Junior High English Courses

• 6th Grade: 6th English/Language Arts - 1 year

  • In 6th grade English, we will be following the Wonders curriculum. We will cover an array of topics, including: personal narratives, informational texts, poetry and more. We will read several examples of each and follow up with a reading comprehension assessment and writing assessment on each topic. We will also study grammar, vocabulary and spelling in each unit.

• 7th Grade: 7th English/Language Arts - 1 year

  • This course is geared toward expanding students' knowledge and abilities in reading, writing, grammar, speaking, and listening. Throughout the year, students will engage with a variety of genres to continue developing reading comprehension skills, vocabulary, and text analysis through short stories, novels, dramas, poems, informational texts, and other literature and nonfiction. Students will improve their writing using the writing process, self-reflection, peer-editing, and various writing tasks. Through reading and writing instruction, students will also continue to develop grade-level grammar, speaking, listening, and 21st century skills.

• 8th Grade: 8th English/Language Arts - 1 year

  • During 8th grade English, students will continue to do more writing, but new units are added to the curriculum. Poetry has become a challenging but fun addition. Learning to close read newspapers, articles, and stories has become a focus as the 8th graders prepare for high school.

High School English Courses

• 9th Grade: English 1 - 1 year - 2 credits
  • This year long course focuses on the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Units of study will incorporate the mechanics of writing, the process of writing, technical reading and writing, study skills, career building skills, critical thinking skills, group discussion, and analysis of literature.
    • Materials of study: The Great Gatsby, Shakespeare, Of Mice and Men, selection of classroom novels, and short stories-"The Yellow Wallpaper" and "The Tell Tale Heart".
• 10th Grade: English 2 - 1 year - 2 credits
  • This yearlong course takes a more intensive look into the elements of writing and reading. Students will us literature as a focus for their writing, learning MLA and APA citations in accordance with reading and analyzing literature. They will also explore different outlets and modes of writing such as blogging and creating nonfiction.
    • Materials of study: The Book Thief, The Importance of Being Earnest, Socratic Seminars and nonfiction materials for blogging and online media.
• 11th Grade: English 3 - 1 year - 2 credits
  • This course covers the verbal and nonverbal elements of communication. The focus of study will cover the basics of communication skills in a multitude of communicative platforms. Students will write cover letters, business proposals, college applications, professional emails, etc. Literary analysis will center on student perspective and character development as it pertains to their lives and relatability. Students will be able to individualize their learning by catering to the specific field in which they wish to pursue upon graduation.
    • Materials of study: The Red Pony and The Old Man and the Sea, and other selections from American Literature.
• 12th Grade: English Electives - 1 Sem - 1 credit (Rotational)
  • Fall
    • Creative Writing I: Developing the Fictional Story
      • In this course, students will learn the elements of effective fictional writing-from plot and setting to characters and imagery-to create vivid and engaging short stories or essays. To sharpen writing skills and strengthen their understanding of craft, students engage in both writing practice and reading assignments.
    • Contemporary Novel
      • The focus of this course will be reading novels in the contemporary era, discussing the themes and characters of each novel and how they pertain and relate to the themes of our ever day lives.
        • Materials of study: Into the Wild, Night, Life of Pi, and The Glass Castle.
    • Film and Literature Analysis
      • Using the elements of both film and literature, students will analyze plot, theme, character development and other literary devices necessary to the point and purpose of analyzing and reviewing the connections between film and literature. Students will also explore how film has evolved over time and how it relates to modern film technology and storytelling.
        • Materials of study: genre, visual elements of film, film adaptation of literature, the hero's journey, and fairytales.
  • Spring
    • British Literature
      • This course is dedicated to the triumph of British Literature. We will follow the course from a historical standpoint, starting with medieval literature and ending with WWI selections. We will cover a variety of types of literature and varied summative assessments.
    • Creative Writing II: Developing Personal Narratives
      • This course gives students the opportunity to explore material in various areas of nonfiction, such as memoirs, poetry, letter writing, and real world applications.The course addresses issues of voice, scene, point of view, and theme, as well as any other elements of nonfiction writing. By the end of the course, students will develop the terminology and the critical skills for creating compelling nonfiction works.
    • Dystopian Literature
      • The purpose of this course would be for students to gain an understanding and appreciation of cultural values and perspectives as expressed in literature. Voice and tone will be focal points of discussion as we read and explore different types of prose and poetry from each culture different from our own.
        • Materials of study: Works of fiction from Native American culture, African American culture, Asian American culture, as well as, fiction related to gender and social constructs.
• Oral Communications
  • This course is a study of language development. Students will learn the intricacies of language, more specifically-areas of linguistic study, theories on language learning and acquisition, as well as aspects of sociolinguistics. The course will culminate in a case study of language interventions and the student posing and researching their own research question in the realms of language.

• Media - 1 year - 2 credits
  • This course is offered as an additional elective credit to high school students. Students will focus on applying listening, reading, speaking and writing skills in a real world setting.

College Level English Courses

These courses are college level courses that are dual credit, meaning a student will receive a high school credit and 3 college credits.

• Composition 1 - 1 Sem - 1 HS credit, 3 College Credits
  • Written communication using various rhetorical methods.
• Composition 2 - 1 Sem - 1 HS credit, 3 College Credits
  • A study of written communication emphasizing argumentation, persuasion, investigation, and the research paper.
• Public Speaking - 1 Sem - 1 HS credit, 3 College Credits
  • Principles of speech communication (preparation, delivery and adjustment to the audience), informative and persuasive speaking. Emphasis on both speaking and listening.