English

Advanced English 9 focuses on the close reading, analytical writing, and language skills that have immediate relevance for students and that will be essential for their future coursework Texts take center stage in the Advanced English 9 classroom, where students engage in close, critical reading of a wide range of literary and nonfiction works. The course teaches the reader to observe the small details within a text to arrive at a deeper understanding of the whole. It also teaches the writer to focus on crafting complex sentences as the foundation for writing to facilitate complex thinking and communicate ideas clearly. This course is an integral component of the multidisciplinary program of studies established for the Biotechnology Center (BIOTECH), Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences (CENS), Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA), Center for International Studies and Languages (CISL). For additional information, refer to the description of these programs in the specialty program section. This course meets all objectives in the English 9 Standards of Learning.

Advanced English 10 spotlights the recursive moves that matter in preparing students for the demands of college and career ready reading and writing. This course builds upon the foundational routines of close observation, critical analysis, and appreciation of author's craft learned in Advanced English 9. As readers, students develop an awareness of how poets, playwrights, novelists, and writers of nonfiction manipulate language to serve their unique purposes. As writers, students compose more nuanced essays without losing sight of the importance of well-crafted sentences and a sense of cohesion. This course is an integral component of the multidisciplinary program of studies established for the Biotechnology Center, Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences, Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, Center for International Studies and Languages. For additional information, refer to the description of these programs in the specialty program section. This course meets all of the objectives for the English 10 Standards of Learning.

In ninth grade English, students compare fiction and nonfiction texts, with an emphasis on nonfiction. Students make inferences and draw conclusions using explicit and implied textual evidence and use literary terms to analyze a variety of genres. Students use the structural analysis of roots and affixes to analyze complex words. This course engages students in a recursive writing process, with an emphasis on analysis and persuasion. Students gather, analyze, and evaluate information from diverse sources and cite both quoted and paraphrased information. Students analyze and interpret the motives behind media messages. Students use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in collaborative groups.

In 10th grade English, students compare fiction and nonfiction texts, with an emphasis on nonfiction. Students analyze the cultural and social function and universal themes of fictional texts from different cultures. Students analyze and synthesize information from nonfiction texts. Students use context, structure, and connotations to determine meanings of complex words and phrases. This course engages students in a recursive writing process, with an emphasis on analysis and persuasion while showing relationships among claims, reasons, and evidence from reliable sources. Students create media messages and analyze the cause and effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. Students use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in collaborative groups. Students use research skills to present information gathered from diverse sources, identify misconceptions and possible bias, and credit sources.

In 11th grade English, students analyze and evaluate relationships among American literature, history, and culture, including contributions of other cultures. Students conduct comparative analyses of multiple texts that address the same topic to determine how authors reach similar or different conclusions. Students use context, structure, and connotations to determine meanings of complex words and phrases. This course engages students in a recursive writing process, with an emphasis on persuasion/argumentation for multiple audiences and purposes. Students create media messages and analyze the cause and effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. Students produce a research product, such as a multimodal presentation, that addresses alternative perspectives, synthesizes information from primary and secondary sources, and maintains ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information. During this course, students take the end of course Reading and Writing SOL assessments.

In 12 grade English, students critically analyze and evaluate relationships among British literature, history, and other cultures. Students review multiple texts to identify and evaluate resources to make decisions and solve problems. Students use context, structure, and connotations to determine meanings of complex words and phrases. This course engages students in a recursive writing process with an emphasis on persuasion/argumentation to a standard acceptable to both the workplace and to postsecondary education. Students create media messages and analyze the cause and effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. Students produce a research product, such as a multimodal presentation, that addresses alternative perspectives, synthesizes information from primary and secondary sources, and maintains ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information.