English Courses
English 9 (100) [NCAA]
1.0 credit, Grade 9, Weight 1.0
English 9 is designed to provide a solid foundation in which students will become familiar and proficient in both literature and grammar/composition. Heavy emphasis will be placed on recognizing literary elements while reading works of literature and drama, short written responses, and vocabulary and spelling. Further emphasis will be placed on writing in different modes, such as informative, narrative, expository, and persuasive writing through the development of a student portfolio. Communication skills will be enhanced through public speaking, group and individual presentations, and the writing process.
English 10 (101) [NCAA] [Keystone]
1.0 credit, Grade 10, Weight 1.0
English 10 is designed to develop and enhance student recognition of literary elements in literature. Students will be expected to complete multiple readings from a variety of different sources and to be able to discuss those readings in a classroom format. Emphasis will be placed on reading comprehension, critical and analytical thinking skills, vocabulary building, and oratory development. The course is also designed to improve and reinforce proficiency in composition. The focal point of this part of the course will stress the importance of the writing process; students will be expected to self–edit and peer–edit all of their work in order to increase their talents as writers.
English 11 (102) [NCAA]
1.0 credit, Grade 11, Weight 1.0
Building upon skills taught in 9th and 10th grade English, English 11 focuses on turning literacy skills into practical applications that students will take with them to English 12 and beyond. Through studying various forms of literary and non-literary sources, students will develop critical thinking skills and apply them to everyday conversations and situations. With an emphasis on reading comprehension, written expression, career skills, social-emotional skill development and speaking and listening skills, English 11 will allow students to create tangible artifacts that will prepare them for their future.
English 12 (103) [NCAA]
1.0 credit, Grade 12, Weight 1.0
Critical thinking skills developed in earlier levels of secondary English will be built upon during English 12 via critical language skills. As students prepare to transition into life outside of the classroom, they must be well-equipped to interact confidently with a variety of texts, a diverse population of people, and an evolving sense of self. Throughout the course students will work to cultivate growth mindsets and problem solve by developing their communication and thinking skills through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will be asked to analyze their methods of thinking and evaluate their biases as a way to create a more capable framework for problem solving while also working to develop the necessary "soft" skills required for collaborating and cooperating with others. As a result, students will increase their ability to self-reflect on their own habits and habit formation while better understanding the perspectives of others in order to promote genuine communication in the workplace amidst the backdrop of the Spartan Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Empathy, Optimism, Perseverance, and Innovation.
Honors English 9 (100H) [NCAA]
1.0 credit, Grade 9, Weight 1.1
Honors English 9 is designed to provide a solid foundation in which students will become proficient in both grammar and composition. Heavy emphasis will be placed on parts of speech, the marks of punctuation, rules of grammar and usage, and vocabulary. Further emphasis will be placed on writing in different modes, such as informative, narrative, expository, and persuasive writing through the development of a student portfolio; students will write a formal research paper. Students will also master and recognize literary elements while reading works of literature and drama. Communication skills will be enhanced through public speaking, group and individual presentations, and the writing process. Teacher recommendation required.
Honors English 10 (101H) [NCAA] [Keystone]
1.0 credit, Grade 10, Weight 1.1
The focus of this course is to expose students to authors from around the world with an emphasis on cultural values and social issues. The course examines how a nation’s culture and history are reflected in its literature including short stories, novels, and poetry. Students will analyze and discuss how literary elements work to reinforce and emphasize an author’s message. Expository texts will be used for students to gain background knowledge about the beliefs and politics of the different countries being studied. In addition, current essays addressing themes and ideas relevant to the readings will be used for class discussions and written assignments aimed at challenging students’ critical thinking skills. Through class discussions and presentations, students will develop speaking skills needed to succeed in both college and the workforce. The honors course emphasizes college level vocabulary development and writing. Teacher recommendation required.
Honors English 11 (102H) [NCAA]
1.0 credit, Grade 11, Weight 1.1
Honors English 11 is a continuous exploration of American literature, with a strong emphasis on the many different archetypes that appear throughout the short stories, essays, plays, poetry, and novels. Students will read literature, write and speak reflectively of the literature, study the English language, and work cooperatively within this framework. Teacher recommendation required.
Honors English 12 (103H) [NCAA]
1.0 credit, Grade 12, Weight 1.1
The focus of this course is the study of literature from a global perspective. The works in this course range from the ancient to the contemporary and demonstrate the concept of humanity on an international level. This course will explore the ideas, philosophies, and cultures from the past and present. The students will examine the literature of a variety of people, demonstrating a direct reflection on time and events in the historical period in which the text was written. Teacher recommendation required.
IB Language and Literature I (HL) (102IB) [NCAA]
1.0 credit, Grade 11, Weight 1.2
The Language and Literature High Level course is designed to have the depth and rigor of a college-level course. It aims to introduce the critical study and interpretation of written and spoken texts from both literary and non–literary works. The formal analysis of texts is supplemented by awareness that meaning is not fixed but can change in respect to contexts of production and consumption. The course is organized into the major concepts of Readers, Writers, and Texts; Time and Space; and Intertextuality. The concepts of identity, perspective, transformation, communication, culture, representation, and creativity are used to explore deeper meaning in texts ranging from novels to public service announcements. Together, the course allows the student to explore language through its cultural development and use, its media forms and functions, and its literature. Students develop skills of literary and textual analysis, and also the ability to present their ideas effectively. A key aim is the development of critical literacy. The International Baccalaureate aspect of the course culminates in an oral presentation at the end of junior year, a higher-level essay throughout senior year, and two sit-down written exams May of senior year. Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation. Students do not need to be enrolled in the IB CP Program to take the course.
IB Language and Literature II (HL) (103IB) [NCAA]
1.0 credit, Grade 12, Weight 1.2
The Language and Literature High Level course is designed to have the depth and rigor of a college-level course. It aims to introduce the critical study and interpretation of written and spoken texts from both literary and non–literary works. The formal analysis of texts is supplemented by awareness that meaning is not fixed but can change in respect to contexts of production and consumption. The course is organized into the major concepts of Readers, Writers, and Texts; Time and Space; and Intertextuality. The concepts of identity, perspective, transformation, communication, culture, representation, and creativity are used to explore deeper meaning in texts ranging from novels to public service announcements. Together, the course allows the student to explore language through its cultural development and use, its media forms and functions, and its literature. Students develop skills of literary and textual analysis, and also the ability to present their ideas effectively. A key aim is the development of critical literacy. The International Baccalaureate aspect of the course culminates in an oral presentation at the end of junior year, a higher-level essay throughout senior year, and two sit-down written exams May of senior year. Prerequisite: IB Language and Literature I. Students do not need to be enrolled in the IB CP Program to take the course.