Incoming 9th Grade
Parent Night
English and Social Studies Programs
April Gonzalez, Supervisor of English and Social Studies
Patrice Gorman, Chairperson of Social Studies
January 19, 2012
English Program
Presented by April Gonzalez
What criteria is used for
placement in Freshman
English?
NJ Ask Scores
Eng I w/lab
Eng I
Eng I Aca
Eng I Hon
205 or below NJAsk
205-234 NJAsk
235-259 NJAsk
260+ NJAsk
As well as:
 Current
Placement
 Grades
 Observational
 Teacher
Checklist
Recommendation
How are we doing?
Statistics on our placement decisions prove
accurate and indicate a strong correlation
between recommendations and success

Only 2% of students recommended for English I
with Lab were moved to English I in September.

67% of the students not recommended for
Honors are not meeting prerequisite this year.
What is the difference between
the four English courses?
English I with Lab
English I
Academic English I
Honors English I
Differences
Literature studied beyond the core
 Pacing of the course
 Assignments and assessments (writing,
homework, tests, etc.)
 Skills required

What reading and literature will
be studied?
Major Works of Core Literature
English I
Buried Onions
Raisin in Sun
Romeo & Juliet
The Odyssey
Of Mice & Men
Aca English I
Hon English I
2 books from list
Silas Marner
Raisin in Sun
Raisin in Sun
Romeo & Juliet Romeo & Juliet
The Odyssey
The Odyssey
Of Mice & Men Tale of Two…
Separate Peace Separate Peace
Jane Eyre
Julius Caesar
What are the requirements for
the Summer Reading
Assignment for each level?
Summer Reading Assignments
English I
•Read: Buried
Onions
•Write: 2 openended prompts
(HSPA style)
Aca English I
Hon English I
•Read: Two
•Read: Silas
books from List Marner
•Choose two
•Write: a themeessential
based literary
questions and
analysis essay
write two
•Read: 2nd book
paragraphs for
each question
•Write: typed
using both books
notes on literary
read to provide
elements for intextual evidence
class timed
writing
Can students move to another
level the following year?
Yes
 If
the student meets prerequisite
grade of an A average
and
 If the teacher recommends
placement
What English electives
are available for
students?
Electives to meet 21st Century
Requirement:
Journalism for the 21st
Century
Writing for Film and
Media in the 21st
Century
English Electives offered
beyond grade 9:
Internet and Newspaper Journalism
 Creative Writing
 African and American Literature
 Introduction to Film
 Comedy in Film and Television
 Fundamentals of Public Speaking
 Sports in Literature and Film

A.P. Courses
 Advanced
Placement
Language and Composition
 Advanced
Placement
Literature and Composition
Social Studies
Program
Presented by Patrice Gorman
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT



Name change reflects
changes in our
curriculum
Better transition from
Middle School and to
US History
Connects to current
issues
Criteria used for
placement in
American Government
NJ Ask Scores
Am. Gov.
Academic AG
Honors AG
190-224 NJAsk
225-249 NJAsk
250+ NJAsk
As well as:
 Current
Placement
 Grades
 Observational
Checklist
 Teacher Recommendation
What is the difference between
the three American Government
courses?
American Government
Academic AG
Honors AG
Differences

Level of support needed by the student
 Honors
must be independent, self-motivated
learners
Pacing of the course
 Difficulty of assignments and assessments
(Research,writing, homework, tests, etc.)
 Skills required

What topics will be studied?
The
Constitution
Branches of
Government
Powers of Each
Branch
Checks &
Balances
Citizenship
and Elections
The Responsibilities
of Citizenship
The Political
Process:
Local
State
National
Political Parties and
Candidates
The
Amendments
The Bill of Rights
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Religion
Search & Seizure
The Justice System
The Death Penalty
Social Justice Movements
The Role of
Government in the
Economy
Fiscal Policy
The Treasury
The Federal Budget
The Federal Debt
Taxation and Spending
The Business Cycle
Inflation
Trade Policy
The Meltdown of 2008
Can students move to another
level the following year?
Yes
 If
the student meets prerequisite
grades
and
 If the teacher recommends
placement
Elective Courses?
While there are no 9th grade Social Studies
electives, students should consider…
AP U.S. History
Honors students may qualify to move into
AP US History in 10th Grade
 Must meet prerequisite

 90%
in Honors American Government
 90% Honors English

This fulfills the 10th grade US History
requirement
Other AP Courses
Grades11&12
AP Comparative Government and Politics
 AP US Government and Politics
 AP European History
 AP Psychology

Other Electives
(Grades 11 & 12)
IPLE (Political and Legal Education)
 Intro to Psychology
 Military History and Strategy
 The Vietnam Era
 Holocaust and Genocide
 Race, Class and Gender in America

Electives…
Sociology
 Anthropology
 American Justice

Welcome to the
High School!
April Gonzalez
Supervisor of English and Social Studies
agonzalez@sbschools.org
Patrice Gorman
Chairperson of Social Studies
Patrice.gorman@sbschools.org