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English 9
Grade 9
Full year, 1 credit
This curriculum is designed to develop advanced language, literature and analysis skills. Emphasis is
placed on mastering grammatical concepts, improving writing, and using literature as a basis for writing.
Students at this level are expected to display higher level thinking skills and advanced analytic skills in
both reading and writing.Honors World Studies:
This class combines Honors World History and Honors English 9 to create Honors World Studies where the curriculum from both disciplines will be used to reinforce the other discipline by making connections between history, cultures, and literature. World history and geography covers the time periods from early civilizations to the present. Critical thinking, study skills, problem solving, teamwork, and the integration of all forms of technology will be encouraged so that students see the interconnectedness of the essential question from both history and English. This course also includes historical interpretation, primary source review, and analysis skills while emphasizing writing skills, literature, and vocabulary. Writing activities give students practice in organizing and developing narrative, cause and effect, and compare and contrast compositions, literary reviews and research papers. Mastery of the writing process is expected to demonstrate student’s ability to critically think about the world. In addition, students study short stories, novels, poetry, and a Shakespearean play. The class meets two periods every day. This course will be taught collaboratively by the English 9 and World History teacher for the benefit of the student learner to see the thematic correlations between history and literature.English 10
Grade 10
Full year, 1 credit
This course emphasizes organizing, developing, editing and revising compositions. Literature studies
introduce literary terminology, critical and analytical reading and appreciation of literature.Honors English 10
Grade 10
Prerequisite: Honors English 9
Full year, 1 credit
This curriculum is designed to develop advanced language, literature, and analysis skills. Students in the
honors program have a challenging year studying all aspects of English literature, including Shakespeare,
poetry, short stories, and drama. Evidence of higher level thinking skills and independent work is
expected.English 11
Grade 11
Prerequisite: English 10
Full year, 1 credit
English 11 offers an integrated program of writing and literature, focusing on the study of American
Literature and persuasive/argumentative writing. Students will also write a compare and contrast
composition, research paper, narrative, and a literary analysis.AP Language & Composition
Grade 11
Prerequisite: Honors English 10
This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement English Language and
Composition Exam. This rigorous and challenging course focuses on language analysis, literary analysis
and advanced composition. This college-level course entails a good deal of independent reading and
writing, including argumentative writing and research. It is recommended that students who take this
elective course have above average listening, reading, writing, and computer skills. Please note that this
class uses a college-level reading list, which is available from the instructor upon request.English 12
Grade 12
Prerequisite: English 11
Full year, 1 credit
English 12 emphasizes the analysis of British and world literature, development of critical thinking, and
writing for the argumentative/persuasive, research, and narrative genres. Academic resume writing is
taught.AP Literature & Composition
Grade 12
Prerequisite: AP Language & Composition
Full year, 1 credit
This is a college-level course designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement English exam.
Both analytical and creative writing are accentuated, preparing students for the rigors of college
composition by honing their abilities to write clearly, cogently, and stylistically. Entering students should
have above average listening, reading, writing, time management, and organizational skills. Please note
that this class uses a college-level reading list, which is available from the instructor upon request.Newspaper Staff
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Journalism or instructor approval
Students in this class work on the school newspaper. They handle all phases of publication. Leadership
positions are available. Field trips, conventions and workshops where the students' work can be
submitted in contests are part of the class. There is after school, evening and weekend work. Students
should have some background in photography, word processing, computers, art graphics, business
practices, and organizational skills. May be repeated for credit.Yearbook Staff
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Instructor approval
Members of this class will produce the school yearbook. This will include all planning, writing, photography, and page design for the book, as well as supervising its distribution. Students should have
a background in writing, photography, computers, and graphic design. There is after school, evening and
weekend work. May be repeated for credit.Creative WritingGrades 10-12This course is for students who are interested in developing their creative writing skills. They will have
an opportunity to investigate their ideas and opinions about the world and to express them in powerful,
effective language. Students read and write poems, plays, short stories, and autobiographies to discover
the characteristics of literary forms.
Honors Academic Decathlon
Grades 9-12
Full year, 1 elective credit
This course is a year long elective which exposes the student to the integrated nature of human
experience. Students will conduct research and critical inquiry into a broad array of academic disciplines
and communication skills covering this year's theme. Students will evaluate material covered in the
course from ethical, aesthetic, and intellectual perspectives. Students will master the basic content
knowledge requirements of the academic areas of art, economics, language, literature, music, physical or
social science, speech and the super quiz topic. Participation in at least one competition is required. May
be repeated for credit.