The English Department believes that all students should be working towards mastery of the standards set forth in the VT Writing Benchmarks and the VT Grade Level Expectations. Students should draft, revise, edit and critique written products so that final drafts are appropriate to these standards. It is expected that student show mastery of the conventions of written English on grade level.
When choosing courses, students should be aware of the following level expectations:
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.
FRESHMAN PROGRAM
9TH GRADE ENGLISH (3/4)
1 CREDIT
The two required courses 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.
* The 9th Grade Honors English course covers the same areas of study but in a more fast paced, demanding format. Prerequisites for 9th Grade Honors English include the recommendation from the 8th grade Language Arts teacher, departmental approval as well as successful completion of the summer reading/writing assignments.
FICTION/WRITING
This class 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 class 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.
SOPHOMORE PROGRAM
10TH GRADE ENGLISH
(3/4) 1 CREDIT
The sophomore English program consists of four required courses, 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 on throughout their high school careers to master.
* The 10th Grade Honors English course covers the same areas of study but in a more fast paced, demanding format. Prerequisites for 10th Grade Honors English include a recommendation from the English Department (especially the 9th grade English teacher), successful completion of the 9th grade program with a grade of B or better and successful completion of the summer reading/writing assignments.
SPEECH
This course 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 course 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 course is reading intensive. Emphasis is placed upon reading comprehension, understanding dramatic structure, and interpreting plays both orally and in writing.
POETRY
This literature course 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.
JUNIOR & SENIOR
ELECTIVE COURSES
COMPOSITION & LITERATURE III (3)
1 CREDIT
In this demanding, reading intensive course, students will sample a wide variety of literature and non-fiction and expect to read at lease 100-150 pages a week from whole class novels, articles, poems, plays, short stories and some self-chosen books. 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, as well as give oral presentations. (Level 4 credit may be available to those students who are willing to fulfill the Level 4 reading and writing requirements as well as read more advanced literature.)
PRINT & BROADCAST MEDIA (3) 1 CREDIT
This course focuses on a study of print and broadcast media with an emphasis on the history of the different mediums. Students will study the development of radio, television, newspapers and other mediums with the goal of understanding the impact that media has on their daily lives. Through the study of television, students will prepare and produce programs to be broadcast on the local PEG Access station FACT-TV. This course is open to all students but highly recommended for those who may wish to continue in communication after high school. All students enrolled in this course will have to go on television.
AMERICAN STUDIES (3)
2 CREDITS
HONORS AMERICAN STUDIES (4)
2 CREDITS
The American Studies course covers the American Experience from colonization to the present. Through the study of history, literature, art, architecture, and music, students explore the economic, cultural, and historical forces shaping America and its people. Students will be afforded opportunities to develop critical thinking skills through reading primary documents and representative literature, responding in various forms of writing, and participating in relevant discussion. This course will be taught by a two-member team from the Social Studies Department and the English Department. This course bears one English and one United States History credit.
To receive a level 4 grade in American Studies a student must do an independent project each quarter and present it to the class. The project should include these two parts:
*Research one historical time period per quarter (from list) and write a 5-7 page paper analyzing it
*Reading at least one book about the time period we are covering in the quarter. This book can be a primary source (written during that time period) or secondary source (historical novel, biography, history) written after the period was over. You should write a 2-3 page paper showing connections between the book and the time period.
The project will have to be presented to and approved by both teachers, one of whom will advise the student during the project. Work time for this project will not specifically be allotted during class. One of these quarter projects must be presented to the class during the year.
WOMEN’S LITERATURE (3)
1 CREDIT
This course is an introduction to and close study of literature written by women from a historical and multicultural perspective. Students will be required to read a variety of works by and about women, including novels, short stories and poems. Through readings, lectures and discussion, students will analyze and interpret the text.
PORTFOLIO AND RESEARCH WRITING (3)
1 CREDIT
In this course, students will study and focus on the essay. Students will read and examine a variety of essays, as well as write their own. While grammar, usage and mechanical skills are to be reinforced, the essay becomes the study of focus. Students will explore several types of essay writing as set forth in the Portfolio requirements.
HONORS AMERICAN LITERATURE (4)
1 CREDIT
This course is a general survey of American writers and literary trends. Beginning with the emerging literature of pre-Revolutionary America, the course traces the development of American literature into the twentieth century. Major American writers of short stories, essays and poetry are studied. Through readings, lectures, and discussions, the semester is spent familiarizing the student with the rich literature of America and developing the ability to analyze literature critically.
HONORS BRITISH LITERATURE (4)
1 CREDIT
In this course students will survey the literature from England, Wales, Ireland and the British Empire, including in-depth studies of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and James Joyce. Films will provide cultural and historical background. This is a literature course designed for college bound juniors and seniors who wish to develop their skills in writing essays, reading and analyzing literature.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT
LITERATURE & COMPOSITION (5)
1 ½ CREDITS
Designed to challenge our most capable and motivated seniors, A.P. English resembles the freshman English courses taught in many colleges. It requires extensive reading, writing, and discussion while preparing students for the rigors of a college English class and for the A.P. English Exam.
In its approach to reading, the course involves students in the experience, interpretation, and evaluation of literature representing a wide range of genres and literary periods. Writing, another integral part of the course, will focus on critical analysis, including expository, analytical, and argumentative essays, but creative writing opportunities will also be provided. Additionally, language theory will be introduced.
Students should expect to read approximately twenty full-length works and write, on average, a significant paper every two weeks during the semester. Class size will be limited to 15 students.
Prerequisite: Application and Departmental approval, as well as successful completion of the summer reading/writing assignments.
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