Honors Freshman English
1 credit
Prerequisite: Placement by department
and guidance
Students will be introduced to the
critical analysis paper and to major
genres of literature with extensive
reading and writing required. Students
will read at least three novels, poetry,
and nonfiction, in addition to the short
stories and common text listed above.
Grammar and vocabulary will be
taught in conjunction with the writing
process in preparation for the new SAT.
Students should have demonstrated
above-average competency in the
interpretation and analysis of literature
and an above-average competency in all
areas of writing, including the formal
essay.
Note: Completion of the summer
reading assignment is mandatory and
students are responsible for getting
the summer reading assignment. The
summer reading assignment will be
available June 1 via TAOnline, the
Guidance Office, and English teachers.
Freshman English
1 credit
Prerequisite: Placement by department
and guidance
This course provides the pace and
content expected of students preparing
to further their education after high
school at two- and four- year colleges
and universities, with the goal of
introducing students to new ideas
and perspectives while developing
their appreciation of literature. Short
stories, poetry, nonfiction and novels
will be sampled and studied to develop
comprehension and analysis of literature.
The principles of composition and
presentation, close reading, and effective
original writing will be introduced and
developed. Grammar and vocabulary
will be stressed and taught in preparation
for the new SAT.
Foundations of Freshman English
1 credit
Prerequisite: Placement by department
and guidance
This course is for those students who
plan to go straight into the workforce or
further their education after high school
in technical or vocational experience
and/or coursework. Students will
concentrate on improving their skills of
reading, decoding and comprehension
by reading from high-interest fiction
and supplementary reading materials.
Writing assignments will stress learning
to write correct and complete sentences
and to structure those sentences into
paragraphs. Finally, students will
continue to develop their mastery
of grammar, usage, and vocabulary.
Students will be assisted in developing
the skills, knowledge and habits of mind
that will foster effective written and oral
communication and an appreciation of
literature.
SOPHOMORES
Tenth grade English is designed to help
students understand literature in the
context of its culture. All tenth grade
English classes will read J.D. Salinger’s
The Catcher in the Rye, a world literature
play, and complete a major unit on
poetry. Themes discussed include
assumptions about class and gender, and
the tensions between an individual and
society. Substantial emphasis will be
placed on grammar; writing instruction
will extend the skills developed in
freshman year to include exposure to a
wide range of writing experiences. Tenth
grade classes will continue working
toward mastery of the literary analysis
essay, but will study and experience
expository, persuasive, and creative
writing. A research component will
also be introduced with writing. Direct
vocabulary instruction through the
online program Membean is mandatory
for all sophomore English classes.
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