Departments:
English
Suggested Reading List
The four-year English program is designed to provide students with reading, writing, and oral skills to encourage responsible social interaction, to enhance the learning process, and to generate enthusiasm for the power of language. All students are required to take four years of English: English 9, English 10, English 11, and one of the required senior offerings. These courses are homogeneously grouped by ability and performance. In addition, students are encouraged to select English electives that will broaden their experience and enrich their knowledge of language and literature. The English curriculum emphasizes skills needed for the CAPT, especially for the Response to Literature, Editing/Revising, and Interdisciplinary sections. In order to prepare students for their role in a diverse society, literature encompasses texts from a multitude of cultures.
Course Offerings:
Requirements:
English 9
English 10
English 11
or
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Reading
English 12 Requirements:
Select from among:
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition
Senior English
Survey of English Literature
Themes in Literature
Electives:
CAPT Review
Creative Writing (SHS)
Diverse Perspectives in Literature – ½ year
English Lab 9 (SHS)
People in Literature
Science Fiction and Fantasy (SHS) – ½ year
Speech – ½ year
Sports Literature – ½ year
Writing Workshop (SHS) – ½ year
English Language Learner Programs:
English as a Second Language (A, B, C)
New Arrival/Literacy
Sheltered English 1, 2
Required Course Descriptions:
30_ENGLISH 9 - 5 Points
This course focuses on developing all of the language arts (reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and enacting). The goal of the writing program is the development offluency, focus, and structure in a variety of genres, including the persuasive narrative, expository essay, response to literature, and other modes. Literature instruction encourages thoughtful interpretation of various genres including adolescent fiction and mythology, as well as novels, short stories, and poetry. Students also read nonfiction that includes essays.
337 and 965_ENGLISH 9 - 5 Points
This course focuses on developing all of the language arts (reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and enacting). The goal of the writing program is the development of fluency, focus, and structure in a variety of genres, including the persuasive narrative, expository essay, response to literature, and other modes. Literature instruction addresses thoughtful interpretation of various genres and includes adolescent fiction, mythology, and a Shakespearean play as well as the novel, short story, essay, poem, and nonfiction article. As a result, students develop their editing, research, and technology skills while practicing fluent written response to literature. Administrative approval required.
31_ENGLISH 10 - 5 Points
This course examines the interpretation of literature through the mediums of the short story, the novel, and expository articles. Instruction focuses on written and oral expression including the persuasive essay and literary response with attention to research, editing, and oral expression skills. While students prepare for the CAPT, they develop interpretive skills and become fluent in written response to literature.
339 and 956_ENGLISH 10 - 5 Points
This course examines the interpretation of literature through the medium of the shortstory, novel, and expository article. Instruction addresses the persuasive essay and literary response with attention to research, editing, and oral expression skills. While students prepare for the CAPT, they develop interpretive skills and become fluent in written response to literature. Administrative approval required.
32_ENGLISH 11 - 5 Points
This course develops an understanding of the American experience through the study of the novel, biography, drama, essay, and poetry. Attention is given to developing fluent, well structured, and well-edited written expression, as well as formal and informal oral expression. In addition, students gain a deepened appreciation of the many cultures that make up and contribute to the American experience.
340 and 957_ENGLISH 11- 5 Points
This course develops an understanding of the American experience through the study of the novel, biography, drama, essay, and poetry. Attention is given to developing fluent, well structured, and well-edited written expression as well as formal and informal oral expression. While this course provides exposure to SAT verbal activities, it also deepens their appreciation of the many cultures that make up and contribute to the American literacy experience. Administrative approval required.
3260_ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION - 5 Points
Grade: 11
This course examines various kinds of analytic and persuasive essays on nonliterary topics with a college level English option in language, rhetoric, and expository writing. Argumentative, narrative, and expository forms are addressed. Critical reading with attention to the nuances of languages, stylistic distinction, and audience, as well as writing with attention to those same elements, are the backbones of the curriculum. As a result, students are prepared for the Advanced Placement test and for the rigors of college level English.
865_READING - 5 Points
This course provides direct assistance and remediation in decoding, overall reading skills, study skills, vocabulary development, and written language. This course emphasizes the strengthening of oral reading fluency, structural analysis, word attack skills, specific comprehension development, writing skills, vocabulary usage, and reference/study skills. Students apply overall reading skills to the classroom setting, practical life situations, and post-graduate situations/careers. Administrative approval required.
ENGLISH 12 REQUIREMENTS:
330_ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION - 5 Points
This course is an intensive program intended to prepare students for the Advanced Placement test. English literature, as well as literature from other countries and cultures, is emphasized. Critical analysis of literature, advanced levels of academic writing, group discussion, projects, creative writing, and the personal narrative essay form the core of the course. Successful completion of a senior paper is required. In addition, successful scores on the Advanced Placement test often excuse the student from both semesters of freshman level English at participating colleges.
373_SENIOR ENGLISH - 5 Points
This course is designed to meet the diverse needs of grade 12 students by providing academic and career components. Reading, writing, and basic language skills are addressed as students concentrate on reading and responding to short stories, novels, plays, and films. Students practice interpersonal skills, interviewing techniques, and resume writing that culminate in a senior paper required for course credit.
341 and 956_SENIOR ENGLISH - 5 Points
This course is designed to meet the diverse needs of grade 12 students by providing academic and career components. Reading, writing, and basic language skills are addressed as students concentrate on reading and responding to short stories, novels, plays, and films. Students are exposed to corporate volunteers and speakers who promote a wider understanding of post graduate opportunities. Students practice interpersonal skills, interviewing techniques, and resume writing that culminate in a senior paper required for course credit. Administrative approval required.
331_SURVEY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE - 5 Points
This course focuses on a survey of British literature and a comparative study of other world writers providing an opportunity for students to polish analytical and communication skills. Lectures, discussions, and seminars are supplemented by films and guest speakers. Students share independent research through cooperative learning and peer teaching that culminates in the completion of a required senior paper.
332_THEMES IN LITERATURE - 5 Points
This course focuses on a selection of world literature, nonfiction, and film that examines the human condition from multiple perspectives. Students further develop analytical skills by communicating in a variety of written and oral formats. The successful completion of a senior paper is a requirement of course credit.
Elective Course Description:
9140_CAPT REVIEW (SHS) - 5 Points
This course is designed for Grade 9 and Grade 10 students who are deficient in basic academic reading skills. Students work in small groups practicing skills measured on the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT). The overall outcome of this course is threefold: to improve the standardized test scores of the selected students, to address the achievement gap between low and higher achieving groups through innovative curriculum and instruction, and to raise the overall test performance of the school.
3360_CREATIVE WRITING (SHS) - 5 Points
Grade: 10, 11, 12
This course requires students to demonstrate an ability to write in a creative manner in a variety of literary formats to include the short story, drama, and poetry. Group reading of works in progress is expected and revision based on peer critique is required. Students analyze the writing of established writers to demonstrate their understanding of the creative process and learn to discover their own creative voices.
3830_DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES IN LITERATURE - 2.5 Points
Grade: 10, 11, 12
This course explores the concept of voice in literature; the emphasis is on those voices often left out of traditional literary study. Voice may refer to the author of a work or its subject that provides a singular perspective on life experiences. Minority voices may include, but are not limited to African-American, Native-American, Asian-American, Latin- American, female, or other diverse communities.
3790_ENGLISH LAB 9 (SHS) - 2.5 Points
This course provides support for those students who need to improve their basic
reading comprehension skills. Course enrollment is determined by grades, standardized testing scores, and teacher recommendations.
357_PEOPLE IN LITERATURE - 5 Points
Grade 12
This course is a humanities course that examines the areas of philosophy, literature,
drama, and religion. Using a wide range of literary traditions, in addition to film, lectures, guest speakers, class discussion, and collaborative groups, the course explores past and present social issues, cultural and historical developments, psychological concepts, and the theme of men and women’s responses to the human condition. While students engage in the above activities, they examine humankind’s attempts to struggle against and to live with the forces that surround the world.
382_SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY (SHS) - 2.5 Points
This semester course focuses on imaginative fiction (both science fiction and fantasy) in which traditional themes such as time travel, paradox, wizardry, and after-death experiences are discussed. Students read short stories and student-selected novels, which are augmented by movies of the genre and critical and creative writing assignments. As a result, students broaden their understanding and appreciation of science fiction and fantasy.
335_SPEECH - 2.5 Points
Grade: 10, 11, 12
This course develops students’ abilities to speak and to present oral material. Principles of effective speaking (purpose, organization, etc.) and mechanics of speech (voice, control, placement, enunciation, and pronunciation) are introduced and practiced. Public audiences are used whenever possible.
374_SPORTS LITERATURE - 2.5 Points
Grade: 10, 11, 12
This course examines a variety of universal themes as portrayed in literature and media.
Guest speakers, stories, article readings, and films of the greatest sport figures, past and present, are featured. Through frequent writing, students demonstrate and learn to improve basic skills in composition and oral presentation.
343_WRITING WORKSHOP (SHS)
2.5 Points
This course focuses on developing structured writing in the descriptive, narrative, and expository modes. It emphasizes the process of writing from planning through conferring, writing, revising, editing, and self-evaluating. Mini lessons are presented as needed addressing grammar and usage problems. Students foster writing skills and gain an appreciation of how writers write.
Language Learner Course Descriptions:
338_ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL-A) - 10 Points
This double period course utilizes a literature based approach to the learning of oral and written English. English usage is stressed through vocabulary and grammatical forms used in context. Students read novels, short stories, plays, narrative texts, and newspaper articles to which they respond in a variety of oral and written forms.
345_ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL-B) - 5 Points
Prerequisite: ESL-A or skill proficiency
This course is designed for students at the intermediate level of learning the English language. Students focus intensively on listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students read advanced texts and write using multiple genres.
346_ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE ADVANCED LEVEL (ESL-C) - 5 Points
Prerequisite: ESL-B or skill proficiency
This course emphasizes intensive and extensive reading and writing instruction in
English. Students read full-length novels, short stories, and newspaper and magazine articles that deal with current events. Students are responsible for oral presentations and papers that incorporate the language concepts learned through their readings.
3560_NEW ARRIVAL/LITERACY - 5 Points
This multiple period course focuses on the ELL student who requires oral language, listening, and literacy skills. Students who have basic English reading and writing skills acquire language through communication of experiences, thoughts, and daily reading fluency and comprehension activities, along with writing practice. This class is designed to develop/improve vocabulary, oral language, reading fluency, and comprehension.
314_SHELTERED ENGLISH 1 - 5 Points
Prerequisite: ESL-A or skill proficiency
This course focuses on the development of English vocabulary, grammar, and usage skills. It emphasizes literature through the study of short stories, novels, and plays. The course is designed to prepare students to write paragraphs, compositions, short essays, and response journals. Students in this course take ESL-B concurrently.
324_SHELTERED ENGLISH 2 - 5 Points
Prerequisite: Sheltered English 1
This course focuses on the continuing development of English proficiency in
speaking, writing, and responding to written and spoken English. It emphasizes a
literature-based approach through a variety of literary genres and collaborative group processes. The course is designed to prepare students to enter and succeed in mainstream English courses. Students in this course take ESL-C concurrently.
Required Courses - Elective Courses - Language Learner Courses