English Curriculum
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British Literature
Contemporary Literature and
Composition
English I
English I Honors
English II Honors
Public Speaking
World Literature and Composition
Young Adult Literature and
Composition
Newspaper
Yearbook
GRAMMAR
♦ Prentice Hall Grammar Book—required
♦ recognition of and correcting fragments and runons
♦ recognition of and correcting subject/verb and
♦ pronoun/antecedent agreement
♦ parts of speech
ENGLISH I
This freshman yearlong course develops an understanding
and appreciation of literature by focusing on the genres of
novel, drama, short story, and poetry. Utilizing the writing
process, the student is expected to produce a wide variety of
written work, including multi-paragraph thesis-driven essays,
research-based reports, creative writing and literary analysis
essays. The study of vocabulary, grammar usage and
conventions will be integrated through the student’s writing.
SKILLS
♦ standardized test-taking skills
♦ the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising,
editing
♦ intensive study of good writing techniques
♦ arrangement of ideas for power and effectiveness
♦ awareness of audiences as well as writer’s voice
♦ focus, unity, coherence, transitions
♦ awareness of audience and correct word usage
♦ effective paragraph and essay organization
♦ self-analysis of writing
♦ library research
♦ correct MLA documentation of sources
♦ use of writer’s manual/handbook
♦ understanding differences in a variety of literary
genres
♦ identifying plot structure, setting, character,
development, and conflict
♦ identifying examples of figurative writing
♦ identifying theme, symbolism, and foreshadowing
♦ understanding inferential and implicit meanings,
♦ comparison/ contrast and cause/ effect
♦ summarizing a literary work
♦ building upon prior knowledge
♦ predicting, questioning, summarizing
♦ using context clues and word attack skills and
visualizing
♦ media literacy
WRITING
ALL of the following:
♦ Paper expressing a thesis using supporting details,
examples,
♦ Proof and conclusions
♦ Informal exploratory papers which may include free
writing and writing notebooks
♦ Essay tests
♦ Creative writing, including fiction and essays
♦ Personal experience narratives
♦ Focused paragraphs with support
♦ Writing appropriately for different occasions, audiences,
and purposes
♦ In-class writing prompts
LITERATURE
At least TWO of the following:
Of Mice and Men -- required
To Kill a Mockingbird
Lord of the Flies
The Crazy Horse Electric Game—optional
Short Stories and Poetry
Athletic Shorts
Teacher and student-based selections
Mythology - Required
Heroes, Gods and Monsters
Edith Hamilton’s Mythology
ORAL PRESENTATION/SPEAKING SKILLS
♦ oral reading of literature in class
♦ class presentation of literary projects/reports
♦ participation in, as well as leading of, class
discussions
Shakespeare – Required
Romeo & Juliet
FILM - Optional
Not more than FOUR of the following:
Romeo and Juliet
West Side Story
Of Mice and Men
To Kill A Mockingbird
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
The Odyssey
VOCABULARY
♦ Sadlier-Oxford Level D
♦ Literary Terms
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Mythology
Heroes, Gods & Monsters
Edith Hamilton’s Mythology
ENGLISH I HONORS
This freshman yearlong, intensive course includes the
genres and writing experiences of Freshman English, as
well as a greater amount of assigned reading, and in-depth
writing experiences, including advanced thesis-driven
compositions. The course includes extensive study of
vocabulary, literary terms, grammar usage, and
conventions.
FILM - Optional
Not more than FOUR of the following:
Romeo and Juliet
West Side Story
Of Mice and Men
To Kill A Mockingbird
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
The Odyssey
Self Test Answer the following questions to determine if
English I Honors is an appropriate course for you.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
GRAMMAR
♦ Prentice Hall Grammar Book—required
♦ verb tense and agreement
♦ end punctuation, commas, semi-colons, colons,
apostrophes, quotation marks
♦ recognition of and correcting fragments and run-ons
♦ recognition of and correcting subject/verb and
♦ pronoun/antecedent agreement
♦ parts of speech
Do I consistently score above 80% on standardized
tests in reading and language?
Am I willing to write more papers and spend more
time in editing and rewriting than I would in a regular
level class?
Am I willing to spend up to an hour on English
homework per night?
Am I able to study a work of literature analytically?
Am I willing to purchase the books assigned in order
to mark passages for reference when discussing and
writing about the books?
Do I have the organizational skills and abstract
thinking ability demanded in an Honors class?
Am I willing to meet strict deadlines, especially for
long-term assignments or essays?
Do I plan to continue in honors level English classes
through high school?
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
♦ standardized test-taking skills
♦ the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising,
editing
♦ use of good writing techniques
♦ arrangement of ideas for power and effectiveness
♦ focus, unity, coherence, transitions
♦ awareness of audience
♦ correct word usage
♦ effective paragraph and essay organization
♦ self-analysis of writing
♦ library research
♦ correct MLA documentation of sources
♦ use of strong support for thesis statement
♦ use of writer’s manual/handbook
♦ identifying examples of figurative writing
♦ identifying theme, symbolism, and foreshadowing
♦ understanding inferential and implicit meanings,
♦ comparison/ contrast and cause/ effect
♦ summarizing a literary work
♦ building upon prior knowledge
♦ predicting, questioning, summarizing
♦ using context clues and word attack skills and
visualizing
♦ media literacy
WRITING
ALL of the following:
Multi-paragraph expository essays with strong thesis and
support
Compare-contrast essay
Review of fiction or drama
Persuasive essay
Literary analysis essay
Literary/ dialectical journal
Multi-paragraph essay test responses
In-class writing prompts
Timed writings
LITERATURE
Summer Reading Required
The Secret Life of Bees
At least THREE of the following:
Lord of the Flies
To Kill a Mockingbird - required
Of Mice and Men
The Crazy Horse Electric Game
The Odyssey
ORAL PRESENTATION/SPEAKING SKILLS
♦ oral reading of literature in class
♦ class presentation of literary projects/reports
♦ participation in, as well as leading of, class
discussions
Shakespeare – required
Romeo & Juliet
VOCABULARY
♦ Sadlier-Oxford Level D
♦ Literary Terms
Short Stories and Poetry
Teacher and student-based selections
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GRAMMAR
♦ Placement of modifiers
♦ Verb tense and agreement
♦ End punctuation, commas, semi-colons, colons,
apostrophes, quotation marks
♦ Recognition of and correcting fragments and run-ons
♦ Recognition of and correcting subject/verb and
pronoun/antecedent agreement
ENGLISH II HONORS
This sophomore pre-advanced placement yearlong course
for serious, self-motivated students analyzes great
American literature and stresses the essay and literary
analysis. Students gain a broader understanding of their
American heritage and culture by reading numerous
American classics and through multi-purposed writing
assignments. Study of vocabulary, grammar, usage, style
and conventions is ongoing.
SKILLS
♦ Standardized test-taking skills
♦ The writing process: prewriting, writing, revising,
editing
♦ Use of Adapted AP writing concepts for assessment
Intensive study of good writing techniques
♦ Arrangement of ideas for power and effectiveness
♦ Self-analysis of writing
♦ Correct MLA documentation of sources
♦ Use of strong support for thesis statement
♦ Increase comprehension at symbolic or inferential
levels
♦ Increase awareness of the driving forces in American
literature
♦ Differentiate among various writing styles and
become aware of the effects of each
♦ Analysis of poetry for personal and academic
significance
♦ Understanding and implementation of literary
elements
WRITING
ALL of the following:
♦ Review of the five-paragraph expository essay
♦ Thematic analysis essay
♦ Compare and contrast writing
♦ Critical analyses of poetry, a novel, and/or a short
story
♦ Multi-paragraph essay test answers
♦ Personal journals
♦ Descriptive personal and nature writings
♦ In-class writing prompts
♦ Writing for audiences
♦ Use of ethos, pathos, logos in writing
LITERATURE
Summer reading required:
The House on Mango Street
The Catcher in the Rye
ALL of the following:
Huckleberry Finn
The Old Man and the Sea
The Great Gatsby
The Crucible
ORAL PRESENTATION/SPEAKING SKILLS
♦ Oral reading of literature in class
♦ Class presentation of literary projects/reports
♦ Participation in class discussions
♦ Participation in Socratic seminars
♦ Podcasting (optional)
At least ONE of the following optional selections:
The Grapes of Wrath
A Prayer for Owen Meaney
Additional reading selections:
Selections from earliest Puritan and Revolutionary
writers to modern Pulitzer Prize-winning essayists
Numerous short story, drama, and poetry selections
Selections specific to the study of literature eras
VOCABULARY
Sadlier-Oxford Level E
FILM - Optional
Not more than FOUR of the following:
The Old Man and the Sea
Huckleberry Finn
Grapes of Wrath
The Crucible
The Great Gatsby
Dead Poet’s Society
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VOCABULARY
♦ terms relevant to speaking style and effectiveness
♦ develop an appreciation of language through word
games, analysis of speeches and vocabulary
SPEECH CURRICULUM
There are two courses, both of which meet the graduation
requirement for one semester of speech. The courses and
special requirements are as follows: Public Speaking
(open to everyone) and Competitive Speech (open to
grades 9-12, but REQUIRES teacher recommendation).
NONE OF THESE COURSES COUNT AS ENGLISH
CREDIT. THEY COUNT AS SPEECH OR
ELECTIVE CREDIT ONLY.
EDITING/RESEARCH SKILLS
♦ all speeches must be researched to present facts,
figures and justification oral interpretation
♦ assignment requires cutting a script and analyzing
theme, character, and plot
PUBLIC SPEAKING
This course is designated to prepare students for a variety
of speaking situations. Emphasis is placed on improving
confidence and self-esteem while developing and
practicing communication skills.
SPEECHES
Deliver at least seven major presentations of the
following:
♦ persuasive—required
♦ informative—required
♦ demonstration—required
♦ impromptu—required
♦ special occasion
♦ debate
♦ interviewing
♦ oral interpretation
♦ introduction
♦ sales talk
♦ entertain
WRITING
♦ outlines and/or manuscripts of speeches
♦ structure- depending on assignment
♦ effective use of notecards
LITERACY SKILLS
♦ analysis of topics, research material and style
♦ analysis of literary choice for oral interpretation
♦ analysis of effective language
SPEAKING SKILLS
♦ emphasis placed on style and effectiveness of
presentation
♦ appropriate use of verbal and nonverbal
communication
♦ appropriate use of language
♦ handling of questions after speech, both asking and
answering
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WORLD LITERATURE &
ELEMENTS OF COMPOSITION
Guy de Maupassant, Doris Lessing, Anton Chekov and
others from the world lit anthology
This year-long course for juniors helps students learn to
write more effectively and improve the structure and style
of their writing. Students read analytically and examine
effective models of writing in addition to critically reading
a variety of texts. The course also emphasizes a critical
study of ancient to modern literary classics, as well as
contemporary selections, from around the world. Students
will increase their reading comprehension while
broadening their awareness of global issues, analyzing
universal themes, and recognizing individual authors’
contributions. Students will be given multiple
opportunities to prepare for college entrance tests.
FILM - Optional
Not more than FOUR of the following:
Les Miserables
A Doll’s House
The Fugitive
My Left Foot
Twelfth Night
Taming of the Shrew
10 Things I Hate About You
In the Time of the Butterflies
Relevant documentaries
GRAMMAR
♦ parallelism
♦ placement of modifiers
♦ sentence structure
♦ verb tense and agreement
♦ end punctuation, commas, semi-colons, colons,
apostrophes,
♦ quotation marks
♦ recognition of and correcting fragments and run-ons
♦ recognition of and correcting subject/verb and
♦ pronoun/antecedent agreement
♦ usage/words commonly confused
WRITING
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
narrative essay
descriptive writing
essay test responses
personal essays
reading journals/learning logs
persuasive essay
comparison/contrast essay
research-based project(s)
creative writing
literature-based critical analysis
SKILLS
♦ standardized test-taking skills
♦ the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising,
editing
♦ use of 6-Trait writing concepts for assessment and
revision
♦ study of good writing techniques
♦ effective paragraph and essay organization including
focus, unity, coherence, transitions
♦ style development
♦ awareness of audience
♦ correct word usage
♦ self-analysis of writing
♦ library research
♦ correct MLA documentation of sources (including intext citation)
♦ use of strong support for thesis statement
♦ analysis of poetry
LITERATURE
Novels
At least TWO of the following:
All Quiet on the Western Front
Les Miserables
Night
The Stranger
Things Fall Apart
In the Time of the Butterflies
Drama
Choose TWO of the following (one MUST be a
tragedy):
A Doll’s House
Antigone
No Exit
Oedipus Rex
Four Great Plays by Ibsen
ORAL PRESENTATION/SPEAKING SKILLS
♦ oral reading of literature in class
♦ class presentation of literary projects/reports
♦ participation in class discussions
♦ sharing news articles on world events
Shakespeare
Choose ONE of the following:
Taming of the Shrew
Anthony and Cleopatra
Twelfth Night
VOCABULARY
♦ vocabulary in context from the literature
♦ selection of Sadlier-Oxford Levels F & G
♦ Sat/ACT vocabulary
Short stories, poetry and mythology from across the
world including some of the following authors:
Isabel Allende, Pablo Neruda, Gabriel Garcia Marquez,
Kawabata Yasumari, Franz Kafka, Isaac Singer, Bessie
Head, Jorge Luis Borges, Margaret Atwood, Leo Tolstoy,
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SKILLS
♦ standardized test-taking skills
♦ the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising,
editing
♦ focus, unity, coherence, transitions, denotation,
connotation, syntax
♦ awareness of audience and purpose
♦ self-analysis/reflection of writing
♦ library research
♦ correct MLA documentation of sources
♦ use of strong support for thesis statement
♦ reading strategies such as visualizing, making
connections, reflecting, actively questioning,
summarizing, monitoring with self talk
♦ distinguishing main idea and supporting ideas
♦ making inferences, predicting, tapping prior
knowledge, etc.
English III
This junior yearlong class emphasizes clear and effective
writing while exploring the themes explored in young
adult literature. Students have the opportunity to read and
analyze a variety of texts, including non-fiction, short
story, novel, film, drama and poetry. Additionally, students
will participate in analytic reading and examination of
effective models for writing.
WRITING
ALL of the following:
♦ narrative essay
♦ descriptive essay
♦ persuasive essay
♦ research-based essay including collecting
information, and documenting sources
♦ analysis of literature – including poetry
♦ interviewing, personal reading journals/learning logs
♦ summary
♦ essay test responses
♦ responding to current events
ORAL PRESENTATION/SPEAKING SKILLS
♦ oral reading of literature in class
♦ class presentation of literary projects/reports
♦ participation in, as well as leading of, class
discussion
LITERATURE
Theme-based choice novels
VOCABULARY
♦ from prefixes, roots and suffixes
♦ awareness of connotation and bias in some words
♦ from the reading in some units
Short Stories
Teacher and student-based selections
SPELLING
♦ commonly misspelled words
♦ spelling rules
Drama
Teacher and student-based selections
FILM – Optional
Pay it Forward
Pursuit of Happiness
Other theme-based films
GRAMMAR
♦ punctuation - end marks, commas, semi-colons,
colons, apostrophes, quotation marks
♦ plurals and possessives
♦ verb tense and agreement
♦ pronoun agreement
♦ recognition of and correction of fragments and runons
♦ subordination and coordination
♦ appositives
♦ relative clauses
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CRITICAL THINKING/PERSONAL SKILLS
♦ understanding of news events
♦ identification of advertising strategies
♦ examination of professional models
♦ employment of logic
♦ careful selection of photos
♦ multiple edits of each article
♦ thorough research for each article involving
♦ written and oral sources
♦ follow-up and investigative research
♦ computer and design skills learned through research
and experimentation
♦ analysis of diction and style of writer
♦ in-depth interviewing
♦ accurate note-taking, quoting, and attribution
♦ use of Macintosh computers, Adobe InDesign and
Photoshop programs
♦ editing of articles and captions
♦ use of photography equipment
♦ teamwork, responsibility, initiative, determination,
time management, self-reliance, and interpersonal
skills
NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION
In this yearlong ELECTIVE CREDIT ONLY course,
students produce eight issues of the school newspaper. In
this hands-on class, students work hard at researching,
interviewing, writing, and revising, as well as taking
photos, creating ads and art, and designing layouts. The
payoff: seeing their creation in print. The key word here,
however, remains “work” as student journalists are held
accountable for meeting deadlines, selling advertising,
interviewing, and coordinating with a professional printer.
Newspaper staff members learn quickly that teamwork,
communication, and organization all combine for a better
Mustang Express.
NOTE: THIS COURSE OFFERS ELECTIVE
CREDIT ONLY.
PREREQUISITE
To be a member of the Mustang Express staff, a student
MUST have:
♦
♦
♦
♦
a “B” average or better in English and
the recommendation of at least one high school
English teacher and
a completed application and
advisor approval
LEADERSHIP/SUPERVISING SKILLS
♦ awareness of current journalistic trends
♦ assisting peers with revisions
♦ communication of goals and policies
♦ organization of staff duties
♦ representation of student voice
♦ responsibility involved with an actual business
WRITING
ALL of the following:
♦ straight news stories
♦ sports writing
♦ editorials
♦ columns
♦ feature articles
♦ reviews/previews
♦ brainstorming
ORAL SPEAKING SKILLS
♦ interviewing students and faculty
♦ working and communicating with other staff
members as part of a team
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YEARBOOK PRODUCTION
LEADERSHIP/SUPERVISING SKILLS
♦ awareness of current journalistic trends
♦ assisting peers with revisions
♦ communication of goals and policies
♦ organization of staff duties
♦ representation of student voice
♦ responsibility involved with an actual business
This challenging and exciting yearlong ELECTIVE
CREDIT ONLY course gives students the opportunity to
produce the school yearbook. In this hands-on class,
students work hard at researching, interviewing, writing,
and revising, as well as taking photos, creating ads and art,
and designing layouts. The payoff: seeing their creation in
print and creating a book that will last for years to come.
The key word here, however, remains “work” as student
journalists are held accountable for meeting deadlines,
selling advertising, interviewing, and coordinating with a
professional printer. Yearbook staff members learn quickly
that teamwork, communication, and organization all
combine for a strong Eques yearbook.
ORAL SPEAKING SKILLS
♦ interviewing students and faculty
♦ working and communicating with other staff
members as part of a team
NOTE: THIS COURSE OFFERS ELECTIVE
CREDIT ONLY.
PREREQUISITE
To be a member of the Eques staff, a student MUST have:
♦
♦
♦
♦
a “B” average or better in English and
the recommendation of at least one high school
English teacher and
a completed application and
advisor approval
WRITING
♦ intense emphasis placed upon journalistic style
♦ feature stories
♦ sports stories
♦ photo captions
♦ headlines and sub-headlines
♦ brainstorming
CRITICAL THINKING/PERSONAL SKILLS
♦ identification of advertising strategies
♦ examination of other yearbooks as models
♦ employment of logic
♦ careful selection of photos
♦ multiple edits of each story
♦ thorough research for each story
♦ follow-up and investigative research
♦ computer and design skills learned through research
and experimentation
♦ analysis of diction and style of writer
♦ in-depth interviewing
♦ accurate note-taking, quoting, and attribution
♦ use of Macintosh computers, Adobe InDesign and
Photoshop programs
♦ editing of stories and captions
♦ use of photography equipment
♦ teamwork, responsibility, initiative, determination,
time management, self-reliance, and interpersonal
skills
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