English Department

English Department

Required English

ENGLISH I

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Vocabulary, note taking, library skills, literary terms and their use as they pertain to short stories, novels, and poetry are discussed. Grammar is emphasized including review of parts of speech, study of verbals, clauses, and sentence patterns. Drama is read and analyzed using Romeo and Juliet. The epic, The Odyssey, and the novels, Murder on the Orient Express, Tuesdays with Morrie, The Miracle Worker, and Animal Farm, complement the study of short stories and poetry. Public speaking using a variety of topics is covered throughout the year. Students develop their writing skills through an assortment of assignments including two or three five-paragraph papers focusing on analysis of literature with quotations. Students will be introduced to the research process including preparation of note cards, outlines, and works cited to accompany papers. Students will be instructed in the MLA process with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text. Students will develop their resume second semester. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 9
  • PREREQUISITES NONE
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH I COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

ENGLISH I - HONORS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Vocabulary, note taking, library skills, literary terms and their use as they pertain to short stories, novels, and poetry are discussed. Grammar is emphasized including a review of parts of speech, study of verbals, clauses, and sentence patterns. Drama is read and analyzed using Romeo and Juliet. The epic, The Odyssey, and the novels, Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, Tuesdays with Morrie, and The Old Man and the Sea, complement the study of short stories and poetry. Public speaking using a variety of topics is covered throughout the year. Students develop their writing skills through an assortment of assignments including three to five five-paragraph papers focusing on analysis of literature with quotations. Students will be introduced to the research process including preparation of note cards, outlines, and works cited to accompany papers. Students will be instructed in the MLA process with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text. Students will develop their resume second semester. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. Optional reading may include the following: Murder on the Orient Express, Flowers for Algernon, and The Miracle Worker. This course emphasizes writing, in particular analytical essay writing. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 9
  • PREREQUISITES NONE
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH I COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

ENGLISH II

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students will acquire and demonstrate basic grammatical skills through the use of essay writing. Also, the elements of the short story, poetry, drama, and the novel are analyzed, beginning with the study of the genres by published authors. Key works include the exploration of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, A Separate Peace, Fahrenheit 451, Lord of the Flies, and Death of a Salesman. Students will continue development of the research process utilizing all of the steps in the process to complete two documented research papers with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text; other writing is focused on analytical and persuasive topics based on literature read. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Students will update their resume. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 10
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH I
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH II COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

ENGLISH II – HONORS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students will acquire and demonstrate basic grammatical skills through the use of essay writing. Also, the elements of the short story, poetry, drama, and the novel are analyzed, beginning with the study of the genres by published authors. Key works include the exploration of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, A Separate Peace, and Grapes of Wrath. Students will continue development of the research process utilizing all of the steps in the process to complete two documented research papers; other writing is focused on analytical and persuasive topics based on literature read with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Students will update their resume. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. Optional reading may include Nectar in a Sieve, Lord of the Flies, and Fahrenheit 451. A summer reading/writing assignment is required for this course.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 10
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH I
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH II COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

ENGLISH III

COURSE DESCRIPTION

American Literature is studied including the American Colonial Period, the New England writers, the Romantic Period, the Transcendental Period, the Realist Period, and the Modernist Period to include the 20th-century writers. Students are instructed in developmental writing culminating in a major research paper on a literary topic with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text; other writing is focused on analytical and persuasive topics based on literature read. Students will update their resume. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Major literary works studied include The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, and Their Eyes Were Watching God. Additional novels may include the following: The Glass Menagerie and Of Mice and Men. Basic grammar and punctuation skills will be reinforced. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH II
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH III COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

ENGLISH III - HONORS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

American Literature is studied including the American Colonial Period, the New England writers, the Romantic Period, the Transcendental Period, the Realist Period, and the Modernist Period to include the 20th-century writers. Students are instructed in developmental writing culminating in a major research paper on a literary topic with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text; other writing is focused on analytical and persuasive topics based on literature read. Students will update their resume. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Major literary works may include The Scarlet Letter, Red Badge of Courage, Huck Finn, The Chosen, The Great Gatsby, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and Billy Budd. Basic grammar and punctuation skills will be reinforced. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH II
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH III COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

ENGLISH IV

COURSE DESCRIPTION

British and Western World Literature is studied including a core curriculum of English Literature from the Anglo/Saxon through Modern periods. Informed responses to ideas, values, and concepts contained in this literature are required, both through oral and written forms including literary analysis papers. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Students will update their resume during the first semester. One research paper is assigned which stresses topics contained in the literature that is read with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text; other writing is focused on analytical and persuasive topics based on literature read. Major literary works studied include Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, All Quiet on the Western Front, and The Tragedy of Macbeth. Optional reading may include Frankenstein, Night, and Brave New World. Basic grammar and punctuation skills will be reinforced. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 12
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH III
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH IV COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

AP ENGLISH

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, students will have the opportunity to take both AP English exams (Literature and Language). British and Western World Literature is studied including a core curriculum of English Literature from the Anglo/Saxon through Modern periods. There will be a brief review of some of the most significant American writers and their works in preparation for the AP exams. Informed responses to ideas, values, and concepts contained in this literature are required, both through oral interpretation and analytical essays. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Students will update their resume during the first semester. One literary, analytical research paper is assigned which stresses topics contained in the literature that is read with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text. All writing is analytical and persuasive in format. Major literary works studied include Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, Othello, and The Tragedy of Macbeth. Optional reading may include, All But My Life, Night, Siddhartha, Things Fall Apart, Heart of Darkness, Crime and Punishment, and Wuthering Heights. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required. In addition, students will write a variety of timed essays to prepare for both the AP exams.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 12
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH III
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH IV COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
Elective Courses

CREATIVE WRITING

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The student, through an extensive series of exercises and projects, will develop and/or improve upon his/her writing style. The course concentrates on all aspects of the development of a paragraph through the publication of an original piece of creative writing. Students will produce a clear, tightly organized prose using a developmental process which includes prewriting, writing, and revision. The course will sharpen the student’s critical thinking and problem solving skills. Students will learn and practice specific methods for producing clear, focused writing. They will be led through a sequence of activities, structures, and techniques that fine tune their writing to produce a number of works including poetry, essays, and short stories.

 

  • CREDIT 1/2
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11, 12
  • PREREQUISITES NONE
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Business and professional writing is designed to expose the student to the writing standards of the business world across professions. This course concentrates on standard business communication including emails, letters, reports, resumes, and the basis of social media. Students will write a business style report in APA format. Grammar will be addressed, as needed, and students will read from professional business publications. Current business topics will be included in the course content.

 

  • CREDIT 1/2
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11, 12
  • PREREQUISITES NONE
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO

SPEECH/COMMUNICATIONS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In the first semester, students will study the formal structure of a speech. The students will give informative speeches, “how to” speeches, persuasive speeches, commencement speeches, and acceptance speeches. In the second semester, the students will study the many components of communications. Students will look at various types of communications and skills that occur during interpersonal communications and group communication. Students will learn how to respond in a formal interview. Finally, students will examine mass media and public relations.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11 - 12
  • PREREQUISITES NONE
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO

JOURNALISM

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces students to the characteristics of journalistic expression. Students write, edit, revise, and proofread editorials, features, news articles, sports articles, and magazine articles. This course will also produce the quarterly school newspaper. Use of word processing and instruction in layout will be integrated throughout the course. Students study the historical and cultural impact of journalism.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 10 - 12
  • PREREQUISITES NONE
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO
English I

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Vocabulary, note taking, library skills, literary terms and their use as they pertain to short stories, novels, and poetry are discussed. Grammar is emphasized including review of parts of speech, study of verbals, clauses, and sentence patterns. Drama is read and analyzed using Romeo and Juliet. The epic, The Odyssey, and the novels, Murder on the Orient Express, Tuesdays with Morrie, The Miracle Worker, and Animal Farm, complement the study of short stories and poetry. Public speaking using a variety of topics is covered throughout the year. Students develop their writing skills through an assortment of assignments including two or three five-paragraph papers focusing on analysis of literature with quotations. Students will be introduced to the research process including preparation of note cards, outlines, and works cited to accompany papers. Students will be instructed in the MLA process with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text. Students will develop their resume second semester. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 9
  • PREREQUISITES NONE
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH I COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
English I Honors

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Vocabulary, note taking, library skills, literary terms and their use as they pertain to short stories, novels, and poetry are discussed. Grammar is emphasized including a review of parts of speech, study of verbals, clauses, and sentence patterns. Drama is read and analyzed using Romeo and Juliet. The epic, The Odyssey, and the novels, Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, Tuesdays with Morrie, and The Old Man and the Sea, complement the study of short stories and poetry. Public speaking using a variety of topics is covered throughout the year. Students develop their writing skills through an assortment of assignments including three to five five-paragraph papers focusing on analysis of literature with quotations. Students will be introduced to the research process including preparation of note cards, outlines, and works cited to accompany papers. Students will be instructed in the MLA process with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text. Students will develop their resume second semester. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. Optional reading may include the following: Murder on the Orient Express, Flowers for Algernon, and The Miracle Worker. This course emphasizes writing, in particular analytical essay writing. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 9
  • PREREQUISITES NONE
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH I COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
English II

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students will acquire and demonstrate basic grammatical skills through the use of essay writing. Also, the elements of the short story, poetry, drama, and the novel are analyzed, beginning with the study of the genres by published authors. Key works include the exploration of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, A Separate Peace, Fahrenheit 451, Lord of the Flies, and Death of a Salesman. Students will continue development of the research process utilizing all of the steps in the process to complete two documented research papers with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text; other writing is focused on analytical and persuasive topics based on literature read. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Students will update their resume. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 10
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH I
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH II COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
English II Honors

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students will acquire and demonstrate basic grammatical skills through the use of essay writing. Also, the elements of the short story, poetry, drama, and the novel are analyzed, beginning with the study of the genres by published authors. Key works include the exploration of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, A Separate Peace, and Grapes of Wrath. Students will continue development of the research process utilizing all of the steps in the process to complete two documented research papers; other writing is focused on analytical and persuasive topics based on literature read with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Students will update their resume. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. Optional reading may include Nectar in a Sieve, Lord of the Flies, and Fahrenheit 451. A summer reading/writing assignment is required for this course.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 10
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH I
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH II COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
English III

COURSE DESCRIPTION

American Literature is studied including the American Colonial Period, the New England writers, the Romantic Period, the Transcendental Period, the Realist Period, and the Modernist Period to include the 20th-century writers. Students are instructed in developmental writing culminating in a major research paper on a literary topic with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text; other writing is focused on analytical and persuasive topics based on literature read. Students will update their resume. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Major literary works studied include The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, and Their Eyes Were Watching God. Additional novels may include the following: The Glass Menagerie and Of Mice and Men. Basic grammar and punctuation skills will be reinforced. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH II
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH III COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
English III Honors

COURSE DESCRIPTION

American Literature is studied including the American Colonial Period, the New England writers, the Romantic Period, the Transcendental Period, the Realist Period, and the Modernist Period to include the 20th-century writers. Students are instructed in developmental writing culminating in a major research paper on a literary topic with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text; other writing is focused on analytical and persuasive topics based on literature read. Students will update their resume. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Major literary works may include The Scarlet Letter, Red Badge of Courage, Huck Finn, The Chosen, The Great Gatsby, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and Billy Budd. Basic grammar and punctuation skills will be reinforced. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH II
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH III COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
English IV

COURSE DESCRIPTION

British and Western World Literature is studied including a core curriculum of English Literature from the Anglo/Saxon through Modern periods. Informed responses to ideas, values, and concepts contained in this literature are required, both through oral and written forms including literary analysis papers. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Students will update their resume during the first semester. One research paper is assigned which stresses topics contained in the literature that is read with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text; other writing is focused on analytical and persuasive topics based on literature read. Major literary works studied include Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, All Quiet on the Western Front, and The Tragedy of Macbeth. Optional reading may include Frankenstein, Night, and Brave New World. Basic grammar and punctuation skills will be reinforced. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 12
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH III
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH IV COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
AP English

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, students will have the opportunity to take both AP English exams (Literature and Language). British and Western World Literature is studied including a core curriculum of English Literature from the Anglo/Saxon through Modern periods. There will be a brief review of some of the most significant American writers and their works in preparation for the AP exams. Informed responses to ideas, values, and concepts contained in this literature are required, both through oral interpretation and analytical essays. Public speaking using a variety of topics will be incorporated throughout the year. Students will update their resume during the first semester. One literary, analytical research paper is assigned which stresses topics contained in the literature that is read with the MLA Handbook, 8th edition, as the source text. All writing is analytical and persuasive in format. Major literary works studied include Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, Othello, and The Tragedy of Macbeth. Optional reading may include, All But My Life, Night, Siddhartha, Things Fall Apart, Heart of Darkness, Crime and Punishment, and Wuthering Heights. The Sadlier vocabulary series will be used in this course. A summer reading/writing assignment is required. In addition, students will write a variety of timed essays to prepare for both the AP exams.

 

  • CREDIT 1
  • SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 12
  • PREREQUISITES ENGLISH III
  • NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
  • REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? AN ENGLISH IV COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

Department Chairperson
Sharon Meyerrose
BS in Education
Masters in Education

Creative Writing Club
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