English Course Offerings

Patricia Minogue, Assistant Principal

The English program is a four-year sequence offering Regents track courses in grades 9 through 12. Special programs include grade level honors classes‚ high school extension programs offering college credit courses‚ drama classes and reading and writing acceleration classes. In addition tothe study of literature and oral written communication skills‚ each course offers specialized units that address such areas as media study‚ myth and folklore‚ etc. A major term project is also required in the spring term.

Honor classes are offered to students based on teacher recommendation‚ high scholastic ability as evidenced generally in a minimal grade of 92‚ and commitment to the rigors of the curriculum.

English 1

Introduction to English
Theme: "The Search for Identity"
Introduction to the various literary genres (novel‚ short-stories‚ drama‚ and poetry).
Requirements: Two Full Literary Works

English 2

Composition
Theme: "The Self-Reliant Individual"
Emphasis on the writing process through the study of literature
Requirement:Autobiography

English 3

The Short Story and the Novel
Theme: "The Individual as a Member of Society"
Character development and the individual's struggle to adapt to a changing world; study of myths and folklore.
Requirement:Two full literary works.

English 4

Literature as Experience
Theme: "The Individual's Response to the World Around Him"
Realizing goals and dreams through literature; speech-centered term.
Requirement: Biography Project of Multicultural Project

English 5

The American Experience
Theme: "The American Identity and Search for DIgnity and Worth in a Growing Nation"
A study of the American Experience. *Students take the English Regents the upcoming January.
Requirement: Two full literary works and Regents Preparation.

English 6

Famous American Authors
Theme: "The Search for Rational and Human Significance"
A study of the American heritage‚ emphasis and the 20^th Century works.
Requirements: American Literature Paper

English 7

English Literature
Theme: "Man's Struggle for Ethical Standards; The Quest for Survival in a Complex World"
A study of the English literary heritage‚ Anglo-Saxon to 18^th Century periods or World Literature.
Requirement: Two Full Literary Works

English 8

English and World Literature
Theme: "Man's Search for Values in an Uncertain World"
The search for universal values; emphasis on 20^th Century works.
Requirements: Literature or Non-Fiction Research Paper

Other English Courses

Accelerated Writing

This one-term supplemental English Course identifies writing strengths and weaknesses of ninth graders. Emphasis is placed on the improvement of individual skills through the process of pre-writing‚ producing the first draft‚ revising‚ and proofreading. Students use the Writing Process Approach to write on a variety of topics‚ such as literary themes‚ contests‚ interdiciplinary activities‚ and student journals.

Accelerated Reading

The Accelerated Reading Course is designed to improve reading and study skills especially in the content area subjects. Its objectives are to: familiarize students with different reading strategies‚ to enable students to identify and comprehend material which is written on a variety of levels‚ to engage students in problem solving‚ and cooperative learning groups‚ to introduce conferencing as part of the ongoing assessment process‚ to encourage students to use study guides and methods such are SQ3R to enhance their study habits. During the reading process‚ pupils are encouraged to think about their predictions and/or expectations; to use context clues‚ to recognize signal language‚ to identify pronoun referents‚ etc.

Finally‚ at the conclusion of a reading assignment‚ pupils are led to evaluate what they've read; to consider its significance and to make inferences-to reflect on the new learning. Students prepare projects such as book logs as part of the assessment process.

AP English

AP English is a challenging senior English course designed for enthusiastic readers‚ effective and creative writers‚ and articulate speakers who want to experience freshman college English and hope to develop a deep appreciation for the beauty and efficacy of the English Language as it is used in all genres.

The focus of the course is on interpretive reading of the classics‚ and on composing critical essays about literature. Students take the Advanced Placement exam in May‚ as they may qualify for advanced standing or college credit. In addition‚ students may receive three college credits from St. John's University. To do so‚ they must meet the SAT requirements and pay a minimal tuition fee.

Pre-Requisite
Grade of at least 93 and/or Department Approval Ramp Up: This is a ninth-grade balanced literacy course designed to improve the literacy skills of students who are approaching competency levels in English Language Arts. The course encourages student reading through in-class libraries and twenty-minutes daily of independent reading time, when students quietly peruse books they have personally chosen. Ramp Up instructors explicitly model the habits of proficient readers in Read-Aloud sessions‚ pausing occasionally to ask questions openly or make inferences (as proficient readers would do silently). The instructor‚ for example‚ might question a character's actions or the author's reason for including a plot detail.
This is a literacy saturation program: Independent Reading is followed by the Read-Aloud and classroom conversation about the Read-Aloud which‚ in turn‚ is followed by mini-lessons on literary topics and by workshop periods that involve individual students and groups in additional reading and writing activities. The goal is to raise reading levels so that students can succeed in the classroom.

Introduction to Journalism

The Introduction to Journalism Course is designed for upper-level students with interests in the world around them, in advanced writing and in learning formats specifically designed for the dissemination of information to a wide audience. This course will establish solid skills in the five major areas of journalism: reporting, writing, production, ethics, and teamwork, providing students with the foundation necessary to pursue more advanced areas of journalism. Considerable emphasis is placed on ethics and teamwork enabling students to take journalism beyond the classroom and into successful practice via school publications. The course will emphasize conventional mediums such as newspapers and magazines, as well as the more innovative areas of telecommunications and the Internet.

Pre-Requisite
Successful completion of the English Regents with a grade of at least 85 and a teacher recommendation.

L15: This intermediate skills builder course is designed to develop language skill in a natural progression. Language is viewed as an integrated whole that uses social interactions to support and enhance complex learning development. This course takes into account the students' learning styles‚ academic level‚ and linguistic growth. Listening‚ speaking‚ reading and writing are integrated. Language and learning are connected.
LLIT: This is an intermediate ESL course designed to introduce English Language Learners to the various genres of literature. The student's native language knowledge is used as a "bridge" in instruction. Students are encouraged to make connections between the second language and their own cultures and lives. The English Language Arts Standards provide the framework for ESL instruction.
L25: This is an advanced course for English Language Learners who have attained near-native proficiency. The various genres of literature are examined in depth. Writing for multiple purposes is promoted with emphasis on mechanical accuracy.