Pre-requisite: Reading and English ability one or more years below grade level with grades below average
The primary objective of this course is to improve students’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills through a variety of instructional methods and types of activities. Student will examine literature, complete research projects, practice oral skills through presentations, write development compositions and develop and practice various reading strategies.
NOTE: READING I ASSISTED is the companion class for students enrolled in English I Assisted. A full year is required
Elective (Two-semester course)
Pre-requisite: Assisted English 9 - Basic Forms of Literature, demonstrated reading deficiency as per state or local achievement test scores and teacher determination
Goals:
Reading I 9 is designed to help the high school freshman that needs additional instruction in basic reading skills relative to vocabulary and comprehension. The main goal of the course is to strengthen the student’s reading foundation so that he/she can be successful in all academic courses. Also, this course is meant to assist the student in achieving grade level reading performance as measured by state and local tests and teacher devised evaluation.
Course Description:
This class will meet daily for one class period and will focus on meeting state reading standards by improving the vocabulary and comprehension skills through activities aligned to state reading standards.
After an initial reading assessment, students will work in small groups and individually reading books, short articles, short stories, poems, plays, magazine articles, and newspaper articles. They will view movies and videos. Also students will write journal entries, reports, letters, poems, and biographical sketches. In addition, students will read, write, and perform speeches, and do taped discussions and interviews.
Reading I 9 students will help one another, with teacher assistance, to analyze the written and performed material and interact with computerized lessons to correct any existing reading deficiencies.
Pre-requisite: Reading and English at grade level with average grades
This is standard yearlong English class for freshmen, focusing on the integration of writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills. Student will learn to read for both appreciation and meaning while striving to become critical and creative thinkers and speakers. It emphasizes literature, search, and composition. Students will examine the types of literature, including the short story, non-fiction, poetry, novel, and drama; complete research projects, utilizing technology and various resources; practice oral skills through persuasive, expository, and write developed compositions, including narrative, persuasive, expository, and creative writing formats. In addition, specific grammar and punctuation rules will be addressed through skill development and writing.
Pre-requisite: Reading and English above grade level with above average grades
Pre-requisite: sophomore status or academic proficiency
This is a full-year course for the comprehensive level sophomore English student. It employs a thematic approach to literature including contemporary and traditional novels. Students will write persuasive, narrative, and expository composition. Emphasis will be placed upon reading skills as well. A research paper will be taught during the second semester.
Elective (Two-semester course)
Pre-requisite: Assisted English 10 - Basic World Literature, demonstrated reading deficiency as per state or local achievement test scores and teacher determination
Goals:
Reading I 10 is designed to help the high school sophomore who needs additional instruction in reading skills relative to vocabulary and comprehension. The main goal of the course is to strengthen the student’s reading foundation so that he/she can be successful in all academic courses. Also, this course is meant to assist the student in achieving grade level reading performance as measured by state and local tests and teacher devised evaluation.
Course Description:
This class will meet for one class period daily and will focus on meeting or exceeding state reading standards by improving vocabulary and comprehension skills through activities aligned to state reading standards.
After an initial reading assessment, students will work in small groups and individually reading books, short articles, short stories, poems, plays, magazine articles, and newspaper articles. They will view movies and videos. Also, students will write journal entries, reports, letters, poems, and biographical sketches. In addition, students will read, write, and perform speeches and do taped discussions and interviews.
Reading II 10 students will analyze the written and performed material while interacting with computerized lessons to correct any remaining reading deficiencies which are keeping them from success in their other content area courses.
Pre-requisite: English 9 or equivalent
In addition to beginning preparation for the PSAE, this yearlong course is primarily a literature-based course designed to introduce students to the idea that literature is representative of the cultures in which it is created. Literature units studied in this course include: Greek mythology, Greek drama, short story, poetry, nonfiction, fiction, and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. In addition to examining and analyzing global literature, students will review grammar, sentence structure, paragraph- writing skills, the writing process, and study skill strategies. Students will be required to write a variety of formal essays including: personal response, narrative, expository, descriptive, compare and contrast, and a research paper.
Pre-requisite: Honors English 9, academic proficiency and essay
Any student in Honors English 10 must maintain at least a “C” average to remain in the Honors Program.
This yearlong course is primarily a well-rounded program of world literature, writing, and grammar. Students will read specific novels chosen by the English Department to broaden their understanding of world literature and diverse cultures. In addition to examining and analyzing global literature, students will respond to their reading through reflection and formal essays. Enhancement of student writing is achieved through grammar studies and practice. In addition, specific activities will be conducted throughout the year in preparation for the PSAE test to be given during the junior year.
Pre-requisite: Junior status or academic proficiency
Pre-requisite: English 10 or equivalent
This yearlong course completes the preparation of students for the reading and writing sections of the PSAE. In this particular course, American Literature is read and seen using the idea that literature is affected by the events and time period in which it is written. In addition, particular attention will be paid to the idea that oftentimes literature also affects the cultural attitudes, ideas, and beliefs of the time period in which it is written. Genres examined throughout this course include the short story, poetry, and drama. At least two classic American novels are read in class, and students are continuously working on outside independent reading assignments. English 11 places emphasis on reading, writing and critical thinking, as well as vocabulary and ACT/PSAE preparation. Finally, students work to build and develop a proficiency in essay and research paper writing.
Pre-requisite: Honors English 10, academic proficiency and essay
Any student in Honors English 10 must maintain at least a “C” average to remain in the Honors Program.
This yearlong course completes the preparation of students for the reading and writing sections of the PSAE. During the course of this class students will examine American literature in a chronological fashion, with an introduction to each unit focusing on the history of that period, particularly as it both impacted and is reflected in the literature of that time period. Attention will be paid to the unifying theme of American literature that in all people and during all periods of our country’s history, there has been the notion and pursuit of the “American dream.” Students will exam literature, identify, and analyze that there is the persuasive, undying hope in American literature for finding the means to a new, more promising life than was available to the previous generation, no matter who our ancestors are or where they came from. Genres examined throughout this course include the short story, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. At least four classic American novels are read in class, and students are to be continuously working on outside independent reading assignments. Honors English 11 also places emphasis on critical thinking, as well as vocabulary and ACT/PSAE preparation. Finally, students work to continue perfecting a proficiency in essay and research paper writing while developing a sense of his/her own style of writing as they continue to prepare for college level classes.
Pre-requisite: Previous English classes
This course is a yearlong program. It is available to seniors only and is an interactive class with a focus on writing strategies, reading strategies, personal speech, communication, and technical writing in the business world.
Pre-requisite: English 11 or equivalent
Pre-requisite: Honors English 11, academic proficiency
Any student in Honors English 11 must maintain at least a “C” average to remain in the Honors Program.
The goal is to prepare students for College level understanding and appreciation of English Literature: Beowulf, Arthurian legends, Chaucer, Shakespeare, and modern authors, etc. Modern novels shall also be required. Journaling, debates, essays, and a research paper using MLA style shall be used to enhance the study of English.
Pre-Requisite: students must have had a C or above in English 10 or 11
This course is designed to give students an in-depth look at the world of Journalism. They will be involved in essay writing, as well as informative writing. The students will write, edit, and publish the school newspaper, The Cardinal Monthly.
Pre-Requisite: None
This course is designed to give students an opportunity to experience teamwork in a simulated work environment. As a group they will study, plan, and implement the production of the school yearbook.