English
English 7: English 7 core elements include writing, research, oral and written conventions and listening and speaking skills. Students will use the writing process to compose a variety of written texts (original stories, poetry, letters, essays and research) with clear ideas, coherent organization and sufficient detail. One major work will be read each quarter. Independent reading will be expected continuously, with pertinent writing assignments being given on a regular basis. Learning to work collaboratively is essential, so group/partner work will be a routine occurrence.
English 8: The eighth grade English students are exposed to several different types of literary genre. The units of literature include short stories, poetry and novels. While engaged in reading, students are expected to learn pertinent vocabulary and exhibit comprehension of the work. Students also do quite a bit of writing in eighth grade English. The students create their own poetry, write essays, and compile a journal describing their island adventure and how they did or did not survive the experience. Throughout the year students spend time researching several different topics in the library. Students compose different products using the software available in the computer room including Microsoft Word and Microsoft Publisher. The eighth grade curriculum has been modified to prepare the students for the State English Language Arts Test.
English 9: The ninth grade English students are exposed to several different types of literary genre. The units of literature include short stories, plays, poetry, and novels. While engaged in reading, students are expected to learn pertinent vocabulary and exhibit comprehension of the work. Students will also be introduced to parts of the English Regents, in an effort to prepare them for the test in 11th grade. Throughout the year, students spend time researching several different topics in the library. They are required to cite their sources and derive a Works Cited Page using MLA style documentation. They also compose a final product using software available in the computer room. (Full year, 1.0 credit)
English 10: This course promotes the recognition of literary terminologies in the various genres of literature. Students develop the ability to think and write seriously about texts through experiences with works like: The Secret Life of Bees (novel), To Kill a Mockingbird (novel), and Inherit the Wind (play). “To engage the intellectual curiosity of the students in order to inspire critical thought and personal growth while promoting education about the history of the Holocaust and its implications for our lives today”*, students read the memoirs Night and In My Hands as well as short stories and poems from this time period. Public speaking (the demonstration speech) and independent reading are required. Additionally, students practice for the state Regents exam with directed exercises that relate in form to the state test and in content to what they are studying. (Full year, 1.0 credit)
English 11: This 1.0 credit, full year junior English course of study will concentrate on the development of the skills outlined in the Common Core English Language Arts Standards: reading, writing, speaking and listening, language, and media and technology. This course is also designed to prepare students for the New York State Regents examination and the proper use of the skills outlined by the Modern Language Association (MLA). Instruction will include teacher-centered lessons, shared reading, reading and writing workshops, independent projects and essays, as well student activities. The themes of power, identity and government will be explored through nonfiction texts and American literature.
AP English Language and Composition – Grade 11/12: Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is a rigorous college level course of study intended for students who want an academic challenge. It is designed to replicate a college freshman composition course in which students are expected to read independently, write frequently and be self-directed in their learning. In accordance with the College Board’s AP English Course Description, students are expected to become “skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines and rhetorical contexts” and to become “skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.” They are further expected to become “aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.” These expectations are indeed a challenge for juniors in high school, so beginning with their summer assignments, students are immersed in a variety of reading and writing experiences.
The main focus of the course is on developing each student’s ability to write effectively across the curriculum in the expository, argumentative and analytical models that are required in order to be successful in most academic and professional settings. Because of this focus, readings are selected from the realm of nonfiction, fiction, along with some poetry, to provide continuity for the 9-12 English curriculums and as vehicles for discussion; however, those pieces are approached within the framework of examining the author’s craft and use of rhetorical strategies. (Full year, 1.0 credit)
Prerequisite: a summer project
English 12: Senior English allows students to improve their research, communication, and writing skills. Initially, students will be exposed to practical application skills including creating a resume. Throughout the year, students will be expected to complete extensive research. They will use databases and journals to complete research, as well as cite their sources using in-text citations, and compile a works cited page using MLA format. Another key component in senior English is public speaking. Students will share their knowledge of a particular topic using learned public speaking skills, as well as visuals to convey their knowledge. Consequently, students will be expected to integrate technology into many of their assignments. Students will also read and respond to literature consisting of both non-fiction and fiction selections. (Full year, 1.0 credit)
College Composition: This course concentrates on the rhetorical principles and strategies essential for clear, effective academic writing. Emphasizes the stages of the writing process and the critical thinking skills necessary to create appropriately researched and documented college level prose. Draws reading and models for analysis from a variety of college level sources. Requires students to produce a minimum of 20 pages of writing, excluding exercises and quizzes. (Full year, 1.0 credit)
GCC - English 101 (3 college credits)
Multimedia Production: This course explores the many different aspects of media production from videography to post-production. Through the use of equipment and emerging online and digital platforms, students will learn the roles of Reporter, Producer, Director, Digital Editor, Social Media Director, and more. Students will deliver school and community news and special features to the Le Roy community through various platforms. Students will be trained in news and feature writing including news stories, features, investigative reporting, editorial writing, sports writing, advertising, and journalism ethics. This class is run as a real-world newsroom with student leaders where 21st Century Skills are implemented, and which sets the stage for career readiness. (Full year, 1.0 credit)