English 7
Text: Silver, Prentice Hall, 1999.

Seventh graders will focus on the recognition of parts of speech, writing techniques, five-paragraph essays, quick writes, creative writing, public speaking and cooperative group work. A more intense study of the grammatical aspects of language prepare them for the application of these devices in various forms of communication. Other aspects of the course will include the study of world literature in several genres and learning the process of preparing a research paper.

 

English 8
Text: Silver, Prentice Hall, 1999.

Eighth graders will review the major components of grammar with a focus on recognizing and implementing parts of speech in order to diagram sentences, give speeches, practice creative and technical writing (research), analyze literature, practice communication skills and work cooperatively. Students will glimpse world literature through novels, drama and poetry. A major interdisciplinary unit will prepare students for their American Heritage Tour.

 

English 9
Textbook: Gold, Prentice Hall, 1999.

As an introduction to literature, composition and speech, this course explores the various genres in reading and the building blocks of each. Students will exercise their skills of analysis and critical thinking through challenging and foundational reading, expository and descriptive writing and formal and informal speeches.

 

English 10
Textbook: Literature: World Masterpieces, Prentice Hall, 1999.

This chronological study of World literature begins with the ancients and concludes with modern thought. The attitudes, beliefs, politics and society of these time periods will be approached by reading novels, short stories, poems, drama and non-fiction from or related to each time period. Through challenging and foundational reading, students will exercise their skills of analysis and critical thinking, and practice their expository, reflective, descriptive and research writing skills.

 

English 11
Textbook: Literature: The American Experience, Prentice Hall, 1999.

This chronological study of American literature begins with the Puritan Era in the 1640’s and culminates with contemporary American thought. Through challenging and foundational reading, students will exercise their skills of analysis and critical thinking, and practice their expository, reflective, descriptive and research writing skills.

 

Honors English 11
Textbook: Literature: The American Experience, Prentice Hall, 1999.

This chronological study of American literature begins with the Puritan Era in the 1640’s and culminates with contemporary American thought. Through challenging and foundational reading, students will exercise their skills of analysis and critical thinking, and practice their expository, reflective, descriptive and research writing skills. As an honors level course, the depth of analysis of material will be more sophisticated, the amount of reading and writing more extensive, and the pace quicker than in the college prep level.

 

 

English 12
Textbook: Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes, Prentice Hall, 1999.

This chronological study of British Literature begins with the epic Old English poem Beowulf and will continue through modern and postmodern thought. The attitudes, beliefs, politic and society of these time periods will be approached by reading novels, short stories, poems, drama and non-fiction from or related to each time period. Through challenging and foundational reading, students will exercise their skills of analysis and critical thinking, and practice their expository, reflective, descriptive and research writing skills.

 

 

AP English
Text: Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense/ Eighth Edition, Heinle & Heinle, 2001;
The Elements of Style/ Fourth Edition, Allyn & Bacon, 2000.

This course is a rigorous study of language, literature, and writing designed for the college preparatory student seeking academic challenges.  The curriculum incorporates many of the elements of a college-level English composition and literature program.  The course is built around in-depth studies of classic and modern literature chosen from the suggested list for the Advanced Placement program.  Students are expected to engage in literature in a personal and analytical way, developing critical thinking skills, as well as increasing their mastery of the language.  Assessment is both oral and written, with the emphasis on developing students who can respond to works of great complexity and depth in an articulate manner.  AP English seeks to prepare students for the skills measured on the Advanced Placement examinations. The AP English Literature Exam is not a requirement, but it is encouraged.

 

Speech and Debate
This class is a critical thinking course, designed to develop the student’s skills in logic, argumentation and public speaking. This a two semester introductory course to the different methods and styles of public speaking.  In our information world, we are continually asked to organize, present, and analyze information and public speaking is an essential skill in being able to handle information in such a way.  Students in this class focus on learning the rules and methods of debate the first semester, which culminates in a practicum final at the end of the semester with a scrimmage debate against a local home-school debate club.  Second semester is focused on the different styles of speech (impromptu, interpretation, persuasive, etc) so students can be equipped to speak in a variety of contexts.