. The reading load will be heavy. The range of materials studied will assist students to form thoughtful and mature judgments that will be expressed in wide, appropriate and precise diction, varied sentence structure, effective use of rhetorical strategies and well chosen evidence that supports both specific and general themes. The range of texts to be studied is based on the AP recommended lists.
All literature has strong, philosophical foundations. Therefore, the course will appeal to talented and highly motivated students wishing to acquaint themselves with and test themselves against the themes introduced in the course. Those wishing to enroll should have at least a grade three on the AP Language and Composition exam, or at least a B+ from the American Literature course and a proven ability at commentary.
Text: Various Novels
Credits: 1
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: See AP/Honors Addendum
