The English Department subscribes to the tenets of the Core Curriculum Content Standards.  The department provides courses for all students with a meaningful four-year study of language and learning.  It is expected that all students in every course will be expected to:

Employ the writing process to compose in various modes for various purposes;  write units of discourse that demonstrate topic development, effective organization, appropriate vocabulary, stylistic choices, and clear language usage; read, respond to, and analyze works of literature drawn from different genres, cultures, and time periods; view, understand, and use non-textual visual information; listen actively in a variety of situations to information from a range of sources; practice formal and informal discourse for a variety of purposes and audiences in a variety of contexts; use reference material and technology to compose and conduct research; explore literature and the arts in historical context through interdisciplinary activities.

ENGLISH 9 CP

Grade: 9

This course reinforces skills acquired by the student in the elementary grades and also introduces new language arts skills.  The course will provide learning opportunities for students to meet the cumulative progress indicators of the Core Curriculum Content Standards.  In addition, the student will be exposed to the technology and cross content workplace readiness skills appropriate for the grade level. 

ENGLISH 9 HONORS

Grade: 9

This language arts course is an extension of the language arts courses required in grades seven and eight.  In addition to covering the required cumulative progress indicators, the students enrolled in this course will be provided additional experiences to develop skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation in their discussions of many novels, poems, plays and short stories.  Numerous written assignments, both creative and expository, are required in conjunction with the readings. Several projects related to the readings are also required. Grammar and vocabulary are approached as necessary means to the end of forceful oral and written expression.

ENGLISH 10 CP

Grade: 10

English 10 is a college preparatory course organized around a chronological study of American Literature.  The course will require that students read and respond to literature, study historical background, and complete research/writing assignments using the writing process.  In addition, the student will be exposed to the technology and cross content workplace readiness skills appropriate for the grade level.  The content of this course provides learning opportunities that meet the cumulative progress indicators at the tenth grade level.  Students will perfect writing a clear thesis statement, an outline, and a well-developed essay. The process writing strategies are followed in preparation for proficiency on the PARCC exam.

ENGLISH 10 HONORS

Grade: 10

Honors English II is a course that uses a thematic approach, specifically designed to prepare students in the studies of British and American literature.  It is a survey course of major British and American literary works from the eighth through the twentieth century. The content of this course provides students with experiences to develop skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation through cooperative learning. Numerous writing assignments, both creative and expository, are required in conjunction with the readings. Students perfect writing a clear statement of purpose, an outline, and a well-developed essay.  The process writing strategies are followed in preparation for English Literature Advanced Placement. A review of major trends and events in English, European, and American history reinforces the study of literature.

ENGLISH 11 CP

Grade:  11

English 11 is a college prep course specifically related to British literature.  It is a survey course of major British literary works from the eighth through the twentieth century. The content of this course provides learning opportunities that meet the cumulative progress indicators at this grade level according to the New Jersey Common Core Standards.  Students perfect writing a clear statement of purpose, an outline, and a well-developed essay. The process writing strategies are followed in preparation for the student being proficient in the PARCC exam.  A review of major trends and events in English and European history reinforces the study of literature.

ENGLISH 11/12 HONORS

Grade/s: 11/12

English 11/12 Honors is an alternatingly British Literature/World Literature based program that allows students the opportunity to read and dissect significant writing from multiple time periods, and correlate these writings to their own lives and to the modern world in which we live.  Hearty emphasis will be placed upon thematic and critical writing, with an emphasis upon interpretation of the works covered. This class is designed to prepare students for the demands of college-level English.

ENGLISH  LANGUAGE (AP)  ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grade/s: 11/12

This course is designed for students with a strong interest in language and literature, as well as strong reading and writing skills.  An examination of prose and nonfiction styles from the 16th century to the present, the course develops the student’s ability to analyze the various uses of language and the connections between language and theme.  Students will prepare to take the AP English Language test. This course meets the requirement for 11th/12th grade English.

ENGLISH 12 CP

Grade:   12

English 12 CP is a World Literature course designed to give the students an overview of writing rooted in various countries from around the globe.  The program allows students the opportunity to read and dissect significant works of literature and correlate these writings to their own lives, while enlightening students to other cultures that may be different from their own.  As this class is designed to prepare students for the demands of college-level English, emphasis will be placed upon student-produced critical writing.

ENGLISH LITERATURE (AP) ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grade/s: 11/ 12

This course surveys World Literature utilizing a thematic approach. Students are expected to read an extensive variety of novels, plays, stories and poems. Further, students will be exposed to various approaches to literary theory and criticism. Students will be expected to analyze the texts they read and synthesize said analysis into short essays and full-length papers. This course is designed to operate on a college level. Students prepare for and are expected to take the AP Examination in May.

HIGH INTENSITY ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Grade/s: 9 - 12

Students may not select this course.  They will be assigned after consultation with their counselor and the ESL instructor.

The program is designed to assist the students who are Limited English Proficient (LEP) with their acquisition of English.  The emphasis of the program is to develop their interaction with the mainstream grouping, to cope with the student‘s high school curriculum requirements, and to successfully pass the PARCC, and the ACCESS Exam.  Attention is given to study skills and the development of communicative competence in English. Awareness of American culture, rights and responsibilities are included in this program. The program provides guidance and support to the students and their families in order to familiarize them with social programs available in the school and community.  Teacher-parent communication is essential to provide social, emotional and academic support to the students.

SHELTERED ENGLISH I/II

Grades: 9-12

Students may not select this course.  They will be assigned after consultations with their counselor and the ESL instructor.

This program is designed to assist the Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in their acquisition of the English language. Depending on their skill level, students will be gradually introduced and exposed to increasingly complex conventions of grammar, literature, and vocabulary. Reading selections will include but are not limited to: graphic novels, short passages, news articles, and excerpts from a variety of novels and plays.  Several projects will be required in conjunction with the selected readings.

SHELTERED ENGLISH III/IV

Grades 9-12

Students may not select this course.  They will be assigned after consultations with their counselor and the ESL instructor.

This program  is designed to assist the Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in their acquisition of the English language. This is a continuation of the study of the conventions of literature and students will be exposed to more complex English grammar structures and vocabulary.  Several projects will be required in conjunction with the selected readings. Reading selections include short novels, news articles, and excerpts from novels and plays. Several projects and writing assignments will be required in conjunction with the selected readings.

FILM STUDIES (1/2 year course)

Grades:    10-12

Film Studies is an elective designed to demonstrate through in-depth study, dissection and discussion that Cinematic Film is a completely thorough and legitimate art form.  Students will analyze film techniques and study the nuances that allow them to identify a specific director’s work, as well as the accomplishments of outstanding actors.

SAT PREP/ COLLEGE & CAREER PLANNING (1/2 year course)

Grades:    10-12

SAT Prep is designed to assist students to develop test-taking strategies in order to improve their confidence and ability to perform their best on the SAT and other college entrance exams.  Students will experience taking official practice tests to help them learn how to pace themselves. They will learn how to use the critical thinking skills, mathematical reasoning skills, and other skills they have acquired or possess in order to do their best when they take the exams.  Students will research colleges and a career of choice as a final project. Seniors taking the college entry exams in the fall could benefit from taking this class during the first semester. Students taking Algebra 2 may benefit from taking this class during the spring semester.

DEBATE/PUBLIC SPEAKING (1/2 year course)

Grades:    10-12

This class is structured around the principles of Aristotelian Argument. Students are required to write and present structured speeches. After mastering speaking publicly, students will be instructed in the rules and principles of effective debate. Students will be expected to prepare arguments and actively debate given topics in class. Study of great public speakers and emulating their styles is also an integral part of this course. After its completion, students should be well prepared to present an argument, back it with facts, and present it in front of a group of their peers.

JOURNALISM

Grades:    10-12

This is a full year course designed for students interested in newspaper journalism and developing their skills as a writer.  The course explores the contemporary media and the ethical responsibility issues inherent in the press today. Students will learn the fundamentals of news, feature, editorial and sports writing.  Copy reading, news style and editing will be stressed. Students will create numerous original stories using varied structures and writing techniques. Students will also learn to create computer generated layouts and graphics.  This course is designed so that students can use the skills learned in the course to publish a monthly school newspaper.