English

This course is designed to engage students in the careful reading and critical analysis of fiction. Through close reading of selected texts, students will deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. The reading in this course is both wide and deep. In this course students will focus on the short story, both separately and in-collection, the novel, poetry, and literary research. Much attention will be given to close textual analysis. Students will also write focused, organized and convincing analytical essays in clear, standardized English prose. Students will locate, evaluate, synthesize and incorporate relevant primary and secondary source materials into thesis-driven, interpretive essays of increasing length and complexity. Students will understand the conventions of literary study, including: familiarity with literary terms, genres, devices; knowledge of poetic, dramatic, narrative and rhetorical forms; awareness of literary criticism and theory. Pre-course summer work will be assigned and must be completed.

This AP junior level English course will: provide the rigors of the Advanced Placement course in English Language and Composition, satisfy the criteria for New York state standards, follow a chronological core of the canon of American literature and explore the literary periods extensively, engage students in becoming master readers and analyzers of both fiction and non-fiction, but primarily focus on non-fiction, and require students to read and analyze a variety of literary styles/genres to gain an understanding of the connections between literature and society. An AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way genre conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing” (The College Board 2010). Pre-course summer work will be assigned and must be completed. NOTE: For juniors, this course may be taken in lieu of another eleventh grade English course. Students will be prepared for the NY State ELA Regents exam as well as the College Board AP exam. Achievement on this exam could mean college credit or accelerated placement in college English or both

Study African American poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and drama from the past to the present. Explore and discuss the major literary, political, and social currents in American and African American culture.

This is a full-year elective course which will give the student a five-year English sequence. Students will learn the functions and responsibilities of print journalism by creating the high school’s newspaper, The Rapier. Emphasis is placed on all news writing skills and electronic research systems. As part of the course, students enrolled in Computer Journalism will also learn page design, word processing programs, digital photography, typography, and principles of graphic design, as they are used in the world of Journalism.

Creative writing, a one semester elective course, is open to interested juniors and seniors. A writing sample and special permission of the teacher is also required. Adhering to the principle that all writing done by students is creative, this course encourages each student to develop his/her literary imagination and to create fully utilizing his/her own experiences and powers of expression. The students practice various types of writing, learning to take everyday events and to make them interesting. They are encouraged to write imaginatively about things familiar to them. They write themes, short stories, personal essays, play lets, and various types of poetry.

This highly participatory semester course introduces high school students to the art of drama. Through extensive work in theatre games, exercises, and performance projects, students will gain confidence as they explore and communicate ideas using a range of dramatic forms.

This semester course is a continuation of Drama I with a focus on training students in the art of improvisation. Students will gain a participatory understanding of improvisational skills and acting. Students will also perform a scene from a dramatic work of American theatre. A trip to a New York City theatre performance is planned.

The ninth grade English program has as its theme “A Better Understanding of Oneself and One’s Environment!” Emphasis is placed on helping the freshman to meet the problems common to adolescents, and to understand how others of their age have coped with these problems. Importance is also placed on helping these young people achieve a better understanding of their own families, their friends, and their community. The ninth-grade curriculum has a basic concentration in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Since all classes are taught on a Regents or advanced level, a fully integrated language arts program is essential. The different areas of English are woven together according to levels of ability. This includes instruction, reinforcement, and application of reading skills; lessons in grammar, including usage and mechanics; varied experiences in communication skills through the use of multimedia aids; and in-depth study of literacy materials which help develop an appreciation of each person’s worth.

The ninth grade English program has as its theme “A Better Understanding of Oneself and One’s Environment!” Emphasis is placed on helping the freshman to meet the problems common to adolescents, and to understand how others of their age have coped with these problems. Importance is also placed on helping these young people achieve a better understanding of their own families, their friends, and their community. The ninth-grade curriculum has a basic concentration in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Since all classes are taught on a Regents or advanced level, a fully integrated language arts program is essential. The different areas of English are woven together according to levels of ability. This includes instruction, reinforcement, and application of reading skills; lessons in grammar, including usage and mechanics; varied experiences in communication skills through the use of multimedia aids; and in-depth study of literacy materials which help develop an appreciation of each person’s worth.

The ninth grade English program has as its theme “A Better Understanding of Oneself and One’s Environment!” Emphasis is placed on helping the freshman to meet the problems common to adolescents, and to understand how others of their age have coped with these problems. Importance is also placed on helping these young people achieve a better understanding of their own families, their friends, and their community. The ninth-grade curriculum has a basic concentration in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Since all classes are taught on a Regents or advanced level, a fully integrated language arts program is essential. The different areas of English are woven together according to levels of ability. This includes instruction, reinforcement, and application of reading skills; lessons in grammar, including usage and mechanics; varied experiences in communication skills through the use of multimedia aids; and in-depth study of literacy materials which help develop an appreciation of each person’s worth.

This course offers a well-planned progression of experiences in the language arts. Developing the students’ mastery of practical skills necessary for writing, reading, and speaking in everyday life are major goals of English 10. Students in Regents classes are exposed to broad literary experiences, which highlight the achievements \, and life experiences of peoples of various cultures and backgrounds. Grammar and usage are taught within the framework of the writing process, filling the rudiments for those who lack them as well as providing a review for students already possessing a fair knowledge of the subject. Along with writing proficiency, reading comprehension and vocabulary development are also emphasized. In the tenth-grade honors classes, students learn about the English-speaking people and their influence upon modern thought. The course presents challenging ideas growing out of a representative selection of masterpieces by British authors, extending from the earliest writings in Old English to modern day literature. Competence and skill are developed through expository and creative writing. In speaking and listening situations, students learn to develop sincerity, cooperation, and employ critical and creative thinking skills. The study of linguistics and the structure and history of the English language are also incorporated into this program.

This course offers a well-planned progression of experiences in the language arts. Developing the students’ mastery of practical skills necessary for writing, reading, and speaking in everyday life are major goals of English 10. Students in Regents classes are exposed to broad literary experiences, which highlight the achievements \, and life experiences of peoples of various cultures and backgrounds. Grammar and usage are taught within the framework of the writing process, filling the rudiments for those who lack them as well as providing a review for students already possessing a fair knowledge of the subject. Along with writing proficiency, reading comprehension and vocabulary development are also emphasized. In the tenth-grade honors classes, students learn about the English-speaking people and their influence upon modern thought. The course presents challenging ideas growing out of a representative selection of masterpieces by British authors, extending from the earliest writings in Old English to modern day literature. Competence and skill are developed through expository and creative writing. In speaking and listening situations, students learn to develop sincerity, cooperation, and employ critical and creative thinking skills. The study of linguistics and the structure and history of the English language are also incorporated into this program.

All students are required to take a full year course, which is an in-depth study of major writers and their works. In addition, these students receive extensive preparation for the Common Core English exams, which are administered in January and at the end of the year. Honors and Regents students concentrate on American writings and American contributions to world literature. Background on the history of the language and concepts of language in general are presented. From this year’s work, students are encouraged to develop a deeper appreciation and dedication to the American heritage of liberty, and desire to work actively to preserve the American way of life, and to help solve some of the problems of democracy. Emphasis is placed on those language skills, which play an important role in equipping a citizen for intelligent and responsible participation in democratic living. NOTE: Academic Intervention Services (AIS) will be provided for Regents- Assisted students as a Lab. It will meet every other day.

All students are required to take a full year course, which is an in-depth study of major writers and their works. In addition, these students receive extensive preparation for the Common Core English exams, which are administered in January and at the end of the year. Honors and Regents students concentrate on American writings and American contributions to world literature. Background on the history of the language and concepts of language in general are presented. From this year’s work, students are encouraged to develop a deeper appreciation and dedication to the American heritage of liberty, and desire to work actively to preserve the American way of life, and to help solve some of the problems of democracy. Emphasis is placed on those language skills, which play an important role in equipping a citizen for intelligent and responsible participation in democratic living. NOTE: Academic Intervention Services (AIS) will be provided for Regents- Assisted students as a Lab. It will meet every other day.

The focus of this senior year course will be on the contributions of writers from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. We believe that one of the best ways to appreciate the mores and customs of people from around the world is to become familiar with their literature in all its various genres. Such a comparative study not only emphasizes the uniqueness of others, but it also highlights the common hopes, ideals, and aspirations, which bind us all together. In addition, the students in English 12 will be expected to show, in a variety of ways, the knowledge they have gained through their readings. These demonstrations will take the form of literary essays, research assignments, oral presentations, journal entries, and newspaper articles. In a practical sense, the students will also be required to show proficiency in those specific skills needed for success in the work environment. Writing business letters, creating resumes, and filling out job applications are just a few of the areas to be explored in this regard.

English Communications (11) may be taken in lieu of another eleventh grade English course. In addition to studying American literature, students in this course will be expected to learn or fine-tune those specific communication skills, which they need to be productive members of the 21st Century’s workforce. All students will be required to demonstrate their expertise in reading, writing, listening and speaking in a variety of ways. In addition to traditional evaluations based on essays, oral reports, objective tests, etc., the members of this class will be rated on a number of projects which will require them to take the knowledge they have learned and apply it to other possible unconnected situations. Research assignments, the making of audio and/or videotapes, the creation of charts and/or graphs, etc. is just a few of the hands-on projects, which may go into a student’s personal portfolio. (Not NCAA Approved)

Explores principles of rhetoric and stresses effective expository writing. Primarily a course in organization of ideas and development of these ideas through use of specific information. Also deals with matters of style, sentence structure, paragraph development, punctuation, and vocabulary. Also introduces students to close reading of appropriate materials. Although this course requires students to work at a college level, it should not be considered a replacement for any AP courses. This course is best suited for students looking to improve their writing prior to admission to Suffolk Community College or similar school.

This half year course is an introductory course to film. There will be a considerable number of writing assignments requiring the analysis and interpretation of various films. Film has a relation to poetry in its rhythm, imagery, and underlying myth or theme. Prose is reflected in film through the basic use of characterization, plot, mood, setting as well as theme. Students will discuss the ways in which the film is superior to the written word, and the ways in which the written word exceeds the film.

This course is designed for students who want to make the most of themselves, develop the leader within, and stand out in the competitive world today. Students will be given the tools they need to have high “civility I.Q.” It will teach the essential information on proper communication in concise and plain English. It will help students develop the elements of appropriateness and sensitivity to audience to be more persuasive and appealing. They will receive etiquette, speech, and image training that will prepare them with the critical behaviors necessary to building lasting positive impressions that can turn into life-building opportunities. Everything from body language and voice volume to word choice and follow-up behaviors will be practiced in role-plays and simulated situations. The learning opportunities will be creative, fun, and hands-on. The skills honed will be showcased in a presentation, before becoming critical to future success.

This in-school program works to create unified, safer environments where young people are free to develop and achieve academically and socially. Peer Leadership teachers train students in its customized curricula on methods and activities that work to unite children from different cultures, develop leadership skills, mediate possible violent incidents and support students in their academic achievement.

Reading improvement is a half year elective open to all interested students who are reading below grade level. The course is intended to meet the needs of those students who lack the basic skills in reading necessary for achieving competency in their high school subjects. The student’s reading performance will be evaluated, and an individual program designed to remediate reading deficiencies will be developed.