MISSION
The English Department provides students with a rigorous college-preparatory education that builds a solid foundation in critical thinking through reading, writing, listening and speaking. Using a variety of discussion and writing opportunities, students investigate, develop, and expand their own ideas. Students also examine multiple and relevant points of view of published authors and artists to provide context for their art. Students use reflection and evaluation to develop the capacity to think, read, listen, speak, and write critically. The study of literature and writing provides creative students with a context for their art. “Find your voice. Know yourself. Shape the world.”
PROGRAM GOALS
Cultivate critical readers, providing opportunities for students to read and interpret a multitude of texts across regions, genres, and time periods so that they gain an appreciation of diverse perspectives; Develop students’ written voice through text analysis, persuasive elements, research, creativity, personal narrative and provide forums for written expression; Expand student capacity with the English language in order to adapt to, and communicate in, a variety of situations with facility appropriate to audience and purpose; Provide opportunities for student to consider and present ideas through informal and formal discussion in order to develop communication skills; And allow students to deepen their art through diverse perspective, clarity of voice, and the ability to express it.
COURSES
Survey of Literature College Prep
Survey of Literature College Prep is a rigorous college-preparatory course that builds a solid foundation of reading, writing, listening and speaking. The study of literature and writing provides creative students with a context for their art. Students explore big ideas and essential questions through the close reading of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Socratic discussions provide opportunities and the necessity for investigating the tensions and friction among different perspectives and interpretations. Students write to develop and expand their own ideas and to examine the work and ideas of published authors and artists. Reflection and evaluation of individual work is a cornerstone for developing the capacity to think, read, listen, speak, and write critically.
Survey of Literature Honors
Survey of Literature Honors is a rigorous college-preparatory course that builds a solid foundation of reading, writing, listening and speaking. The study of literature and writing provides creative students with a context for their art. Students explore big ideas and essential questions through the close reading of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Socratic discussions provide opportunities and the necessity for investigating the tensions and friction among different perspectives and interpretations. Students write to develop and expand their own ideas and to examine the work and ideas of published authors and artists. Reflection and evaluation of individual work is a cornerstone for developing the capacity to think, read, listen, speak, and write critically. Honors English requires an affinity for language, literature, and abstract thought.
World Literature College Prep
World Literature is a rigorous college-preparatory course that builds a solid foundation in critical thinking through reading, writing, listening and speaking. Developing writing and examining literature provides creative students with a context for their art. Students explore big ideas and essential questions through the close reading of poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction. Socratic discussions provide necessary opportunities for investigating and developing different perspectives. Student writing develops and focuses their ideas and examines the work and ideas of published authors and artists. Finding relevance through reflecting and creating individual work is a cornerstone for building the capacity to think, read, listen, speak, and write critically.
World Literature Honors
World Literature Honors is a rigorous college-preparatory course that builds and expands on a solid foundation in high-level critical thinking through reading, writing, listening and speaking. Evaluating literature and focused writing provides creative students with a context for their art. Students debate big ideas and essential questions through close reading of poetry, drama, fiction, non-fiction. Thorough Socratic discussion, collaborative learning, and independent study provide opportunities for investigating and analyzing the tensions and friction among different perspectives and interpretations. Student writing expands and refines their own ideas and evaluates the work and ideas of published authors and artists. Relevant reflection and evaluation of individual work is a cornerstone for developing the capacity to think, read, listen, speak, and write critically. World Literature Honors requires an affinity for language, literature, and abstract thought.
American Literature College Prep
American Literature combines an in-depth study of themes that have shaped the American discourse with critical reading of American novels and primary source documents. Rigorous Socratic discussion, collaborative learning, and independent study provide opportunities for investigating and analyzing the tensions and friction among different perspectives and interpretations of the American experience. Students write to develop and expand their own ideas, to examine the work and ideas of published authors and artists, to analyze literature and rhetoric, and to craft well-grounded arguments based on research. Students will utilize foundational skills developed in English I and II to engage in increasingly complex reading and writing tasks.
American Literature Honors
Students will read a wide range of imaginative literature written between the 1600s and the present. This course emphasizes, but is not limited to, work by British writers. Our intent is to read closely and examine all aspects of individual works. Students will engage their critical and interpretive faculties to examine every word and every sentence. As a class we will focus on building rational, clear-eyed, and defensible interpretations of the work we read. Each unit, and thus, our study of each piece of literature, will have a particular emphasis. Emphasis, however, does not preclude our goal for every piece of literature we will study – to read the text closely and critically for all aspects of its meaning. In addition, on this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement exam for AP Literature and Language.
British Literature College Prep
British Literature includes a rigorous study of short stories, fiction and non-fiction novels, autobiographies, poems, and plays from a broad range of time periods and cultures. Emphasis is placed on historical background, cultural context, and literary analysis of prose, poetry, and drama. Students will be analyzing literature as it relates to themselves, other texts, and the world as a whole. In addition to reading, students will write expository, narrative, and persuasive essays. Writing will showcase a command of the English language, arguments devised from extensive research, and personal development as result of self-reflection. Throughout the year, students will also prepare for their collegiate and professional lives after high school. Students will create resumes and cover letters, college entrance essays, and artistic portfolios. Emphasis will be placed on students’ abilities to read, write, listen, and speak critically as well as participate in Socratic seminars and discussions with meaningful, engaging comments and questions.
British Literature Honors
British Literature includes a fast-paced, rigorous, and in-depth study of short stories, fiction and non-fiction novels, autobiographies, poems, and plays from a broad range of time periods and cultures. Emphasis is placed on historical background, cultural context, and literary analysis of prose, poetry, and drama. Students will be analyzing literature as it relates to themselves, other texts, and the world as a whole. In addition to reading, students will write expository, narrative, and persuasive essays. Writing will showcase a command of the English language, arguments devised from extensive research, and personal development as result of self-reflection. Throughout the year, students will also prepare for their collegiate and professional lives after high school. Students will design resumes and cover letters, college entrance essays, and artistic portfolios. Emphasis will be placed on students’ abilities to read, write, listen, and speak critically as well as participate in collegiate-level Socratic seminars and discussions with meaningful, engaging comments and questions. British Literature Honors requires a strong background in literary analysis, formal writing, and self-motivated learning.
AP Literature and Language
Students will read a wide range of imaginative literature written between the 1600s and the present. This course emphasizes, but is not limited to, work by British writers. Our intent is to read closely and examine all aspects of individual works. Students will engage their critical and interpretive faculties to examine every word and every sentence. As a class we will focus on building rational, clear-eyed, and defensible interpretations of the work we read. Each unit, and thus, our study of each piece of literature, will have a particular emphasis. Emphasis, however, does not preclude our goal for every piece of literature we will study – to read the text closely and critically for all aspects of its meaning. In addition, this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement exam for AP Literature and Language.
Strategic Reading
Strategic Reading is a workshop-style course with consistent structure and routine that allows for the use of varied and relevant content. It aims to improve readers’ foundational literacy skills through daily reading and writing, word study, and strategy practice. Class time is divided to allow for whole-group, small-group, and independent work and instruction. Small-group and independent time is used for individualized, focused instruction and practice on an as-needed basis. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to read a variety of texts in a variety of settings effectively and independently. Students will read always with genuine purpose in order to improve essential literacy skills and to encourage positive interaction with text. Individually, students will read a combination of teacher and self-selected literary and informational pieces, always with consideration of appropriateness as determined by reader readiness, text readability, and task. Time and guidance will also be provided for students to successfully read assigned text from content-area classes. Reader readiness will be officially assessed three times per year using Basic Reading Inventory. Individual students’ areas for improvement, as identified by BRI, will inform focused individual and small group instruction. Students will track their general growth as readers through qualitative and quantitative data in discrete reading domains.