English

English 8

The English 8 course is designed for students who are beginning the English program in preparation for the high school level English program and consists of an introduction to the composition program and an intense study in grammar and usage needed to become competent writers and speakers. Students enrolled in English 8 will also receive an introduction to the research paper and writing process as well as to the computer skills involved in the writing process.

Literature 8

The Literature 8 course is designed for students entering the English program in preparation for high school level classes. This course helps students become better readers by acquainting them with the conventions of the major literary genres. Students will have an in-depth understanding of each genre that will help them improve their reading comprehension skills. Reading skills that will be taught include the use of context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words, comparison and contrast, predicting consequences, reading informational materials, and distinguishing between fact and opinion. In addition to the vocabulary learned with each reading selection, students begin work with vocabulary study. Students enrolled in Literature 8 also receive an introduction to research skills, computer skills, and standardized test preparation.

English I

The English I course is designed for students who are beginning the high school level English program and consists of an introduction to the composition program as well as an introduction to the study of literary genres. In addition, students begin work with vocabulary study and review all mechanics, usage, and grammatical concepts needed to become competent writers and speakers. Students enrolled in English I will also receive an introduction to the research paper and process and to the computer skills involved in the writing process.

English I Honors

The English I Honors course is designed for students who are beginning the high school English program and consists of an introduction to the composition program, as well as an introduction to the study of literary genres. In addition, students begin work with vocabulary study and review all mechanics, usage and grammatical concepts needed to become competent writers and speakers. Students enrolled in English I Honors will also receive an introduction to the research paper and process and to the computer skills involved in the writing process. Students enrolled in this course are also exposed to literature selections recommended for the Advanced Placement program; these selections will prepare students who elect to pursue Advanced Placement courses in English IV and V.

English II

The English II course is designed to develop and refine the critical thinking skills of the student through guided discussion, reading, and writing activities. The curriculum includes a chronological survey of World Literature with emphasis on literary movements, literary terms, historical background, and cultural perspectives.

The comprehensive writing program emphasizes writing effective paragraphs and guides students from paragraph to essay writing. The curriculum provides instruction and practice in all phases of the writing process, addressing the narrative, descriptive, and expository modes, as well as reinforcement in grammar, usage, and mechanics. The vocabulary development program is designed to improve verbal and written communication skills, to increase the comprehension of literary works, and to improve vocabulary skills assessed on standardized and college admission tests.

English II Honors

The English II-Honors course is designed to develop and refine the critical thinking skills of the student through guided discussion, reading, and writing activities. The curriculum includes a chronological survey of World Literature with emphasis on literary movements, literary terms, historical background, and cultural perspectives. The comprehensive writing program emphasizes writing effective paragraphs and essay writing. The curriculum provides instruction and practice in all phases of the writing process, addressing the narrative, descriptive, and expository modes, as well as reinforcement in grammar, usage, and mechanics. The vocabulary development program is designed to improve verbal and written communication skill, to increase the comprehension of literary works, and to improve vocabulary skills assessed on standardized and college admission tests. Students enrolled in this course are also exposed to literature selections recommended for the Advanced Placement program; these selections will prepare students who elect to pursue Advanced Placement courses in English IV and V.

English III

The English III course is designed for students who are in the next phase of the integrated English program and consists of a chronological survey of American literature with emphasis on literary movements, literary terms, cultural perspectives, and analytical reading. The comprehensive writing program emphasizes writing effective essays and guides the students through various types of essay writing. The curriculum includes instruction and practice in all phases of the writing process, addresses the narrative and descriptive modes, and various forms of the expository mode, as well as systematic grammar instruction pertinent to the students’ needs. The vocabulary development program is designed to improve verbal and written communication skills, to increase the comprehension of literary works, and to improve vocabulary skills assessed on standardized and college admission tests.

English III Honors

The English III Honors course is designed for students who are in the next phase of the integrated English program and consists of a chronological survey of American literature with emphasis on literary movements, literary terms, cultural perspectives, and analytical reading. The comprehensive writing program emphasizes writing effective essays and guides the students through various types of essay writing. The curriculum includes instruction and practice in all phases of the writing process, addresses the narrative and descriptive modes, and various forms of the expository mode, as well as systematic grammar instruction pertinent to the students’ needs. The vocabulary development program is designed to improve verbal and written communication skills, to increase the comprehension of literary works, and to improve vocabulary skills assessed on standardized and college admission tests. The course is intended to be a preparation for admittance to the English IV Honors or Advanced Placement courses. Students enrolled in this course are exposed to literature selections recommended for the Advanced Placement program to prepare for Advanced Placement courses in English IV and V.

English III AP

The English III Advanced Placement course provides an opportunity for secondary school students to pursue and receive credit for college-level work completed at the secondary school level. Sponsored by the College Board, the AP program is based on the premise that college level material can be taught successfully to able and well-prepared secondary school students. The purpose of this course is to help students “write effectively and confidently in their college courses across the curriculum and in their professional and personal lives.” (The College Board, AP® English Course Description, May 2007, May 2008, p. 6) The course is organized according to the requirements and guidelines of the current AP English Course Description; therefore, students are expected to read critically, think analytically, and communicate clearly both in writing and speech. Students enrolled in this course will receive extensive instruction in writing the prose analysis, argumentative free response, and synthesis essays in response to the prompts given on the Advanced Placement Language and Composition test. They will also receive all instruction and content of the English III Honors curriculum, including a survey of American Literature. These students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination given in May of this school year.

English IV

The English IV course is designed for students to explore their individual responses to and understandings of literature and writing. Knowledge is shared in a discussion-oriented setting in order to create a community of learners. Emphasis is placed on varied types of writing from expository compositions to creative endeavors. Mechanics are taught in the context of the students’ own work, and cumulative evaluation stresses revision together with reflection. In addition students at this level receive preparation for college composition courses. This course is a survey of British literature through the modern period. Also included in the curriculum are extensive practice in writing and work in vocabulary building skills. ACT test review is integrated into the writing and vocabulary components of this class.

English IV Honors

The English IV Honors course is designed for accelerated students who are completing the final stage of the integrated language arts curriculum and consists of a review of the expository essay form, introduction to literary analysis and argumentative writing, and a survey of British literature and arts from Anglo-Saxon to modern times. In addition, students will continue work with vocabulary study as Scholastic Aptitude test preparation, review all mechanics and usage rules, and implement the research skills emphasized in the English III curriculum.

For seniors enrolled in the course, it is structured as preparation for the required university courses; for juniors the course is intended as well to be a preparation for the English V Advanced Placement course or the English V Honors course. For all students, major emphasis will be placed on acquiring the skills needed to by-pass English courses on the university level, through ACT testing and other means.

English IV AP

The English IV Advanced Placement course provides an opportunity for secondary school students to pursue and receive credit for college-level work completed at the secondary school level. Sponsored by the College Board, the AP program is based on the premise that college level material can be taught successfully to able and well-prepared secondary school students. The purpose of this course is to help students “write effectively and confidently in their college courses across the curriculum and in their professional and personal lives.” (The College Board, AP® English Course Description, May 2007, May 2008, p. 6) The course is organized according to the requirements and guidelines of the current AP English Course Description, and, therefore, students are expected to read critically, think analytically, and communicate clearly both in writing and speech.

Students enrolled in this course will receive extensive instruction in writing the prose analysis, argumentative free response, and synthesis essays in response to the prompts given on the Advanced Placement Language and Composition test. They will also receive all instruction and content of the English IV Honors curriculum, including a survey of British Literature. These students are required to take the Advanced Placement examination given in May.

English V

The English V course is designed for students who are completing the final stage of the integrated language arts curriculum and consists of a review of the expository essay form, literary analysis, and argumentative writing. The course also provides a complete review of literary genres with readings taken from classics as well as modern world literature. Students will continue work with vocabulary study, review all mechanics and usage rules, and implement the research skills emphasized in the English curriculum. Major emphasis will be placed on standardized test preparation, honing writing skills, and emphasis on practical critical and analytical thinking skills.

English V Honors

The English V Honors course is designed for accelerated students who are completing the final stage of the integrated language arts curriculum and consists of a review of the expository, literary analysis, and argumentative writing. Additionally, the class includes intensive practice with prose analysis. The course also provides a complete review of literary genres with readings taken from classics as well as modern world literature. Students will continue work with vocabulary study, review all mechanics and usage rules, and implement the research skills emphasized in the English curriculum. Major emphasis will be placed on acquiring the skills needed to by-pass English courses on the university level through standardized test preparation, honing writing skills, and emphasis on practical critical and analytical thinking skills.

English V AP

The English V AP course affords students the opportunity to demonstrate critical reading and writing of imaginative literature. In the AP classroom and “Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone” (AP English Course Description 45). This course is conducted as a seminar with emphasis on self-directed learning. Students in this course are required to take the Advanced Placement examination in May.

Creative Writing

The Creative Writing course, a semester course, is designed to foster the idea that writing is a form of self-expression and communication that encourages writers and readers to move forward through the process of discovery. Students will study four literature genres—poetry, short fiction, essay, and drama. They will consider works by novice and experienced poets and authors, participate in group discussions and critiques, and develop their own creative writing skills and styles through drills and directed writing assignments.

Publications I & II (Newspaper)

The Publications (Newspaper) is a course designed to teach the essentials of newspaper writing and design and to implement this knowledge in production of the Dominican newspaper, The Star. Also, the course will explore various aspects of new trends in journalism and broadcast journalism, journalistic ethics, and areas of concern in contemporary journalism.

Publications I & II (Yearbook)

The Publications (Yearbook) course is designed for students interested in learning about the creation of our yearbook, Regina Rosarii. This course helps students understand the overall purpose of a yearbook as well as the steps necessary to create one. Students will have an in-depth study of writing, photography, layout, and design in relation to yearbook. In addition, students will explore topics such as interviewing, media responsibility, ethical reporting (through both writing and photography), and the importance of advertising to yearbooks. Students will use the following products to create their layouts: Walsworth Online Design and Photoshop.

Women Writers

The Women Writers, a semester course, is designed for students who are interested in a deeper study of the themes, styles, and techniques employed by female writers of the past three centuries. This course emphasizes literary movements within the genre of women’s writing, cultural perspectives and roles unique to women, and analytical reading of female-centered texts. This course also emphasizes the need for students, as women writers themselves, to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats. The class includes significant writing and discussion components in the form of literary analysis, PowerPoint presentations, seminar-style class discussions, argumentative research papers and a variety of other in-class writing and speaking exercises.