ENGLISH
The following is an attempt to provide specific information about the
course expectations of the English Department. It is the department's
hope that this information will help students and their parents to have
a better understanding of what we require.
Requirements for ALL English Classes:
- All English classes involve homework of some kind. Nearly all classes
have daily assignments.
- All English classes emphasize the meeting of deadlines.
- It is the policy of the English Department that all missing work
earns a grade of zero. Missing assignments are the greatest single
cause of student failure in English.
Policy for ALL Classes in Composition:
- All of the following are considered courses in composition: Basic
Composition I and II;
- Expository Writing I and II; Composition I and II; Advanced Placement
English.
- Progress in these courses is measured by a student's performance
through a series of writing assignments. Failure to complete any one
of these assignments results in a failing grade for the course.
- The method for teaching our composition courses is that of "process
writing;" students draft, conference, revise, and rewrite. To
support this method, meeting assignment deadlines is necessary. At
any time in the course, students who have accumulated two late/unfinished
papers will receive a written warning from the teacher; those who
accumulate more than two late/unfinished papers will be dropped from
the course.
- Plagiarism--passing off another writer's words and/or ideas as one's
own--is theft. The English Department gives no credit whatsoever for
papers containing plagiarism; in fact, penalties for plagiarism are
likely to result in a failing grade for a course. Students who plagiarize
or who provide their own work for others to plagiarize will be referred
to the department head.
Additional Requirements:
English 9 & 10: Periodic book reports and research.
English 10: One major research paper.
Policy on 9th-10th Grade Sequence
It is the policy of the Lake Region English Department to treat
English 9 and English 10 as sequential courses, and to require successful
completion of the first as a prerequisite for admission to the second.
In practice this will mean the following:
* A student who fails 9th Grade English must retake the course
his/her sophomore year, and 10th grade his/her junior year. The student
will be permitted to enter the elective program in the junior year.
* A student who fails 10th grade English must retake 10th grade
his/her junior year. Entry into the elective program will be postponed
until the second semester of the junior year and will be permitted only
if the student is passing the retaken 10th grade English for the first
semester.
* In exceptional cases, this policy may be appealed to the
English Department Chair; however, students who are granted a waiver
to take both 9th and 10th grade English
during their sophomore year, or 10th grade English and electives during
the first semester of their junior year, will be required to do so by
contract. Violation of the contract will result in the student being
dropped from all English courses but the one being repeated.
111 Honors English 9 1 Credit
Required activities include exploration of library materials and procedures,
study habits, test taking, and note-taking; critical reading of plays,
poems, short stories, Epic poetry, and a novel; participation in at
least two speaking assignments; study and construction of different
expository essays and at least one creative writing; lessons in grammar
and usage; cumulative vocabulary study; a research project; and extensive
outside reading.
112 English 9 1 Credit
Required activities include exploration of library materials and procedures,
study habits, test taking, and note-taking; critical reading of plays,
poems, short stories, novels, newspapers and magazines; skill work in
reading comprehension; participation in at least two speaking assignments;
study of essay forms and construction of varying types; lessons in grammar,
usage, and mechanics; outside reading and accompanying reports, including
biographies.
113 General English 9 1 Credit
Required activities include exploration of library materials with a
focus on research; development of study skills; distinguishing fact
from opinion; critical reading of fiction and poetry; skill work in
reading comprehension; participation in at least one speaking assignment;
study of sentence structure, paragraphs, and letter and essay forms;
lessons in grammar, usage, and mechanics; development of spelling proficiency;
and vocabulary study focusing on word cells.
121 Honors English 10 1 Credit
Required activities include intensive work in composition, with emphasis
on literary analysis and on grammar, usage, and style; cumulative vocabulary
study; review of library skills with subsequent construction of a research
paper according to MLA format; a survey of American literature, including
plays, poetry, short stories, and several novels; at least one oral
presentation; extensive outside reading; and preview of SAT I test,
including work with word analogies.
122 English 10 1 Credit
Required activities include review and study of comprehensive skills,
sequence, central idea, and distinguishing fact from opinion; essay
writing including grammar usage and mechanics; listening skills activities;
cumulative vocabulary and spelling study; review of library skills with
subsequent construction of a research paper according to MLA format;
reading and discussion of American plays, poetry, short stories and
novels; at least one speaking assignment; and preview of SAT I test
including work with word analogies.
123 General English 10 1 Credit
Required activities include review of study skills; listening; skill
work in reading; comprehension; critical reading of American plays,
poetry, short stories and novels; exercises in distinguishing fact from
opinion; cumulative vocabulary study focusing on word cells; review
of library resources (including periodicals) culminating in a research
project, written or oral; study of sentence structure, paragraphs, and
essay forms; lessons in grammar, usage, and mechanics; and at least
one speaking assignment.
Electives
Note: These courses are open to any Grade 11 or Grade 12 student who
has completed English 9 and English 10.
115 Drama 1/2 Credit
What is the connection between the written word and performance? This
active class will introduce students to the art of drama. Students will
read several well-known plays by writers as diverse as Sophocies and
August Wilson. There will be ample opportunities for students to act
in or produce plays, and students will be asked to write brief plays
of their own. Participate in class activities is especially important
in this course. Students can also expect to write weekly essays.
131, 139 Basic Composition I & II 1/2 Credit
Development of clear, effective written expression will be the focus
of this course. Sentence, paragraph, and composition forms; coherence;
unity; emphasis and purpose; diction; vocabulary; and use of transitional
devices are some of the specifics to be studied, according to the needs
of individual students. Much of the class time will be devoted to writing
workshops.
141, 146 Composition I & II 1/2 Credit
Effective sentence, paragraph, and composition construction will be
the focal points of this course. Coherence, unity, emphasis, diction,
and use of transitional devices are some specifics to be studied. Basic
grammar elements will be included according to individual needs. Much
of the class time will be devoted to writing workshops, which may include
constructive peer evaluations.
145 Creative Writing 1/2 Credit
This course offers intensive practice in the original writing of short
stories, children's stories, and plays. Writing situations will be set
up to encourage students to examine the creative process from many perspectives.
The narrative devices of sample readings and of other media will be
used as examples. Students are expected to offer constructive self-criticism
as well as criticism of the work of others.
Note: Creative Writing does not fulfill the English Department's
writing requirement.
179, 180 Expository Writing I & II 1/2 Credit
A continuing development of clear, effective written expression is
what this course offers. Students will further develop their skills
in writing a series of essays that employ skill patterns such as illustration,
analogy, and classification. A working knowledge of basic grammar will
be expected. Composition is a prerequisite for this course unless the
teacher specifies differently. Readings from a college text supplement
this course.
Prerequisite: Composition or permission from the instructor.
143, 144 Practical Reading I & II 1/2 Credit
This course is designed for the reluctant reader, with emphasis on
developing fluency, comprehension and vocabulary skills. The goal of
the course is to encourage and develop the students' skills and interests
as lifelong readers by exposing them to a wide variety of fiction and
nonfiction reading.
170 Literature of Vermont * 1/2 Credit
This one-semester course will survey poetry and prose written by or
about Vermonters. It will illuminate the history and heritage of the
state, sampling literature from pre- times to the present day. Representative
authors include Royall Tyler, Rowland Robinson, Dorothy Canfield Fisher,
Mari Tomasi, James Hayford, E. Annie Proulx, and Robert Frost, among
others. Student participation in class discussion and individual projects
is required; reading assignments will be many and various. *(Since
themes of literature studied in this course may be controversial, a
letter will be sent hometo parents/guardians.)
161 Popular Fiction 1/2 Credit
This course explores the craft of fiction as it is shown in some of
the favorite types of modern literature. Genres that are examined include
horror, fantasy, science fiction, satire, regional literature, mystery,
and humor in short story or book length. Students will be encouraged
to write examples of their own. Film and other art forms will supplement
the readings.
164 Mythology 1/2 Credit
This course examines the "how" and "why" of Greek
mythology and expands to include African, Chinese, and American Indian
myths and their relation to us. The emphasis will be on beliefs about
the natural world and the human condition. Class discussion, papers,
and reading selections comprise the workload.
142 Bible as Literature 1/2 Credit
This course will consider the major stories of the Bible as literature,
as history, and as a source of ideas for other areas. Films, music,
and readings from other sources will be used as supplementary materials.
A substantial project and the keeping of a journal are required for
each marking period.
135 English Literature I 1/2 Credit
This survey course begins with the 8th Century epic poem Beowulf and
concludes with the 19th Century Romantic poets. Students are expected
to read at least one Shakespearean play as well as a variety of poetry
and prose, and an oral presentation may be required. Extensive outside
reading and writing, with emphasis on literary analysis, are an integral
part of this course.
137 English Literature II 1/2 Credit
A survey of English Literature from the Victorian period to the present,
English Literature II requires extensive outside reading and writing
assignments. Dickens, Kipling, Wilde, and Stevenson are among the authors
studied in this course. Students will read four to six novels, as well
as plays, poetry, and short stories. An oral presentation may also be
required. Literary analysis, both written and oral, is an integral part
of the course.
Note: English Literature I is not a prerequisite for this class.
134 Public Speaking 1/2 Credit
Public Speaking is designed to develop both speaking and listening
skills, with an additional goal of building students' confidence in
speaking before groups. Class activities include oral interpretation,
drama, radio production, panel discussion, job interviews, and impromptu
speeches.
Note: Students cannot take Public Speaking and Art of Film in the same
year.
182 Art of Film* 1/2 Credit
This course explores devices that make up films and how these devices
differ from those used by writers. Old and new films are used to explore
how films have changed over the years. Films shown will deal mostly
with war, the West, and other kinds of conflict. A quarterly research
project is required, and attendance is part of the grade. *(Since
themes of film studied in this course may be controversial, a letter
will be sent home to parents/guardians.)
Note: Students may not take both Art of Film and Public Speaking in
the same year.
132 Journalism 1/2 Credit
This course is designed to help a student understand the fundamentals
of journalism. Moreover, improvement in a student's writing skills,
including proofreading and revision skills, is a focus of the course.
It is recommended that this course be taken as a supplement to the required
courses in English.
174 SAT Verbal Prep 1/4 Credit
This course will prepare students to take the Verbal section of the
Scholastic Aptitude Test by helping them to increase their vocabulary,
to understand word analogies, to sharpen their reading comprehension,
to produce better quality timed essays, and to become "test wise".
Note: This is a nine-week, first-quarter course only, and it does
not fulfill the English Department's graduation requirement. (Elective
credit).
157 Contemporary Literature 1/2 Credit
In the Contemporary Literature course, students will read good, contemporary,
adult books dealing with real problems and believable people. It will
be an opportunity for students to read and to discuss literature that
helps them understand their own problems.
140 Advanced Placement (AP) English 1 Credit
In an AP English course, students are involved in a college-level study
of writing and literature. Through speaking, listening, and reading,
but chiefly through the experience of their own writing, students become
more aware of the resources of language. Writing assignments will be
from works of recognized literary merit. Upon successful completion
of an exam made out by the Advanced Placement College Board, a student
may receive college credit and appropriate placement in participating
colleges. Failure to submit a completed summer assignment will result
in a grade reduction.
Prerequisite: Bible as Literature or English Lit. I or English
Lit. II, and Expository Writing
Copyright © 2006, Lake Region Union
High School. All rights reserved.
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