English 9R
Prerequisite — None
1 Unit
Grade 9
This course is aligned with the Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts. Students develop skills in analysis and literary response through critical readings of various literary genres. Writing skills are evaluated, and areas of concern are focused on to help students build the foundation for developing mastery level literary responses and argumentative essays. Textual evidence, and implementation of this evidence in everyday dialogue and writing tasks, is emphasized. Out of class work in reading and writing is assigned on a regular basis. Students sit for a comprehensive final exam in June.
English 9 Honors
Prerequisite — Teacher recommendation, Average 85% in 8H, or Average of 90% in 8R
1 Unit
This course is aligned with the Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts. The purpose of the English 9 Honors curriculum is to offer students skilled in English an opportunity for enriched work with short stories, novels, drama, and poetry. Due to the importance of writing, the English 9 Honors program places greater emphasis on the development of expository writing, extensive essays and independent research. Textual evidence, and implementation of this evidence in everyday dialogue and writing tasks, will be emphasized. Out of class work in reading and writing is assigned on a regular basis. Students sit for a comprehensive final exam in June. Students will be asked to complete a summer assignment prior to starting school in September.
English 10R
Prerequisite — English 9R
1 Unit
This course is aligned with the Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts. English 10R reinforces and extends upon the skills and objectives introduced in English 9R. Requirements for written work are more demanding, as well as the usage of textual evidence and implementation of this evidence in everyday dialogue and writing tasks. Students experience and learn in-depth analysis of a wider range of literature. Out of class reading and writing work is assigned on a regular basis. Students sit for a comprehensive final exam in June.
English 10 Honors
Prerequisite — Teacher recommendation, Average 85% in 9H, or Average of 90% in 9R
1 Unit
This course is aligned with the Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts. The purpose of the 10H curriculum is to offer the student skilled in English an opportunity for enriched work with short stories, novels, drama, and poetry and to prepare them for not only the New York State Regents Examination in English Language Arts but also Advanced Placement opportunities in their junior and senior year. Due to the importance of writing, the honors program places greater emphasis on the development of expository writing, extensive essays, and independent research. Textual evidence, and implementation of this evidence in everyday dialogue and writing tasks, will be emphasized. Out of class work in reading and writing will be assigned on a regular basis. Students will be asked to complete a summer assignment prior to starting school in September.
American Literature 11R
Prerequisite — English 10R
1 Unit
This course is aligned with the Next Generation Learning Standards for English Language Arts. American Literature reinforces and builds upon the skills and objectives introduced and/or practiced in grades 9 and 10. Requirements for independent reading and in-depth analysis of American literature as well as written work are more demanding in this course. The use of textual evidence and the implementation of this evidence in everyday dialogue and writing tasks is required. Out of class reading and writing work is assigned on a regular basis. Students sit for the New York State Regents Examination in English Language Arts in June and must pass this exam to graduate.
English Language & Composition 11 AP
Prerequisite — Teacher recommendation, Average 85% in 10H, or average 90% in 10R, and 80% on English 10 mock Regents exam
1 Unit
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is both demanding and intellectually stimulating. It requires the students to put forth their best effort consistently and places emphasis upon developing independence of thought and mature habits of critical thinking. Due to the importance of writing, the American Literature AP program places greater emphasis on the development of expository writing, extensive essays and independent research. Textual evidence, and implementation of this evidence in everyday dialogue and writing tasks, will be emphasized. Out of class work in reading and writing will be assigned on a regular basis. Students must sit for the AP English exam given in May. Students will be asked to complete a summer assignment prior to starting school in September.
English Literature & Composition 12 AP
Prerequisite — Teacher recommendation, Average 85% in 11H, or Average 90% in 11R, and 80% on English 11 Regents exam
1 Unit
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is both demanding and intellectually stimulating. It requires the students to put forth their best effort consistently and places emphasis upon developing independence of thought and mature habits of critical thinking. Classroom discussion and active participation are vital and serve as a means of testing student ideas. Written assignments, both short and long-term, are an important and frequent feature of the course. The literature perused in this course covers each literary genre. It includes both canonical and modern fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry concentrating on teaching students to encounter new works and respond in their own informed voice. Students will be asked to complete a summer assignment prior to starting school in September.
Creative Writing
Prerequisite — English 9, 10, 11
½ Unit
In Creative Writing, students explore the art of writing in many forms. The course examines some of the highest forms of short stories, poems, memoirs and plays. Students also study how authors wrote the pieces. The course includes an exploration of various genres of literature and the techniques authors used to invent and reinvent those genres. Students use literary elements and writing techniques to create their own pieces.
Sports Literature
Prerequisite — English 9, 10, 11
½ Unit
This course focuses on literature with sports-centered events and plot. The approach to literature follows student learning in English—critical analysis for meaning, along with application for relevancy in life. Both fiction and non-fiction works are studied, illustrating many major sports and social events over time. Prominent figures such as Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby, George Steinbrenner and Brian Piccolo are a few of the profiles studied. Oral presentations on major sports figures and events are included as part of the coursework.
From Bach to Tupac
Prerequisite – Elective
1/2 Credit
This course explores past and present music lyrics and the importance of the message. The course analyzes a plethora of songs, the use of literary elements in the lyrics, and how rhetorical elements influence the message.
Our World, Our Stories
Prerequisite – English 9, 10, 11
1/2 Credit
This course explores current issues affecting society through discussion, debate, and presentation. It includes: reading and analyzing credible sources, demonstrating understanding and mastery through argumentative writings, discussions, debates and /or presentations.
Truth and Style
Prerequisite – English 9, 10, 11
1/2 Credit
This non-fiction course will help to develop and strengthen writing skills and styles. Students will: analyze non-fiction writing tasks, various writing styles, authoring different types of non-fiction writing (e.g., primary sources, memoirs, biographies, autobiographies, etc.).