| English
ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS COURSE SEQUENCE*
4 credits required for graduation
| Grade
9 |
Grade
10 |
Grade
11 |
Grade
12 |
| 1
Credit |
1
Credit |
1
Credit |
1
Credit |
English
9
Or
Honors English 9 |
English
10
Or
Honors English 10 |
English
11
or
Honors English 11
or
AP English Literature and Composition I or English or English/American
Studies |
English
12
or
Honors English 12
or
AP English Literature and Composition II or English |
ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ENGLISH 9 (1 credit)
In English 9, students develop proficiency, confidence and fluency
in reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing. The course
introduces students to literature and various ways of communicating
effectively. The study of literature is emphasized through the
genre of the short story. Students read and respond
to a variety of authors, texts and genres, and share responses
to extend understanding, create interpretations, make connections,
and develop appreciation. Students write in a variety of formats,
with an emphasis on paragraph structure and writing to express
ideas, to inform and to persuade. Students develop communication
skills through class discussions and presentations. The course
also integrates grammar, usage and vocabulary development throughout
all of its phases. English 9 prepares students to take the Connecticut
Academic Performance Test (CAPT) by teaching key skills throughout
the curriculum. As students progress through the year, they assemble
a portfolio reflective of their developing abilities and skills.
HONORS ENGLISH 9 (1 credit)
Honors English 9 is an accelerated course that focuses intensively
on writing and classical and young adult literature at advanced
levels. Course content exposes students to a greater variety
of non fiction, drama and poetry. Students are provided
multiple opportunities to read and respond to a wide variety
of authors, texts and genres, as well as to develop literary
interpretations and critical essays using primary literary
sources. This course requires a greater degree of independence
and competence in communicating and critical thinking. As students
progress through the year, they assemble a portfolio reflective
of their developing abilities and skills.
ENGLISH 10 (1 credit)
In English 10, students further develop the skills introduced
in English 9. This course expands the student’s ability
to think originally and from multiple perspectives. Students
grow as readers, communicators and writers by studying literature,
sharing ideas in small and large groups, and writing essays.
The study of literature is emphasized through the genre of
drama and the short story. There is continued emphasis
on the development of writing in a variety of formats, with
a particular focus on essay structure and writing to express
ideas, to inform and to persuade. Students read and respond
to a variety of authors, texts and genres, and share responses
to extend understanding, create interpretations, make connections
and develop appreciation. The course requires a greater fluency
in grammar, usage, syntax and diction throughout all its
phases. English 10 prepares students to take the Connecticut
Academic Performance Test (CAPT) by teaching key skills throughout
the curriculum. As a course requirement, students continue
to build their portfolios to reflect their developing abilities
and skills.
HONORS ENGLISH 10 (1 credit)
Honors English 10 is an accelerated course that focuses intensively
on expanding the student’s ability to think originally
and from multiple perspectives utilizing a wider variety
of texts and genre. Students develop literary interpretations
and critical essays using primary literary sources. This
course requires a greater degree of independence and competence
in communicating and critical thinking. Students in this
class are required to read and respond to a wider variety
of authors than is done in English 9. The course requires
extensive writing responses. Students continue to build their
portfolios.
ENGLISH 11 (1
credit)*
In English 11, students integrate the skills of reading
and writing with the interpretation of literature of various
periods and genres of the American literary tradition. The
study of literature is emphasized through the genres of the
novel, poetry, and drama. Students write to express
ideas, to describe, to inform and to persuade. The course
demands a greater proficiency in developing writing skills
in order to analyze fiction and nonfiction, including text
structures. Students examine how literary themes reflect
American culture and recognize the significant connections
between literature and culture. Themes emphasized in this
course include “the American dream” and “social
justice.” This course requires a greater degree
of independence and competence in communicating and critical
thinking. The research paper or research project is a course
requirement. Students continue to build their writing portfolios.
HONORS ENGLISH 11 (1 credit)*
Honors English 11 is an accelerated course that focuses intensively
on writing and American literature at advanced levels. Students
develop literary interpretations and critical essays using
primary literary sources. This course requires a greater
degree of independence and competence in communicating and
critical thinking. A research paper is a course requirement.
Students continue to build their portfolios.
ENGLISH/AMERICAN STUDIES (Grade
11 only) (1 credit)
American Studies is an integrated instruction program in
American literature and Modern U.S. History. The course develops
the student's understanding of the American character and culture
while fostering an understanding of the social, political,
and economic institutions of the United States. This
course provides the basic foundation in history and literature
that is fundamental to student understanding and appreciation
of the evolution of the American character and the uniqueness
of the American culture.
WESLEYAN HUMANITIES (Grade 12 only) (1
credit)
Students will interpret and reflect upon six major literary
works. The students will read the books in class, write
responses to the literature, attend college level lectures
(often with expert professors), and view complementary films
works. (Vinal THS only)
ENGLISH 12 (1 credit)*
In English 12, students refine the skills in reading, writing
and communicating that were acquired in the junior year. The
course extends and intensifies the students’ ranges of
analytical, critical and creative means of expression. The
study of literature is approached through a variety of genres. Students
examine how literary themes reflect world literature and historical
and cultural perspective of our world, and recognize the significant
connections between literature and culture. These emphasized
in this course include “world view” and “use
and abuse of power.” Seniors manage and direct
their own growth as writers, readers and communicators. Students
work toward completion of their writing portfolios.
HONORS ENGLISH 12 (1 credit)*
Honors English 12 is an accelerated course that focuses intensively
on reading and writing at advanced levels. This course requires
a greater degree of independence and competence in communicating
and applying critical thinking skills. Students examine how
literary themes reflect world literature and culture perspectives
of our world and recognize the significant connections between
literature and culture. Students develop sophisticated literary
interpretations and critical essays using primary literary
sources. As a course requirement, students work toward completion
of their portfolio.
AP (Advanced Placement) ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
I and II (1 credit)
These Advanced Placement courses follow a two-year sequence
fulfilling the English credit requirements for graduation.
The course is offered only in Grades 11 and 12, with one credit
each year – two
credits total. The prerequisite for taking the course sequence
includes successful completion of English II. AP English Literature
and Composition is a college-level English language, literature
and composition course. Course content builds on the use of the
pre-twelfth grade summer reading list. The course focuses on
careful reading and critical analysis of fiction and nonfiction
prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines and rhetorical
contexts. The course teaches students to become skilled readers
and writers and features a strong emphasis on the techniques
of revision. Students write in a variety of forms, including
narrative, exploratory, expository and argumentative, on a variety
of subjects. Writing assignments, which focus on the critical
analysis of literature, may include expository, analytical and
argumentative essays, well-constructed creative writing assignments,
as well as research-based writing. Oral presentations and multidisciplinary
projects are also vital components of the course. Students may
elect to take the AP exam to qualify for college credit in May
of their senior year.
*College Career Pathways – Students
may qualify to earn college credit for one public speaking course.
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