Fundamentals of English 9
Grade 9, #ENG001, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Fundamentals of English 10
Grade 10, #ENG002KS, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Fundamentals of English 11/12
Grades 11/12, #ENG003, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Fundamentals of English is designed to assist students with reading comprehension and written language with the goal of providing students with the fundamental skills necessary to move into and be successful in the regular education program. Students will develop skills and receive instruction as appropriate in grammar, mechanics, vocabulary, structured sentence writing, structured paragraph writing, speaking, composition, and research (including completion of a research project and paper). Students will also read selections from the approved canon and will complete a modified curriculum developed from the curriculum of the traditional regular education course for that grade level. English 11/12 can be repeated for credit.
Enrollment Information: To enroll in the course, students must have an IEP. Placement into the course is at the discretion of the special education staff.
English 9
Grade 9, #ENG011, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Registration Restriction: Enrollment in this class is restricted to students identified to take Strategic Literacy 1 and/or scored Below Basic on the Reading or Writing PSSA in 8th Grade, or by recommendation of the 8th grade English teacher.
Freshman English is designed to offer intensive help to students struggling with grade level proficiencies in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The class is designed to meet the needs of students who are considering advancing to college preparatory courses. Activities in grammar, spelling, vocabulary, usage and composition will be an integral part of the course and will be designed to meet the needs of the students in the class. Required reading will be in accordance with the district-approved literary canon. Students will be introduced to the research process and will be required to complete an informative research project.
College Prep English 9
Grade 9, #ENG012, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
College Prep Freshman English serves as a transitional step from the development of basic skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening in the middle school to the application of those skills in appreciation of all literary forms in senior high school. The course is intended for freshmen to prepare them for college and/or career. Activities in grammar, spelling, vocabulary, usage and composition will be an integral part of the course and will be designed to meet the needs of the students in the class. Required reading will be in accordance with the district-approved literary canon. Students will be introduced to the research process and will be required to complete an argumentative research project.
Honors English 9
Grade 9, #ENG013, 1 credit, weight, 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
The Honors English 9 course is designed for those students who already possess interest and motivation in the discipline of language arts and receive a recommendation from their 8th grade Language Arts teacher; students must also complete a summer reading assignment. As in all English courses, activities in grammar, vocabulary, usage and composition are an integral part of the curriculum. In this course, however, the study of language is integrally related to the study and analysis of literature. Students who choose this level of study will most likely proceed through the Honors courses to Advanced Placement courses in the junior and senior years although other acceptable options are available at all grade levels. Students at this level must complete an extensive, persuasive research project.
English 10
Grade 10, #ENG021KS, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Registration Restriction: Enrollment in this class is restricted to students who previously took Strategic Literacy 1 or took English 9 (ENG011) and earned less than 75%.
Sophomore English offers intensive help to students struggling with grade level proficiencies in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The class is designed to meet the needs of students who are considering advancing to college preparatory courses in the future. Sophomore English is an overview of world literature from either a genre or world literature perspective. In the former, emphasis is placed upon short stories, non-fiction, poetry, drama and the novel; in the latter, emphasis is placed upon a survey of literature from various cultures, past to present. Continued instruction in grammar, spelling, vocabulary, usage and composition will be an integral part of the course. Required reading will be in accordance with the district-approved literary canon. Students will be required to complete a persuasive research project. Students enrolled in this course will be required to take the Keystone Exam at the completion of the course.
College Prep English 10
Grade 10, #ENG022KS, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
College Prep Sophomore English is an overview of world literature from either a genre or world literature perspective. In the former, emphasis is placed upon short stories, non-fiction, poetry, drama and the novel; in the latter, emphasis is placed upon a survey of literature from various cultures, past to present. The course is intended for sophomores to prepare them for college and/or career. Continued instruction in grammar (as needed), spelling, vocabulary, usage and composition will be an integral part of the course. Reading will be in accordance with the district-approved literary canon. Students complete a literary analysis and criticism research project. Students enrolled in this course will be required to take the Keystone Exam at the completion of the course.
Honors English 10
Grade 10, #ENG023KS, 1 credit, weight 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of College Prep English 9 or Honors English 9. Students who select this course after College Prep English 9 are recommended to have had a minimum grade of 85%, or teacher recommendation. A minimum grade of 80% in Honors English 9 is recommended to continue in Honors English 10. Students must complete a summer reading of, and paper on, one of three novels.
The Honors English 10 course is designed for those students who have succeeded in their freshman year of study and want to continue with a rigorous program of English instruction. Grammar, vocabulary, usage and composition are taught on an as-needed basis, assuming that students in this course already possess a working knowledge of the language. Literature study includes selections from the world’s masterpieces as well as a number of required full-length texts. Students who successfully complete this course will most likely opt for Advanced Placement Language and Composition, IB English I or Honors English II in their junior year although other acceptable options are available at all grade levels. Students will complete an extensive a literary analysis and criticism research project. Students enrolled in this course will be required to take the Keystone Exam at the completion of the course.
English 11
Grade 11, #ENG031, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Registration Restriction: Enrollment in this class is restricted to students who previously took Strategic Literacy 1 or took English 10 (ENG021S) and earned less than 75%.
Junior English offers intensive help to students struggling with grade level proficiencies in reading, writing, speaking listening. The class is designed to meet the needs of students who are considering advancing to college preparatory courses in the future or considering a senior year placement at the Career and Technology Center. Junior English is primarily a course in the study of American literature and in composition based on literary study. Grammar, spelling, vocabulary, usage and composition are taught as needed and as they relate to the literature under consideration. Required reading will be in accordance with the district-approved literary canon. Students will be required to complete a research project.
College Prep English 11
Grade 11, #ENG032, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
College Prep Junior English is primarily a course in the study of American literature and in composition based on literary study. The course is intended for juniors to prepare them for college and/or career. Grammar, spelling, vocabulary, usage and composition are taught as needed and as they relate to the literature under consideration. Required reading will be in accordance with the district-approved literary canon. Students will be required to complete a research project.
Honors English 11
Grade 11, #ENG033, 1 credit, weight 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of College Prep English 10 or Honors English 10. Students who select this course after College Prep English 10 are recommended to have had a minimum grade of 80%. A minimum grade of 75% in Honors English 10 is recommended to continue in Honors English 11.
The Honors English 11 course is designed for those students who have succeeded in their sophomore year of study but who do not wish to attempt Advanced Placement Language and Composition. Grammar, vocabulary, usage and composition are taught on an as-needed basis, building upon the instruction provided in the freshman and sophomore years. Literature study includes selections from the masterpieces of American literature, as well as a number of required full-length texts. Students who successfully complete this course may opt for Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, Western Literature and Thought, or Honors English 12 in their senior year. Students must complete an extensive research project.
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Grades 11/12, #ENG037, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: 10th grade teacher recommendation and students who select this course are recommended to have had a minimum grade of 85% in Honors English 10. A minimum grade of 90% is recommended for students wishing to enter AP from College Prep English 10.
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is offered in lieu of English 11. The course is a seminar that encourages independent thinking and research through discussion and writing about representative works of American literature. The writing component emphasizes the expository, analytical and argumentative writing that forms the basis of academic and professional communication as well as the personal and reflective writing that fosters the development of writing facility in any context. Its purpose is to enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers. Many colleges award credit and/or placement if a student scores satisfactorily on the Advanced Placement Examination, which is given nationwide in May. Students must complete two summer reading/writing assignments before the beginning of the course.
Honors American Studies in Context
Grade 11, #ENG034, 1 credit, weight 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
This course is offered in lieu of English 11. As an interdisciplinary course, this course is designed to supplement and integrate materials of American history from 1850 to present day, using primary and secondary texts from non-fiction, literature and media studies. Masterpieces of the American academic and folk canons will be studied. This course will examine events, people and art of the US American experience within its cultural context, as a reading and writing intensive, interdisciplinary experience. Students will read, write and study language as prescribed by the traditional English classroom; however, research projects will largely incorporate literary, media or other material cultural analysis and synthesis.
IB English Year 1
Grade 11, #IBO111, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Students participating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program during their junior year will satisfy their 11th grade English graduation requirements through the completion of this course. This course may also be elected by students who are not participating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program if they satisfy the entrance requirements for the program. The course description can be found in the International Baccalaureate section of the planning guide.
English 12
Grade 12, #ENG041, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Registration Restriction: Enrollment in this class is restricted to students who previously took English 11 (ENG031) and earned less than 75%.
Senior English offers intensive help to students struggling with grade level proficiencies in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The class is designed to meet the graduation requirements of students who are not intending immediate enrollment in college after high school. Senior English is primarily a course in the study of English literature and in composition based on literature studies. Grammar, spelling, vocabulary, usage and composition are taught as needed and as they relate to the literature under consideration. Required reading will be in accordance with the district-approved literary canon. Students in this course must complete a research project.
College Prep English 12
Grade 12, #ENG042, 1 credit, 5 periods, (FY), NCAA
College Prep Senior English is primarily a course in the study of English literature and in composition based on literature studies. The course is intended for seniors to prepare them for college and/or career. Grammar, spelling, vocabulary, usage and composition are taught are needed and as they relate to the literature under consideration. Required reading will be in accordance with the district-approved literary canon. Students in this course must complete a research project.
Honors English 12
Grade 12, #ENG043, 1 credit, weight 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of College Prep English 11 or Honors English 11. Students who select this course after College Prep English 11 are recommended to have had a minimum grade of 80%. A minimum grade of 75% in Honors English 11 is recommended to continue in Honors English 12.
The Honors English 12 course is designed for those students who have succeeded in their junior year of study but who do not wish to attempt Advanced Placement Literature and Composition or Western Literature and Thought. Grammar, vocabulary, usage and composition are taught on an as-needed basis, assuming that students already possess a working knowledge of the language. Literature study includes selections from the masterpieces of British Literature as well as a number of required full-length texts. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared for a rigorous college freshman composition/literature course. Students must complete an extensive research project.
Honors Western Literature and Thought
Grade 12, #ENG045, 1 credit, weight 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: 11th grade teacher recommendation and a minimum grade of 75% in Honors English 11 or 80% in College Prep English 11.
This course is offered in lieu of regular English 12. The central themes of the course are Westerners’ search for meaning through the ages, and the vision of tragedy with most emphasis on the Hebrews, Greeks, Middle Ages, the Renaissance and 20th century culture. The purpose of all phases of the course—lecture, reading, discussion, composition—is to enable the student to realize through an acquaintance with the ideas, art, architecture, literature and music of the West, that other people in other times have asked “Who am I? From where have I come? What is the meaning of life? What have I created?” In addition, emphasis is placed on the students’ achieving a greater understanding of literature, music and art as creative forms. Selections from the Old Testament, Greek plays, King Lear, Macbeth, Waiting for Godot and England in Literature are some of the works read. Students who have a strong interest in the arts, enjoy challenging reading and can participate confidently in class discussions are well suited for this course. Competent research skills and writing skills are also necessary to succeed.
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition
Grades 11/12, #ENG047, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: 11th grade teacher recommendation and students who select this course are recommended to have had a minimum grade of 85% in Honors English 11 or successfully completed AP English Language and Composition.
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is offered in lieu of English 12. The course is a seminar that encourages independent thinking and research through discussion and writing about representative works of literature from several genres and periods. As recommended by the College Board Commission on Advanced Placement, the course emphasizes the development of the skills of critical analysis and the appreciation of literature that is rich in language and thought. Many colleges award credit and/or placement for satisfactory scores on the Advanced Placement Examination that is given nationwide in May. Students must complete two summer reading/writing assignments before the beginning of the course.
IB English Year 2
Grade 12, #IBO112, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
This course for Seniors in the IB program is a continuation of IB English Year 1. The course description can be found in the International Baccalaureate section of the planning guide.
english Language learners
English I
Grades 9/10/11/12, #ENG081, 2 credits, 5 periods (FY)
English II
Grades 9/10/11/12, #ENG082, 2 credits, 5 periods (FY)
English III/IV
Grades 9/10/11/12, #ENG083, 1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Registration Restriction: Enrollment in this class is restricted to students who are actively enrolled in the English Language Development (ELD) Program. The ELD Teacher will assign students to one of the four classes depending on each student’s needs.
These English classes are specially designed to meet the language arts needs of students whose first language is not English. Students will learn the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels and learn to apply these skills to other subject areas. Students will also learn English for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.
NOTE: These courses CANNOT be used to satisfy the students’ English course requirements toward graduation.
english electives
Elective courses may not be substituted for the regular English requirements. All elective courses are offered based on student interest/class enrollment.
Media Literacy
Grades 9/10/11/12, #ENG050, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Media is a powerful influence on our understanding of the world and the way it functions. It affects how we perceive others and ourselves. This course will help students develop a critical approach to understanding the media that surrounds them every day; i.e., social networking, the Internet, television, film, radio, photographs, newspapers, magazines and advertising. Through in-class screenings, interactive media demonstrations and the creation of their own media projects, students will learn to make sense of and control their media environments.
Public Speaking 1
Grades 10/11/12, #ENG051, ½ credit, 5 periods (S), NCAA
This one-semester elective is designed to familiarize students with the most common speech situations and to facilitate students’ ability to adjust to a given situation confidently. Students will participate in multiple and varied speeches and speech situations to improve in four tenants of speech-giving skills: voice, body, content, and delivery. Students are guided to a better and more practical understanding of their speaking potential. Depending upon staffing availability, this class might not be offered every year.
Public Speaking 2
Grades 10/11/12, #ENG052, ½ credit, 5 periods (S), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Public Speaking 1
This one-semester elective is designed for students who have mastered the fundamentals of public speaking. Activities include more difficult speeches, speaking in front of larger audiences, and contests. Students will improve and hone their skills in this extremely important life skill. Depending upon staffing availability, this class might not be offered every year.
Drama
Grades 9/10/11/12, #ENG057, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Acting, set design, make-up, lighting, sound, directing, playwriting: there’s a lot that goes into the process of bringing theatre to life. This drama class will explore the elements of sound, movement, and theatre. Students will practice and perform monologues, dialogues, and larger scenes. Elements of technical theatre will also be studied and practiced, opening students to all the magic behind the scenes. Additionally, improvisational theatre will be performed regularly to allow students to find their own voice. Students are evaluated on creation, performance, and response. Drama class is not just for aspiring actors; it’s for anyone interested in delving into the magic of theatre.
Journalism 1
Grades 9/10/11/12, #ENG065, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisite: a minimum 80% average in English 9, 10 or 11. Freshmen will be admitted upon the recommendation of their eighth grade English teacher and a B average in English.
This introductory course teaches appreciation for the relevancy of the news media as a resource and as a tool for creating an informed and active citizenry. Students will explore the rise of multimedia journalism and how the Internet is altering the media landscape. The content includes use of journalistic language, interviewing and newsgathering skills, writing styles and editing techniques in composing news, features, sports and editorials, as well as learning ethical and legal considerations in journalism. The writing students produce will be considered for publication in Hi-Lite, the online student publication.
Journalism 2
Grades 9/10/11/12, #ENG066, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisite: successful completion of Journalism 1 and teacher recommendation.
In a newsroom-type setting, students will utilize the skills learned in Journalism I to help produce content for Hi- Lite, the online student publication. Students will continue to hone their writing, interviewing, newsgathering, and multimedia storytelling skills. They will assume more responsibilities for producing Hi-Lite, including editing stories, posting stories online, and helping to make editorial decisions.
Journalism 3
Grades 10/11/12, #ENG067, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisite: successful completion of Journalism 2 and teacher recommendation.
In a newsroom-type setting, students will continue to hone the skills introduced in Journalism I and further developed in Journalism 2. Students begin assuming leadership roles as editors in charge of managing a staff, while continuing to gather news, write, edit, and produce multimedia story packages.
Journalism 4
Grades 10/11/12, #ENG068, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisite: successful completion of Journalism 3 and teacher recommendation.
In a newsroom-type setting, students will continue to write, edit, and produce multimedia story packages, but by now they will have solidified their roles as editors in charge of every aspect of producing an online publication, including conducting daily and weekly staff meetings. Students will keep the content and visual appeal of the website up to date by incorporating the latest in website design and technology.
Creative Writing 1
Grades 10/11/12, #ENG061, ½ credit, 5 periods (S), NCAA
Prerequisite: a minimum grade of 80% in English 9, 10, or 11 or a teacher recommendation.
This semester elective is open to students who meet the prerequisites listed below and are enthusiastic about developing their skills as practitioners of the art of creative writing and in understanding their relationship between careful reading and good writing. The course will involve the reading of representative shorter works by established authors to help students develop a critical sense. The main focus of the course will involve writing in a workshop format that will deal with drafting, revising and publishing the students’ own works in poetry and fictive prose. Students will be assessed on both their critical and creative performance using pre-established and corrective rubrics as well as the Pennsylvania Writing Assessment Holistic Scoring Guide.
Creative Writing 2
Grades 10/11/12, #ENG062, ½ credit, 5 periods (S), NCAA
Prerequisite: successful completion of Creative Writing 1 or permission of the instructor.
Students in this course will analyze the “how” of written communication, from literary technique to publication, investigating models of literary technique and effects, and genre structures more intensely than in Creative Writing 1. As a natural extension to Creative Writing 1, this course is writing intensive, and students will be creating and experimenting with the application of literary tools, from technique to structures, to establish a desired effect in mood, tone and overall literary art. Consequently, students will be encouraged to specialize in a genre, conduct guided investigation in published models, self-select reading and produce original works. A substantial portfolio of revised, polished work for entry-level publication is expected.