English Department

Open to grade 12

Prerequisite: Completion of the previous level of Honors Language Arts with a “C” or better, teacher approval, and writing sample.

Note:  Summer reading required.

One Year - 10 Credits

(College Prep) / (Honors) / (Advanced Placement)

An AP English Literature and Composition course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.

Open to grade 12

Prerequisite: None. A grade of “B” or better in Language Arts 3 or AP English Language recommended.

One Year – 10 Credits

(College Prep)

The goal of the Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC) is to prepare college-bound seniors for the literacy demands of higher education. Through a sequence of eight to ten rigorous instructional modules, students in this yearlong rhetoric-based course develop advanced proficiency in expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing.

Open to grades 10, 11, and 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Language Arts with a “B” or better is strongly recommended along with teacher approval.

One Year - 10 Credits

(College Prep)

This course offers basic training in techniques of interviewing and news writing.  It develops a critical attitude toward news and the ability to evaluate the worth of publications through wide and intelligent reading of newspapers and periodicals.  The writing process is taught to reflect journalistic style.  This course is designed as college prep elective toward high school graduation and entrance to college.

Open to grades 11 and 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Journalism 1 and teacher approval.

One Year - 10 Credits

(College Prep)

Journalism 2 continues to develop the journalistic skills of the student.  It focuses on the writing process thus further developing the student’s ability towards the various journalistic styles.  The process of critique is introduced through the evaluation of various publications such as newspapers, periodicals, and the work of peers.

Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

Prerequisite:  None

One Year - 10 Credits

(College Prep)

In these courses students improve their ability to write clear, well-developed essays through the use of the writing process.  Emphasis is placed on literature.  Students study a different core of literature at each grade level and use an anthology covering the following: 9th grade, Introduction to Literature; 10^th grade, World Literature; 11^th grade, American Literature; and 12^th grade, British/World Literature.  Students also engage in a variety of activities such as the study of vocabulary, word origins, grammar, listening comprehension, critical thinking, and speaking to an audience.  Students develop skills as readers in such areas as the short story, essays, poetry, drama, and the novel.  These courses are designed to meet high school graduation requirements and entrance to a four-year State College or university.

Open to grade 10

Prerequisite:  Completion of the Language Arts 1 (H) with a “C” or better, teacher recommendation, and writing sample.

Note: Summer reading required.

One Year - 10 credits

(College Prep) / (Honors)

The Language Arts 2 Honors course values the perspective of the learner, collectively and individually, and provides next-generation learning experiences that promote higher achievement and develop the competencies needed for college and career readiness. Interactive learning blends print and technology in a student-centered, teacher-inspired classroom. This dynamic course creates an interactive, engaging, and relevant learning environment through readings, meaningful activities, and purposeful performance tasks. It encourages social collaboration as well as student ownership of learning through goal setting, choice, and reflection.

Open to grade 10

Prerequisite:  None

One Year - 10 Credits

(College Prep)

Language Arts 12 Intensive is a reading intervention course designed to advance the academic success of our at-risk students. This course will provide those students with an introduction to rigorous English Language Arts curriculum. The course is structured to provide intensive intervention in a single-period block to meet the requirements of the Common Core English 10 State Standards.

Open to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

One Year - 10 Credits

This course is designed to provide students new to English with basic written, oral and aural competence in a wide variety of English language settings.  Coursework is centered on helping students develop English skills that are immediately useful in school, classroom and community setting.

Open to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

One Year - 10 Credits

First year Advanced ELD course for long-term English learners using issues 1-4 of the English 3D program to develop academic language in speaking, writing, and reading.

Open to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

One Year - 10 Credits

Second year Advanced ELD course for long-term English learners using issues 5-8 of the English 3D programs to develop academic language in speaking, writing, and reading.

Open to grades 11 and 12

Prerequisite: Advanced ELD 1 & Advanced ELD 2

One Year - 10 Credits

Ethnic Studies for ELs is designed for Long-Term English Learners in Grades 11-12 at the Expanding and Bridging Levels.  This course will expand their proficiency in academic English and help them understand how language is a powerful tool in understanding how race, ethnicity, and culture have shaped and continue to shape individuals and society in the United States.

Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

Prerequisite: ELD Literacy, ELD Level A, ELD Level B (newcomer pathway)

One Year - 10 Credits

ELD Lab is a year-long course explicitly designed for English Learners at the Expanding and Bridging Levels  who have transitioned into mainstream courses from our Newcomer Pathway. The purpose of this course is to provide English Learners with the foundational academic language, literacy skills, and abilities necessary to be successful in their academic courses, as well as be college and career ready. This course fosters problem solving, critical thinking skills, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) as well as develops study habits and strategies for success. This course will support academic achievement and accountability by participating in goal setting, grade checks and tutorials, as well as develop and strengthen students’ speaking, reading, writing and listening skills at a higher level. Students will also learn AVID strategies, including note-taking, inquiry, critical thinking, reflection, and tutorials. The course will rely on a variety of diverse texts including fiction and nonfiction texts. The ultimate goal of this course is to provide language support for content areas while simultaneously providing explicit academic instruction that supports English Learners’ language acquisition and development.