English

English III

This course continues emphasis on composition skills and literary analysis through a focus on the American Experience. Fall semester will be a study of the American scene as a quest for independence. Spring semester will be a study of America’s move in new directions. Study will include the exploration of English as a developing and changing language. Students will be studying the development of American Literature and important American authors. All literary study is supported by composition. Students will also be engaged in writing narrative essays and a research paper.

English III AP

This course is designed for the serious student of English who works, reads, and writes at the college level, or is willing to do so. This course will prepare students to take the College Board’s Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exam in the spring in order to receive college credit. The AP English Language exam demands the ability to both read and write closely and analytically at the college level. Nonfiction and fiction, American literature and rhetoric, Aristotle through contemporary writers are examples of readings covered in this course. We strongly support the College Board’s philosophy that reading in an AP course should be both wide and deep. It is recommended that students have an Honors English II background coming in to English III AP.

English III DUAL CREDIT (1301)

English IV

Students will discover ways to change the world through a critical approach to reading and writing as they connect the meanings of texts across cultures and time. Student’s independent thinking will be fostered through logical and insightful analysis, interactions with literature and visual texts, and reading and writing. English IV curriculum will focus on the philosophy of the reading and writing workshop. The writing workshop will provide students with a substantial amount of time to create new writing, to revise pieces already begun, and to find an audience for their work. The reading workshop enables students to become lifelong readers by combining the study of the required classic literature with self selected reading that builds their readings. English IV prepares students for life after high school whether it be college or the work force.

English IV AP

Advanced Placement English IV is designed for the above-average, motivated, college-bound student. The course of study concentrates on British literature in its chronological development but is supplemented by selections from other European authors. Since one of the objectives of the class is to prepare the student to earn college credit through the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Examination in May, we emphasize writing about literature by analyzing themes and stylistic and rhetorical devices of selected works by a diversity of authors.

Dual Credit English IV

College Preparatory English

This course is designed for students who want to attend college and still need to demonstrate college readiness in reading and writing in order to be eligible to enroll in college-level courses.  Students will gain and demonstrate the necessary college readiness skills in English to be successful in college-level, credit-bearing courses.  This course fulfills the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements for reading and writing with a partnering institute of higher education.

Creative Writing

This course invites students to explore and develop their unique writer's voice through a variety of forms, including poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and dramatic writing.  Using a writing workshop model, students engage in the full writing process as they generate ideas, draft, revise, edit, and publish while learning the craft elements of strong writing.  The course emphasizes creative risk-taking, reflection, and the effective application of language conventions.  Students will reflect on their growth as writers through self and peer evaluation and present a polished collection of their strongest pieces at the end of the course.

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