ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS
INSTRUCTIONAL SEQUENCES
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
Language 9
Freshman English
Freshman English
Honors
|
Language 10
Sophomore English
Sophomore
English Honors
|
The American Experience
American Literature
American Literature
Honors |
Occupational English
Contemporary World Literature
AP English Literature & Composition Honors |
|
|
Electives
Contemporary World Literature
Creative Writing
Journalism & Newspaper Publishing
Book Editing & Publishing: Yearbook
Public Speaking & Debate
Media Literacy
Poetry
British & Irish Literature
Common Ground: Publication Journalism
Book of Years
Shakespeare |
*Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior courses will be taken in sequence. They may not be taken concurrently without permission of the Department Chair. In registration for elective courses, seniors will receive first priority.
Literacy Folder Requirements for all Freshmen classes:
All freshmen must successfully complete the literacy portfolio. Students will work in writing workshops that include peer review and peer editing to produce a Literacy Folder which will demonstrate improved writing ability and show the importance of continued self-assessment as a reader and writer. The English Department has set a standard for ninth grade writing and is using these Literacy Folders as a means of assessing student ability.
Each folder will be read by members of the department and students will be given feedback on their writing. In order to pass the ninth grade, it is required that each student meet the expectations of these folders. If by the end of the course students have not produced writing that has met the standard, they will be provided with after school or summer assistance in order to meet this goal and then be passed on to the tenth grade.
GRADE 9 ENGLISH COURSES
Language 9 (010) 1 credit
Students will explore the theme of “Rites of Passage” through various texts and writing assessments. Students will concentrate on the following basic skills: reading, writing, speaking, listening, vocabulary, G.U.M. (grammar, usage, and mechanics), and language study. As part of the course, students develop portfolios supporting these basic skills as well as creating Literacy Folders.
Freshman English (014) 1 credit
Freshman English will focus on the presentation, analysis, and critique of literature as students explore the theme of identity. In addition, students will read non-fiction material. Students will engage in a systematic review of the conventions of the English language and gain a solid grounding in parts of speech and how grammar choices affect their writing. Students will write both expository and creative pieces, and integrate technology into their work when possible. Students will be expected to communicate their writing clearly by using correct grammar, conventional spelling, and proper mechanics.
Freshman English (016) Honors course 1 credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of grade 8 English and recommendation of grade 8 teacher.
Freshman Honors will focus on the presentation and critique of numerous literary selections and on the analysis of literary genres. Students will engage in a systematic review of the conventions of the English language and gain a solid understanding as to how grammar and syntax choices affect their writing.
Students will be asked to write both expository and creative pieces, and to integrate technology into their work when possible. Students will be expected to communicate clearly by using correct grammar, conventional spelling, and proper mechanics. The pace set in this course in terms of reading and writing expectations is accelerated.
GRADE 10 ENGLISH COURSES
Language 10 (020) 1 credit
Prerequisite: Recommendation of Freshman English teacher
This course is for students who need to increase their basic reading, comprehension, and writing skills. Students will learn word analysis skills, spelling strategies, grammar, narrative and expository writing forms, and strategies for improving reading comprehension.
Sophomore English (024) 1 credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Freshman English.
Sophomore English will focus on the interpretation and evaluation of a variety of media and literary works. Students will critique professional and peer writing regarding word choice, style, content and literary elements. The conventions of the English language will be specifically reviewed as needed with a focus on complexity of sentence structure in writing and correct use of commas, semicolons, and colons.
Students will be asked to clearly articulate a point of view or state a firm judgment about the pieces discussed, as well as to establish interpretive claims and support them with specific details from the text. Students will be asked to write both expository and creative pieces and to communicate clearly by using correct grammar, conventional spelling, and proper mechanics. Students will be expected to integrate technology into their work. Research will focus on information gathering in a variety of ways and the creation of an extensive annotated bibliography.
Sophomore English (026) Honors course 1 credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Freshman Honors and/or recommendation of Freshman English teacher.
Sophomore Honors will focus on the interpretation and evaluation of a variety of media, and will survey a variety of literary works. Students will critique professional and peer writing regarding word choice, style, content and literary elements. The conventions of the English language will be specifically reviewed as needed with a focus on the complexity of sentence structure in writing and the correct use of commas, semicolons, and colons.
Students will be asked to clearly articulate a point of view or state a firm judgment about the pieces discussed, as well as to establish interpretive claims and support them with specific details from the text. Students will be asked to write both expository and creative pieces and to communicate clearly by using correct grammar, conventional spelling, and proper mechanics. Students will be expected to integrate technology into their work. Research will focus on information gathering in a variety of ways and the creation of an extensive annotated bibliography. The pace set in this course in terms of reading and writing expectations is Honors.
GRADE 11 ENGLISH COURSES
The American Experience (030) 1 credit
Prerequisite: Basic Language 10 and grade 10 teacher recommendation
In this yearlong course, students will apply language skills and strategies to explore various themes in American culture and make connections among texts and public discourse and local media sources. Students will practice oral and written expression to better understand how changing roles in the community contribute to identity and role changes within the family and
their social structures in America. Students will be expected to critically think about their roles and responsibilities in their family, their school and the larger community.
American Literature (034) 1 credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Sophomore English
American Literature classes will focus on the analysis of literary selections from the various American literary schools from 1607 to the present day. It will also present the multi-ethnic components of American Literature in order to foster an understanding of the cultural diversity of life within the United States. The conventions of the English language will be specifically reviewed as needed.
Students will be asked to write both expository and creative pieces. Students will be expected to communicate clearly by using correct grammar, conventional spelling, and proper mechanics. Written pieces will need to reflect a level acceptable in the work place and higher education. Students will be expected to integrate technology into their work.
American Literature Honors (036) Honors Course 1 credit
Prerequisite: Recommendation of 10th grade English teachers A requirement of this course is completion of summer readings
This course will focus on the chronological analysis of literary selections from the various American Literary schools from 1607 to the present day. The American experience is traced through the study of primary and secondary sources. The course will also present the multi-ethnic components of American Literature in order to foster an understanding of the cultural diversity of life within the United States. A basic assumption of this course is that there is a body of knowledge, as well as a common experience and vision that serves to bind any particular society together.
Students will be asked to write both expository and creative pieces. Students will be expected to communicate clearly by using correct grammar, conventional spelling, and proper mechanics. Written pieces will need to reflect a level acceptable in the work place and higher education. Students will be expected to integrate technology into their work. In addition to other course requirements, students will write a 12-15 page research paper and develop a means to demonstrate their findings in a presentation/demonstration.
GRADE 12 ENGLISH COURSES AND ELECTIVES
Occupational English (040) 1 credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of American Literature.
This course combines a practical-skills approach to English with a study of world literature. It is designed to help students organize their ideas in an expository fashion relevant to life and work
settings. Occupational English provides practice in writing sentences correctly and in developing clear paragraphs.
Contemporary World Literature (042) 1 credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of American Literature .
Contemporary World Literature will focus on the analysis of literary selections from the twentieth century, exclusive of American authors. Students will analyze the relationships of literature, history, culture and the arts, and study the evolution of the universal themes relevant to modern American living. Students will critique public documents including political speeches, editorials, or campaign literature. Students will also examine a range of published articles and draw inferences about their stances. The conventions of the English language will be specifically reviewed as needed.
Students will produce a variety of writings connecting what has been read to the broader world of ideas, concepts and issues, as well as make judgments about the text. Students will be expected to write at a level acceptable in the work place and higher education.
Creative Writing (043) ½ credit
In this course, students will be provided with extensive opportunities to write fiction, drama, and poetry. Course obligations include keeping a writer’s journal, participating in peer review sessions, and preparing polished pieces of writing which will be shared with the class. Assessment will be through preparation and self-evaluation of a portfolio of writing.
Poetry (045) ½ credit
Poetry expresses human ambivalence and like people, is complicated. It is through poetry that we preserve the minds of people before us and against whom we can measure our common humanity. Students will study, write and publish poetry. They will learn how to read poetry and how to respond knowledgeably to contemporary poets. Students will produce a portfolio of their work and that of their favorite poets and present this work to an audience. Some of the poets we
will read are: Naomi Shihab Nye, Geof Hewitt, William Stafford, Mary Oliver, Galway Kinnell, W.S. Merwin, Maragaret Atwood, Rita Dove, Linda Hogan.
British and Irish Literature (048) ½ credit
How does literature reflect the evolution of language and ideas? In considering this question, we will survey not only classic works of British and Irish literature, but also read and discuss contemporary poetry and fiction. While we will practice composing analytical essays in preparation for college courses, we will also write poetry, short stories and personal essays. Texts and authors may include Beowulf, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, the Metaphysical poets, the Romantics, Austen, Dickens, Hardy, Woolf, Forster, Joyce, Yeats, Orwell and Heaney. Students will be expected to complete independent reading and writing projects.
Book Editing and Publishing: A Yearbook Experience (046) 1 credit
Prerequisite: Students interested in registering for this class must obtain written approval from Mr. Whalen. This does not meet an English graduation requirement.
This course is a direct application of all the theoretical skills students have acquired in English. Any high school student may register, but with an understanding that publishing a yearbook requires commitment, a lot of effort and much creativity.
AP English Literature & Composition (50) Honors Course 1 credit
Prerequisite: Recommendation of American Studies teachers or of American Literature teacher . A requirement of this course is completion of summer readings.
The primary goal of the senior AP English Literature & Composition class is to develop students’ abilities as independent readers and writers by presenting a college-level course during the senior year. Students will spend time reviewing the literary elements involved in the craft of writing and write many analysis papers in an attempt to understand how a writer creates an effect. This close analysis of a wide variety of texts is the focus of student and meant to prepare students for success on the AP Literature Exam. Successfully completing the examination in May can qualify a student for up to one year’s credit in English at many colleges and universities.
Media Literacy (051) 1 credit
Prerequisite: Seniors only, Juniors with permission
In this course, students focus on the role of language in the media by examining the following mediums in depth: newspapers, magazines, Internet, and television. Students form a basic understanding of, analyze, interpret, and critically judge these agencies of information so the whole of various media messages becomes meaningful. Students have the opportunity to examine other mediums while creating the culminating assessment, a media portfolio, and a semester-long project that involves the use of technology and various writing assessments.
Intro to Journalism/Digital Photography & Design (055) ½ credit (Art or English)
Newspapers demand a special type of writing and photography/design; it must be informative and precise. In this semester, 40-minute daily course, students will learn traditional elements of journalism, and design. Students will study different types of news writing, including “objective” news, feature articles, and opinion pieces. Students will also be introduced to digital camera use, image manipulation, layout principles and major components of desktop publishing software.
After students have learned about and practiced news writing, their task will be contributing articles to the Harwood newspaper, Common Ground. The goal will be to make this newspaper a regular and vital part of the Harwood community. Note: The prerequisite for the Common Ground: Publication Journalism in the 2006-07 school year is Intro to Journalism/Digital Photography & Design. Sophomores and Juniors only to take this course for 2005-06 school year and “Common Ground” for 2006-07 school year.
Common Ground: Publication Journalism (722) 1 credit (½ in Art and
Prerequisite: Juniors and Seniors. ½ in English)
Common Ground is a team-taught course, combining the disciplines of both the photo/design program and the English department. Students will divide their time between learning the interviewing, writing and editing skills of Journalism, and the photography and design layout skills needed in publishing a monthly newspaper, Common Ground. The projected audiences for this publication will be both Harwood and the district community.
Two objectives for this course are the development of skills useful for a career or further study, and the development of an important informational resource for both Harwood and our community. Note: For the 2006-07 school year and after, students must complete the ½ credit Introduction to Journalism course as a prerequisite to this course.
Public Speaking & Debate (052) ½ credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Sophomore English
In this semester-long course, students will develop techniques for effective public speaking and debate. Students will research, organize, deliver, and evaluate various types of speeches, special attention will be paid to the physical and verbal rhetorical devices that aid students in informing, persuading, and entertaining their audiences.
Individual speeches, formal team debates, and written work are essential elements of this course. Students will research current issues and practice structuring their arguments in persuasive writing pieces. The final assessment for this course will be an authentic speech in front of a community organization.
Shakespeare (053) ½ credit
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of Sophomore English
This class focuses on the most famous of all English writers, Shakespeare, by studying his sonnets and plays. No prior experience in reading Shakespeare, or in acting is required. By acting out and viewing plays such as Hamlet, King Lear, and Much Ado About Nothing, students will increase their understanding and appreciation of Shakespearean language. Essays, journal responses, and research projects on Elizabethan culture are required.
