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LANGUAGE ARTS
REQUIRED CLASSES:
ENGLISH I
Freshman English balances a study of grammar, literature,
vocabulary, and spelling. Freshman English includes the
study of short stories by a variety of authors, Romeo
and Juliet, Animal Farm, and Huckleberry Finn.
The grammar units studied during both semesters emphasize
parts of speech, parts of the sentence, capitalization,
punctuation, verbals, and word usage. Writing assignments
are incorporated into the literary and grammar units as the
students learn to write complete sentences and
well-organized paragraphs.
ENGLISH II
Sophomore Speech Communication/English
The Sophomore English year is divided into two semesters,
each covering a distinct area. The first semester includes
the fundamentals of speech communication. Students study
basic elements of personal communication. Each student is
required to give an informative speech, a persuasive speech,
an impromptu speech, and a semester of speech of any one of
the preceding types. In addition, students explore the
genre of poetry and study a two-week unit on parliamentary
procedure.
(continued on next page)
Sophomore English Debate
This class is offered as an
alternative to sophomore speech class. The class divides
into two-man teams and researches the current national
debate topic. In addition to the research and practice
debates in class, each team is required to attend two
competitive debate tournaments in order to earn a B and
three competitive debate tournaments to earn an A. Students
must have a "B" average in English I and a recommendation of
that teacher.
The second semester combines the study of literature with
research, writing, and grammar. The following selections
are read and studied: Julius Caesar by William
Shakespeare, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, and a
variety of short stories. Composition assignments are given
at regular intervals.
A 30-lesson vocabulary series is used requiring students to
constantly review words previously studied.
ENGLISH
III
Junior
English is the study of American literature, combined with
the study of vocabulary, grammar and usage. The literature
is chronologically studied; therefore, it generally
correlates with the junior’s required U.S. History course.
The course follows the reasons and methods of writers to
persuade or enlighten the American public.
In
addition to the essays, speeches, poems, and short
stories
in the textbook, the students read several additional
works. The following novels are used To Kill a
Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Red Badge of Courage
by Stephen Crane, and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel
Hawthorne. The play, Our Town, by Thornton Wilder is
also read.
A
30-lesson vocabulary series is used requiring students to
constantly review words previously studied. Part of the
vocabulary series is the study of analogies, which requires
the students to think very critically.
Grammar
and usage are reviewed daily through the use of DOL (Daily
Oral Language) exercises and weekly quizzes. Composition is
integrated with the literature all year to increase the
understanding of the English language and to improve the
students’ writing skills.
ENGLISH IV
Senior
English is the study of British literature, combined with
the study of vocabulary, grammar and usage. The literature
is chronologically studied, following the time periods of
British literature: the Anglo-Saxons, the Middle Ages, the
Renaissance, the Restoration and 18th century,
the Romantic period, the Victorian period and the Modern
era. The major literature units include Beowulf,
The Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, and Of Mice and
Men. Also many essays, poems, and short stories are
read.
Writing
is an integral part of the senior English curriculum. Each
student is required to write a 20 chapter Senior Memory Book
(a compilation of reflective essays, personal narratives and
poems); a research paper; and additional essays and
paragraphs.
A
30-lesson vocabulary series is used requiring students to
constantly review words previously studied. Part of the
vocabulary series is the study of analogies, which requires
the students to think very critically.
Grammar
and usage are reviewed daily through the use of DOL (Daily
Oral Language) exercises and weekly quizzes. It is also
assessed in almost all writing assignments, including the
major Senior Memory Book unit.
HONORS ENGLISH
Honors English is open to seniors who meet the following
criteria:
1.
referral by
the junior English instructor
2.
a 3.0
average in junior English
3.
an ACT
English score of 20 or above
4.
a
maintained 3.0 average in Honors Class
5.
3.25
Cumulative GPA
Honors English is the study of British literature, combined
with the study of vocabulary, and a brief review of grammar
and usage. The literature is chronologically studied,
following the time periods of British literature: the
Anglo-Saxons, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the
Restoration and 18th century, the Romantic
period, the Victorian period and the Modern era. The major
literature units include Beowulf, The Canterbury
Tales, Macbeth, Of Mice and Men, and
Silas Marner. Also many essays, poems, and short
stories are read. Each student is also required to do an
independent reading project each quarter. Each student
reads a classic novel and completes one of the chosen
projects to illustrate his/her understanding of
the literature.
The goal of this class is to prepare seniors for the kinds of
writing and reading interpretation skills needed for college
level work; therefore, writing is a major part of the Honors
English curriculum. Each student is required to write a 30
chapter Senior Memory Book (a compilation of reflective
essays, personal narratives and poems); a research paper; a
critical literary analysis paper, and additional essays and
paragraphs. Each student will be writing at least one
developed essay a week.
A 30-lesson vocabulary series is used requiring students to
constantly review words previously studied. Part of the
vocabulary series is the study of analogies, which requires
the students to think very critically.
Grammar and usage are reviewed daily through the use of DOL
(Daily Oral Language) exercises and weekly quizzes. It is
also assessed in almost all writing assignments, including
the major Senior Memory Book unit.
Honors English is subject to the weighted grading scale used
at Groton Area High School.
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