(NOTE: Some colleges request examples of a student’s writing when applying, often with teacher comments. Students planning on attending college should save their graded papers each year for use in senior year.)
English 9H
1 credit
Prerequisite: Completion of English 8
Taken in the freshman year this course begins a four-year program of grade-level, but rigorous, study in the language arts that will challenge the student who is highly motivated in English and who seeks an enhanced opportunity. The entire program is demanding of time, effort, and intellect. It strives for a deep understanding of usage, composition, and literary skills. Student choice for independent reading is incorporated into each class. Required summer reading is a necessary part of the Honors program. Students must maintain a minimum 87% average to remain in this course. NCAA Approved Course.
English 9R
1 credit
Prerequisite: Completion of English 8
Taken in the freshman year, this required course strengthens the student’s abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It begins to prepare students to pass the New York State NextGen English Regents Examination administered in eleventh grade and needed for graduation. Student choice for independent reading is incorporated into each class. Required writing pieces include narrative, research, and argument. NCAA Approved Course.
Freshman Writing Skills
1/4 credit
Our Freshman Writing Skills course will be a semester-long opportunity for all Regents ninth graders to instructionally gain baseline skills beyond surface level writing fluency. The course is designed to explicitly target writing and inherent reading tools that support the frameworks students will experience in high school Regents level courses. The course is driven by “Tours” or content needed units to explicitly address English and social studies writing demands. Each of those “Tours” have identified “adventures” or writing strategies students will explore in an on-demand setting. Via motivating mini lessons/direct instruction, centers, self and peer assessment, and teacher feedback, meaningful models will be built. Teachers will be especially eager to find common ground with writing challenges across high school curricula.
English 10H
1 credit
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation, minimum grade in English 9 of 87%.
Taken in the sophomore year, this course continues the four-year study in English language and literature. The research paper is required for successful completion of the course. This course also emphasizes study on world literature so as to complement the student’s study of world history at the 10th grade level. Student choice for independent reading is incorporated into each class which will improve their reading skills, comprehension, and written responses to literature. Required summer reading of assigned literature is a necessary part of the Honors program. NCAA Approved Course.
English 10R
1 credit
Prerequisite: Completion of English 9
Taken in the sophomore year, this required course continues studies begun in English 9 in the mastery of literary analysis and writing skills in preparation for the eleventh grade English Regents exam. It includes a variety of modern and classic literary works. A fully documented research project is also a major part of this course. Student choice for independent reading is incorporated into each class which will improve their reading skills, comprehension, and written responses to literature. NCAA Approved Course.
English 11H
1 credit
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation, minimum grade in English 10 of 87%
This course continues a four-year in-depth study leading to the Advanced Placement Examination in the senior year. This course includes instruction in composition with emphasis on developing style and includes instruction as outlined in the description of English 11R. The chief difference between English 11H and 11R lies in the more challenging literature studies and an attempt to use this literature to answer questions similar to those expected on the AP exam. Summer work and quarterly projects are required. NCAA Approved Course.
Evaluation: January and/or June English Regents Exam
English 11R
1 credit
Prerequisite: Completion of English 10
Taken in the junior year, this required course continues studies begun in English 9 and 10 in the mastery of reading and writing skills. The course is designed to improve the student’s ability to communicate effectively in writing, especially in expository, persuasive, narrative, and descriptive writing. Students engage in consistent independent-reading through self-selected works. Creative original works are assigned. Content is designed to prepare students for the Regents examination in English. NCAA Approved Course.
Evaluation: January and/or June English Regents Exam
English 12 Elective Course Descriptions
English 12 – Occupational Literacy (full year)
1 credit
Career research, elements of media literacy, reading & writing for the workplace & higher education are integrated in order to bolster a student’s likelihood of successful college and/or employment experiences upon graduation. Students will learn the correlation between education and fulfillment. Students will also apply concepts learned in this class to their other senior level courses resulting in even higher successes. Guest speakers will be invited throughout the year to introduce various career paths to the students. There will be a comprehensive portfolio due at the end of the course. NCAA Approved Course.
Evaluation: Portfolio
College English
(SUNY Adirondack ENG 101 & 102)
1 credit
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of 85% on ELA Regents Exam, or a passing grade on SUNY Adk. Accuplacer Exam. Must maintain a minimum grade of C to continue to English 102.
The first semester of this course (ENG 101) is an introductory college writing course which offers instruction and practice in the process of writing, including revision, careful analysis, and sharing of each other’s writing. Assignments may include descriptive writing, narrative reflection on experiences, critiquing and interpreting texts, as well as building information literacy in the form of research and documentation. A grade of “C” or better is required to enroll in a second semester English course. The second semester of this course (ENG 102) is a writing course focusing on intensive research, critical reading, and development of argumentation to examine beliefs, perspectives and opinions of our society and culture. NCAA Approved Course.
Evaluation: Final Portfolio
Humanities 12
1 credit
The theme of Humanities is humanity as a creator. This full year course covers many aspects of the humanities — literature, art, music, drama, writing, mythology, speech etc. Students learn to appreciate the efforts human beings take to express themselves, and they learn to express themselves in a new form. Extensive attention is given to films and outside cultural events about which students then discuss and write. Several works of literature are read by the class, including The Alchemist, Death of a Salesman, and collections of Greek and Norse myths. An original creative project is required. NCAA Approved Course.
Evaluation: Departmental Examination and Major Project
Children’s Literature
1 credit
The Children’s Literature Course is typically offered to students in their junior or senior year. They will read and analyze a variety of children’s literature such as fables, poems, myths, fairy tales, and picture books. A variety of traditional assessments and projects must be completed. A Reading Buddy Partnership with younger kids in the Primary School and/or Kindergarten Center will also complement this full year course. NCAA Approved Course.
Public Speaking
1 credit
This course is typically offered to students in eleventh and twelfth grade. This course will introduce and explore rhetorical theories, practical applications, and the importance of public speaking in real world formal settings. Techniques in controlling speech anxiety, structuring and organizing presentations for a variety of audiences, and physical and vocal delivery skills are life long skills addressed throughout this year long course. Course assessments will alternate between traditional and performance based formats. We will benefit from guest speakers and community members and organizations utilizing public speaking skills. NCAA Approved Course.