English Courses

Students are required to complete four semesters of English for graduation. Each course in the English sequence emphasizes effective communication through literature, writing, language study, reading, critical thinking, and oral skills in order to prepare students for their post-secondary pursuits. Courses are designated as Core/Standard, Advanced, or Honors/Advanced Placement. The sequence of courses is designed to give students a foundation in a wide scope of writing and literature.

English I emphasizes vocabulary, critical thinking, grammar and writing skills with a focus on the development of process writing. Students will also study genres of literature as well as the various forms of communication. Students in ninth grade may complete the study of English I in a two-semester sequence of courses entitled English IA and English IB. Students are placed in this class on the basis of teacher recommendation and/or the results of placement testing.

English II continues the study of literature with an emphasis on American writers. The skills introduced in English I are reinforced. For example, students build upon the skill of writing thesis statements and apply this skill to all expository writing assignments such as literary analysis and the fundamentals of the research paper.

English III is both a writing and survey of American writers course. Because it is offered in the junior year, this course complements the content of the United States History course. Students are expected to keep a portfolio of their skills, including a range of work such as essays, creative writing assignments, literary analyses, projects, research papers and projects, and skill in using media. Students will become more aware of the richness of our New England/Massachusetts literary heritage. Selections emphasize a multicultural perspective including Native Americans, women, and African-American writers.

English IV emphasizes expository composition, classical and contemporary essay, short story, drama, poetry, and novels. In addition, students are required to review English usage and mechanical problems. Lastly, students are required to participate in a vocabulary-building program. The work in the program is designed to develop critical thinking skills that will prepare students for either college or the world of work. As the culmination of the four-year sequence, students should demonstrate their mastery and/or understanding of language, critical thinking skills, expository writing, and literature through the completion of course assignments.

Communication and Public Speaking is a junior-senior offering that attempts to have students understand, through many different activities, communication and aspects that affect the communication process. Students will focus on issues such as perception, group interaction, and public speaking. Students will understand and learn the skills that are necessary to communicate more effectively.

AP English Literature and Composition emphasizes the development of skills in critical reading and writing about literature and related ideas. Readings range from the Elizabethans and the American Puritans up to modern literature. This is a rigorous and demanding course that culminates in a national exam, in May.

AP English Language and Composition emphasizes effective writing and critical reading through attentive and continued analysis of a variety of texts, with a major focus on nonfiction works. Forms of discourse, methods of organization, style, language structures, and diction are important areas of consideration, practice, and learning. Students read Greek, Roman, Middle English and Renaissance materials and through this material work to develop an awareness of the expressive potential of language, along with the ability to utilize some degree of that potential. The course is both rigorous and demanding and culminates in a national exam in May.