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ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
2009 - 2010
ENGLISH I FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: English 8
Grades: 9
English I encompasses the fundamentals of grammar, usage and mechanics as well as literature, writing skills, vocabulary and research skills. The course effectively relates theory to usage through instruction, practice, review and testing. The writing program is presented as a process with a planned progression for the attainment of specific skills. Provisions are made for revision related to the appropriateness of language, clarity, forcefulness and vitality of expression. The literary selections develop in students an awareness of the contents of literature as well as sensitivity to literary values. The relationship of literary values to human development is stressed.
ENGLISH I HONORS FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: English 8 and Teacher Recommendation
Grades: 9
Honors English I incorporate the objectives of English I and expands on its contents and materials. The course offers varied opportunities for students to develop critical reading/thinking skills and increased writing proficiency through various language arts experiences. Literary selections are varied and include short stories, poetry, novels, essays and dramas (Greek, Shakespearean and modern). Writing is taught not only as a way to present a finished composition, but also as an exploration of style and form. In addition, students will be introduced to advanced print and electronic library resource materials and instructed in research skills.
ENGLISH II FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: English I
Grades: 10
English II encompasses the fundamentals of grammar, usage and mechanics, as well as literature, writing skills, vocabulary and research skills. In addition, it places greater emphasis on the development of literary appreciation as it specifically relates to American authors. Included in this appreciation is an awareness of other aspects of American life – economic, social, political, religious and philosophical. Such emphasis correlates the development of American literature to the development of the nation as a whole. Students will relate the literary experiences presented to their own lives, thus building their concepts as members of society. In addition, students using available technology will continue to develop research skills through various research projects.
ENGLISH II HONORS FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: English I and Teacher Recommendation
Grades: 10
Honors English II incorporates the objectives of English II and expands its content and materials. Since it is intended primarily for students of high ability whose plans may include further education at the college level, the course includes several objectives, content and materials that will prepare students for an academically demanding program. Specifically, English II (Honors) emcompasses the fundamental principles of grammar, usage and mechanics. In addition, students are guided in a structured study of American literature: its forms, terminology, unity and intentions. The vocabulary program seeks to go beyond increased “recognition” vocabulary; use of new words in speech and writing will be emphasized. Students, using available technology, will continue to develop research skills through various research projects and papers.
ENGLISH III FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: English II
Grades: 11
English III encompasses the objectives of earlier grades with regard to the fundamentals of usage, mechanics, vocabulary, and writing skills. In addition, the course seeks to develop, through reading analysis, an understanding of the epic, ballad, lyric and sonnet as they relate to British literature, as well as the continued study of other forms of literature. Finally, the course stresses the development of research skills.
ENGLISH III HONORS FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: English II and Teacher Recommendation
Grades: 11
Honors English III incorporates the objectives of English III and expands on its content and materials. It encompasses the objectives of earlier grades with regard to usage and mechanics. Greater emphasis is placed on the development of vocabulary and writing skills. In addition, the course seeks to develop, through reading and analysis, an understanding of the epic, ballad, lyric and sonnet as they relate to British literature. Furthermore, the course stresses the development of research skills. Completion of a research paper is a requirement of the course.
ENGLISH AP FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: None
Grades: 11
AP English III incorporates the objectives of English III Honors and expands on its content, materials and techniques to help students acquire skills needed for the AP classroom. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills as well as on the techniques and content-specific strategies that can be used to prepare students for success in AP course work. Students will develop strategies to become more skilled in the literary analysis that precedes the writing of analytical compositions, timed and untimed. Specifically, they will develop strategies that enable them to ask and generate questions, engage actively with the text, and analyze and document their own thinking while reading. They will use these strategies to analyze passages, prose or poetry, by focusing on speaker, situation, key sentences, shifts and syntax. They will review previous AP exams and the exam scoring process. In addition, students will familiarize themselves with the electronic media available to support their studies.
ENGLISH IV FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: English III
Grades: 12
English IV encompasses the objectives of earlier grades with regard to the fundamentals of usage and mechanics and the development of vocabulary. Attention is given to sharpening various writing skills, including critical essays, five-paragraph essays and the research paper. In addition, the course seeks to develop, through reading analysis, an understanding of genre, ancient mythology and the variety of Eastern and Western religious traditions as they relate to World Literature.
ENGLISH IV HONORS FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: English III and Teacher Recommendation
Grades: 12
Honors English IV encompasses the objectives of earlier grades with regard to usage, mechanics and the development of vocabulary. Attention is given to refining the skills required for writing endeavors involving essays, college applications and the research paper. In addition, the course seeks to develop students’ understanding of the power of selected fine literature of the world and to aid students in integrating this understanding with critical reading that stimulates critical response. Students are responsible for completing outside reading assignments independently and are expected to demonstrate their understanding of the materials read through discussion and writing. Unlike the “selections from great works” approach employed for English IV, the Honors syllabus offers an entire literary text from each of the different civilizations studied.
JOURNALISM I FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: None
Grades: 10-12
Journalistic techniques are studied using the criteria needed to assemble a newspaper article. Students enrolled in this course help with the preparation of the school newspaper, The Klaxon.
HSPA LANGUAGE ARTS FULL YEAR 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: None
Grades: 12
The HSPA course is designed for students who failed the HSPA. Throughout the year students will concentrate on the writing prompts and narrative and persuasive reading. The students work on their weaknesses in preparation for the HSPA retest and/or SRA process. Students concentrate on test taking strategies for multiple choice and open-ended questions and practice writing strategies for the picture prompt and the persuasive essay. |
