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ENGLISH
Course 211 HONORS ENGLISH I (Level 1) Requirements: Students qualify for this course based on the cognitive verbal, reading and language skills components of the entrance examination. Students will be invited to enroll in this course after a review of these criteria. This course is offered to students who have a demonstrated proficiency in grammar, an ability to work simultaneously on several projects, and a desire to work in an accelerated writing and literature program. Students will be expected to work independently on grammar and vocabulary workbook units, which will rely on the knowledge and skills the students acquired during their elementary school years. Writing instruction will center on establishing a solid foundation in the construction of the analytical essay. Students will compose five "plan ahead" essays per quarter which will be completed in a week's time according to an established rubric. During the second semester, students will also begin writing "on demand" essays which they will complete during a single class period. In addition to the essays, students will be completing two multi-genre semester projects that include analysis, research, creative expression and synthesis. Students will read ten full-length books, a book of short stories and two dozen poems as part of the literature instruction. The schedule for each week's work is provided to students in syllabus form, and students must be able to carefully manage both short term and long term projects independently.Course 212 ENGLISH I (Level 2) This course introduces students to principles of grammar, vocabulary, and writing development that are repeated and expanded upon throughout the remaining years of the English curriculum. In addition, students are introduced to the basic elements of fiction and non-fiction types of literature. In addition to the textbook material students in this course are introduced to major literary genres and are required to read four novels.Course 217 READING & WRITING STRATEGIES (Level 3) Requirements: This course is taken in conjunction with Course 218, English I. Students will be immersed in leveled literature to build proficiency in reading comprehension. The primary focus of the course will be to teach essential reading skills by developing active reading strategies. This program is also designed to improve spelling, composition and grammar.Course 218 ENGLISH I (Level 3) Requirements: This course is taken in conjunction with Course 217, Reading & Writing Strategies. This course introduces students to the principles of grammar, vocabulary, and writing development that are repeated and expanded upon throughout the remaining years of the English curriculum. Students will learn a variety of key concepts, skills, and strategies that will lead to improved comprehension and enable them to grow as readers. Students will read both classic and contemporary fiction and nonfiction selections. Students will also be introduced to the basic elements of fiction and the major literary genres.Course 221 HONORS ENGLISH II (Level 1) Requirements: Students who choose to participate in this program must have earned a grade of A in English I (level 2) or a B or better average in Honors English I (level 1). This course expands upon the principles of grammar, vocabulary, critical reading and writing studied in Honors English I. The course readings emphasize major works in American literature. Students will read 12 novels published between 1880 and 2006 (including novels written in dialect, in prose poems, and in free verse, as well as a graphic novel). The readings will also include the poetry of Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Wallace Stevens, William Carlos Williams, Langston Hughes, and Robert Frost, among others, and a play by Thornton Wilder. Studying the course material, students will write critical analysis, stylistic imitations, and multi-modal papers. They will complete cross-curricular research projects, create Powerpoint presentations, compose their own illustrated poetry booklets, and contribute to class publications. The class requires students to engage in discourse and to work in groups as well as independently. Students who choose Honors English II must be able to manage time and complete work on time without daily monitoring, and they are expected to be resourceful and creative problem-solvers. Course 222 ENGLISH II (Level 2) This course repeats and expands upon the principles of grammar, vocabulary, and writing development begun in English I. Students study major works in American literature dating from the 19th century to the present, analyzing patterns and themes in literature and contemporary life. Students develop structure in essay writing and are introduced to the critical essay. They are taught to make claims about the literature they read, to compare and contrast varied works, and to support their claims with detailed evidence using MLA format. Daily homework assignments complement class work and help assess student progress. Course 231 HONORS ENGLISH III (Level 1) Requirements: Students who choose to participate in this program must have earned a grade of A in English II(level 2) or a B or better in Honors English II (level 1). Honors English III continues and expands upon the study of grammar, spelling, vocabulary, literature, and critical writing of sophomore year. The course traces the development of the American story through its Romantic, Realistic, Naturalistic, Modernistic, and Post-Modernistic forms. Students study and prepare approximately sixty stories for class and eight novels independently by roughly twenty-five American authors such as Hawthorne, Irving, Poe, James, Howells, Twain, Bierce, Melville, Crane, Chopin, Jewett, Freeman, Dreiser, Anderson, London, Norris, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Faulkner. The writing component of the course focuses on the reader-friendly critical essay; students write approximately six formal 3-4 page critical essays out of class in addition to numerous in-class timed writing assignments. At the end of the year, students complete a portfolio of their written work from throughout the year; the portfolio assignment comprises 40% to 50% of the final grade of the fourth marking period and is a course requirement. Average daily homework assignments require 60-90 minutes. The successful Honors English III student possesses a laudable work ethic, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and a firm understanding of the formal elements of English grammar.Course 232 ENGLISH III (Level 2) This course again repeats and expands upon the principles of grammar, vocabulary, and writing development offered in English II. The course emphasizes literary analysis and the critical essay and completes a two-year study of American literature. In addition to the textbook material, students will read several book-length works of literature.
Course 240 ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH (Level A.P.) Requirements: Only students who have earned a grade average of B+ or better in Honors English III or an A or better in English III (level 2) and the present teacher's recommendation may elect A.P. English. Admission to this class requires the timely (August 1, 2008) and successful (a grade of 6 or better based on the AP grading rubric) completion of the summer reading and writing assignment. This course provides extensive instruction and practice in critical analysis, synthesis, and writing in preparation for both the college experience and the Advanced Placement Examination in Language and Composition offered by the College Board. Through extensive reading, class discussion, and writing exercises, students will come to an understanding of the interaction between a writer and his or her audience, and the ways in which a writer's subject, purpose, and audience influence the choice of rhetorical strategies and devices. Course readings will focus on nonfiction with additional readings in fiction and drama. Students will read 20 texts independently and complete a reading journal on each text. Class work will center on a collection of nonfiction essays in various rhetorical modes, as well as three Shakespearean tragedies, three novels, and several other multi-modal texts. A major research paper (approximately 20 pages of text plus appendices) involving print and internet sources, interviews, field research, site visits, digital photography, and a creative element will be assigned in the first semester. A major multi-modal synthesis paper will be assigned for second semester. Students will complete written assignments on all readings and will be required to contribute to class discussions. Some of these assignments will be timed, in-class responses to an argument or prompt. A.P. English is a rigorous, demanding course. Students must be prepared to devote a significant amount of time daily to reading texts and writing.Course 241 HONORS ENGLISH IV (Level 1) Requirements: Students who earned a grade average of B- or better in Honors English III (level 1) or students with an average of A- or better in English III (level 2) are eligible to elect this course. Admission to this class requires the timely (August, 2008) and successful (a grade of B- or better ) completion of the summer reading and writing assignment. This course completes the grammar, vocabulary, critical reading, and writing development begun in English I. Students will analyze and respond to approximately 14 major works of literature including Dante's epic poem, The Inferno, two Shakespearean dramas, and several works of both fiction and nonfiction. Using these texts, students will explore topics such as man's response to war, the importance of considering and understanding multiple perspectives of the same issue, and the constant daily battle between good and evil. To respond to the texts, students will engage in both teacher-lead and student-lead discussions and will write 2-3 essays per quarter ranging from 4-6 pages in length in the beginning of the year to a 10+ page paper by year's end. These writing assignments will be in the form of creative writing samples, literature analysis essays, and research-based essays with a strong focus on adherence to MLA format. The year will culminate with a comprehensive research project that stems from a theme examined during the year. In addition, students will be responsible for learning new vocabulary words from the senior vocabulary book as well as retaining all words from the freshman, sophomore, and junior lists. A more comprehensive course description including specific titles and authors is available from the instructor. Course 242 ENGLISH IV (Level 2) This course completes the grammar, vocabulary, and writing development program begun in English I. Special emphasis is given to the principles and the process involved in the writing of the research paper. In literature, the course centers on major works in British literary history. Course 250 METHODS OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION (Level 2) Requirements: This elective course is open to juniors and seniors and must be taken in conjunction with an English III or English IV program.This course will offer students the opportunity to develop the necessary speaking and listening skills to meet the challenges of college and the workplace. Students will learn the stages involved in the major speech communication processes and master the mechanisms of speech production and delivery. Students will learn practical techniques for analyzing, evaluating, and improving their own speaking and listening skills and develop an introductory-level mastery of the major modes of speech communication: one-to-one communication, formal and informal group discussion, public address and oratory, debate, and oral interpretation. |
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