English I
English I provides the fundamental skills needed to prepare scholars for success in later English courses. Scholars strengthen their abilities to write, concisely and grammatically following the Schaffer Method to create effective paragraphs and short essays. In the process, they learn to write thesis statements and topic sentences and provide support for both. Writing tasks include giving helpful descriptions, telling true stories, and making good arguments. Scholars learn to give oral presentations. Daily emphasis is placed on frequent short writing of notes and paragraphs that provide material for discussions, presentations, and writing projects.
Scholars read and respond to various literature inside different genres with engaging themes helpful to their learning, language, and culture. Scholars analyze literary elements, themes, and historical contexts of literature in English worldwide and begin to read Shakespeare. Readings assist scholars in developing a broader vocabulary and writing and speaking more fluently.
Honors English I
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
Honors English I is an accelerated English class designed to challenge the highly-motivated scholar who demonstrates advanced critical reading and writing skills. The components of English I exist inside the class, with an added higher level reading requirement, focusing on sophisticated essay skills to help scholars prepare for future AP classes. Scholars must meet established criteria to enroll in Honors English I.
English II
Prerequisite: The successful completion of English I
English II is required for 10th-grade scholars and is one of the four credits of English required to graduate. They are reading centers around various authors and genres, including but not limited to a variety of fiction, non-fiction, and Shakespeare. Major authors and works include The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe, Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann, Shakespeare's Hamlet, Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson, and The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
Additional pieces of literature may be added at the teacher's discretion based on the scholar's interest. Through this study, scholars understand how all literature relates to modern audiences. They explore how human emotions transcend time, place, socioeconomic status, race, gender, etc. Ultimately, scholars gain a deeper understanding of how texts are important tools for understanding societies and cultures of all varieties.
In addition to reading, scholars explore various writing styles by writing various types of essays (narrative, informative, and argumentative). English II introduces scholars to the research process and requires scholars to write short multiple essays that follow the Schaffer Method and conform to MLA in-text documentation and formatting.
Honors English II
Prerequisite: The successful completion of English I
In addition to English II requirements, Honors English II is the preparatory course for AP English III and IV. The components of English II exist inside the class, with an added higher-level reading requirement. The focus is on composition, grammar, literature, and rhetoric. Scholars read, write and discuss significant and challenging poetry, fiction, and drama at an advanced level. Scholars use various resources to develop skills, including sophisticated use of literary elements and terminology, close readings of various texts, creating, drafting, and editing advanced-level essays, preparing and writing timed essays, and advanced use and mastery of standard English.
English III
Prerequisite: The successful completion of English I and English II
English III provides the fundamental skills to prepare scholars for success in English IV. Scholars continue working toward mastering the Schaffer Method to effectively draft, narrate, argue, inform and explain thoughts and ideas through the written process. Using a collection of American texts, scholars comprehend, evaluate and analyze works of literature to make connections. In addition to understanding and comparing American works of literature like The Crucible, The Great Gatsby, and a compilation of non-fiction, scholars use several literary devices to evaluate the points of view and perspectives of the most prominent authors and poets in American history. While expanding their academic vocabulary, scholars continue developing effective listening and speaking skills through individual and group presentations, multimedia presentations, and classroom discussions. Scholars independently complete a research project using multiple types of resources. Throughout the research process, scholars master how to recognize credible sources and cite sources using proper formatting skills.
English IV
Prerequisite: The successful completion of English I, English II and English III
English IV increases and refines communication skills by using the writing process to plan, draft and compile regularly written compositions. Scholars edit papers for clarity, engaging language, and the correct mechanics of written English, all necessary for final, error-free drafts. At the end of the year, scholars complete a senior research paper using the writing process and the Schaffer Method to complete a college-level essay.
Scholars read extensively, deeply, and carefully from various texts, genres, and periods in English literature, including the Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and Renaissance periods. They examine culturally significant literature (such as Beowulf, The Green Knight, The Canterbury Tales, and Macbeth) as a reflection of history, culture, and ideas.
