Course Descriptions:

9th Grade English Honors: This course examines various genres of literature including short stories, poetry, drama, and the novel.  Vocabulary skills are taught in connection with the terms used in the various readings.  Application of literature to the lives of students is reflected in the study of themes.  Emphasis is also placed on developing writing skills through narrative, persuasive, descriptive and expository writing.

10th Grade English:  This course is designed to include comprehensive literary survey of all genres while incorporating a study of mechanics and of grammar through writing.  Using a selected sample of world authors and their works, students learn to write about literature, to develop listening, critical thinking and cooperative learning skills and to apply these toward the learning process.

10th Grade English Gifted Honors: Students study all genres of literature produced by writers from various time frames and from a variety of places throughout the world.  A heavy emphasis is placed on composition-specifically persuasive and expository-as preparation for the writing section of the graduation test.  The curriculum is fused with grammar and vocabulary study.  Students must have an 80 average to remain in honors English to Gifted/Honors English.

11th Grade English: Students examine major American authors and their works, covering all forms of literature and all time periods from the beginnings of America to the present day.  Students develop an understanding of the historical context of the works and of the literary terms and techniques used.  Skills of reading, thinking, and listening, speaking and writing are developed.  The study of grammar, vocabulary, and spelling is integrated into the course throughout the semester.

11th Grade English Gifted Honors: Through historical emphasis, relationships are drawn to illustrate that literature is a reflection of the time in which it is written. Students survey all genres of literature produced by American writers.  The curriculum is fused with composition and grammar study throughout the year, along with vocabulary , SAT preparation and independent study.

12th Grade English: This course combines English literature with an outline of English history.  The text contains excerpts from a large number of long works along with poetry, plays, and essays.  The writing skills of essays are also an important component of this course as in the writing of a research paper.

12th Grade English Gifted Honors: This course is designed for college preparatory. The focus is on research skills, expository, persuasive writing skills, and literary criticism through the study of selected British works in all genres. A research paper is required.