ENG 1100 - Grammar & composition (1 credit)
Grade Level: 6th
Prerequisites: None
Description: Sixth Grade Grammar and Composition promotes growth in language ability, focusing on the expression of self in correct, clear, and interesting English. Immersion in the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing) strengthens valuable writing skills. Grammar and spelling serve as tools in the effective communication of ideas. Practice in the varied forms of writing for specific purposes (to describe, narrate, inform, persuade, and express feelings) develops the ability to use creative writing as a successful means of communication with others. The related skills of speaking, listening, and reading help to approach writing holistically. Finally, this course encourages an appreciation for the English language, as well as the ability to use writing as a thinking and learning tool.
ENG 1150 - Reading 6 (.5 Credit)
Grade Level: 6th
Prerequisites: None
Description: Sixth grade reading is a comprehensive course covering reading, composition, vocabulary, and spelling. It attempts to prepare students for middle school school, stressing intensive reading and writing both in and out of class. It also offers an opportunity for personal growth, intellectual development, and self-expression through written and oral interpretations, as well as through group discussions of stories.
ENG 1200 - ENGLISH 7 (1 credit)
Grade Level: 7th
Prerequisites: Successful completion of English Grammar & Composition
Description: In English 7, students study literature, composition, grammar, and vocabulary not as separate entities, but as interrelated parts of a whole. The students read short stories, plays, poetry, novels, nonfiction, and folk tales (myths, fables, & legends) - students also learn definitions and something of the history of these forms. Students progress from writing sentences to well-constructed paragraphs, in such forms as descriptive, narrative, process and persuasion. Grammar is studied in conjunction with the student's own writing, including such areas as avoiding sentence errors, spelling, subject-verb agreement, usage and capitalization. The class expands its vocabulary by studying definitions, synonyms, antonyms, sentence completing, and word connotations.
ENG 1210 - ENGLISH 7 HONORS (1 credit)
Grade Level: 7th
Prerequisites: A minimum of a final grade of A in previous English courses (Reading & Grammar and Composition) with a 3.25 weighted cumulative GPA.
Description: In English 7, students study literature, composition, grammar, and vocabulary not as separate entities, but as interrelated parts of a whole. The students read short stories, plays, poetry, novels, nonfiction, and folk tales (myths, fables, & legends) - students also learn definitions and something of the history of these forms. Students progress from writing sentences to well-constructed paragraphs, in such forms as descriptive, narrative, process and persuasion. Grammar is studied in conjunction with the student's own writing, including such areas as avoiding sentence errors, spelling, subject-verb agreement, usage and capitalization. The class expands its vocabulary by studying definitions, synonyms, antonyms, sentence completing, and word connotations.
ENG 1300 - ENGLISH 8 (1 credit)
Grade Level: 8th
Prerequisites: Successful completion of English 7
Description: Eighth grade English is a comprehensive course covering literature, grammar, composition, vocabulary and spelling. It attempts to prepare students for the upcoming freshman year, stressing intensive reading and writing, both in and out of class. It also offers an opportunity for person growth, intellectual development, and self-expression through written and oral interpretations, as well as through group discussions of literary topics and universal themes.
ENG 1310 - ENGLISH 8 (1 credit)
Grade Level: 8th
Prerequisites: A minimum of a final grade of B in the previous year’s honors English course or A in previous English course with a 3.25 weighted cumulative GPA.
Description: Honors Eighth Grade English is a comprehensive course covering literature, composition, grammar and vocabulary. It attempts to prepare students for the upcoming freshman year and high school, stressing intensive reading and writing, both in and out of class. Important skills emphasized will include, but are not limited to, critical reading, academic writing, time management and individual expression. This course is set apart from the regular course in that the expectations are higher, subject matter is covered at a different pace and additional assignments in the form of essays, novels and projects are required.
ENG 1400 - ENGLISH 9 (1 credit)
Grade Level: 9th
Prerequisites: Successful completion of English 8
Description: This course is an introduction to literature. We study the short-story, poetry, drama, the essay, and the novel. In addition, students study vocabulary and continue perfecting their composition and grammar skills through their writing. Independent reading, a book each month, is required.
ENG 1400 - ENGLISH 9 HOnors (1 credit)
Grade Level: 9th
Prerequisites: A minimum of a final grade of B in the previous year’s honors English course or A in previous English course with a 3.25 weighted cumulative GPA.
Description: This course is an introduction to literature. We study the short-story, poetry, drama, the essay, and the novel. Students learn to analyze and interpret literature as they participate in class discussions. In the area of writing, students review the skills necessary for writing a cohesive essay and will write freely in their journals about their experiences, observations, and reflections. In addition, students study vocabulary and are required a book each month of independent reading. The emphasis in this class is on critical thinking skills and collaborative learning.
ENG 1500 - AMERICAN LITERATURE (1 Credit)
Grade Level: 10th
Prerequisites: Successful completion of English 9
Description: Tenth grade English is a comprehensive literature program. It is chronologically organized and presents the literature of the United States in a historical context. Emphasis is placed on reading, appreciating, analyzing, and interpreting literature. This course reinforces grammar, usage, and mechanics skills thereby strengthening the connection between good literature and good grammar. Additionally, this course offers extensive writing practice with particular emphasis on the organization of thoughts and ideas in a logical and cohesive manner. Frequent group discussions of the literature topics and universal themes, provide an opportunity for personal growth, intellectual development, and self‑expression.
ENG 1510 - HONORS AMERICAN LITERATURE (1 Credit)
Grade Level: 10th
Prerequisites: A minimum of a final grade of B in the previous year’s honors English course or A in previous English course with a 3.25 weighted cumulative GPA.
Description: This accelerated course is designed for students with a strong background in English and is recommended for students who are prepared for extensive reading and discussion of works reflecting the diversity of the United States. A strong writing component and emphasis on textual analysis is required. Examination of relationship between American historical events and literary works will be the focus of the course with an emphasis on composition designed to develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, this course offers writing practice with a particular emphasis on the organization of thoughts and ideas in a logical and cohesive manner. Frequent group discussions of the literary topics and universal themes provide an opportunity for personal growth, intellectual development, and self-expression. A short documented paper is a required project in the second semester.
ENG 1550 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION (1 Credit)
Grade Level: 10th
Prerequisites: A minimum of a final grade of B in the previous year’s honors English course or A in previous English course with a 3.5 weighted cumulative GPA.
Description: Advanced Placement English Language & Composition explores the world of expository writing, rhetoric, and critical reading. The course follows the basic structure of a college freshman composition course. We will study the spectrum of rhetorical writing forms, the writing process itself, research and documentation. We will write, both in a journal and in longer, formal assignments, with a special emphasis on argumentation and persuasion. Most of the class readings will consist of essays from our primary textbooks. Readings in American literature will be treated as outside reading assignments. Of course we will discuss these great works, but the emphasis will be on the writers' rhetorical techniques, rather than the critical/historical emphasis which prevails in most literature classes. The course also prepares students for the AP Exam with numerous practice sessions dealing with both the multiple choice and free response sections of the exam. In addition, the class includes a comprehensive vocabulary component.
ENG 1600 - BRITISH LITERATURE (1 Credit)
Grade Level: 11th
Prerequisites: Successful completion of American Literature
Description: In this course, students are exposed to a survey of the literature of Great Britain. It is a study of the major literary periods, important authors, and literary trends in British Literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Post-Modern period. Each period is examined in its historical context and influence on the culture of the British people. The core components of this course are reading, speaking, and writing. Therefore, emphasis will be placed on oral and written interpretation of the literary works read in the course. Concentration will be given to improving writing skills and building vocabulary in preparation for the college entrance exams.
ENG 1610 - HONORS BRITISH LITERATURE (1 Credit)
Grade Level: 11th
Prerequisites: A minimum of a final grade of B in the previous year’s honors English course or A in previous English course with a 3.25 weighted cumulative GPA.
Description: In this course, students are exposed to a survey of the literature of Great Britain. It is a study of the major literary periods in British Literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Post-Modern period. For each literary period important authors, such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, and Dickens, will be studied. In the second semester, a five-page research paper will be assigned. Instruction in writing, supporting and citing an MLA style paper will be emphasized. In addition, concentration will be given to improving writing skills and building vocabulary in preparation for the college entrance exams.
ENG 1630 - CREATIVE AND EXPOSITORY WRITING (1 Credit)
Grade Level: 11th - 12th
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course offers students the opportunity to explore various forms, genres and approaches to creative writing. Topics include plot, character, prose techniques, dialogue and appropriate levels of style, as well as how to outline a piece of writing, logical development, balance and pacing. The course will inquire into the various techniques authors use - consciously and unconsciously - to get their stories over to the reader and then try to find and augment these structures in their own work. The student will also study character relationships, scenic structure, act structure, symbolic and mythological structure as well as other organizations in fiction. In addition, this course will help the student understand modern English usage. In particular, the student will review, study, and apply the rules of grammar and punctuation within the context of effective communication principles.
ENG 1700 - WORLD LITERATURE (1 Credit)
Grade Level: 12th
Prerequisites: Successful completion of British Literature
Description: This course is intended to familiarize the student with the great works of Western literature. It will attempt to establish thematic patterns running through the masterpieces that show the continuity and development of Western literature. Students will be writing in-class and at-home essays dealing with the literature studied as well as a research paper in the MLA style. This course will provide the students with an opportunity to improve their critical reading skills and the skills of literary analysis as well as vocabulary, speaking, listening skills, and writing skills.
ENG 1750 - ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LITERATURE (1 Credit)
Grade Level: 12th
Prerequisites: A minimum of a final grade of B in the previous year’s honors English course or A in previous English course with a 3.5 weighted cumulative GPA.
Description: This course provides an opportunity for secondary school students to pursue and receive credit for college-level course work completed at the secondary school level. Students read and discuss some of the finest poetry, plays, novels, and short stories written at various times in various cultures. They learn how to discover meaning in literature by being attentive to language, image, character, action, argument, and the various techniques and strategies authors use to evoke emotional responses from readers. Students are expected to justify their interpretations by reference to details and patterns found in the readings, to compare their interpretations with those proposed by classmates, teacher, and published literary works, and to be prepared to modify their own interpretations as they learn more and think more. Goals for writing include analytical essays about literature as well as creative assignments where the students experience the hard work and rewards of authorship. Exercises emulating the style of a particular writer will be included. Students will be required to write and document a research paper on a single work or several works by one or more authors. Advanced Placement English students are expected to develop a mature writing style characterized by good vocabulary, a variety of sentence structures, distinct subordination and coordination of ideas in structured paragraphs, and by rhetorical devices that reinforce meaning. Collaborative projects are a common feature of this course. Small groups of students are given an assignment requiring collecting and organizing information, making critical judgments, and presenting their work to the rest of the class.