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English

The high school English program is designed to develop skills in reading, writing, viewing, listening, and speaking as well as to provide an in-depth study of literature and language. Enrichment opportunities are also provided in journalism, speech, and yearbook. Levels of English classes are provided to meet a variety of instructional and educational needs. Advanced Placement courses are also offered.

  •  Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed for the student who has demonstrated the ability to move beyond the honors level courses and aspires to become a critical reader of college-level texts and strengthen the effectiveness of his/her writing through close reading and frequent practice at applying rhetorical strategies. Extensive reading and writing outside of the classroom are required.
  • Honors courses are designed for the student who has an interest in English, has the ability to move beyond grade level in content, and wishes to be prepared to enter a competitive four-year college or university at the end of his/her high school career.
  • A Level courses are designed for students who wish to improve their reading and writing skills and whose plans may include entry into postsecondary education or significant employment.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION
017020                                     1 credit             Grades 11, 12                           Code: W*

Prerequisite: English II or III Honors

This course is designed for students who wish to take the College Board examination in Advanced Placement Language and Composition. The course involves intensive analysis of college-level texts for mature readers. Both content and rhetorical/stylistic elements will be studied. Timed writings and analysis of texts will form major components of the course. Students will learn to write essays in all rhetorical modes, especially exposition, persuasion, and argumentation, to prepare them for college writing tasks. Summer reading is required.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
017010                                      1 credit             Grade 12                                  Code: W*

Prerequisite: English III Honors or AP Language and Composition

This course is designed for students who desire to prepare to take the College Board examination in Advanced Placement Literature and Composition. The course involves intensive critical analysis of college-level works of literature for mature readers. Timed writings, essay writing, critiques, and critical analysis papers will form the writing component of this course. Summer reading is required.

COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC
012810                                      1 credit             Grade 12                                  Code: W

Prerequisite: Successful completion of a junior English course

The focus of this course is the refinement of students’ reading, writing, and language skills in preparation for college-level classes. During the first semester, students will work on developing critical reading and comprehension skills by analyzing rhetoric in a wide-range of texts. During the second semester, students will apply their understanding of rhetoric and composition by planning, organizing, and developing a variety of college-level compositions. Students will refine their research and documentation skills. This course fulfills the 12th grade English credit requirement and may not be used as an elective credit. Summer reading is required. Under conditions determined by the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), this course may earn college credit.

ENGLISH I (HONORS)
011010                                     1 credit             Grade 9                                    Code: W

This course is provided for students who wish to pursue an enriched English program. It focuses on reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. It builds upon prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing. An intensive study of literary and informational genres will also be addressed. Writing will be linked to the reading selections. Summer reading is required.

ENGLISH I (A LEVEL)
011011                                     1 credit             Grade 9                                   

This course is designed to develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. It builds upon prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing. It includes the study of various genres of literature and informational texts, which will be linked to writing assignments.

ENGLISH I (INDIVIDUALIZED)
01981V or W                    1 credit             Grade 9 

This course is available to students on recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee. Individual goals and objectives are developed in an IEP. Goals and objectives on the IEP reflect a student’s level of performance and rate of learning. Instruction is based on individual needs in any of the following areas: (1) basic reading skills, (2) effective oral expression, (3) enjoyment of literature, (4) functional writing skills, (5) listening skills, and/or (6) viewing skills.

ENGLISH II (HONORS)
011510                                      1 credit             Grade 10                                  Codes: EOC, W

Prerequisite: English I

This course is provided to challenge students who have demonstrated interest and ability in above-grade level English work. Intensive study and in-depth analysis of literature and informational texts are provided, as are opportunities for speaking and listening. Students will have multiple opportunities to write argumentative, informational, and narrative multi-paragraph essays and compositions. Students will continue to develop the skills to determine the author’s intent and theme and to recognize the techniques used by the author to deliver his or her message. Summer reading is required.

ENGLISH II (A LEVEL)
011511                                      1 credit             Grade 10                                  Code: EOC

Prerequisite: English I

This course offers a balanced focus on composition, literature, and informational texts. Students will have opportunities to write argumentative, informational, and narrative essays and compositions. Through the study of literature and informational texts, students can improve their reading rate and comprehension and develop the skills to determine the author’s intent and theme. Speaking and listening skills continue to be developed.

ENGLISH II (INDIVIDUALIZED)
01982V or W                       1 credit             Grade 10                                  Code: EOC

This course is available to students on recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee. Individual goals and objectives are developed in an IEP. Goals and objectives on the IEP reflect a student’s level of performance and rate of learning. Instruction is based on individual needs in any of the following areas: (1) basic reading skills, (2) effective oral expression, (3) enjoyment of literature, (4) functional writing skills, (5) listening skills, and/or (6) viewing skills.

ENGLISH III (HONORS)
012020                                      1 credit             Grade 11                                  Codes: EOC, W

Prerequisite: English II

This course focuses instruction on the critical analysis of literature and informational texts with an emphasis on structure and thematic foundations, which form the backbone of writing assignments. Students continue to develop their writing skills, emphasizing clear, logical writing patterns, word choice, and usage, as they write argumentative, informational, and narrative essays. Literary conventions and stylistic devices receive greater emphasis than previous courses. Speaking and listening skills continue to be developed. ACT/SAT preparation will also be addressed in this course. Summer reading is required.

ENGLISH III (A LEVEL)
012021                                      1 credit             Grade 11                                  Code: EOC 

Prerequisite: English II

This course is designed to enable students to understand and appreciate literary works of various genres and non-fiction texts, with an emphasis on reading strategies, text analysis, and language study. This course continues to develop writing, speaking, and listening skills in order to prepare students for college or career. Students will write argumentative, informational, and narrative essays. Literary conventions and stylistic devices receive greater emphasis than in previous courses.

ENGLISH III (INDIVIDUALIZED)
01983V or W                     1 credit           Grade 11                                  Code: EOC 

This course is available to students on recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee. Individual goals and objectives are developed in an IEP. Goals and objectives on the IEP reflect a student’s level of performance and rate of learning. Instruction is based on individual needs in any of the following areas: (1) basic reading skills, (2) effective oral expression, (3) enjoyment of literature, (4) functional writing skills, (5) listening skills, and/or (6) viewing skills.

ENGLISH IV (HONORS)
012710                                       1 credit             Grade 12                                  Code: W

Prerequisite: English III

This course is designed to meet the needs of students who are reading and writing at or above grade level but do not wish to pursue college-level AP classes. This course blends composition, literature, and informational texts into a cohesive whole as students write critical analyses while they continue to develop their language arts skills. Students primarily write argumentative, informational, and narrative essays. Literary conventions and stylistic devices receive greater emphasis than in previous courses. Speaking and listening skills continue to be developed. Summer reading is required.

ENGLISH IV (A LEVEL)
012711                                      1 credit             Grade 12

Prerequisite: English III

This course is designed to help students develop and strengthen communication and interpretation skills necessary to perform well in college or career. Students will continue reading literature and informational texts and writing argumentative, informational, and narrative essays. Literary conventions and stylistic devices receive greater emphasis than in previous courses. Speaking and listening skills continue to be developed.

ENGLISH IV (INDIVIDUALIZED)
01984V or W                       1 credit             Grade 12

This course is available to students on recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee. Individual goals and objectives are developed in an IEP. Goals and objectives on the IEP reflect a student’s level of performance and rate of learning. Instruction is based on individual needs in any of the following areas: (1) basic reading skills, (2) effective oral expression, (3) enjoyment of literature, (4) functional writing skills, (5) listening skills, and/or (6) viewing skills.

JOURNALISM
016114                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12

JOURNALISM II
016124                                      1 credit             Grades 11, 12

JOURNALISM III
016134                                      1 credit             Grade 12

Prerequisite:Approval of instructor

These elective courses expose students to the principles of journalism. Students will learn the skills necessary for communicating in the print media with emphasis on interviewing, observing, reporting, editing, layout, and design. Students will help produce a school newspaper. Students will develop computer skills using current technology in the field of journalism.

POET’S WORKSHOP
018014                                      1 credit             Grades 11, 12
01801T or U                          ½ credit            Grades 11, 12

This course is an elective study of the craft of writing poetry. Students will focus on the various fundamental elements of this art, examine how professional writers employ literary devices to create poetry, and use those techniques to compose original poetry that will be peer-critiqued using a workshop format. The main objective for this course is to create a community of writers and thinkers. Students will keep a works-in-progress folder from which a portfolio of poems will be created and collected. Topics to be covered in the class include tone, imagery, persona, form, figurative language, alliteration, revision, and publication.

SPEECH
014014                                      1 credit             Grades 10, 11, 12
01401T or U                          ½ credit            Grades 11, 12

This elective course provides opportunities for the student to improve oral communication skills, planned discussions, reports, formal speeches, oral interpretation, and debate.