HOME

Graduation Requirements

Syllabi

Parent Portal

Academics

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Staff:

Frank DiLeo	Gaetano Falcone	Andrea Gomez	Glynis Hunt
Heidi Laranjo	Andrew McDermott	Amanda Mick-Peterson	Kelly Russo
Maureen Sercu	Jonathan Snekser	Alicia Waller	Andrea Ward

 

Courses:

ENGLISH I (EN01G)	The English I course centers on Common Core aligned goals so that students will become more proficient readers, writers, and critical thinkers. Students will be introduced to close reading strategies, text analysis (of both literary and informational texts), and argumentation.
SEMINAR IN ENGLISH (SE01G)
ENGLISH II (EN02G)	English II students will study fiction and non-fiction through poetry, drama, short stories, essays, articles, novels and other literary forms, in addition to film, audio and other media. All class assignments, classroom activities, projects and assessments are based upon the Common Core Learning Standards for English Language Arts, with emphasis in the areas of Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. In English II, we will concentrate on improving the depth of students’ understanding, analysis and response to literature read in class and independently.
ENGLISH III (EN03R)	The focus for English III is: to read as much non fiction as fiction; to learn about the world by reading; to read more challenging material closely; to discuss reading using evidence; to write arguments using evidence; and to increase academic vocabulary. Assignments, classroom activities, projects, and assessments are based upon the New York State Curriculum for English Language Arts and the Common Core Learning Standards. Students take the Common Core English Language Arts exam in June. In other words, the Common Core ELA exam is the final exam for the course. By passing (and hopefully achieving mastery - 85% or better - on the exam), students meet a mandatory graduation requirement. Students will also build their vocabulary and close reading skills throughout the course. Assignments, classroom activities, projects, and assessments are designed to enhance students’ ability to listen, read critically, write technically, creatively, and analytically, and speak in large and small group settings.
ENGLISH IV (EN04G)	English IV is designed to offer students a variety of academic opportunities through an electives- based year. Each distinct elective course focuses on activities related to reading, writing, discussion, research & analysis centered on a particular theme, in alignment with the Common Core Standards.
AP ENGLISH (LANG & COMPOSITION (LA01P)	This course is designed to challenge, strengthen, and shape a student's writing and analytical reading skills. The focus of the work is on various prose forms and the workload is considerable. Each quarter students are to: generate a writing portfolio, analyze professionally generated writing, work on grammar skills, do focused outside reading, and publish their work. A final class publication project is the culminating activity of the course. To facilitate preparation for AP level classes, it is recommended
AP ENGLISH (LIT & COMPOSITION) (LI04P)	AP Literature is a literature and writing based course with assignments designed to prepare students for the AP Literature examination and the type of work that college professors expect. The curriculum reflects world literature selections that include poetry; Shakespearean, Greek, and modern drama; the 19th century novel; modern novels and several novellas. Writing assignments range from journals, short response papers, timed writing assessments, and extended literary analysis pieces. Students complete a literature based inquiry project that involves a degree of student choice.