Placement in courses offered through this department is based on test scores, guidance counselor references, and teacher recommendations. Course selection must be in compliance with designated course sequence with four years of English courses required.

Grade 9
112 English I (Modified) / 114 English I / 119 English I (Honors)

Grade 10
122 English 2 (Modified) / 124 English 2 / 129 English 2 (Honors)

Grade 11
134 English 3 / 139 English 3 (Honors)

Grade 12
144 English 4 / 149 English 4 (Honors)

Elective
154 Heroes of the Page and Screen



112      ENGLISH I (MODIFIED)
1 Credit
Full Year       Grade 9

This course is designed to offer the student the opportunity to increase skills in reading comprehension. Major emphasis is placed on students developing an increasingly large sight-word vocabulary. Also included are reading and writing skills that focus on locating main ideas and supporting details in paragraphs. Literature covered will include the short story, novel and non-fiction. One book report per quarter is required for a total of four per year.
Text: The literature text and supplementary materials are furnished by the school.
Cost: Writer's Inc. $40 (to be used during all four years)

114      ENGLISH I
1 Credit       Required
Full Year      Grade 9

This course is designed to offer the student an opportunity to increase skills in writing, speaking, spelling, sentence composition, literary interpretation, and library skills. Topics covered will be speech, mythology, steps in research, and drama.  One book report per quarter will be required for a total of four.
Text: The literature text is furnished by the school.
Cost: Writer's Inc. $40 (to be used all four years)
         1" red binder
         Paperback novel(s)

119      ENGLISH I (HONORS)
1 Credit       Elective, Prerequisite
Full Year       Grade 9

This course covers material in greater depth and at a faster pace than English I. Individuals increase their ability to interpret and communicate through writing and speaking, spelling, sentence composition, literary interpretation, and library skills. An emphasis will be placed on comprehension, analysis, evaluation, and discussion, skills stressed in an AP program. Topics covered will be speech, mythology, steps in research, and drama. One book report per quarter will be required for a total of four.
Text: The literature text is furnished by the school.
Cost: Writer's Inc. $40 (to be used all four years)
         1" red binder
         Paperback novel(s)
 

122      ENGLISH 2 (MODIFIED)
1 Credit
Full Year       Grade 10

This course emphasizes the use of literature to further develop vocabulary and spelling, the review of sentence structure, and the introduction of the five-paragraph essays. Emphasis on study skills is continued. Several literature texts are utilized to cover drama, short story, novel, and nonfiction. One book report per quarter is required.
Text: The literature text is furnished by the school.
        The students will also use the Writer's Inc. purchased freshman year.
 

124      ENGLISH 2
1 Credit       Required
Full Year      Grade 10

This course emphasizes the use of world literature to read widely and critically.  The world literature book is arranged into short stories, dramas, poetry and non-fiction from around the world and different time periods.  The class reinforces progression in vocabulary and spelling, sentence structure, and paragraph writing.  All of this will lead to the development of research writing.  The students will develop their writing and learn to write clearly and perceptively.
TEXT: The literature text is furnished by the school.
         The students will also use the Writer's Inc. purchased freshman year.
Cost: Paperback novel(s) & red binder
 

129      ENGLISH 2 (HONORS)
1 Credit       Prerequisite and/or 119 English I (Honors)
Full Year       Grade 10

English 2 (Honors) emphasizes the continuation of the steps in research with an in-depth study of vocabulary, spelling, sentence and paragraph structure.  This will also include the five paragraph essay. World literature is arranged into short stories, dramas, poetry and non-fiction. The student will study literary genres and will be expected to read widely and critically; and think creatively and analytically.  The student will participate in stimulating classroom discussions that will challenge his/her knowledge of certain literary works.  The goal of this class is to instill a lifelong love of literature.
Text: The literature text is furnished by the school.
        The students will also use the Writer's Inc. purchased freshman year.
Cost: Paperback novel(s) & red binder
 

134      ENGLISH 3
1 Credit       Required
Full Year       Grade 11

The focus this year is on the history, culture, and major writers of each era of American Literature. Students are expected to respond critically to written assignments and class discussions. Creative writing is examined this year and students will be expected to explore and develop crafting skills and strategies for writing various types of essays, character sketches, poems, short stories, and research papers.  Emphasis will be placed on following the writing process: pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing and publishing.  In addition, students will read one book per quarter and will complete the required book report.  Students will also develop testing strategies to assist in the preparation for the ACT.
Text: The literature text is furnished by the school.
        The students will also use the Writer's Inc. purchased freshman year.
Cost: Paperback novel(s) & red binder
 

139       ENGLISH 3 (HONORS)
1 Credit       Prerequisite and/or 129 English II (Honors)
Full Year       Grade 11

The purpose of American Literature is to survey the history, culture, and major writers of each era in American Literature. Students will write critically about what they have read and discussed in class. They will not only generate their own thoughts and opinions about certain literary works, but will also speak thoughtfully about their ideas through class participation, group projects, papers, and presentations.  The composition course work will consist of practice in expository and creative writing, as well as building upon research writing to be concise and developed. Students will be encouraged to use higher order thinking skills while they develop a lifelong love of literature.  Based on AP criteria, the students will also complete a writing portfolio that will serve as a collection of their work.  Each quarter, students will be expected to read at least one book independently and complete a report on it.  Students will also develop testing strategies to assist in the preparation for the ACT.
Text: The literature text is furnished by the school.
        The students will also use the Writer's Inc. purchased freshman year.
Cost: Paperback novel(s) & binder

144      ENGLISH 4
1 Credit       Required
Full Year       Grade 12

The study of the history, culture and major writers of each era of English Literature is the focus of this class. Students will increase critical literacy through timed reading and writing exercises.  In addition, students will acquire and develop the skills to help them express their ideas clearly and effectively through several writing and speaking opportunities.  Research skills will be reinforced and students will compile a portfolio of their work.
Text: The literature and composition texts are furnished by the school.
        The students will also use the Writer's Inc. purchased freshman year.
Costs: Paperback novel(s); 1" binder
 

149      ENGLISH 4 (HONORS)
1 Credit       Elective, Prerequisite and/or 139 English III (Honors)
Full Year       Grade 12

The objective of this course is to develop accurate, perceptive reading through close study of major texts (focusing on British and World classics) representing various literary genres and to acquire a fluent, precise writing style through the preparation of literary analysis essays about the texts studied.  Students will generate independent, thoughtful, and analytical discourse during class discussions and deliver oral reports with poise and clarity. Students will compile a portfolio of their work.
Text: The literature text is furnished by the school.
        Students will also use the Writer's Inc. purchased freshman year.
Cost: Two or more paperback novels; red binder

154      HEROES OF THE PAGE AND SCREEN
1/2 Credit       Elective, Prerequisite: minimum grade of C in last semester's
                     English class
One semester       Grade 10, 11, 12

This class examines some classics and some not so classic heroes of literature and film.  Students will read several novels (to be purchased by the students) and watch several films during this semester course.  Students will be exposed to various critical approaches for studying literature and some film conventions and techniques for understanding films.  Students will be expected to participate fully in class discussions.
Text: Purchased by the student. 
        Students will also use the Writer's Inc. purchased freshman year.
Cost: Paperback novels - approximately $30