OVERVIEW
The skills essential to a student’s success in high school and beyond include critical thinking, critical reading, research and communication. These skills are the prime consideration in the design of our English curriculum.
Each grade level provides writing instruction; the literature and reading program provide for the sequential development of comprehension and inference skills, vocabulary growth and for a heightened awareness of the literary heritage of various cultures.
The department of English maintains a set of objectives for each course, which emphasizes the NYS standards. Fixed guidelines exist with reference to attendance, class participation and homework. Students are introduced to new vocabulary regularly; writing is assigned regularly; library projects are scheduled for all students. In addition, students are expected to read at least one book from the school’s Summer Booklist.

Evaluation:
Student performance in English courses is evaluated on the basis of:
• In-class response within the context of lesson(s)
• Reading and writing assignments, done at home and in class
• Application of steps of the writing process to grade level objectives
• Multiple choice exercises, reading comprehension, and vocabulary in context
• Library projects, as assigned
• Outside reading and book reports, as assigned
• Quizzes and examination.

ENGLISH COURSES

ENGLISH 9/9H– 1 Credit                                                                                                                       

Prerequisite: English 8
Ninth graders will read a wide range of literature dating from early civilization to modern works. While studying the literature, students will have an opportunity to explore the connections between an author’s life and his/her works. In addition, they will continue to develop critical thinking, critical reading, communication (written and verbal) and research skills. Students will begin to be exposed to English Regents-style tasks. A portfolio assessment by which each ninth grader’s growth and development in reading, writing, and research skills will be completed.

ENGLISH 10/10H Survey of Literature - 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English 9
The 10th grade curriculum focuses on the theme of tolerance and reinforces students’ communication skills and the composition techniques needed in all curriculum areas. Practice in the writing process continues. Reading, writing skills, listening skills, and public speaking are stressed. Vocabulary enrichment is continued. The Macmillan Literature Anthology and other assigned works are used to continue development of comprehension skills; to form discriminating habits through recognition of literary genre and themes. Preparation for Regents-style tasks continues.

ENGLISH 11/11H American Literature - 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English 10
Students will explore the growth of the individual as it pertains to American literature and their own lives. This will be accomplished through guided readings and writing. Students will also learn to develop their own individual voice in their writing, both creative and analytical. Use of the library for further reading and research is fostered, and students will continue to develop research skills. Reinforcement of language skills and vocabulary development will also continue. Through regular exposure to Regents-style tasks, students will be prepared for the four tasks in the Regents Examination in English.

ENGLISH 12 Senior Experience/Senior Project -- 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English 11
This course is focused on enabling seniors to remain academically engaged in their final year of high school. In this program, seniors will sharpen their communication skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Literature focuses on various genres. Using a thematic approach, certain basic ideas concerning man and his relationship to others are studied in the works of various writers. The Senior Project will expand the English 12 curriculum into a magnified and intensive exploration of areas of personal interest. Students are required to immerse themselves in an area of importance to them and to extend their thinking beyond the conventional academic experience. Seniors in this class will conduct developmental research that results in original conclusions, applications, or performance. Each Senior Project must have a Research Component, Written Component, and a Presentation Component.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH – 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English 11H
Advanced Placement English is a twelfth grade course open to a select group of students who have met rigorous school requirements in addition to teacher recommendation. All students who take the course are very strongly encouraged to take the Advanced Placement examination in May. Students who receive a grade 3 or more on the test may be given a college English credit or may be allowed to waive the required freshman English course at the discretion of the college or university they attend.

COLLEGE ENGLISH – 1 Credit/Honors level

Prerequisite: English 11H
College English is a full year course offered in affiliation with C.W. Post College. Successful completion of the course requirements allows a student to earn 6 college credits while also fulfilling the senior English requirement. Credits are transferable. Students in the course will develop college level reading, writing, and research skills. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of the various genres, authors’ styles and literary techniques. Assignments are designed to develop skills in writing, revision and development of style. A writing portfolio and final project are required.

ENGLISH ELECTIVES

VERBAL SAT PREP – ½ Credit

Prerequisite: English 9 or 10
This course is designed primarily for 10th and 11th graders who wish to prepare for the Scholastic Assessment Test and PSAT. Students will be taught the techniques and strategies needed to be successful on these tests. Emphasis will be placed on critical reading, analogies and sentence completion with the additional goal of increasing students’ vocabularies and word attack skills. Some preparation will also be given for other verbal standardized tasks, such as the SAT II-writing, English Regents exam and ACT exams.

ENGLISH REGENTS PREP – 0 Credit

Prerequisite: English 11
This course is designed for 12th grade students who need further preparation for the English Language Arts Regents Exam. Emphasis will be placed on the writing skills and test-taking skills and strategies necessary to succeed on the exam.

CREATIVE WRITING – ½ Credit

Prerequisite: English 9
This course is designed for students who have already demonstrated an inclination and desire to sharpen their creative talents. Students will be required to present a portfolio of written materials. Students study various literary forms and models.
Evaluation:
Student performance is evaluated on the basis of:
• In-class discussion of materials written and read
• The completeness and complexity of the student’s portfolio
• Reading and writing assignments done at home and in class.

PUBLIC SPEAKING – ½ Credit

Prerequisite: English 9
This course is designed to increase skills in both listening and speaking. Emphasis is placed on effective speech communication, effective listening, and building confidence. Students will learn how to choose effective language and prepare and deliver speeches. This course involves a variety of speaking experiences such as impromptu speeches, speeches to inform, speeches to persuade, group discussion, and debate. Students will also study rhetorical devices and famous speeches from history.

JOURNALISM I & II - ½ Credit each

Prerequisite: English 9
1. Grade in English of 80% or
2. Teacher Recommendation or
3. Portfolio of writing samples.
Prerequisite for Journalism II: Journalism I
Journalism students receive practical newspaper writing experience and learn the journalist’s code of ethics in exercising the freedoms and responsibilities of the press. Students learn to write features, editorials, news, and sports stories; they utilize photography and graphics, and critically evaluate their own journalistic performance.

Evaluation:
Student performance is evaluated on the basis of:
• Work written in class and at home
• Tests on the conventions of journalism
• Ability to apply the steps of the writing process.

DRAMA – ½ Credit

This course is designed to introduce students to the many facets of the theater while focusing primarily on acting. Experiences in action, improvisation, play analysis and technical theater are provided through hands-on experience.

DEBATE (Advocacy and Argumentation) – ½ Credit

Debate is designed for students who wish to increase and improve their delivery of argumentative discourse; it is a systematic approach to reasoned decision making.  Debate is an educational activity primarily concerned with using a controlled argumentative perspective in examining problems and communicating with people.

This course will concentrate on the aspects of the cross-examination team debate.  Students will have the opportunity to improve research techniques and to use positive argumentative approaches.

MYTHS, FOLKTALES, AND LEGENDS-1/2 Credit

One of our greatest gifts is the stories, myths and legends we have passed down. These stories reflect man’s capacity of dream, to wonder, to imagine and to create meaning. Students will study fairytales, Greek, Roman and Scandinavian myths; Anglo-Saxon and Arthurian legend and Boccaccio, Tolkein and other great stories that have endured for ages.

FILM STUDIES I – ½ Credit

Film Studies is a course in which students will develop the ability to analyze, criticize, understand, and appreciate the cinema, while at the same time examining films within the framework of a larger social, historical, and political culture. Course goals include (but are not limited to): understanding and applying concepts concerning a variety of film techniques and cinematic terminology; gaining an appreciation of the aesthetics of film; understanding how a film communicates; gaining insight into the way films reflect and influence society and culture; determining how film relates to and differs from other art forms; learning the various characteristics of different film genres and styles; and identifying important developments in the history of film.

Within the larger framework of the course, students will develop an overall vocabulary of film; work both individually and cooperatively with other students in analyzing and discussing films; and respond to film both verbally and in writing. Enrollment is limited to tenth, eleventh and twelfth-grade students.

FILM STUDIES II – ½ Credit

Prerequisite: Film Studies I
Film Studies II is open to students who have successfully completed Film Studies I. In this course, students will continue to develop the ability to analyze, criticize, understand, and appreciate the cinema and a variety of cinematic forms and techniques. Students will complete a variety of assignments and projects, both individually and cooperatively. Special emphasis will be on greater exploration and analysis of specific film genres and their various characteristics introduced in Film Studies I. Additionally, students will explore the documentary form by examining some nonfiction.