English
English Department
Four years of English are required.
Freshman English
English I. Two semesters; 1 credit. Required for Freshmen.
The purpose of English I is to develop the student’s abilities involved in expository, descriptive, and narrative writing. The course will assist the student in developing ideas, recognizing point of view, and developing the art of good reasoning. This course includes intensive vocabulary development, grammar and usage, analytical writing (with emphasis on the block outline and use of in-text citations), creative writing, and a research project. The course will also cover the study of grammar and SAT vocabulary. Vocabulary enrichment continues with a structured course of study, application in writing, and recognition in reading. Grammar usage and composition skills are refined by writing assignments. Research skills will be studied and a 5 page formal research paper using M.L.A. documentation will be written
Literature
The literature section of this course is designed to enlarge the student’s concepts and understanding of the fundamental structures of classical literature. Students will read a minimum of 2 books each quarter. Students will demonstrate their ability to analyze prose and poetry through a minimum of eight compositions. Literature focuses on short stories, poetry, and essays. Works include: Beowulf, Sir Gawain the Green Knight, Othello, Sense & Sensibility, Picture of Doran Grey, Frankenstein
Sophomore English
English II. Two semesters; 1 credit. Required for Sophomores.
The literary aspects of English II focus on short stories, poetry, drama, the novel, and the epic. Students explore these genres with attention to artistry, literary elements, and applicable terminology. The students’ study of grammar reviews parts of speech, sentence structure, and punctuation as fundamentals of writing. The course will also cover SAT vocabulary. Composition at the Sophomore level focuses on paragraph structure, organizational skills, analysis, and the development of research skills. The students’ exploration of writing covers personal and analytical essays. This course includes reading, writing, and peer critiquing of poetry, narratives, and other forms of prose. Grammar usage and composition skills are refined by writing assignments which includes writing a formal paragraph each week. A formal 8 page research paper including secondary source material using M.L.A. documentation is also required.
Literature
Students will read a minimum of 2 books each quarter. Major works include: Beowulf, Sir Gawain the Green Knight, Othello, Sense & Sensibility, Picture of Doran Grey, Frankenstein
Junior English
English III. Two semesters; 1 credit. Required for Juniors
English III Through the study of drama, poetry, novels, and short stories, students will learn how to critically engage a literary text, produce credible research, and create an original analysis. This course focuses on the writing of short fiction based on techniques in classic and contemporary short stories. Integral parts of the course are written and oral class responses as well as a great deal of revision work. . Written assignments consist of narrative and expository writing, formal literary analyses, several term projects, and creative writing. Grammar usage and composition skills are refined by writing assignments. A formal 8 page research paper using M.L.A. documentation is also required.
Literature
This course is a survey course in literature with an emphasis on the systematic construction of oral and written arguments. It includes a survey of literature based on selected short stories from anthologies and periodicals. Students will read a minimum of 2 books each quarter. Readings include; Till We Have Faces, Hamlet, The Sound and the Fury, Les Miserables, Henry V, The Pearl and a wide range of American short stories, poetry, and essays
Senior English
English IV. Two semesters; 1 credit. Required for Seniors.
Composition will include emphasis on writing literary analysis essays and a research paper. This course combines a chronological study of literature with a review of previously introduced language concepts and the refinement of oral and written composition skills. Written assignments consist of narrative and expository writing, formal literary analyses, several term projects, and creative writing. Grammar usage and composition skills are refined by writing assignments. A formal 10 page research paper using M.L.A. documentation is also required.
Literature
Literature in this course includes a critical look at poetry, short stories, serious drama, epic, and novel. A continued demonstration that good literature, because of what it portrays – the nature of people and the world – merits and calls for our studied attention Students will read a minimum of 2 books each quarter. Readings include; Till We Have Faces, Hamlet, The Sound and the Fury, Les Miserables, Henry V, The Pearl and a wide range of American short stories, poetry, and essays.
7th grade
English
Seventh grade students hone their writing skills which reinforce concepts in using a variety of analytical and creative modes; reinforce communication skills through an ongoing review of grammar, spelling, usage, and mechanics; build vocabulary; and apply these skills in written composition.
The year begins with an in-depth look at effective paragraph writing and proceeds with lengthier descriptive and narrative essay assignments. The year long grammar study centers around a review of parts of speech, prepositional phrases, complements, and more complex rules of usage and punctuation to further develop writing and speaking skills and to understand the mechanics and usage rules of written and verbal expression. Heavy emphasis is placed on fluency, accuracy, and style in written communication. A richer speaking and writing vocabulary is given high priority in grade seven. Vocabulary study is primarily contextual and is derived from our numerous literary selections. Word processing skills, precise spelling, and quality presentation are strongly encouraged as seventh graders develop both pride and precision in all aspects of their linguistic expression.
Literature
Each student is encouraged to read for pleasure and diversify their interests. Literature selections and learned writing and grammar skills are coordinated with and applied to other disciplines as students become proficient in proofreading and revising their own writing. They learn various composition styles and develop their own skills of composition through both formal and creative writing and by studying a range of literature. Students further refine and develop language arts skills as higher order comprehension strategies are explored through several short story units and through challenging fiction and non-fiction literature choices. Reading two books each quarter is required to reinforce the more complex and sophisticated themes introduced in this program. Reading includes; Robinson Crusoe, Twelfth Night, The Time Machine, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, The Hobbit, Billy Budd.
8th grade
English
The students begin the year with a review of the basic parts of speech and sentence structure. They end the year with a mastery of phrases and clauses. Another focus is the development of composition skills through both formal and creative writing assignments. The student writes a character sketch, a short story, narrative essays, and all types of poetry and advances to analytical and critical papers. This includes intensive vocabulary development; grammar review; essay writing, with emphasis on idea development, organization, and revision; analytical, creative, and journal writing; and oral presentations. Effective use of English in oral and written communication is formally studied so that the student can demonstrate competence in oral presentations and effectiveness in their familiarity with various composition styles. The student develops critical thinking skills through the study of literature, all the while increasing their vocabulary and reading comprehension levels.
Literature
The study of literature is comprised of short stories, poetry, and twentieth century American novels. Works include; The Prince and the Pauper, The Marble Faun, To Kill a Mockingbird. Plays include: The Crucible, Raisin in the Sun, Murder in the Catherdral.
