Freshman English Foundations
1 Credit Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
This course will focus on supporting and enhancing students’ foundational ability in reading and writing. Throughout the year, students will work on essential grammar and writing skills, including paragraph structure, topic sentences, and basic essay organization, with a focus on clarity and accessibility. The curriculum includes accessible high-interest texts and practical materials to encourage comprehension and discussion. Class activities promote collaboration and discussion, fostering a supportive, positive learning environment where students can build confidence in their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
Freshman English Honors
1 Credit Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
This enriching and challenging course is designed to develop advanced skills in composition and literature. With an emphasis on intellectual rigor, creative expression, and analytical thinking, Freshman Honors English aims to inspire a lifelong love for literature and a command of advanced writing skills. Mastery of the five-paragraph essay format is a key objective, setting the foundation for advanced writing tasks( literary analysis) and argument writing. This course focuses on the intricacies of grammar and writing, emphasizing the development of paragraph structure, topic sentences, introduction and conclusion writing, thesis formulation, and effective transitions. Students will engage in a comprehensive inquiry-based literature study, including various novels, short stories, non-fiction selections, and Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, to develop more sophisticated analytical skills, particularly in complex characterization. Students will be challenged to think critically and be willing and motivated to participate in frequent class Harkness discussions. Extensive reading and writing tasks, accelerated pacing, and increased sophistication expectations distinguish this course from the core level.
SOPHOMORES
Tenth grade builds on the ninth-grade foundation by exploring literature within cultural contexts, particularly through a substantial poetry unit, and extending writing skills to include literary analysis, expository, narrative, and creative writing.
Sophomore English
1 Credit
This core-level course is designed to introduce students to new ideas and perspectives using literature to understand society and culture, exploring themes related to assumptions about class and gender, and the tensions between individuals and society. All tenth-grade classes will engage in a significant unit on poetry and read various long-form texts( Fahrenheit 451, Born a Crime), as well as short stories and non-fiction pieces. Writing instruction extends the skills developed in the freshman year to encompass a broad range of writing experiences, emphasizing developing analytical, expository, narrative, and creative writing skills, with a particular focus on crafting a literary analysis essay.
Sophomore English Foundations
1 Credit Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
In this course, students will enhance their comprehension skills by exploring high-interest literature from diverse cultural perspectives. They will engage in a unit on poetry and read various novels, short stories, nonfiction pieces, and plays. Students will be prompted to reflect on the relationship between literature and their lives. Emphasis will be placed on paragraph development, grammar, word usage, vocabulary, and realworld communication skills. This class is tailored for students intending to enter the workforce immediately after high school.
Sophomore English Honors
1 Credit Prerequisite: Freshman English Honors, or teacher recommendation
In this challenging world literature course, students will engage with texts showcasing diverse cultural perspectives, emphasizing exploring human experiences and worldviews. Students will engage in a comprehensive inquiry-based literature study, including various long-form texts( Fahrenheit 451 & Born a Crime), short stories, non-fiction selections, and one Shakespearean drama, to develop more sophisticated analytical skills, particularly in theme development across a text. A poetry unit will introduce students to poetic terminology, various poetry forms, and writing poetry. Above-average writing and literature analysis competency is expected, emphasizing perfecting the traditional literary analysis essay. Students will be challenged to think critically and be willing and motivated to participate in frequent class Harkness discussions. Extensive reading and writing tasks, accelerated pacing, and increased sophistication expectations distinguish this course from the core level.
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