English

The English curriculum approaches the study of language as an expression of human dignity and culture, challenging students to use literature as a means for discovering, understanding, analyzing, and evaluating self, society, national identities, and global responsibilities. Over the course of four years of English, our students engage with a diverse body of texts, with each grade level approaching the study of literature through a specific lens:

• English 1: Discovering Self through Literature

• English 2: Understanding Society through Literature

• English 3: Analyzing American Identities through Literature

• English 4: Evaluating Global Responsibility through Literature

In addition to this broad study of literature, there is a structured scope of formal writing assignments across all four grade levels, with an emphasis on the research process and critical analysis.

Course Title: ENGLISH 1

Course Title: HONORS ENGLISH 1

YR, 1 Credit

Grade Level: 9

Prerequisite: A placement test is required for acceptance into the honors level course.

Course Description: English 1 is a comprehensive introduction to a variety of literature and skills that focuses on the overall theme of discovering self through literature. Students read short stories, novels, a Shakespearean play, non-fiction articles, and poetry and make personal connections to the literature and today’s world. With each unit, students read, annotate, discuss, and write about important topics related to the different essential questions for the literature. Also, students are exposed to a variety of works from a diverse list of classic and contemporary authors. In addition to the literature, students focus on a comprehensive research skills unit in which they select a social issue topic, use research databases to find credible sources, and write a persuasive research paper in Modern Language Association (MLA) style. Throughout the course, rigorous attention is given to critical thinking as well as written and oral communication. The Honors English 1 course requires additional literature and written assessments. NCAA

Course Title: ENGLISH 2

Grade Level: 10

Course Description: English 2 presents a multi-genre study of literature through four units: conformity and responsibility, money and work, prejudice and inequality, and peace and war. In each unit, shorter readings are paired with a major work so that students can explore various topics related to the individual and society and better understand the world in which they live. Writing instruction emphasizes the expository paragraph, and the multiparagraph essay prepares students for the critical analysis essay taught in English 3. In addition, the sophomore term paper is an argumentative essay based on an issue related to social justice and completes the process begun with the English 1 research paper. Formal writing and grammar study continues, with an emphasis on punctuation, paragraph structure, and the integration of quoted source material. NCAA study of rhetoric, which serves as a foundation for writing instruction throughout the year. Across a wide variety of writing assignments, Honors English 2 places a strong emphasis on structure, content, and depth, providing students with the framework to be successful in the department’s Junior and Senior Advanced Placement courses. NCAA

Course Title: ENGLISH 3

YR, 1 Credit

Grade Level: 11

Course Title: HONORS ENGLISH 2

YR, 1 Credit

Grade Level: 10

Course Description: Honors English 2 asks students to use literature as a tool to better understand various aspects of society, including justice, conformity, love and marriage, loyalty, and war. Each unit presents a major literary work as a lens through which students can approach and engage with these issues through class discussion, written analysis, and creative projects. Students begin the year with a

Course Description: Students examine the origins and chronological development of American literature and identities. From Native America through the present day, students learn the dominant motifs that inform this literature, including individualism, freedom, immigration, the frontier, and “The American Dream” through both classic and contemporary selections. Each student will write a literary analysis term paper based on his/her choice of an approved novel, with an emphasis on critical thinking skills and mastery of MLA format. In addition, throughout the year students will practice grammar and vocabulary in context as well as prepare for standardized testing. NCAA Course Title: HONORS ENGLISH 3

YR, 1 Credit

Grade Level: 11

Course Description: Students in Honors English 3 work at an accelerated pace to learn dominant motifs of American Liter- ature, including individualism, freedom, justice, immigration, and “The American Dream.” In addition, a strong emphasis is placed on analytical skills, and students are asked to identify and acknowledge author bias as well as analyze rhetorical devices used by authors to inform the purpose of the text. To prepare for the optional AP English Language and Composition Exam, significant class time is devoted to developing writing skills and awareness of style and rhetoric. Each student will also write a literary analysis term paper based on his/her choice of an approved novel, with an emphasis on demonstrating improved analytical skills.

NCAA Course Title: AP ENGLISH 3

YR, 1 Credit

Grade Level: 11

Course Description: AP Language and Composition encourages students to become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and to become skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. This course seeks to enable students to read complex texts with understanding, to read critically, and to break virtually every piece of writing into its component modes so as to discuss the variety of rhetorical strategies demonstrated in the piece. Students learn to write not just analytically, but also to emulate and exercise writing techniques, particularly the modes of writing and writing from specific genres, that they study while reading assigned literature. NCAA

Course Title: ENGLISH 4

YR, 1 Credit

Grade Level: 12

Course Description: English 4 concentrates on three major units of study within World Literature. The first unit focuses on relationships and repercussions, in which students examine literature that focuses on the dynamics between people and their decisions. The second major unit, Fate and Foreboding, examines the concepts of freedom and free will. The third unit, Self and Society, asks students to analyze literature that relates to identity and finding one’s place in the world. Additionally, within the third unit, students will study the Holocaust and read Night, by Elie Wiesel. Throughout the year, grammar and writing instruction points of emphasis include proper sentence structure and effective expository writing skills, and students will compose a comparative literary analysis term paper, the successful completion of which is a graduation requirement. NCAA

Course Title: HONORS ENGLISH 4

YR, 1 Credit

Course Level: 12

Course Description: Honors English 4 provides an accelerated version of the English 4 curriculum, focusing on major works of literature from around the world. This course focuses on refining critical reading, thinking, and writing skills by applying literary critiques to works studied, and students demonstrate a mastery of literary criticism through a multi-draft term paper, the successful completion of which is a graduation requirement. In May, Honors English 4 students may decide to take the AP Exam in English Literature and Composition for possible college credits. NCAA

Course Title: AP ENGLISH 4 YR, 1 Credit

Grade Level: 12

Course Description: The AP Literature and Composition class reads representative works from a variety of literary genres with an emphasis on close reading and critical analysis. In preparation for the English Literature and Composition AP Exam in May, students regularly take practice exams, analyze the results, and discuss exam strategies. Numerous formal writing assignments, including a term paper and a response to a piece of literary criticism, are required. In approaching the study of literature in all of its forms, the course aims to show students its value as a source of vicarious experience and enlightenment as well as the benefits of exposure to other values and cultures. NCAA