1 Credit
This course studies literary genres including short stories, poetry, novels, nonfiction, and drama. Also integral to the course are writing skills, concentrating on content, sentence structure, paragraphing, and organization for the digital and competitive working world. Drama includes a Shakespearean play. Vocabulary acquisition and text analysis are required. Assignments include reading, compositions, reports, and creative projects. Summer reading is mandatory.
1 Credit
This course will cover the English 9 course requirements at an accelerated pace. Several additional works will be studied to help students further develop their literary appreciation and writing skills. Honors classes for underclassmen are preparation for junior and senior year Advanced Placement courses in English. Vocabulary acquisition and text analysis are required to prepare for the digital and competitive working world. Assignments include reading, compositions, reports, and creative projects. Completion of summer reading is mandatory.
Prerequisite: Department recommendation
1/2 Credit
Grade 9
Reading Development is a requirement of some ninth graders, based upon the scores received on the Reading Comprehension portion of the High School Entrance Exam. Students will read in several genres: magazine, newspaper, short play, short story, and nonfiction textbook selections. Skills will be practiced for comprehension such as prediction, paraphrasing, noting contextual clues, noting author’s use of diction, syntax, tone, and others. Much time is devoted to reading, the research-proven method to improve reading skills. To this end, many Fridays will be devoted to individual free reading. A final project will be required based on the book selection. Each student’s improvement, assessed by a pre and post-course exam, will also determine the final grade. This is a one-semester course.
1 Credit
The second year of English is an overview of World Literature. The study involves deepening the understanding of literary forms such as the novel, drama, short story, nonfiction, and poetry begun in the freshman year. Mastery of vocabulary and progress in grammar are considered essential. Outside assignments include novel reading, composition, and projects. Completion of summer reading is a requirement of the course.
1 Credit
The second year of English is an overview of World Literature. The study involves a deeper understanding of literary forms such as the novel, drama, short story, nonfiction, and poetry. A major stress is placed on reading assignments and analytical essays. The titles of novels to be read will be selected from a preparatory college reading list. Mastery of selected vocabulary will be expected. Outside assignments include reading, composition, and research work. Honors classes for underclassmen are preparation for junior and senior year Advanced Placement courses in English. Completion of summer reading is a requirement of the course. The course pace is accelerated.
Prerequisite: Department recommendation
1 Credit
This course is a survey of major American writers. The course is approached from the type of literature studied historically and chronologically. There is also a focus on reading and responding to works of nonfiction. Research techniques are an integral part of the course work. Other types of writing, such as analysis and argument, are taught. All students will take the Comprehensive English Regents Exam in June. Summer reading is required.
1 Credit
This college-level course is the equivalent of English 11 Honors. The student who selects this course should be college-bound and have a good command of reading, writing, and discussion skills. This course mirrors the freshman college composition course all college students take in the beginning of their freshman year. The emphasis of the literature studied in this course is nonfiction. A research paper is required each semester. Nightly assignments of reading and/or writing can be expected. At the end of the year, students will take the A.P. Language and Composition Exam. The cost of this exam is approximately $90. Students who pass the A.P. Exam may be eligible for college credit. A summer reading assignment, including written paper due upon return in the fall, will be required and will be incorporated into the first marking period grade.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 10 Honors, with an average of 92 or better OR teacher recommendation
Note – AP Language students will also take the New York State English Regents Exam in June.
1/2 Credit
Grade 11
This course is designed to aid students weak in composition. It is mandatory for juniors who have been identified by the English Department as having difficulty with writing skills at the end of their sophomore year. This course is offered in addition to the regular requirements in English. Satisfactory completion of assigned writing is a must for credit.
1 Credit
Introduction to College Composition will introduce the various forms of reading and writing expected of college freshmen. This course will also prepare students for the expectations of reading and communication beyond high school. This course will require students to complete one polished piece of writing per quarter, as well as several small essays. In addition to the required Shakespearean play, students will be responsible for completing various supplemental readings (newspaper articles, scholarly journal articles, digital publications, etc.). English 12 also gives students introductory lessons in print journalism and requires them to contribute to The Marian Gazette newspaper. Summer reading is a requirement of the course.
1 Credit
This college-level course is the equivalent of English 12 Honors. The student who selects this course should be college-bound and have a good command of reading, writing, and discussion skills. Nightly assignments of reading and/or writing can be expected. At the end of the year, students will take the A.P. English Literature and Composition Exam. The cost of this A.P. exam is approximately $90. Students who pass the A.P. exam may be eligible for college credit. A summer reading assignment, including written paper, is due upon return in the fall; completion of this assignment is a course requirement.
Prerequisite: In order to take the course, the senior must have either scored mastery level on the New York State English Regents Exam or scored a 3 or higher on the AP English Literature and Composition Exam.
1/2 Credit
Grades 10-12
This elective is designed to aid the student in his/her creative expression, as well as delivery of one’s own writing. The first quarter will focus on fiction. Students will read and evaluate the effectiveness of fiction of varying styles. They will write and workshop short stories to complete a final portfolio. The second quarter will focus on poetry. Students will learn poetic vocabulary, and read and compose poems of varying styles. Students will write and workshop each other’s poetry to complete a final portfolio at the end of the quarter. Students will be expected to deliver their writing to an audience.