English I addresses four strands of literacy: Reading, both literary and informational texts, Writing, including research, Listening and Speaking, and Language. Students read a variety of fiction and nonfiction, including short stories, poetry, drama, novels, and literary nonfiction and informational texts. Writing involves the modes of narrative, informative/explanatory, and argument with an emphasis on providing relevant and ample evidence with commentary to support a claim. Students have regular opportunities to conduct both limited and extended research and to share their findings in a variety of ways, including technology-based presentations, whole and small group discussions, and written products. This course continues to develop language knowledge and skills, enabling students to write and speak in registers appropriate to the purpose and audience.

Students in English I Honors have demonstrated above grade level skills in reading and writing and an ability to work independently and collaboratively. As in English I, students read a variety of increasingly complex tests and write in various modes, with the additional expectation of extended reading, writing, and research. Students must successfully complete at least one or more extended reading and writing assignments related to the quarter’s content.

English II addresses four strands of literacy: Reading, both literary and informational texts, Writing, including research, Listening and Speaking, and Language. Students complete a survey of thematically aligned units, including a variety of books, fiction and nonfiction, short stories, poetry, drama, literary nonfiction and informational texts. Writing involves the modes of narrative, informative/explanatory, and argument with an emphasis on providing relevant and ample evidence and commentary to support a claim while using increasingly sophisticated structures. Students have regular opportunities to conduct both limited and extended research and to share their findings in a variety of ways, including technology-based presentations, whole and small group discussions, and written products. This course continues to develop language knowledge and skills, enabling students to write and speak in registers appropriate to the purpose and audience.

Students in English II Honors have successfully completed English I Honors or demonstrated above grade level skills in reading and writing and an ability to work independently and collaboratively. As in English II, students read a variety of increasingly complex texts and write in a variety of modes, with the additional expectation of extended reading, writing, and research. Students must successfully complete at least one or more extended reading and writing assignments related to the quarter’s content. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of grammar and language mechanics in both writing and speaking by the end of the year.

English III continues to develop skills in the four strands of Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, and Language through a survey of American Literature in thematically aligned units. Students are expected to read and analyze complex works of literary nonfiction, as well as a wide spectrum of genres of American literature, and produce ample evidence to support inferences. Students will determine themes across multiple texts and express their thinking in writing and speaking supported by ample and relevant evidence from the texts. Writing involves the modes of narrative, informative/explanatory, and argument with an emphasis on the rhetorical analysis of text, including research with appropriate citations. Writing also focuses on revising for specific purposes and audiences and editing to demonstrate command of language and mechanics.

Students in English III Honors have successfully completed English II Honors and have demonstrated above grade level skills in reading and writing and an ability to work independently and collaboratively. As in English III, students perform a variety of complex reading tasks focused on recurrent themes in American literature and foundational works of American political philosophy. Student writing is heavily focused on analytical writing (both argument/opinion and informative/explanatory). Students will become skillful in developing claims and counterclaims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. Students must successfully complete at least one or more extended reading and writing assignments related to the quarter’s content. Students are expected to demonstrate command of language in various writing and speaking contexts and tasks.

AP English Language and Composition cultivates the reading and writing skills that students need for college success and for intellectually responsible civic 22 engagement. The course guides students in becoming curious, critical, and responsive readers of diverse texts and becoming flexible, reflective writers of texts addressed to diverse audiences for diverse purposes. The reading and writing students do in the course should deepen and expand their understanding of how written language functions rhetorically: to communicate writers’ intentions and elicit readers’ responses in particular situations. The course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text— from a range of disciplines and historical periods.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) English III course is the first year of a two-year sequence culminating in English IV IB. Students become critical thinkers, readers, and writers in diverse genres and modes of composition. Reading selections are college-level, with an appropriately rigorous workload involving extended time beyond school hours and effective time management. Reading selections are approved by the International Baccalaureate board and contain mature themes. Students will learn to sustain cogent discussion of topics in American and world culture and literature. Preparation for the IB Oral Commentary exam and the IB Oral Presentation involves explicating, analyzing, and responding in writing and speaking to a range of complex literary and nonfiction texts.

English IV continues to develop and refine skills in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, and Language through a survey of British Literature in thematically aligned units. Students are expected to read and analyze complex works of literary nonfiction, as well as a wide spectrum of various genres of British literature and produce ample evidence to support inferences. Students will determine themes across multiple texts and express their thinking in writing and speaking supported by ample and relevant evidence from the texts. Writing will emphasize analysis of text, including research with appropriate citations. Writing will focus on developing increasingly sophisticated structures, blending modes of narrative, informative/explanatory, and argument, revising for specific purposes and audiences, and editing to demonstrate command of language and mechanics.

Students in English IV Honors have successfully completed English III Honors and have demonstrated above grade level skills in reading and writing and an ability to work independently and collaboratively. As in English IV, students perform a variety of complex reading tasks focused on recurrent themes in British literature and foundational works of British history and philosophy. Student writing is heavily focused on analytical writing (both argument and informative/explanatory). Students will become skillful in developing claims and counterclaims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. Students will develop increasingly sophisticated writing structures, blending modes of narrative, informative/explanatory, and argument/opinion, revising for specific purposes and audiences, and editing for grammar and mechanics. Students must successfully complete at least one or more extended reading and writing assignments related to the quarter’s content. Students are expected to demonstrate command of language in various writing and speaking contexts and tasks.

In the AP English Literature and Composition course, students devote themselves to the study of literary works written in—or translated into—English. Careful reading and critical analysis of such works of fiction, drama, and poetry, selected locally by responsible educators, provide rich opportunities for students to develop an appreciation of ways literature reflects and comments on a range of experiences, institutions, and social structures. Students will examine the choices literary writers make and the techniques they utilize to achieve purposes and generate meanings. This course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works.

English IV IB comprises the second year of the two-year sequence begun with English III IB and requires extensive reading as well as a broad range of written assignments, interactive orals, and historical and literary research. Students will engage in close reading and written analysis of poetry, drama, prose, and literary criticism. Works studied are recommended and approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization and may contain mature themes. In May, IB Candidates must successfully complete two written exams to satisfy the requirements for an IB Diploma.