English 7: (101) English 7 is designed to assist students to become successful communicators and make solid decisions regarding their own personal success. With units on the short story, the novel, poetry, essay writing, creative writing, basic mechanics, and vocabulary, the students refine their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Many units are “project based,” such as the two anthology projects which together constitute 10 weeks of work and culminate in a presentation of student writing to the school community. Additionally, the class emphasizes personal responsibility, respect for others, and critical thinking skills designed to help students negotiate the academic setting. Prerequisite: Sixth Grade English

 

English 8: (111) English 8 begins where English 7 left off in all respects. The class continues to build on the short story, poetry, essay writing, creative writing, basic mechanics, and vocabulary skills that the students were introduced to the previous year. Students will participate in preparation for the introduction to English 9. They will focus in depth on literary elements essential for their high school English careers. All units are designed to provide students with the means to apply their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to make meaningful connections between literature and life. Prerequisite: Seventh Grade English

 

English 9: (121) This course is designed to expand the students’ knowledge of language arts by doing various activities and projects. Students will read novels, short stories, plays, and poems. Activities such as journal writing and reading workshop will be used to enhance reading and writing skills. Review of grammar and diagramming is also part of the course. Doing vocabulary exercises and studying words from the stories we read will expand vocabulary. Students will also be expected to complete book reviews of outside reading novels. Projects may include creating a newspaper, analyzing song lyrics, and making an anthology. Also, a field trip to a theater is possible. Prerequisite: English 8

 

English 10: (132) This course will continue expanding the students’ knowledge from English 9. Activities and projects include reading novels, plays, short stories, and poems. Students may also analyze song lyrics, write in journals, read outside novels, and complete a research project. Book reviews are required and grammar and diagramming will be reviewed. Vocabulary exercises will be continued from English 9. Vocabulary will also be taken from the stories we read in class. Also a field trip to Syracuse Stage during the semester enhances the students’ understanding of the play we read in class. Prerequisite: English 9

 

English 11: (141) Unlike the English 12 course that focuses on English literature, this class will concentrate on American literature. Within this tradition, we will examine the major literary genre of the short story, the novel/romance, the poem and drama. Attention will also be given to the study of technical writing. The content of this class is aligned with the new English Language Arts Standards. Students will be able to listen and read for information and understanding as well as be able to read and write for literary response, critical analysis, and evaluation. All students will take the Regents at the end of the course. Prerequisite: English 10

 

English 12: (152) This is the English course that the majority of seniors take as opposed to College English. This challenging class examines English within an historical context. Literary selections are all taken from the English tradition. Students will trace the development of the English language and literature through the three main periods--the Anglo-Saxon, the Medieval, and the Renaissance. Students will also study literature within a mythological and heroic framework. Finally, our study of early literature will serve as a basis for understanding our modern culture. Several major writing projects are required. Independent reading is also a major feature of this class. There is no state exam given at the end of this class. Prerequisite: English 11

 

College/Advanced Placement English: (151-3) This extremely challenging course is designed for our top students in English who wish to study college-level work while still in high school. The material taught in this course mirrors the State University of New York’s freshmen English curriculum. This class integrates an introduction to composition to an introduction to literature. Students enrolled in this class have the option of receiving college credit or taking the Advanced Placement Exam. Historically, this class has been offered via distance learning. Extensive reading and writing is required for this class. Prerequisite: English 11

 

ELECTIVES Communications/Public Speaking: (123) Students will gain confidence and leadership skills as they experiment with a wide variety of public speaking formats. Emphasis in the course is on the process of planning, writing, and speaking. Students, along with the instructor, will evaluate the speeches. Recommendations: Active participation in class and a willingness to speak in front of others are necessary for this course. Since speech is required in college, it is a great idea to study it now. Also, this is a great course for students who have the courage to be leaders. Prerequisite: none

 

Creative Writing: (125) Students are encouraged to experiment with both the poem and the short story/novel. Young writers should be willing to share their work with the class and the community. Publication is a major goal for this class. Opportunities exist to compete in a variety of writing competitions and attend selective writing conferences. Most importantly, student writers will be required to work often in a collaborative model with both the instructor and the members of the class. Playwriting/direction may be an option, depending upon teacher approval and student experience. Several semesters of creative writing may be taken. This course is a must for students who are considering the study of English and/or Fine Arts (creative writing concentration) in college.

 

Drama as Literature: This course is designed to allow students to study the genre of literature called drama. Students will read many plays that are written for stage. Occasionally, students will view the film version of the plays that they read. Students will be assigned a play to read and analyze. When the students finish the play, they will write a reaction essay based on a topic by the teacher. The topic will give the students a focus of the reaction essay, but should not limit the analysis. Essays should be about 500 words and doubled spaced. Ultimately, students should read the assigned play in one week and turn in the essay 3 days later. (So, if you start reading the play on Monday, you should finish it by Friday and turn in the accompanying essay in by the following Wednesday.) You should pick up your topic from Mrs. Kalin every Friday. Plays to be read: ‘night Mother by Norman A Doll’s house by Isben Pygmalion by Shaw Death of a Salesman by Miller A Streetcar Named Desire by Williams Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf ? By Albee Long Day’s Journey into Night by O’Neill

 

American Short Story: This course is designed for students who are interested in reading, discussing, and analyzing short stories written by American authors. Stories to be studied include the classics as well as contemporary works. Assessment will be based on a portfolio of written work based on the stories read. This class can be used to fulfill the English sequence requirement. Class size is limited to 15 students. Open to students is grades 10 -12. Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous year’s English class.

 

The Roaring 20’s: In this class students will have the opportunity to further study the United States during the 1920’s. Several projects and the reading of the Great Gatsby will enhance the students’ knowledge of this exciting time period. Class size is limited to 12 students. Open to students in grade 11-12 with teacher recommendation. Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 12 or recommendation of English 11 instructor.

 

Introduction to Mythology: (134) This course is designed to introduce students to the world of mythology. We will read many Greek stories & plays as well as do projects dealing with mythology. If you like the world of Odysseus and King Arthur, or if you want to know more about them, then this course is for you. Class size is limited to 15 students. Open to grade 9-12. Prerequisite: Successful completion of previous year’s English class.

 

Mythology II: This class is the continuation of Mythology I, but it includes other world myths besides Greek and Roman. For example, the myths of the British Isles, the Norse gods, and Native American cultures will be studied. This class fulfills the English sequence requirement. Class size is limited to 10 students. Open to students in grades 9 – 12. Prerequisite: Mythology I

 

Reading & Writing Lab: (062) Reading and Writing Lab is an individualized program designed to meet the needs of Academic Intervention Services reading and ELA students. Students continue their study of vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing development.