Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between 9th/10th Grade Honors Level and Regular Level classes?
* The 9th & 10th Grade Honors English courses cover the same areas of study as the Regular Level Courses but in a more fast paced, demanding format. Prerequisites for 9th & 10th Grade Honors English include the recommendation from the 8th & 9th grade Language Arts/ English teachers, departmental approval as well as successful completion of the summer reading/writing assignments.
What is the curriculum in 9th grade English?
The two required units for freshmen are designed to give students the background needed for completion of elective courses during the junior and senior year, as well as presenting and practicing essential communication skills including those identified in the Vermont Standards. Ninth graders are assigned to this class- they are not allowed to choose.
Fiction/Writing
This unit is designed to improve writing skills while incorporating the structural and thematic elements of fiction through reading and viewing various fictional works. Students will work on writing effective sentences, composing expository, persuasive and descriptive paragraphs, and developing the five-paragraph expository essay as well as polishing grammar skills. ~These basic writing skills will be used as students write their own fictional works and develop analyses and interpretations of the works studied in class.
Nonfiction/Writing
This unit is designed to improve writing skills while incorporating the structural and thematic elements of nonfiction as they are presented in biographies, essays and general nonfiction. ~In addition to reading and analyzing pieces of nonfiction, students will write their own nonfiction in a variety of forms. ~Students will work on the writing of effective sentences, writing logical and well developed paragraphs and developing longer compositions.
What is the curriculum for 10th grade English?
The sophomore English program consists of four required units, which are designed to develop important communication skills and give students the additional background needed for completion of elective courses during their junior and senior years. ~Each class incorporates (instructs and/or assesses) a number of the Vermont Standards which students work throughout their high school careers to master. Students rotate through the following units:
Speech
This unit covers speech theory and performance as well as style and technique. ~Students work on research, organization and note taking as well as developing self-confidence and poise before an audience. ~Particular emphasis is placed on speeches that inform.
Writing
This unit develops the student’s ability to write effective expository prose. ~An emphasis is placed on gaining an understanding of unity, coherence, conciseness and support of details through writing relatively lengthy, complex essays. ~Particular focus will be placed on the Vermont State Writing Benchmarks.
Drama
Providing for the study of dramatic types and the development of drama as a literary form, this unit is reading intensive. ~Emphasis is placed upon reading comprehension, understanding dramatic structure, and interpreting plays both orally and in writing.
Poetry
This literature unit provides the student with an awareness of topics and techniques in poetry through writing, reading and listening. ~Emphasis is placed upon poetic structure as well as the oral and written interpretation of a variety of poems.
How much reading and writing should a student expect to do in a BFUHS English course?
The reading and writing expected of students varies depending on the level of the course.
Level 3: Students should expect to read about 100-150 pages a week from both self-chosen and whole class books, articles, poems, plays and short stories. ~~Students should be able to draft, edit and critique written products so that final drafts are appropriate to standards set forth in the VT Grade Level Expectations. ~They should expect to complete 7-8 multi-drafted papers during the semester with at least half of those papers meeting the VT writing standards as seen in the writing benchmarks. ~
Level 4: ~Students should expect to read 150-200 pages a week from (mostly) whole class books, articles, poems, plays and short stories. ~Students should be able to draft, edit and critique written products so that final drafts are appropriate to standards set forth in the VT Grade Level Expectations. ~They should expect to complete 8-9 multi-drafted papers during the semester with at least 2/3 of those papers meeting the VT writing standards as see in the writing benchmarks and 1/3 nearly meeting the standards. ~These students should have mastered the conventions of written English.
Level 5: ~Students should expect to read 200-250 pages a week from high quality literature, articles, poems, plays and short stories. ~Students should be able to draft, edit and critique written products so that final drafts are appropriate to standards set forth in the VT Grade Level Expectations. ~They should expect to complete 9-10 multi-drafted papers during the semester with 2/3 of those papers meeting the VT writing standards as seen in the writing benchmarks at the 12th grade level. ~Students will respond to literature on a regular basis and meet a standard appropriate to a freshman in college. ~
What if a student does not pass an English class?
The English Department feels strongly that every student should successfully master the course content presented in our classes. The 9th and 10th grade years are set up to address/ introduce most, if not all, of the Vermont State Standards, therefore students should master the concepts in 9th grade English before going on to 10th grade English. Student who are not successful in 9th and/ or 10th grade English will be asked to repeat the units, at least once, before going onto the next level. This will not only assure a strong foundation in the content, but will assure that the students earn the English credits that they need for graduation. In some rare occasions, a student might not pass 9th and/ or 10th grade
English. It is a department policy to not allow juniors into 9th grade classes, and not allow seniors into 10th grade classes so if a student in not successful in passing the 9th and 10th grades classes, they would need to double up on the juniors and senior elective English courses to get the credits they need. Student need 4 credits of English to graduate, and failing any course would require that the student take an additional class to get the needed credits.
Can a student take more than one English class a year?
A student can certainly take more than one English class a year. This is actually recommended, especially for a student whose skills could use a little polishing.
Student need 4 years of English (4 classes) to graduate, but additional English classes would satisfy a general elective credit.
Can a student expect to have a specific teacher when s/he enrolls in a specific English course?
Although some English teachers at BFUHS have what could be considered “specialties” and often teach a certain class, every English teacher at BFUHS is qualified to teach every English class that is offered here. Therefore, it is possible that a student could have a variety of teachers teaching difference classes. This actually provides for a well balanced education as students are exposed to different teaching styles. The BFUHS English Department does not recommend that a student take a class because a certain teacher is teaching it. We recommend that a student take a class that interests him/her and best meets his/her needs.
What if a student struggles in English?
There are programs in place for struggling students. Monday afternoon is English help day. At the close of the progress report and report card periods, any student receiving below a C- or an Inc. will be required to attend the after school help sessions. However, even though this is a specific time for required help, the English teachers are available at other times to work with students as well.
Those students who require more intensive help in English are encouraged to participate in the Title English program. This is a credit bearing class which offers specific, more structured help to students. Anyone interested in receiving Title English services should contact the Guidance Department.
Where would be a good place to start if a student is looking for information for a research paper?
A great place to start research for any class is by clicking onto the BFUHS Library Home Page and taking a look at all of the information that is offered there. There is a section for each discipline as well as an on-line listing of not only the books in the BFUHS library, but information on their availability. Of course students could talk to the BFUHS Librarian Ms. Speranza with any questions as well.
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