English 7 comprises five basic areas of language competency with an emphasis on writing mechanics. Grammar and vocabulary development are foundational for a strong preparation for high school. Critical thinking skills and inference are also strong elements of the literature strand. Core literature selections include: The Black Pearl, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, A Wrinkle in Time, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
English 7: Advanced comprises the same language competencies as English 7. Class discussions integrate the comprehension and interpretation of literature on more advanced levels. Core literature selections include: Around the World in 80 Days, The Old Man and the Sea, Farewell to Manzanar, and Summer of My German Soldier.
English 8 comprises five areas of language competency with an emphasis on writing mechanics. Grammar and vocabulary development are foundational for a strong preparation for high school. Critical thinking skills and inference are also strong elements of the literature strand. Core literature selections include: The Call of the Wild, A Christmas Carol, The Red Badge of Courage, Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl, and The Merchant of Venice.
English 8: Advanced comprises the same language competencies as English 8. Class discussions integrate the comprehension and interpretation of literature on more advanced levels. Core literature selections include: The Call of the Wild, A Christmas Carol, The Red Badge of Courage, Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl, and The Merchant of Venice, and Jane Eyre.
Introduction to Literature introduces the appreciation and analysis of literature covering a variety of genre, periods, and places. All course activities are designed to teach the foundational thinking skills necessary for success in high school, perfecting the academic five-paragraph essay, and analyzing literature through the basic elements. Core literature selections include: The Hobbit, Great Expectations, and A Separate Peace.
UC approved “b” English
Introduction to Literature: Honors is designed to challenge the student who desires an enriched and accelerated course as well as provide the English foundations of an introductory course. Core literature selections include: The Good Earth, Great Expectations, The Hobbit, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, My Antonia, A Raisin in the Sun, and A Separate Peace.
UC approved “b” English
World Literature utilizes a thematic organization in order to allow students to connect ideas of various authors and genre. The development of word skills and writing skills will help students more accurately express the connections they find in their personal interpretations to the world around them. Core literature selections include: Things Fall Apart, Night, All Quiet on the Western Front, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet.
UC approved “b” English
World Literature: Honors is designed to develop an appreciation for the roots of the English language. The beginning focus is the early history of Western literature through the oral traditions of the Greeks, the Celts, and the Anglo-Saxons. Interpretive skills and strategies are developed through the use of additional selections from diverse cultures and times. Students develop clear and coherent writing with the practice of 5 - 9 paragraph essays. This course prepares students for the levels of thinking and of writing required for success in Advanced Placement courses. Core literature selections include: in addition to the above, Once and Future King, Animal Farm, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Great Gatsby, The Odyssey, Oedipus, and Antigone.
UC approved “b” English
American Literature: General emphasizes the development of skills and strategies through meaningful use of literature. Students will explore and interpret American literature. Struggling readers will have the opportunity to experience a variety of genre at a pace that encourages the desire to read and to exchange original ideas in discussion and in writing. Vocabulary development and writing skills are emphasized so that students may share their ideas with fluency and accuracy and for the successful completion of the writing proficiency examination. Core literature selections include: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Of Mice and Men, Glass Menagerie, and Twelfth Night.
UC approved “b” English
American Literature traces the significant movements and events in American history through essays, novels, poems, plays and short stories. Four primary strands of the course include the reading of literature, the sharing and reporting of original ideas, the development of vocabulary and the craft of writing. Accuracy and clarity of thought are emphasized. The technique of close reading teaches concentration, critical thinking, and vocabulary development. Core literature selections include: The Scarlet letter, The Crucible, The Grapes of Wrath, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Twelfth Night.
UC approved “b” English
English Language and Composition: Advanced Placement traces the significant movements and events in American history through essays, novels, poems, plays and short stories. The guided literature studies will enable students to understand authorial purpose, audience needs, and conventions, with an emphasis on rhetoric. Four primary strands of the course include the reading of literature, the sharing and reporting of original ideas, the development of vocabulary, and the craft of writing. Students will practice the writing of expository and persuasive/argumentative essays. Free response and journal writing is also explored. Accuracy and clarity of thought in the timed-essay is emphasized. The technique of close reading teaches concentration, critical thinking, and vocabulary development. All students are expected to take the AP examination offered in May. Core literature selections include: The Grapes of Wrath, Billy Budd, The Crucible, Mountains Beyond Mountains, Learning Joy from Dogs without Collars, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Native Speaker, Fast Food Nation, Nickel and Dimed, The Sound and the Fury, and the Tempest.
UC approved “b” English
British Literature G is designed to help students develop an awareness and appreciation of the qualities found in excellent literature, improve critical thinking skills, recognize the elements of grammar and language structure, and explore the conventions of good language found a variety of writing forms. Students will continue to refine the multi-paragraph essay and practice life skills in writing to help them become successful adults in college or the work force. The course will include expanding vocabulary through literature and writing; review of usage of capitalization, punctuation, and grammar concepts. Core literature selections include Macbeth, Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein, and Heart of Darkness.
UC approved “b” English
British Literature traces the significant movements and events in British history through essays, novels, poems, plays and short stories. Four primary strands of the course include the reading of literature, the sharing and reporting of original ideas, the development of vocabulary, and the craft of writing. Accuracy and clarity of thought are emphasized. The technique of close reading teaches concentration, critical thinking, and vocabulary development. Core literature selections include: The Portrait of Dorian Gray, A Doll’s House, The Vicar of Wakefield, The Heart of Darkness, Metamorphosis, Dubliners, Pride and Prejudice, and Frankenstein.
UC approved “b” English
English Literature and Composition: Advanced Placement traces the significant movements and events in British history through essays, novels, poems, plays and short stories. Additional works from other nations such as Russia and France are also included. Students will study the development of style and recognize assumptions underlying various rhetorical strategies. The guided literature studies will enable students to understand authorial purpose, audience needs, and conventions, with an emphasis on analysis of tone, organization, diction and syntax. Four primary strands of the course include the reading of literature, the sharing and reporting of original ideas, the development of vocabulary and the craft of writing. Students will practice the writing of expository and persuasive/argumentative essays. Free response and journal writing is also explored. Accuracy and clarity of thought in the timed-essay is emphasized. The technique of close reading teaches concentration, critical thinking, and vocabulary development. All students are expected to take the AP examination offered in May. Core literature selections include: The Canterbury Tales, Metamorphosis, The Death of Ivan Illych, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Ethan Frome, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Crime and Punishment, The Heart of Darkness, A Doll’s House, The Stranger, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, King Lear, and Richard III.
UC approved “b” English
Speech (one-semester) will help students develop skills in all aspects of oral communication that are essential for success in school, forensic competitions, higher education, and the world of work. Students will study the fundamentals of written and oral communication, write to achieve specific purposes, and participate in various real-life situations and projects. After writing, editing, and perfecting their written speeches, students will demonstrate their proficiencies by performing for the class. Presentations will be critiqued by other students as well as the teacher.
UC approved “g” Elective
Debate (one-semester) is a class in which students will develop research skills, reasoning, writing, and critical thinking. Students will apply these skills in the debate of timely issues through composition (both expository and persuasive) and oral communication. Some informal intra-mural debate contests will be held.