English Department

Major literary works at the 9th grade level may include Romeo and Juliet, Of Mice and Men, and Mythology (Greek and Roman). Students will also complete a free reading assignment throughout the year. A variety of writing modes including poetry, narrative, synthesis, argument, and research essays will be taught. Writing portfolio domains for 9th grade are non-fictional narrative and explanatory/informative essays. Students will be introduced to word processing with the expectation that formal essays will be typed throughout their high school education.

Major literary works at the 10th grade level may include a selection of the following: The Metamorphosis, Macbeth, Brave New World, 1984, and To Kill a Mockingbird, and selections from the course textbook, California Collections (grade 10). Students will also complete a free reading assignment throughout the year. A variety of writing modes including narrative, synthesis, argument, and research essays will be taught. Writing portfolio domains for 10th grade are argument and fictional narrative essays. Students will be expected to word-process formal essays throughout their high school education.

This course utilizes the California State University Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum (ERWC). Major literary works at the 11th grade level may include The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, in addition to selections gathered from the course textbook, California Collections (grade 11). Students will also complete a free reading assignment throughout the year, as well as maintain a Writer’s Notebook. A variety of writing modes including narrative, synthesis, argument, and research will be taught. Students will be expected to word-process formal essays throughout their high school education.

This course utilizes the California State University Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum (ERWC). Major literary works at the 12th grade level may include The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, and Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer, in addition to selections gathered from the course textbook, California Collections (grade 12). Students will also complete a free reading assignment throughout the year, as well as maintain a Writer’s Notebook. A variety of writing modes including narrative, synthesis, argument, and research will be taught. Students will be expected to word-process formal essays throughout their high school education.

Creative Writing is designed for students to explore, analyze, and practice three modes of creative writing: plays, poetry, and fiction. Students will write everyday and are expected to complete one formal writing piece per week. This course emphasizes peer feedback to revise and edit work; students should expect to frequently share their writing with others. Students will submit their work to local and national magazines and contests. Computers are used for composition and writings are presented orally and in written form.

This course will fulfill the requirements of the first semester of freshman composition at the university level. All sections are both writing and reading intensive. Topics covered include thesis development and support, writing essays in various rhetorical modes, close reading, and completion of a thorough, properly cited research paper.

This course will offer instruction in argumentation and critical writing, critical thinking, analytical evaluation of texts, research strategies, information literacy, and proper documentation.

ELD provides students with instruction in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Course content and educational technology  enables students to master ELD standards. Students continue to develop basic interpersonal communication skills in this course as well as foundational skills that promote the later development of academic language and literacy.  Emphasis will be placed on understanding spoken English as used in the classroom, the community, and the student’s surroundings. Reading and writing skills will be used as the listening and speaking ability of the student grows. The curriculum is aligned with the state standards for English Language Development.

Emphasis will be placed on the continual development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing the English language using the structures introduced in ELD I.

There will be additional structures introduced in ELD I. The purpose of this course is to complete the preparation necessary for the student to participate successfully into Grade level English.

The course will be split into two parts.

1. Mastery of basic skills, listening, speaking, reading, and writing;

2. Application of language skills to the study of materials and themes appropriate to transition English courses. The curriculum is aligned with the state standards for English Language Development.