English

English 1 CP

Grade 9
English 1 CP provides a solid foundation for the study of language and the appreciation of good literature. Spelling, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary are stressed as means to effective oral and written communication. In the area of composition, the five paragraph essay is taught. The student begins the formal study of literature through the novel, short story, essay, drama and poetry. Students, using the resources in the library, learn how to choose and narrow a topic, formulate a thesis statement, and develop an outline. Students also write a short research paper. Supplementary reading is required.

English 1 H

Grade 9
English 1 Honors includes literature, grammar, composition, oral expression and writing. At the honors level, students are expected to work independently. The course includes a unit on the use of the library for research. Students will learn how to choose and narrow topics, to write a thesis statement and to construct an outline, which develops that thesis. The students also write a short research paper. Underlying all composition work is the formal study of grammar. The analysis of written works, as well as critical thinking, is an integral part of the course. As a communication course, students have the opportunity to develop speaking skills. Placement is determined by standardized test scores, eighth grade achievement, and teacher recommendations.

English 1

Grade 9
English 1 is offered to those ninth grade students who need reinforcement in the important skills of reading, vocabulary, composition and grammar to prepare for CP English classes in their sophomore, junior and senior years. By emphasizing fundamental skills in these areas and by grounding the student in all the terms and concepts taught in CP English, this course will enable motivated students to experience success in subsequent classes. All of the literary genres are studied; supplementary novels and plays are read. In addition to the library skills course, the students will continue to develop library research skills by completing independent projects and by sharing the information they acquire in speeches delivered to fellow classmates.

English 2 CP

Grade 10
English 2 CP expands the study of language and continues to build a greater appreciation of good literature. All literary genres are covered together with an exploration of mythology and selected examples of world literature. Reading of supplementary novels and plays is required. Emphasis is placed on more sophisticated sentence structure, grammar and vocabulary. The five paragraph essay is expanded stressing unity and coherence. A short research paper is also written.

English 2 H

Grade 10
English 2 Honors is offered to students who are able to read and write at the honors level. The literature strand introduces the student to major world writers beginning with such early works as the Babylonian epic of Gilgamesh and continuing through the twentieth century. In addition to the longer essay in its various forms, research paper skills are increased through the preparation of a long, formal outline which accounts for all information gathered, and through the writing of a research paper from that outline. An advanced vocabulary program is presented with the grammar necessary to support the writing. Some oral expression techniques are taught. Supplementary readings are required during the year.

English 3 CP

Grade 11
English 3 CP offers a survey of American literature from the Puritans through Twenty First century writers. One of Shakespeare’s plays is also incorporated into the study of drama. This class includes the systematic study of vocabulary and grammar as a means to more adult reading and writing. To further the goal of clear composition, the techniques of narration, exposition, description and critical analysis are taught. The research paper is also written with the emphasis on literary topics. Several American novels are read in addition to summer readings from the assigned list. Students also develop their public speaking skills and use technology to enhance their learning. The College Admission essay is also addressed.

English 3 H

Grade 11
The literature in English 3 Honors covers major American authors with emphasis on whole works and independent reading. Its basis is the concept that analysis of literature requires and stimulates creative and critical thinking. The student learns to examine, identify, analyze and draw valid conclusions about the overall merit of the material read. Composition stresses serious critical analysis culminating in a short research (library) paper on a literary topic. Students study vocabulary from material taken directly from their reading as well as a vocabulary book. Advanced grammar is taught as a mainstay of clear, disciplined writing. Finally, several full-length American novels and plays are read in addition to the required summer readings, the discussion of which begins the year.

English 3 Advanced

Grade 11
Based on the traditional as well as the modern, English 3 Advanced includes four genre of American literature: short story, poetry, novel and drama, as well as a chronological overview of American literature. Much of the class will be devoted to student-generated discussion of whole works of literature in the belief that students who can talk analytically about a piece of literature can write about it in the same way. Summer readings are required. The students will write an American literature research paper as well as several types of expository essays on the works they have read. Speech, grammar and vocabulary are also important parts of the curriculum. Students will be able to proceed to AP Literature and Composition in senior year. The College Admission essay is also addressed.

English 4 CP

Grade 12
English 4 CP covers a chronological survey of English literature. It aims to bridge the gap between secondary school and college or the business world. Creative projects and various types of critical writing are required. The research paper will be written second semester and counts for 50% of the fourth quarter mark. Part of the paper will be taught in the third quarter and will have some impact on that mark as well. The course also includes vocabulary from both the text and from readings in literature, grammar as the primary aid to clear writing, and formal and informal types of oral presentations. Supplementary reading of English novels follows readings done from the summer reading list.

English 4 H

Grade 12
In literature, English 4 Honors restricts itself to the study of representative writers from the Beowulf Poet to T.S. Eliot. Since the goal is to help the student become as self-sufficient a reader and writer as possible, such an approach throws the burden of learning more on the individual student than is true of regular classes. In composition, although there will be some creative work, major focus is on the writing of answers to the long essay question and the research paper. Both short and long oral presentations will be assigned. Techniques of subordination and correct usage are the focus, both for the sentence itself and for the compositions which the students will write. In addition to the required summer reading, the discussion of which begins the school year, students will read four or five major works, exclusive of work in the anthology. Vocabulary study will come from a text and from novels and plays read during the year. If the student wishes, and with the recommendation of the teacher and the department head, she or he may write the Advanced Placement literature examination in May.

AP English Literature and Composition

Grade 12
AP English Literature and Composition covers some English works with other selections, especially in poetry, drama and short fiction from world writers. The ability to infer, analyze and evaluate must be exercised and developed within the student. In composition, the emphasis is on the writing of answers to long essay questions which develop a thesis and a mini-outline. Creative work is also done, especially for the school literary magazine and various contests. Students write a six to seven page library paper with outline, bibliography and documentation following the MLA handbook. Grammar and usage instruction is largely remedial in order to shore up skills needed to write these more sophisticated assignments. Vocabulary work is based on both a textbook and on words taken from novels and plays read during the course of the year.

Shakespeare CP - Semester elective

Grades 11-12
In order to offer students the opportunity to explore works of Shakespeare not covered in the regular English curriculum, this course presents an in-depth analysis of comedies and of some of Shakespeare’s long verse. The format of the class is workshop with students reading the plays aloud, viewing video performances of the plays, and creating and performing an original work based on Shakespeare’s comedies.

Art of Film CP - Semester elective

Grades 11-12
To help students appreciate film as a distinct art form, this course will examine and analyze various genres of film from the 1930's to the present. It will explore the history of the development of film from the beginning and provide students with methods of viewing film critically.

Creative Writing CP - Semester elective

Grade 11-12
Creative Writing is open to juniors and seniors who have at least an average ability in writing and who wish to improve their skills in more creative areas than can be taught in the regular English classes. Instruction and experience will be given in writing short stories, personal essays, various types of poetry and, if time permits, one-act plays. Class members will be able to enter various student writing contests and write for publication in the school literary magazine. Some reading will be done to aid the student in writing.

Introduction to Drama CP - Semester elective

Grades 11-12
Introduction to Drama is a survey of outstanding dramatic forms from the Greeks to modern playwrights. Students will study Greek, Elizabethan and contemporary dramas. The purpose of this course is to enhance the student's cultural background and to develop an appreciation of the art of the theater.

Journalism 1 CP

Grades 10 -12
Journalism 1 offers interested students an opportunity to explore the field of journalism. Students will concentrate on acquiring the skills necessary for the production of a yearbook: developing a theme, drawing layouts, writing captions and copy, cropping pictures, typing copy and planning for the timely completion of pages. Second semester will focus on the various specialized styles of writing in conjunction with newspaper publishing.
Prerequisite: The recommendation of your English teacher

Journalism 2 CP

Grades 11-12
Selected students who have successfully completed Journalism I are eligible to take Journalism II. Students will assume the leadership roles in producing the print and video yearbooks and be responsible to provide technical training to their peers, represent the moderator to the faculty and administration, as well as resolve production problems. They must design schedules for photography and for meeting deadlines and supervise production of all pages before they are submitted to the printing plant.
Prerequisite: Criteria for selection include the grade in Journalism I, recommendation of the current English teacher, strong communication skills, and an interview with the Journalism teacher.