Eight English courses are required.
Initial placement in English classes in grade 9 will be based on GEPA scores, the previous year’s report card grade in Language Arts and analysis of a writing sample.
Course selection in subsequent years will be determined by student academic performance, student interest, English Department, and parent recommendation.
All college bound seniors will demonstrate the ability to use advanced writing skills to prepare a research paper of extended length.
ENG 101 Fundamentals of Language Arts and Reading
Review of basic grammar, composition, reading comprehension, and vocabulary skills. For students that have not achieved proficiency on the GEPA. This course focuses upon the essentials of good communication. It stresses a mastery of writing clear, grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs. The ability to utilize variety in sentence construction is a key. Emphasis is also given to the steps required for successful development of a five-paragraph essay.
ENG 102 Introduction to Grammar, Composition And Literature
Students will read, reflect and respond to various literary genre of Literature. Students will read ancient and modern stories, world folk tales, myths, and dramas. At least one book report will be completed. Students will write stories, essays and poetry that engage and respond to the literature. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to share their thoughts and their writing with each other.
ENG 111 Introduction to Literature and Composition
This course begins to lay the groundwork for the student’s eventual entry into post-secondary school (four-year college, two-year program, technical college and other career and lifelong learning options). Through a variety of reading materials, writing assignments, classroom activities and independent projects, the student will become familiar with the broad spectrum of communication skills demanded in school and in the workplace. Students will learn to appreciate and analyze literature using terminology such as plot, characterization, setting, theme, and point of view. Readings will include: short fiction, novels, drama, and poetry. Writing projects will include: personal narrative, research, short fiction, poetry, journaling, descriptive writing, and more. Attention also will be given to the mechanics and techniques of writing: spelling, punctuation, grammar, the parts of speech, and style.
ENG 112 World Literature: Questions of the Ages
This course explores questions and ideas of the ages. Students will read ancient and modern epics, world folk tales, and drama to discover a range of thought about bravery and wisdom. They will learn how classical values and images are transmitted and developed in medieval and oral storytelling traditions. The final section of the course will explore the power of the imagination to create new visions of the world in poetry and in narratives of social change. Throughout the course, students will write poetry, stories, and essays that engage and respond to world literature.
ENG 121 Honors Literature and Composition
Open to students with a demonstrated mastery of Language Arts Literacy
(must have a score of proficient or advanced proficient on the GEPA). Students will demonstrate the ability to write narrative and descriptive compositions, poems, and essays incorporating figurative language and more sophisticated literary techniques. Students will read, interpret, and analyze selected novels, short stories, poems, and plays.
ENG 122 Introduction to Research and Report Writing
Students will be introduced to the techniques needed for doing research and for writing research based reports. Students will select a topic, write a thesis statement and conduct research. A two page report following the accepted research format and style for citations will be required.
ENG 201 Fundamentals of Language Arts and Reading
Begins with the review of grammar and composition, then the student develops skills for writing expository and persuasive essays. Students will read novels, short stories, newspapers, magazine articles, poems and plays and will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relevant ideas and techniques used by each author.
ENG 202 Grammar, Composition, and Literature
Students will demonstrate an understanding of various writing techniques and styles, with the emphasis placed on purpose and audience. They will continue to refine their essay writing skills, with the focus on persuasive writing and storytelling. Students will read novels, biographies, short stories and plays and will be able to recognize the various story elements in selections from English and World Literature. One Shakespearian play will be read.
ENG 211 Coming of Age
The theme of the course is adolescence, that period between childhood and adulthood. All of our literature focuses on coming of age. This course emphasizes the development of reading and writing skills needed by a student planning on continuing education and/or job training after high school. It offers a broad study of literature, including such genres as the short story, drama, poetry, and a novel. Exploratory and creative writing activities accompany and enrich these units. Emphasis is placed on improving skills in written and oral language and on broadening the student’s reading comprehension and appreciation of literature. Daily journals and weekly writing participation are graded components of the curriculum. Students are expected to participate in team projects and presentations.
ENG 212 Reading and Writing Across the Genres
This course enables students to explore various literary forms through which writers have shared their passions and ideas with readers and to develop their own voices as writers. Literary forms studied include fiction- the short story and novel, poetry, and drama; and nonfiction-the autobiography, biography, memoir, personal essay, and analytical essay. Readings include works that reflect the ways through which writers have explored the evolving self, whether at home, at school, in a community, in the natural world, or through personal quests. Students have the opportunity to write poetry, fiction, and scenes from plays, as well as personal essays and analytical essays involving citations and references. Throughout the course, students are engaged in sharing their ideas and their writing with each other.
ENG 221 Honors English Composition and World Literature
This is an advanced writing course where students continue to develop writing techniques and styles through evaluation of the writing of various authors, fellow students and self-evaluation. Focus will be on the development of style, and the creative use of language for communication. Students will write essays, articles, stories, and scripts. Students will read, reflect, interpret and respond to various examples of classical world literature, including selections from Homer, Milton, and Shakespeare, to Dickens and contemporary authors. Students will investigate a selected topic and will prepare a research report following accepted research citation guidelines.
Eng 222 Everything Shakespeare
This is an advanced literature course where students read plays, and poetry by William Shakespeare. They will also read essays about Shakespeare and do research about the life and times of this famous author. A written and oral report/ project presentation will be required.
Eng 301 Essay & Interpretive Writing and Reading
Students will continue to refine techniques for writing essays, revising and editing student compositions, and writing from picture prompts. They will continue to read selections in various texts: argumentative-persuasive, informational and narrative. Students will be required to answer open-ended questions and think critically. The course will concentrate on preparing the student for the HSPA exam.
Eng 302 Creative Writing
The course will consist of creative writing and is designed to meet the needs of the student who wants to improve as a writer. Students will create a variety of writing exercises and the class will publish an anthology of best works.
Eng 311 American Literature and Composition
Students will explore American Literature with an understanding of the historical context. Students will read literature written by various American authors and will include fiction, non-fiction, short stories, novels, biographies, poetry, and plays. Students will write short stories, plays, and poetry and will present them to selected audiences. Students will create a variety of writing exercises and the class will publish an anthology of best works.
Eng 312 Classic American Literature
Junior English focuses on American literature and its connection with historical events as well as contemporary issues. We will read classics in American Literature, to include selections from Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, Herman Melville, and Langston Hughes. There will be opportunities for research, art, writing projects, and group work. Students will be asked to set goals and evaluate their own progress.
ENG 321 and 322 Honors American Literature and Composition
This two part course invites students to participate in the richness and variety of American language, literature, and culture. The course asks students to consider aspects of the American life, and the sounds and sights that shape the American culture. Students look at poetry, fiction, and essays that explore the search for meaning, humor, and dignity in a land of diversity. The course ends with a focus on America and the world. Writing will involve analytic essays, journal writing, fiction and poetry writing, and/or research projects.
ENG 323 SAT Prep and English Skills for College
This course is intended to explain what is covered on the verbal portions of the SAT I exam. Students will have an opportunity to become familiar with the different types of questions on the exam and will practice essay writing for the written portion of the exam.
ENG 401 and 402 English Skills Review and Communication Skills
Students that have not passed the HSPA Language Arts Literacy exam in grade 11 will be enrolled in this class. They will review and reinforce those skills needed for HSPA success. Students will practice communication skills needed in the workplace, from filling out applications, writing directions and memos to writing business letters, resumes, and letters of complaint. Students will also read newspapers, magazines, journals, and manuals. Role playing, oral reports and presentations will be included.
ENG 411 African American Literature
This course introduces students to African American literature and the art and music that are related to it. Students read novels, short stories, plays and poems and will read, analyze and write about the work of various African American authors. In this course, students are required to do reports, slide shows, written music, book reports, original literary creations, formal papers, or some combination of the above.
ENG 412 Popular Fiction
Students read short stories and novels written by contemporary, popular authors such as John Grisham, Steven King, Michael Crichton, and others. Participation in book talks and book reviews will be part of the course. Students will be required to complete writing projects related to the reading.
ENG 421 and 422 Journalism
The course focuses on news and feature writing, opinion writing, and ethical issues in journalism. Students enrolling in this course should possess above average reading and writing skills, and an interest in journalism. Computer skills are helpful, but not mandatory. The staff will produce the school newspaper, The Create Chronicle and the school yearbook. The courses develop skills in journalism, interviewing, and writing. Members of the staff will gain skills in the use of 35mm and digital cameras, desktop publishing, computer layout, and teamwork. Students will brainstorm story ideas, sell advertising space, and will critique each issue of the paper and yearbook. Given the nature of these classes, participation, both during and out of class time as deadlines approach, will be a significant factor in the final grade. Open to students that have passed HSPA in grade 11.
ENG 422 Advanced Placement Literature & Composition
This course provides motivated seniors with a challenging experience in the study of literature. Designed to be time-consuming and intellectually difficult, it approximates a college level literature course. The course covers all types of literature, focusing on the ideas in literature, literary techniques, and methods for writing about literature.
|
