ENGLISH
ENGLISH 9 HONORS
GRADE 9 1 CREDIT COURSE #1010
This course surveys world literature from ancient Greece to today. It
maintains an accelerated pace within the framework of the standard
Regents curriculum but requires additional out-of-class reading as compared to that of the general 9th grade course. Critical
analysis writing and creative writing expression are explored through
such genres as essay, poetry, drama, novels, and the short story. The
importance of public speaking and oral reporting is stressed. SAT
preparation is initiated at this level with concentration on vocabulary,
grammar, and reading comprehension. The student is introduced to the research paper utilizing the library, computer technology, and proper citation.
ENGLISH 9 REGENTS
GRADE 9 1 CREDIT COURSE #1011
This
course, which operates within the framework of the standard Regents
curriculum, surveys world literature from ancient Greece to today. To
initiate the transition from primary to secondary level English,
emphasis is placed on strengthening reading and writing skills and
exploring various genres in literature. Language
arts, vocabulary, and reading comprehension are also stressed as an
integral component of the curriculum, which also begins the SAT
preparation at this level. The student is introduced to the research paper utilizing the library, computer technology, and proper citation.
ENGLISH 10 HONORS
GRADE 10 1 CREDIT COURSE #1020
This
course, conducted within the framework of the standard Regents
curriculum, is pursued at an accelerated pace with emphasis on in-depth
analysis of British literature supplemented by the study of novels and
plays. Critical thinking skills
are further emphasized through research paper writing, as well as
narrative, expository, and persuasive writing. Language arts, grammar, and vocabulary are stressed as an integral component of the curriculum. SAT preparation is continued at this level with focus on analysis of text and writing. The library and computer center are utilized to continue the development of research writing skills.
ENGLISH 10 REGENTS
GRADE 10 1 CREDIT COURSE #1021
This
course, conducted within the framework of the standard Regents
curriculum, is a continuation of the entry level developmental program
of reading, writing, and speaking skills. The
study of British literature is the core of the program with continued
emphasis on language arts, grammar, and vocabulary skills. Critical
thinking skills are further emphasized through research paper writing.
The library and computer center are utilized to continue development of
research writing skills. SAT preparation is continued at this level with
focus on analysis of text and writing.
ENGLISH 11 REGENTS
GRADE 11 1 CREDIT COURSE #1031
This
course, conducted within the framework of standard Regents curriculum,
utilizes American literature as a core for analytical reading and
discussion. Language arts, grammar, and vocabulary are continued. Research writing and library skills are continued with specific assignments utilizing the library computer center. SAT and Regents Examination preparation are completed at this level with emphasis on reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, skill review, and test-taking techniques.
ENGLISH 11 REGENTS PREP.
GRADE 11 1 CREDIT COURSE #1032
This
course, conducted within the framework of the standard Regents
curriculum, utilizes American literature as a core for analytical
reading and discussion. In this program the teacher will engage students
with more in-class, guided reading. Students will also practice peer editing to concentrate on the writing process. Library skills are stressed with specific assignments utilizing the library computer center. SAT and Regents Examination preparation are completed at this level with emphasis on reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, skill review, and test taking techniques.
AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION
GRADE 11 1 CREDIT COURSE# 1035
Prerequisite: "A" cumulative English GPA, Teacher Recommendation, and Department Chairperson approval.
Students
in this college-level course will read and analyze a range of
challenging, nonfiction prose selections to improve their awareness of
rhetoric and the workings of language. Readings feature expository, analytical, personal, and argumentative texts from a variety of authors and historical contexts. Students
will do close reading and engage in writing with a purpose to address
and appeal to an audience using effective structure and appropriate
style. Students are expected to read beyond classroom assignments and to work cooperatively and independently. Students
take the AP exam in May, and depending upon the results of that test,
may be awarded credits from their prospective college. The NYS Regents
exam will still be taken in January.
ENGLISH 12
COLLEGE ENGLISH
1 CREDIT COURSE #1040
Prerequisite: 90 cumulative English GPA,
85 on English Regents exam
Teacher recommendation,
and Department Chairperson Approval
This
is a college course offered through a partnership with St. Thomas
Aquinas College. Registration at STAC at a substantially-reduced tuition
rate and successful completion of the two-semester program (Eng 101,
Eng102) will lead to six credits from STAC. Students who opt to enroll in the program but not
register at STAC will not receive college credit. This course focuses
on the forms of writing required of students during their college
careers. Students are expected to have a strong grasp of the writing process, as 75% of their grade is based on essays. Students will follow MLA guidelines and develop the rhetorical skills used in writing organized and logically developed essays. Students
will analyze and evaluate essays, short fiction, novels, and plays in
order to create an argumentative thesis on various topics.
ENGLISH 12
1 CREDIT COURSE #1041
This course will prepare students for college
by emphasizing the writing process through
application, analysis and synthesis of text.
English 12 will draw from various genres
from the following units:
ENGLISH COMPOSITION
This
course addresses students' needs for refinement in writing and speaking
in English in order to prepare them for the communication demands of
college and their future professions. Focus will be on the following forms of writing: journal, narrative, expository, descriptive, expressive, persuasive, compare/contrast. Students
will study the basics of essay writing including introduction, thesis
presentation, body paragraph development, and conclusion. The fundamentals of the writing process - prewriting, writing, and revising - will be stressed.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
This course develops a range of organizational strategies for presenting information orally. Course
objectives focus on learning different types of speeches and proper
delivery techniques in order to develop good communication skills. Most importantly students will learn to value the thinking and language of others in an effort to become better communicators. Students
will select topics suitable for their audience and purpose and will
gather and assess information for preparation and presentation. Presentation content will include proper introduction, body, and conclusion.
LITERATURE AND FILM
If you read the credits of many films, you'll often find they are based on books. This phenomenon will be the starting point of our class on interpretation and the gaze in literature and film. We will ask, how does this filmmaker direct the script to give us the finished product? How does the viewer's I/eye go into making the meaning of the film? We
will also focus on basic elements of filmmaking such as mise-en-scene,
montage and editing, character, linear and non-linear narrative. The
course will require out of class film viewing and reviews, alternating
weekly critiques of the literature and films, and a final research
project.
CREATIVE WRITING & VISUAL ARTS
This
course examines how stories are generated, started, and finished.
Students will look at various kinds of stories such as myths, epics,
tragedies, comedies, picaresque tales, satires, and romances. Additionally,
they will explore connections between the visual arts and language.
They will consider how artists from diverse cultures incorporate visual
representation of stories and symbolism into their works. They will
develop critical thinking skills and create original works concerning
language and visual art.
AP ENGLISH
LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
Grade 12 1 CREDIT COURSE #1045
Prerequisite:"A" cumulative English GPA,
score in top 15% on English Regents exam,
Teacher Recommendation
and Department Chairperson Approval
This is an advanced, college-level course, where highly motivated students entering already possess a mastery of skills. Students
should be interested in studying literature of various periods and
genres, which include demanding works of fictional novels, poetry, and
drama. Through close reading of
selected texts, students expand their understanding of a writer's use of
language to provide meaning and pleasure for their readers. Students will consider the work's structure, style, and themes through use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Students
are required to write insightful, structured analyses of such works and
are expected to read beyond classroom assignments, working
cooperatively and independently. Students
take the AP exam in May, and depending upon the results of that test,
may be awarded credits from their prospective college.
English Resources on the Web
NYS Department of Education - links to core curriculum for all disciplines.
NYS Department of Education standards - also offers exam prep help
Webster's - dictionary & thesaurus
Purdue University English Department:
· proper citation for MLA & APA formats
· grammar help
· what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it
Ramapo Catskill Library System
- links to member libraries where you can search catalogs and
databases. To order materials from your library's system, you'll need a
current library card and pin number that you can get from your local
library.