English 1, 1H and English 2, 2H (Ninth Grade)

English 1 and 1H:  This required course offered in the fall of students' freshman year provides a foundation for all incoming freshmen to meet the challenges within the Language Arts curriculum as well as the other disciplines.  The principal focus of the literature will be on reading and writing as they relate to the different literary genres of novels and short stories.  Literature coursework will center on analysis of techniques and ideas highlighted in the various genres.  The principal focus of composition will center on analytical writing.  Students will address writing skills as they relate to the nonfiction texts they will encounter throughout their high school experience and beyond.

The Honors level course will follow the general structure of the 9th grade course; however, additional pieces of challenging literature and writing will be included.  Selections and evaluation will reflect a higher degree of difficulty and sophistication.

English 2 and 2H:  This required course offered in the spring of students' freshman year provides exploration of skills involved with nonfiction, fiction, poetry and drama.  The principal focus of the literature will be on reading and writing as they relate to the different literary genres.  Literature course work will center on techniques of research, rhetoric and analysis.  The principal focus of the composition will center on analytical and speech writing.  Students will address writing skills as they relate to the different genres they will encounter throughout their high school experience and beyond.  Prerequisite:  English 1, 1H 

English as a Second Language:  This course is designed for students who need instruction in oral and written English.  Students will engage in oral and written discourse in ways best suited to increasing their facility with English.

By the end of grade nine, students will demonstrate learning as follows:

·         Use a variety of reading strategies to increase comprehension of fiction and non-fiction selections, establish a purpose for reading, and demonstrate proficient reading skills.

·         Analyze cultural beliefs and historical contexts of literature by identifying essential themes, elements of characters, and subtleties of plot that capture relevant human experiences.

·         Identify and analyze structures, literary devices, and essential themes from a variety of genres and make relevant connections.

·         Use a variety of reading strategies such as inferencing, summarizing, visualizing, and questioning to understand literature in a meaningful way.

·         Apply critical thinking skills, develop oral and written communication skills, work collaboratively, and use information technology to support their learning.

·         Apply the knowledge and expertise gained in the literature curriculum to their own lives.

·         Create thesis statements and structure body paragraphs using appropriate topic sentences, transitions, and concluding sentences with consideration to each domain of the Pennsylvania State Guidelines for Writing.