English Curriculum Table
Students are required to earn four credits in English in order to graduate. The table below outlines the sequence of English courses SKHS offers. Please note this table is made available as a guide only, and students should consult with their parents, teachers, reading specialists, and/or guidance counselors before making a final decision. Scroll down for a fuller description of individual course offerings.
Grade |
Honors Level |
Advanced Level |
Transitional Level |
Literature is the thought of thinking souls. —Thomas Carlyle |
9 |
Honors 9
|
|
English 9
Literacy Enhancement 9 |
One of the obligations of the writer is to say or sing all that he or she can, to deal with as much of the world as becomes possible to him or her in language. —Denise Levertov |
10 |
Honors American Literature 10 |
America Literature 10 |
Writing Workshop in American Literature 10
Literacy Enhancement 10 |
The difficulty of literature is not to write; but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect him precisely as you wish. —Robert Louis Stevenson |
11 |
Honors Humanities 11 / AP English 11 |
Humanities 11 |
Writing Workshop in Humanities
Literacy Enhancement/ Humanities Collaborative |
A classic is classic not because it conforms to certain structural rules, or fits certain definitions (of which its author had quite probably never heard). It is classic because of a certain eternal and irrepressible freshness. —Edith Wharton
|
12 |
A.P. English 12 / R.I.C. 117: Contemporary Approaches to Literature |
Senior Options (See Below) |
Senior Options (See Below) |
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. —Sir Francis Bacon |
SENIOR OPTIONS: Seniors are required to take one semester of literature and one semester of writing. The selections are as follows:
Literature
The American Game: The Literature of Baseball
Classic Literature of Horror: Misunderstood Monsters
Literary Approaches to Drama (R.I.C. Early Enrollment Program)
Literary Drama
Magical Realism
Multicultural Literature (Literature of the Oppressed)
Poetry and the Short Story
Shakespeare
Themes in Literature (full-year course meets the requirements for Literature and Writing)
Women's Literature
World Literature
Writing
Advanced Writing
Advanced Writing in Journalism
Autobiographical Writing
Creative Writing
Themes in Literature (full-year course meets the requirements for Literature and Writing)
Writing in a Contemporary Culture (Film Analysis through Writing)
URI Writing 104: Writing to Inform and Explain
ELECTIVES
An Introduction to Speech and Debate (Grades 10-12)
University of Rhode Island Writing 104: Writing to Inform and Explain (Seniors Only)
(3 hours of college and high school credit)
Journalism - The Rebellion (Grades 10-12)
South Kingstown High School Department of English Language Arts
2009-2010 PROGRAM OF STUDIES
The philosophy of the South Kingstown High Department of English is to encourage students to be life-long readers, writers, speakers, listeners, and critical thinkers. The Rhode Island Grade Span Expectations and the South Kingstown High School Student Leaning Expectations are integral goal. Our purpose is to enable all students to use language fluently in all of its forms to enhance their own lives, and to develop the skills necessary to become effective communicators in our global community. We hold that through the critical study of language, students may better understand their own lives, by looking at the literary records of those who have lived before us throughout the world. Ultimately, language is a means by which students may better explore and understand the ìtextî of their own lives as well as
the lives of others.
GRADE 9 ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Who Am I?
Summer reading is mandatory.
English 9: Writing From Literature 11100 (1 credit)
This course provides a structured review, foundation, and application of grammatical principles, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and composition skills. Students explore topics in literature below, at, and above grade level through a variety of genres: short story, novel, non-fiction, poetry, and drama, with an emphasis on literary analysis, abstract thinking, and communication skills. Course requirements include one oral presentation by each student. Additionally, the course exposes students to a range of writing types: practical, academic, and creative. Students are expected to maintain a list of reading materials that they read throughout the year. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Honors English 9: Writing From Literature 11109 (1 credit)
This course focuses on the application of grammatical principles, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and composition skills. Students explore themes and issues in literature at or above grade level through a variety of genres: short story, novel, non-fiction, poetry, and drama, with an emphasis on literary analysis, abstract thinking, and communication skills. Course requirements include one oral presentation by each student. Additionally, the course exposes students to literature-based analytical essays and a myriad of writing types: practical, academic, and creative. Students are expected to maintain a list of reading materials that they read throughout the year. Honors/weighted credit is not available to ninth-graders in this course. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Literacy Enhancement 9 11105/11106 (1/2 credit per semester) Grade 9
This course is designed to assist students in increasing their proficiency in the English/Language Arts skills needed to succeed in a high school course of study. The curriculum, student assessments, and student portfolio will reflect the course’s focus on increasing the proficiency of students in the ability to comprehend a variety of materials of varying length and complexity, the ability to analyze and interpret what students read in the process of becoming critical readers, and the ability to write effectively in a variety of formats for a language according to current standards of correctness. Enrollment is this course is contingent on standardized testing data and the Personal Literacy Plan (PLP) of the selected students. Students are expected to maintain a list of books that they read
throughout the year. (SLEs: A1, A2)
GRADE 10 ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What is an American?
Summer Reading is mandatory.
Writing Workshop 10: American Literature 11102 (1 credit)
This course provides a thematic study of American and multicultural issues and topics through short stories, novels, plays, and non-fiction below, at, and above grade level. This course provides an in-depth study of literary genres and terms, and emphasizes a variety of critical reading strategies. There is a focus on essay composition (expository, analytical, persuasive) with coherent, error-free writing, as well as developmentally appropriate vocabulary and usage. In addition, course requirements include two research papers utilizing MLA format and a minimum of two oral presentations, informative and persuasive. Students are expected to maintain a list of reading materials that they read throughout the year. (SLEs: A1, A2, C5)
English 10: American Literature 11132 (1 credit)
This course provides a thematic study of American and multicultural issues and topics through short stories, novels, plays, and non-fiction at and above grade level. This course provides an in-depth study of literary genres and terms, and emphasizes a variety of critical reading strategies. A broad range of critical reading strategies as well as a focus on narrative and analytical writing are emphasized. Instruction focuses on essay composition (expository, analytical, persuasive) with precise, coherent, error-free writing, as well as developmentally appropriate vocabulary and usage. Course requirements include two research papers utilizing MLA format and a minimum of two oral presentations, informative and persuasive. Students are expected to maintain a list of reading materials that they read
throughout the year. (SLEs: A1, A2, C5)
Honors English 10: American Literature 11110 (1 credit)
This course emphasizes writing and reading through the study of voices and themes in American and multicultural literature at and above grade level. A broad range of complex American literature will be explored for appreciation and analysis. Students will examine and practice a variety of writing formats, including literary analysis and academic research. Instruction emphasizes the writing process, stylistic precision and variety, coherence and organization, and documentation. Course requirements include two research papers utilizing MLA format and a minimum of two oral presentations, informative and persuasive. Students are expected to maintain a list of reading materials that they read throughout the year. (SLEs: A1, A2, C5)
Literacy Enhancement 10 11115/11116 (1/2 credit per semester) Grade 10
This course is designed to assist students in increasing their proficiency in the English/Language Arts skills needed to succeed in a high school course of study. The curriculum, student assessments, and student portfolio will reflect the course’s focus on increasing the proficiency of students in the ability to comprehend a variety of materials of varying length and complexity, the ability to analyze and interpret what students read in the process of becoming critical readers, and the ability to write effectively in a variety of formats for a language according to current standards of correctness. Independent reading is required during the school year. Students are expected to maintain a list of reading materials that they read throughout the year. Enrollment is this course is contingent on
standardized testing data and the Personal Literacy Plan (PLP) of the selected students. (SLEs: A1, A2)
GRADE 11 HUMANITIES ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What is culture?
Summer reading is mandatory.
Writing Workshop: Humanities 11 11150 (1 credit)
This course is a survey of European, American, and world literature from ancient through modern times, supplemented by the study of the fine arts of each time period. Course materials and teaching strategies specifically focus on developing skills in organization, note-taking, reading, composition, and critical thinking. Classes will have a special emphasis on small group instruction to build basic communication skills. Independent reading is expected throughout the school year. Students are expected to maintain a list of reading materials that they read throughout the year. (SLEs: A1, A2, A4)
Humanities 11 11121 (1 credit)
This course is a survey of European, American, and world literature from ancient through modern times, supplemented by the study of the fine arts of each time period. Course materials and teaching strategies specifically focus on advancing skills in reading, composition, and critical thinking. Independent reading is expected throughout the school year. Students are expected to maintain a list of reading materials that they read throughout the year. (SLEs: A1, A2, A4)
Honors Humanities 11 (AP English Language and Composition) 11111 (1 credit)
This course is a chronological survey of European, American, and world literature, supplemented by the study of the fine arts. Several classics are studied in depth with rigorous writing assignments that emphasize rhetorical strategies, formal analysis, and academic writing style. Independent reading is expected throughout the school year. Students are expected to maintain a list of reading materials that they read throughout the year. (SLEs: A1, A2, A4)
GRADE 12 ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Who will I be?
AP English Literature and Composition 11112 (1 credit) (full year)
This course examines literature as an art form and as an expression of universal themes through diverse cultural voices. In this course students will learn to immerse themselves in challenging works of literature as an aesthetic experience, and to probe literature analytically. Students taking this course are eligible for credit in conjunction with the Rhode Island College Early Enrollment Program. Students are expected to maintain a list of reading materials that they read throughout the year. Extensive summer reading is required. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Themes in Literature 12 11152 (1 credit) (full year).
In this course students will read, discuss, interpret, and analyze literature around the big issues that writers throughout the ages have confronted: love, death, family, war, justice, nature, and the meaning of life. In this course students will get to read what writers of the past fifty years have had to say about these life-and-death issues. NOTE: This course satisfies both the writing and the literature course requirements for senior-year English.
ENGLISH COURSES FOR SENIORS
ELECTIVES FOR UNDERCLASSMEN
From the following courses for Grade 12, seniors-to-be must select one writing course (.5 credit) and one literature course (.5 credit). Due to minimum enrollment requirements for these courses, each student should also indicate a second choice in both the writing and literature categories. Subject to the availability of space, some of these senior English courses may be made available as English electives for seniors and/or underclassmen.
WRITING OPTIONS (.5 credit each)
Summer reading is mandatory.
Advanced Writing 12 11142 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will review and practice in-depth analysis of various forms of literature, examining literary devices, historical context, and cultural impact. Students will learn and apply an understanding of sophisticated writing techniques, documentation skills, and various types of writing, including college essays. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Advanced Writing in Journalism 12 11190 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will utilize the investigative approach to write about community issues through reports and features. Students will be exposed to a variety of newspapers and magazines. Community journalists will be invited to present and share some of their publications. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Autobiographical Writing 12 11134 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
While reading several autobiographies and studying the memoir, students will be asked to create their own autobiographies/memoirs about friends, memories, families, and life situations. The final product will be a truly rewarding experience and a keepsake for students to read for years to come. Students will be required to write a research paper using MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Creative Writing 12 11195 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will explore and emulate the techniques of authorial voice: diction, details, figurative language, imagery, tone, and syntax. Students will create their own poems, stories, and other narratives, and will maintain a portfolio of their work. Authors will be invited to the classroom to share their real-life experiences. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2)
University of Rhode Island Writing 104: Writing to Inform and Explain 11145 (1/2 credit) (1 semester) Grade 12
This course will emphasize the sharing of information, while using a range of strategies of expository writing for differing audiences and situations. Genres may include reports, proposals, letters, reviews, and profiles. The writing process is emphasized with real-world, practical writing assignments. Students taking this course are eligible for credit in conjunction with the University of Rhode Island. The payment of a mandatory URI registration fee is due at the commencement of the class. Students will be expected to purchase their textbooks. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Writing in a Contemporary Culture 12 (Film Analysis through Writing 12) 11130 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will view, discuss, interpret, and write analytically about the varied aspects of complex contemporary media. The major emphasis will be upon the specialized techniques used in the cinema. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2, A4)
LITERATURE OPTIONS (1/2 credit each)
Summer reading is mandatory.
The American Game: The Literature of Baseball 12 11165 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will read, discuss, interpret, and analyze literature about baseball. The literary elements specific to sports literature will be the primary focus. The works’ historical and cultural backgrounds will be emphasized. The Natural, Eight Men Out, Moneyball, Shoeless Joe, and The Baseball Abstract are some of the works that will be explored. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Classic Literature of Horror: Misunderstood Monsters 12 11167 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will read, discuss, interpret, and analyze classic literature involving the archetypal figure of the monster, a horror icon, from the man-made monster in Frankenstein to the natural-born “monster” in The Elephant Man to the imagined/invented monster in Dracula. Students will explore what really constitutes a monster and what it reveals about human behavior when faced with the unknown or unusual. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Literary Approaches to Drama 11179 (1/2 credit) (1 semester) Grade 12
In this college-level course students will trace the development of drama from Greek through modern times. They will read, discuss, interpret, and analyze award-winning, literary plays of the last century. This course will provide students with information about the playwrights’ lives and the historical factors that influenced them. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format. Students taking this course are eligible for credit in conjunction with the Rhode Island College Early Enrollment Program. Students will be expected to purchase a drama anthology.
(SLEs: A1, A2, A4)
Literary Drama 12 11173 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will trace the development of drama from Greek through modern times as well as investigate information about the playwrights’ lives and the historical factors that influenced them. They will read, discuss, interpret, and analyze award winning, literary plays of the last century. Similar to the 11th-grade Humanities course, this course traces the development of drama from Greek through modern times, as well as investigating the historical factors that influenced the works. The Importance of Being Earnest, Long Day’s Journey into Night and A Streetcar Named Desire are just of few of the dramas included. In addition to the plays covered, students will read/write college application essays in the fall course section. Students
will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2, A4)
Magical Realism 12 11166 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
For the past forty years, Latin America and other post-colonial writers have been the source of some of the most innovative fiction, and have inspired other writers all over the world. In this course the students will read, discuss, interpret, and analyze literature from modern world cultures, and will investigate the use of hyperbole, mysticism, and the surreal that distinguish this literature. A research paper utilizing MLA format and the maintenance of a list of reading materials throughout the semester are required. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Multicultural Literature: Literature of the Oppressed 12 11168 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will read, analyze, and discuss literature written by and about people who have traditionally been denied a voice. Readings will prompt discussions and research about past and present injustices associated with different cultures. Literature will vary depending upon student interest. Students are required to maintain a list of independent reading materials and write a research paper utilizing MLA format. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Shakespeare 12 11171(1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will read, discuss, interpret, and analyze a variety of Shakespeare’s histories, comedies, and tragedies. Students will learn the literary elements that are characteristic of these genres. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2)
The Study of Poetry and the Short Story 12 11164 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will read, discuss, interpret, and analyze classical and contemporary poetry and short stories. Literary elements specific to these two genres will be examined. An emphasis will be placed upon the authors’ historical and cultural influences. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Women's Literature 12 11163 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will read, discuss, interpret, and analyze literature about women’s issues in the media, family life, and politics. Through the literature, students will examine the obvious as well as subtle aspects of how the female gender is perceived in our culture. Guest speakers will enhance the students’ experiences. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2)
World Literature 12 11140 (1/2 credit) (1 semester)
In this course students will explore other cultures through literature. Students will read, interpret, and analyze classical and contemporary literature from Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and South America. Instruction will focus on the cultural foundations of the works as well as on the authors’ backgrounds to enhance the students’ understanding and appreciation. Students will be required to write a research paper utilizing MLA format and to maintain a list of reading materials throughout the semester. (SLEs: A1, A2)
SPEECH AND WRITING ELECTIVES
(Not for English credit)
An Introduction to Speech and Debate 11161 (1/2 credit) (1 semester) Grades 10-12
This course is an introduction to the basic elements of speech and debate, both formal and informal. Students present warm-up speeches on personal subjects. Then students will craft and deliver informative, demonstration, and persuasive speeches. The course emphasizes the use of reliable evidence and logical reasoning. Delivery skills such as eye contact, body language, and vocal control are emphasized. Debates focus on local, national, and international controversies, with students conducting research on the affirmative and the negative positions. Timed debates occur before audiences. Seniors are expected to deliver a graduation speech. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 9th grade English.
Journalism - The Rebellion 11196 (1 credit) Grades 10-12
This course will expose students to both creative and journalistic writing and teach basic desktop publishing skills. To satisfy course requirements, students are responsible for all aspects of the production and publication of the school newspaper: advertising, sales, researching, writing, and editing forms of print journalism, functional and public documents, editorials, and essays. Note: This is a year-long course. (SLEs: A1, A2)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 9th grade English.
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