English 7 consists of three general areas of study. In the area of literature, the student will read and study the literary elements in selections of poetry, drama, short stories, and novels. These selections are chosen based on their literary merit, their correlation to other courses, and/or their identification as classics. The second component of the course is vocabulary and writing. Vocabulary words are selected from the course literature. Writing instruction will include descriptive and narrative paragraphs, reports, and creative writing. The third area of study is a systematic review of grammar and mechanics. [five days per week, 36 weeks; Materials: Discoveries in Literature, America Reads-Classics Edition - Scott Foresman, Warriner’s English Composition and Grammar, 1st Course – HBJ, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style - Institute for Excellence in Writing, The Tempest - William Shakespeare, classroom set, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain, paperback, Robinson Crusoe - Daniel Defoe, paperback, King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table - Roger Lancelyn Green, paperback, Robin Hood - Roger Lancelyn Green, paperback, Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson, paperback.]

English 8 consists of three general areas of study: literature, writing, and grammar. The focus is primarily on the reading and writing elements, unless an assessment of grammar skills indicates the need for remedial work in that area. The literature component of the course consists of poetry, mythology, and elements of the short story, as well as the study of at least four novels and Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. In the areas of vocabulary and writing, students will continue to spell, define, and use vocabulary words selected from the course literature. Writing instruction will focus on the improvement of writing style and creative writing in various forms, and the components of writing a term paper. The study of grammar and mechanics will focus on complex sentence structure and the correct punctuation of such sentences. [five days per week, 36 weeks; Materials: Explorations in Literature, America Reads-Classics Edition - Scott Foresman, Warriner’s English Composition and Grammar, 2nd Course – HBJ, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style - Institute for Excellence in Writing, Merchant of Venice - William Shakespeare, paperback, The Red Badge of Courage - Stephen Crane, paperback, White Fang - Jack London, paperback, Animal Farm - George Orwell, paperback.]

Survey of Literature course is designed to expose students to a wide variety of literary genres and authors, most of whom are non-American. There is a strong drama component as well, which includes Greek drama and Shakespeare. Students will also read a variety of poetry and short stories, with a focus on the use of descriptive and figurative language. Students will then incorporate these concepts into their own creative writing. Students will develop their writing skills for the essay format and will also write a six-page term paper. The grammar component of the course is intended to improve writing style, including the study of the use of phrases and clauses as well as a review of correct punctuation. [one credit, three days per week, 36 weeks; Materials: Patterns in Literature (Scott Foresman America Reads—Classics Edition), Warriner’s English Composition and Grammar, 3rd Course ( HBJ), How to Write a Report,( D. C. Heath) Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (paperback), The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (paperback), The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (paperback), Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, (paperback), Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (paperback)]

World Literature familiarizes students with the great classics of the ancient world, especially the works of Homer and Virgil. In addition, students will study Greek drama and non-fictional Greek and Roman works. Important literary contributions of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Enlightenment, 19th and 20th centuries will also be read and discussed. There is a strong emphasis on the development of the epic and the concept of heroic characters. Students will write a term paper for this class, building on the writing skills learned in previous courses. There is a focus on persuasive speaking and writing, using the reading assignments for essay and debate topics. Each student will also write an original sonnet after a study of the poet Petrarch. Vocabulary will continue to be developed, using words from the literature for spelling, definition, and correct usage, including the etymology of the words. [one credit, four days per week, 36 weeks; Text—Classics in World Literature (Scott-Foresman: America Reads, Classics Edition); Iliad by Homer, Aeneid by Virgil, Inferno by Dante Alighieri, Henry V by William Shakespeare (video), choices of books for independent reading each quarter]

British Literature traces the development of the English language from Beowulf to the modern era. Attention is drawn to the continuously changing worldview and writing styles over the course of the centuries. The Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as the neoclassical, the romantic, the realistic, and the modern eras will be examined and compared. There is a special emphasis on the enduring contributions of William Shakespeare. The course also has a strong writing component, including reaction papers, essays, poetry, and a term paper written in conjunction with the history class. [one credit. three days per week, 36 weeks; Materials: England in Literature, America Reads-Classics Edition - Scott Foresman; B. English Literature: A Chronological Approach - McGraw-Hill, classroom set, C. Paradise Lost - John Milton, paperback, Gulliver’s Travels - Jonathan Swift, paperback, A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens, paperback, various handouts]

American Literature focuses on the development of the unique styles of writing that have developed in the United States over the past 400 years. The literature of each century will be discussed in connection with the historical context as well as the literary movements that inspired them. There will be a greater emphasis on non-fictional works than in previous courses, and more poetry will be read and discussed, including a thorough treatment of the various rhyme schemes and meters used. Students will continue to improve their writing skills. There is a focus on the use of figurative language in writing persuasively following an analysis of the compositions of America’s founding fathers, and students also write original short stories after their study of the realism movement. A term paper is required for this course, in conjunction with either the history or rhetoric class. [Two semesters, one credit; Materials: The United States in Literature (Scott Foresman America Reads—Classics Edition), The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (paperback), Moby Dick by Herman Melville (paperback), The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (paperback), How to Write a Report (D. C. Heath)]