Requirements for all English Courses

1. Students must successfully complete the preceding level course to enroll in the next.
2. English courses must be taken sequentially; no student may take two English courses simultaneously in the day program without departmental permission. All courses are aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
3. Technology
4. Please see each course description regarding student placement, prerequisites, and advancement for English courses.
5. MLA or APA format.

Honors English I

This entry level course for the English Honors program is designed to meet the needs of students who have exceeded district and state requirements for proficiency on standardized tests. Since this is an accelerated course, students should exhibit an outstanding ability in English Language Arts prior to entering 9^th grade.

This program will provide instruction, review, and practice in reading, writing, speaking, listening, vocabulary development, study skills, critical thinking, and literary analysis to prepare students for success on standardized tests and future Honors and AP level coursework. The curriculum, similar in scope to College Preparatory but with additional readings, is rigorous and aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

This course is weighted according to BOE policy.

College Preparatory English I

 This course is designed to introduce students to the skills and demands of high school English. The course integrates reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills with content, including instruction in grammar and targeted vocabulary. Study skills and test-taking strategies will be emphasized to position students for long term success. Students will study various genres of literature such as drama, mythology, novels, poetry, short stories, and modern non-fiction literature in order to become more informed, perceptive, and literate. Longer selections may include, but are not limited to, The Odyssey, “Romeo and Juliet” and I Am Malala.

Honors English II

The Honors English II course is designed for students that have shown outstanding academic abilities in English I. Students are expected to demonstrate a high degree of accountability and independence in the class. Although similar to College Preparatory English II, the curriculum is more rigorous.

Students will develop critical thinking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and research skills via a variety of literature selections and current topics. Longer selections may include, but are not limited to Night, “Antigone”, and The Things They Carried. Students will study various genres of literature including informational texts, poetry, short stories and plays. They will also receive preparation for both the NJSLA test and the PSAT/SAT exams.

After the successful completion of this course, students have the option of enrolling in AP English Language and Composition or Honors English III in their junior year.

This course is weighted according to BOE policy.

College Preparatory English II

Students will work on developing critical thinking, reading, vocabulary, and writing skills via an integrated program of literature study, research, and current topics. The course emphasizes close reading and analysis as well as other skills and strategies necessary to successfully complete standardized tests, such as the NJSLA and PSAT/SAT. Students will study various genres of literature including informational texts, poetry, memoirs, short stories and plays. Please note that advancement to Honors English III requires a minimum grade of 95% and teacher recommendation.

Honors English III

The Honors English III course is designed for academically gifted 11^th grade students. Participation in the course is limited to selected students who meet specific criteria in terms of test scores, previous English grades and teacher recommendation.

Honors English II has three major objectives:

1. To increase students’ awareness of and exposure to the broad scope of great classic and contemporary American literature.
2. To guide students in methods of analysis so that they may better explore and appreciate the wealth of knowledge contained in a variety of texts and learn the craft of writing.
3. To improve students’ thinking, writing, and research skills so that they may better communicate their ideas and be successful in college level courses.

 Students should be prepared to complete most assigned and related readings outside of class.

The Honors English III course:

1. Requires students to assume a greater degree of responsibility for their own learning.
2. Write with a higher degree of competency and sophistication.
3. Exhibit higher levels of critical thinking in both written responses and discussion.

This course is weighted according to BOE policy.

College Preparatory English III

This course covers a broad range of literary genres including short stories, novels, drama, poetry, and current non-fiction literature. Students will write in a variety of modes for many different purposes. The course emphasizes the skills necessary for critical thinking, reading, writing, discussion and presentation. Test-taking strategies will also be integrated throughout the course.

College Preparatory English IV

This course is designed to provide final refinement of students’ English Language Arts skills in preparation for impending transitions into college and careers. The course curriculum is composed of four interconnected units that focus on skills and cover a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction readings.

Test Prep

Test Preparation for English focuses on preparing seniors to pass assessments required by the state for graduation. Students enrolled in the class will engage in an intense study of skills related to word knowledge, close critical reading, paragraph comprehension, and writing. Whole group instruction, small group instruction, and one-one conferences will help to facilitate a learning environment where each student feels comfortable with the test-taking strategies needed for the SAT, ACT, ASVAB and NJSLA. Throughout the course, students will build a portfolio of work to demonstrate their proficiency in Language Arts and show their mastery of pertinent skills needed for graduation.

Advanced Placement English Language and Composition

Advanced Placement (AP) Composition is designed to prepare students for the Educational Testing Service’s AP English Language and Composition Exam. Success on this examination will grant students college credits at most public and private universities. Students who enroll in this course are strongly encouraged to take the AP exam, which is offered annually in May. The course itself is comparable to an introductory composition course at the collegiate level, both in content and rigor. Students are encouraged to take AP Composition during their junior year, though it is open to seniors as well. AP Composition can be substituted for Honors English III.

Students who enroll in AP Composition are expected to be self-motivated, diligent, organized, and inquisitive. They should demonstrate levels of maturity and academic integrity that are typical of students at the nation’s best universities. Students will be challenged to read and write prolifically, both during class and independently. Students will read a variety of prose styles, including non-fiction essays, informational texts, and seminal primary source documents, and use them as models to improve the sophistication of their own writing. Larger themes found in philosophy, ethics, and economics will generate opportunities for analysis, argument, and adaptation. Students will closely examine and employ the rules of Standard English to write for various purposes and audiences. Emphasis will be placed on rhetorical devices, advanced and specialized vocabulary, and argumentative writing techniques.

Recommendations:  While there are no formal prerequisites for enrollment in AP English courses, successful students typically will have achieved one or more of the following prior to the start of class:

1. Minimum score of 100 on the PSAT Critical Reading + Writing sections,
2. Teacher recommendation, and/or
3. Minimum score of 85% in Honors English II or Honors English III.

It is not recommended that students advance directly from CP to AP.

The course is weighted according to BOE policy.

Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition

This course is comparable to an introductory literature course at the collegiate level, both in content and rigor. AP Literature is open to seniors who have completed Honors English III with a grade of “A” or “B”, completed AP Composition with a “C” or better or are recommended to take the course by their junior English teacher. Because some of the critical analysis in this course is covered in AP Composition, it is strongly suggested by the College Board that students take AP Composition in the junior year and AP Literature their senior year.

Students who enroll in AP Literature are expected to be self-motivated, diligent, organized, and inquisitive, and they should demonstrate a level of maturity and academic integrity that is typical of students at the nation’s best universities. Students will be challenged to read and write prolifically, both during class and independently. A variety of literature will be covered with preference given to canonical works including drama, short stories, and poetry from the 1600’s to the present. Students will explore the close interaction between the text, reader, and writer, and analyze literary works through a variety of lenses such as New Criticism, Historicism, Feminism, and Psychoanalysis. Advanced Placement Literature is designed to prepare students for the Educational Testing Service’s AP English Literature and Composition Exam. Success on this examination will grant students college credits at most public and private universities; students who enroll in this course are strongly encouraged to take the AP exam, which is offered annually in May.

This course is weighted according to BOE policy.

Creative Writing

This course is designed to get students to stretch their writing muscles. Anyone with a good work ethic, a vast imagination, and a creative streak is welcomed to join this class. Students will learn to develop and improve their writing skills by exploring a wide variety of genres. This course is designed to inspire and motivate young writers who take pleasure in the art of writing and may wish to publish their poems, short stories, plays, or personal narratives. Keeping a journal is an important component of the course and developing a writer’s voice.

Prerequisite:  First priority is given to juniors and seniors. Because it is writing intensive, this course is limited to a maximum of 20 students. It runs every other year, alternating with Words/Music/Poetry.

Journalism

This is a roll-up-your-sleeves, dive-right-in, and ask-questions-as-you-go-along course. Students must apply for acceptance. They must provide two recommendations from teachers attesting to their skills in written expression, computer/typing skills, artistic/creative skills, organizational skills, accounting/business skills, and/or reliability.

Students sell ads, write and input copy, create layouts, establish and meet deadlines, and complete other tasks necessary for the successful completion of a quality publication. All students will be required to participate in all areas of production of the Maroon and Gold Yearbook.

This is a graded elective and may be taken for up to three consecutive years. It is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Due to computer access, the course may be limited in seats. Students who have previously been enrolled in the course must reapply each year. Students may sign up for the entire year or for the fall semester. There will be no spring enrollment.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

ESL will help students to improve their language skills and vocabulary acquisition. Students will develop the skills needed to read and understand a variety of texts. They will also learn techniques and strategies to better understand new vocabulary. Students practice reading, writing, and speaking English at beginning levels and progress to more complicated, academic writing at the advanced levels.