Hillsboro-Deering High School

English Program of Studies

Language is the essential element of thought and communication in our society. The study of English or language arts is fundamental to learning in all subjects and courses and encompasses reading, writing, listening, speaking, critical thinking, and viewing.

Requirement for Graduation 4 credits

Students must take at least one English course per year. Freshmen will take English 9, Sophomores will take English 10, and Juniors will take either American Literature A and American Literature B or Advanced Placement Language & Composition. Seniors will take 1 credit of an approved senior elective(s) or Advanced Placement Literature & Composition. Underclassmen may take an elective if they have met the prerequisite requirements.

124- Reading and Writing Support 9 Full Year 1 credit

Note: This course is restricted; enrollment is only open for students who meet specific criteria.

This course is designed for 9th grade students who require additional time or support for reading and writing assignments. Students are placed into this support class based on MAP and NECAP scores, district testing, and teacher recommendation. Course content is integrated with class assignments from 9th grade English, social studies, and science classes. This program builds upon reading and writing strategies and skills to enhance learning in all content areas. This course does not provide an English credit; however, students will receive a general elective credit.

125- Reading and Writing Support 10 Full Year 1 credit

Note: This course is restricted; enrollment is only open for students who meet specific criteria.

This course is designed for 10th grade students who require additional time or support for reading and writing assignments. Students are placed into this support class based on MAP and NECAP scores, district testing, and teacher recommendation. Course content is integrated with class assignments from 10th grade English, social studies, and science classes. This program builds upon reading and writing strategies and skills to enhance learning in all content areas. This course does not provide an English credit; however, students will receive a general elective credit.

126- Reading and Writing Support 11-12 Full Year 1 credit

Note: This course is restricted; enrollment is only open for students who meet specific criteria.

This course is designed for 11th and 12th grade students who continue to require additional time or support for reading and writing assignments. Students are placed into this support class based on MAP and NECAP scores, district testing, and teacher recommendation. Course content is integrated with class assignments from 11th and 12th grade English, social studies, and science classes and becomes more individualized. This program continues to build upon reading and writing strategies and skills from the previous two courses. This course does not provide an English credit; however, students will receive a general elective credit.

101 - English 9 Full Year 1 credit

English 9 is a course designed to strengthen a student’s abilities to express themselves using each mode of language arts (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing). This class will encourage you to: think critically; develop your reading and writing skills; improve your grammatical skills; and make informed opinions about literature and express them appropriately.

109 - Honors English 9 Full Year 1 credit

Teacher Recommendation required

Honors English 9 differs from regular English 9 courses in that it is intended for incoming students who wish to challenge themselves with higher-level reading, analysis, writing, and speaking. It is designed with the idea that students will be pursuing honors English classes throughout their high school careers with the eventual goal of taking AP English their junior and senior years. Students will be expected to engage in in-depth analysis of each novel’s themes and figurative language. Honors classes differ from regular English classes in that students should be prepared to lead class discussions, complete more independent reading, read deeper, make and support more abstract inferences, and begin responding to AP style prompts.

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103 - English 10 Full Year 1 credit

Prerequisite: English 9

English 10 will continue to develop the concepts learned in English 9 through the study of literature. Students will continue to develop oral and written communication skills. They will be expected to use critical thinking skills and to continue developing knowledge of grammar, usage, mechanics, vocabulary, and spelling. Writing requirements will include: comparison and contrast essay, persuasive essay, critical analysis, and a research paper.

131 – Honors English 10 Full Year 1 credit

Prerequisite: English 9 and teacher recommendation for advanced coursework

Honors English 10 reinforces and expands competencies initiated in English 9, focusing on the integration of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking. As a rule, the work of Honors English 10 differs from that of regular English 10 in quantity and pace; however, the content and course objectives will be similar to that of a regular English 10 class. Typically, honors students read, write, and participate in complex discussions of literary texts and close, critical, analytical reading of both fiction and non-fiction work. Their tasks of interpretive writing are challenging, and include instruction and extensive practice in the organization of a variety of coherent and informed expository essays, including critique, narrative, descriptive, and persuasive writing. Much of the writing is about the literature and is in response to class discussions. There is also great emphasis on organization, precision of expression, and wide use of vocabulary to demonstrate student understanding of answering open-ended research questions, different sources of information, and research topics.

105—American Literature A Half Year ½ credit

Prerequisite: English 10

All juniors who are not taking AP Language and Composition must take American Literature A prior to taking American Literature B.

This course serves as an introduction to mature analysis through multiple genres across American history. Beginning with the stories of Edgar Allan Poe as a basis for initial analytical work, students practice multiple approaches to understanding text and writing about it critically. Then, using the philosophical essays of the Transcendentalist movement, they explore multiple formats and styles for expression, looking closely at an author’s choices when constructing them. The semester-long introduction culminates in the reading of the short novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, when students combine their previous learning to analyze the cumulative effects of author choice, literary elements, and construction. This course will continue to put emphasis on interactive reading, analytical writing, thoughtful speaking and proactive listening. Writing requirements center on response to both fiction and nonfiction texts, using well-planned claims and support.

104--American Literature B: Drama Half Year ½ credit

All juniors who are not taking AP Language and Composition must choose one American Literature B option in order to fulfill the requirement for junior English credit.

American Drama is one of four partner class options for American Literature A. In this course, students continue to practice the analysis skills learned in the first semester, this time applied to various plays by American playwrights, including The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, A Raisin in The Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, as well as other classic and contemporary plays as time allows. Students can expect to read aloud in class when studying these texts, taking on roles and participating in discussions, then writing critical analysis essays and a formal research paper.

102--American Literature B: Novel Half Year ½ credit

All juniors who are not taking AP Language and Composition must choose one American Literature B option in order to fulfill the requirement for junior English credit.

American Novel is one of four partner class options for American Literature A. In this course, students continue to practice the analysis skills learned in the first semester, this time applied to various novels, including The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. The course also includes literature circle book groups focused on portions of novels by various first generation immigrant writers. Students should expect to read frequently both in class and at home, and to be able to discuss their understanding daily. Writing in this course will continue the development of critical analysis, as well as a formal research paper.

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107--American Literature B: Nonfiction Half Year ½ credit

All juniors who are not taking AP Language and Composition must choose one American Literature B option in order to fulfill the requirement for junior English credit.

American Nonfiction is one of four partner class options for American Literature A. In this course, students continue to practice the analysis skills learned in the first semester, this time applied to various speeches, essays, and memoir texts from across American history. Some authors and texts may include John F. Kennedy’s speeches, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, or selections from Malcolm Gladwell and more. Students should expect to read frequently both in class and at home, and to be able to discuss their understanding daily. Writing in this course will continue the development of critical analysis, as well as a formal research paper.

129--American Literature B: Poetry Half Year ½ credit

All juniors who are not taking AP Language and Composition must choose one American Literature B option in order to fulfill the requirement for junior English credit.

American Poetry is one of four partner class options for American Literature A. In this course, students continue to practice the analysis skills learned in the first semester, this time applied to the poems of great American writers such as Robert Frost, Billy Collins, and Maya Angelou, among others, from the colonial through contemporary eras. While short in length, these writings are packed full of meaning and importance, and students will learn how to adapt their previous understanding of analysis to accommodate these differences. Students should expect to read frequently both in class and at home, including aloud, and to be able to discuss their understanding daily. Writing in this course will continue the development of critical analysis, as well as a formal research paper.

133 - AP Language and Composition Full Year 1 credit

Prerequisite: English 10 and teacher recommendation for advanced coursework

AP Language and Composition will focus on developing students’ analytical and writing skills. Students will be engaged in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to the effectiveness in writing. This course is designed as a college-level English class, and as such, the course objectives are geared to prepare students for the required Advanced Placement Test in Language and Composition, which is given by the College Board in the spring.

108 - AP Literature and Composition Full Year 1 credit

Prerequisite: AP Language & Composition or English 11 with teacher recommendation

This course is an approved senior English elective if taken during the student’s senior year.

How can the study of European Literature help me understand my life and the world today? This college level course is an intensive, year-long study of European novels, short stories, and poetry, thematically focused around this enduring question. As this course will parallel the AP European History course, the literature will be taught chronologically, focusing on medieval through modern European texts. Students will strengthen their abilities to analyze literature, read texts closely, and identify how authors create prose. They will also learn to write advanced analytical essays based on their interactions with the texts. Students will be thoroughly prepared and strongly encouraged to take the AP Literature and Composition exam offered in May. Students are also encouraged to take Advanced Placement European History in conjunction with this course, as both curriculums will support each other throughout the year.

English Electives

120 – Heroes & Villains Half Year ½ credit

Recommended: 11th and 12th grade; Prerequisite: English 10

This course is an approved senior English elective if taken during the student’s senior year.

Good Guys and Bad Guys are all around us, and through the use of British Literature, students will study the origin of the hero story, focusing on its classical origins in Beowulf through the legends of King Arthur and tracking its development all the way to the popular contemporary stories of Harry Potter. The literature will include poetry, short stories, and novels. The course will emphasize reading, writing, listening, and speaking as students engage in both recent and classic British Literature about heroes and their fight against villains.

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122--Quest Literature Half Year ½ credit

Recommended: 11th and 12th grade: Prerequisite: English 10

This course is an approved senior English elective if taken during the student's senior year.

From the knights questing for the Holy Grail to Odysseus's epic journey to return home to more contemporary searches for identity or purpose, the quest motif has long fascinated readers. This course will explore both classic and contemporary quest literature, such as Tim O'Brien's quest for truth and courage in The Things They Carried, Oskar Schell's search for the lock in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and Amir's journey towards redemption in The Kite Runner.

112—Creative Writing A – Fiction Half Year ½ credit

Recommended: 11th and 12th grade: Prerequisite: English 10

This course is an approved senior English elective if taken during the student's senior year.

Creative Writing A uses mentor texts from literary masters past and present in a workshop model to develop student writing abilities across specific fiction genres, including short story, drama and poetry. For each one, students will learn to apply the best methods, techniques and literary devices to the writing genre. Each major unit has a culminating product; a fully-developed short story; an anthology of original and selected poems; and a one act play complete with playbill, script, and producer’s directions.

115-- Creative Writing B – Nonfiction Half Year ½ credit

Recommended: 11th and 12th grade: Prerequisite: English 10

This course is an approved senior English elective if taken during the student's senior year.

Creative Writing B uses mentor texts from nonfiction masters past and present in a workshop model to develop student writing abilities across specific nonfiction genres, including work with the college essay, memoir, food/review writing, opinion articles and personal profiles. For each one, students will learn to apply the best methods, techniques and literary devices to the writing genre. Each major unit has a culminating product; an application-ready college essay; a personal memoir; a published restaurant review and food personality research presentation; an opinion article on a current social issue; and a profile of a community member.

121 - Sports and Literature Half Year ½ credit

Recommended: 11th and 12th grade; Prerequisite: English 10

This course is an approved senior English elective if taken during the student’s senior year.

Sports and Literature will focus the impact, both positive and negative, that sports have had on individuals, communities, and the world. Students in this course will read a variety of literature about the world of sports. The three major units to be studied will be: Sport and the Participant, Sport and the Spectator, and Sport and Ethics. Genres covered will include articles, nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and film. Students will be expected to read the texts closely, analyze the literature, participate in class discussions, and complete various writing assignments and performance assessments.

116 – Journalism Half Year ½ credit

Recommended: 10th, 11th, and 12th grade; Prerequisite: English 9

This course is an approved senior English elective if taken during the student’s senior year.

Journalism is for those students who are interested in the production of various journalistic products in both print and electronic media, and who have a desire to explore journalism as a career. Students will become familiar with the jargon of journalism, and will learn how to write a variety of pieces for production, including news articles, sports stories, features, op-ed columns, in-depth analyses, reviews, and more. Reading and analyzing the works of other journalists will be a part of the learning process, as they will serve as models to emulate. Students will also be responsible for the production of the school newspaper and other possible publications. Skills such as time management and teamwork are vital, as is the ability to devote time outside of the class, which is required for the course. Extra time requirements may include, but are not limited to, coverage of news assignments, staff meetings, layout and design, and ad collection.

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