Program of Studies » English, Language Arts, and Reading

English, Language Arts, and Reading


133     English 9 (Grade 9)            Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit
131     English 9 Honors (Grade 9)        Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit

English 9 Honors is designed to develop an appreciation and understanding of literary genres and to explore literature as a mirror of human experience. The study of literature focuses on six units of study: the short story, the novel, drama, poetry, mythology, and non-fiction. The course is intended to provide a solid base of instruction in reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Students will enhance their reading, listening, and research skills while they gather, interpret, synthesize, and evaluate text and information through a variety of methods and technologies. Students in the Honors level course will read more literature (both primary and secondary documents), will read the literature at a faster pace, and will do more extensive writing and more extensive research of the literary historical periods. Honors students will be expected to show more independence in projects, activities and individual learning. 
143     English 10 (Grade 10)          Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit
141     English 10 Honors (Grade 10)     Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit
 
Course Sequence: Completion of English 9

Grade 10 English focuses on critical thinking, reading, and writing skills as students explore important life themes in literature. Students use literature as models in writing and continue a study of grammar and vocabulary study to build strong skills. Students will present formal and informal speeches to improve communication and speaking skills.  A variety of writing and speaking assignments will allow students to develop confidence as writers and speakers. Students will enhance their reading, listening, and research skills while they gather, interpret, synthesize, and evaluate text and information through a variety of methods and technologies. Students in the Honors level course will read more literature (both primary and secondary documents), will read the literature at a faster pace, and will do more extensive writing and more extensive research of the literary historical periods. Honors students will be expected to show more independence in projects, activities and individual learning.    
153     English 11 (Grade 11)          Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit
152     English 11 Honors (Grade 11)        Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit    
                                                                                                                                                                                       
Course Sequence: Completion of English 10                                                                                                                 
 
Grade 11 English includes a chronological study of American literature and its evolution.  Students will continue to develop critical thinking, reading, research, and writing skills.  Literature-based writing activities range from persuasive and creative writing to literary analysis, using thesis statements and supportive textual evidence. Students will gather, interpret, synthesize, and evaluate text and information through a variety of methods and technologies. Students in the Honors level course will read more literature (both primary and secondary documents), will read the literature at a faster pace, and will do more extensive writing and more extensive research of the literary historical periods. Honors students will be expected to show more independence in projects, activities and individual learning.  
Advanced Placement English: Literature and Composition (Grade 11 or 12) 

160                        Everyday        1st  Semester            1.00 Credit
161                        Every other day    2nd Semester            0.5 Credit
 
Course Sequence: Completion of English 10

This advanced literature and writing course offers an opportunity for students to participate in college-level work and to develop their abilities as independent readers and writers, especially in the analysis of literature.  Class activities include close reading of established and contemporary works in drama, fiction, and poetry. Students participate in classroom discussion to develop independence of thought and mature habits of critical thinking. Students write frequent short and long term written assignments. Students demonstrate their achievement by taking the AP exam at the end of the school year that could qualify them for college credit in English. Please note that students must sign up for both semesters and complete the AP Exam in the spring.
162     English 12 Honors (Grade 12)    Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit
 
Course Sequence: Completion of English 11

This honors course offers students opportunities to explore the themes, context, and development of world literature.  Students look at world literature from ancient to contemporary times, studying the patterns found in literature in various periods and genres. Students consider the connections between world literature and the contemporary world in class discussion and in writing. The primary goal is to help students develop abilities as independent readers and writers, especially in the analysis of literature.  Students will enhance their reading, listening, and research skills while they gather, interpret, synthesize, and evaluate text and information through a variety of methods and technologies. Students in the Honors level will read more literature (both primary and secondary documents), will read the literature at a faster pace, and will do more extensive writing and more extensive research of the literary historical periods. Honors students will be expected to show more independence in projects, activities and individual learning.  
English 12 (Grade 12)            Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit

Course Sequence: Completion of English 11

The objective of this course is to prepare students for a successful transition to a college or work environment.  Different sections of the course will have different literature emphasis.  All sections will use reading, writing, presentations, discussion, and problem-solving assignments to deepen critical thinking skills. Students will write creative and analytical pieces with the goal to write coherent, insightful essays and papers.  

Students may choose from these sections: 
 
163     Contemporary Literature  
This course focuses on fiction and non-fiction pieces published within the past three decades. Students will analyze selected works and relate them to current topics in class discussion, writing, and creative activities. Students will gain an appreciation of current best-sellers and influential writings by modern authors. 
 
164     Film and Literature  
This course examines the connections between film and literature and explores the similarities and the differences between the two.  Students will look at film as a form of narrative and explore how film uses literary devices to tell a story. Students will read literature that has been turned into film and analyze the differences in the forms.  Through class discussion and writing, students will analyze what each method has to offer an audience.  
 
165     Sports Literature 
This course looks at the experience of sports figures on and off the field through fiction (short stories, novels, film) and non-fiction (autobiographies, biographies, interviews, and media broadcasts). Students will study how certain athletes have impacted society directly and how society has impacted some athletes’ careers. Students will examine the decisions authors made when retelling a story.  Assignments include written reader responses and analytic essays as well as class presentations. 
 
172    Graphic Novel Study (Grades 9, 10, 11, 12)     Everyday        Full Semester        1.00 Credit
173    Graphic Novel Study (Grades 9, 10, 11, 12)     Every other day    Full Semester        0.5 Credit
 
An in-depth exploration of the Graphic Novel and Comic Books and their impact on art, culture, and cinema.  Creation stories, origin stories, and author backgrounds will be explored.  Students will be asked to choose their own graphic novel/comic book to read, analyze, and opine on. The curriculum is driven by student choice of books and will include daily reading in class for 45 minutes, followed by independent project work, group discussion, group seminars, and/or teacher conferences. Students will be responsible for organizing their daily reading and learning with reading journals, agendas, and daily time sheets and for demonstrating flexibility and adaptability while working independently. The teacher will offer instruction through seminars designed to increase reading comprehension and higher level thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information and text. Students will present a culminating artistic project that demonstrates their understanding of the ideas and themes in their chosen text through creative modes of expression. This course may be taken multiple times for credit during a student’s four-year program.
184    Journalism (Grade 9,10,11,12 )    Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit
 
Journalism is an elective course that focuses on the publication of student writing. Student writers become part of the exciting world of “the media” with the same rights and responsibilities of professional journalists. Students become proficient in the gathering and reporting of information through the Oakmont newspaper, The Oakmonitor.  Students are involved in all aspects of journalism required for publication of a newspaper.  Topics include generating story ideas, newsgathering techniques, journalism ethics, news judgment, news sources, interviewing, and organizational patterns. This course may be taken multiple times for credit during a student’s four-year program.
186     Creative Writing (Grade 10,11,12)     Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit
187     Creative Writing (Grade 10,11,12)     Every other day    Full Semester            0.5 Credit
 
Creative Writing is designed to enhance students’ writing skills as well as to explore various writing genres.  Within these genres, students learn literary techniques and strategies to make their own writing more effective. Students use process writing to revise and improve their writing as well as their peers’ texts.  As students improve their abilities to produce effective, powerful pieces, they create portfolios that may be submitted for publication. This course may be taken multiple times for credit during a student’s four-year program
1110    Communication in the Age of Social Media (Grades 9,10,11, and 12) 
Everyday   Full Semester  1.00 Credit

In today’s rapidly-evolving media landscape, social media has not only become a fundamental tool for communication, but a must-have skill in our daily lives, as well as for future careers after high school.  The art of skillful communication is one the most powerful tools a person can possess. This course offers students hands-on opportunities to learn the techniques of effective communication that will be useful throughout their lives, with specific focus on communicating in the current social media climate. Students will learn to explore communication skills through both verbal and nonverbal practice, while understanding social media fundamentals and basic social media etiquette. This course will explore communication in these areas:
  • Intrapersonal (understanding oneself)
  • Interpersonal (understanding strong one-to-one communication with others)
  • Small and large group (understanding how people interact)
  • Public speaking (formal and informal)
  • Social media and mass media (understanding etiquette and role of each)
1112    Diversity in Literature (Grades 9,10,11, and 12)       Everyday        Full Semester            1.00 Credit

Diversity in Literature will allow students to read and view literature from diverse authors and voices. This course is designed to expose students to stories, ideas, people, and cultures that they might not otherwise get to experience. This will be implemented through authors of various, non-white backgrounds, creative and analytical writing, and class discussion. Texts for the class include Ibi Zoboi’s American Street, Banana Yoshimoto’s Kitchen as well as other works of short fiction and nonfiction. This course will also examine America’s evolving demographics and what diversity adds to both the United States and the classroom.