Overview of English Program

Portsmouth High School, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Board of Regents for public education, is committed to literacy proficiency for all our students. Instruction emphasizes integration of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking skills with quality literature. These skills and thinking strategies are incorporated into units of study. A wide variety of texts and genres, such as short stories, novels, informational text, nonfiction, poetry, drama, and author studies will be utilized throughout the year, addressing grade span expectations as determined by the Rhode Island Department of Education. Courses also focus on Portsmouth High School’s applied learning skills:

• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Decision making
• Analytical reasoning
• Personal and social responsibility

Our English curriculum

• Fosters interest in and love of reading for information, wisdom, and pleasure
• Provides students with the knowledge, structure, and history of their language
• Helps students to clarify their thinking and express it clearly and logically
• Leads students to the aesthetic application of literature, to a joy in good writing, and a knowledge for understanding

1. A research paper is required for each course. This research paper will constitute 30% of the quarter grade and 30% of the final exam grade. In alignment with new graduation requirements, a portion of the final exam will be the same for all students enrolled in that course. In addition, each student will create a writing portfolio which will follow her/him through all four years.
2. Summer reading is required in each course

The focus for instruction includes

• Grade 9: Integrated approaches to grammar, composition, and literature skills.
  • STAR (Success Through Active Reading) Academy is an option for freshmen only. This program also services the students in a corresponding World Cultures course in the Social Studies Department. A team of teachers use a multi-disciplinary approach to teach to develop the important literacy skills through the content area. This specialized course prepares students for future success in high school.
• Grade 10: Speech, composition, vocabulary development, and contemporary literature.
• Grade 11: American literature and composition.
• Classic American Literature for juniors.
• Grade 12: British literature and contemporary literature as the vehicle for expository writing.
• All Grade 12 students will complete a Senior Project, which is a graduation requirement.
• Advanced placement English 12.

English courses are aligned with Portsmouth High School’s Mission Statement and Expectations for Student Learning. All courses require all students to:

• Access and gather information through a variety of literature and factual prose, through writing that is appropriate to audience and purpose; through listening to instructors, peers and media; and through using technology for research.
• Incorporate music and art into English study that reflects evidence of information gathered through various media.
• Use the Internet efficiently for research purposes.
• Analyze information critically to discern credible sources, interpret literature, and evaluate arguments.
• Critique performances in discussion and in writing.
• Demonstrate evidence of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation through the creative process.
• Utilize effective problem solving techniques.
• Communicate effectively, both independently and cooperatively, to organize material in a logical manner.
• incorporate art work that represents divergent problem-solving strategies or that expresses meaning, ideas, views, and intentions.
• Write and speak for a variety of audiences and purposes and create products in both the aforementioned modes that demonstrate acquired knowledge and skills.

ENGLISH 9

This course is for students who have command of the basic skills and would like to advance beyond these skills. The course will build literacy proficiency by integrating literature, composition, listening skills, speaking skills, and grammar.

In an effort to provide further literacy instruction for deserving students, we have created the Success Through Active Reading Academy, or STAR ACADEMY.

A student’s placement will be determined by a school-wide reading assessment battery, previous grades and performance, and teacher recommendation.

• English 9 Honors - - Course 003 - - 1 credit
• English 9 Academic - - Course 002 - - 1 credit
• English 9 STAR Academy - - Course 001 - - 1 credit

ENGLISH 10

This course will build upon the skills introduced and emphasized in English 9. The course will build literacy proficiency by integrating literature, composition, listening skills, speaking skills, and grammar.

A student’s placement will be determined by a school-wide reading assessment battery, previous grades and performance, and teacher recommendation.

• English 10 Honors - - Course 012 - - 1 credit
• English 10 - - Course 011 - - 1 credit

Recommendations: To enroll in English 10 Honors, students should have earned at least an "A-" in English 9, or a "B" in English 9 Honors.

English 11

This interdisciplinary course will use American literature as a vehicle to build upon skills introduced and emphasized in English 10. Students will combine the study of American history with the literature and culture of the time period. Instruction is provided by teams of social studies and English teachers. *Classes are scheduled to allow for multi-disciplinary projects and lessons.

A student’s placement will be determined by a school-wide reading assessment battery, previous grades and performance, and teacher recommendation.

• Classic American Literature (Pre-AP) - - Course 037 - - 1 credit
• American Studies English 11 Honors - - Course 036 - - 1 credit
• American Studies English 11 - - Course 035 - - 1 credit

Recommendation: To enroll in English 11 Honors or Classic American Literature (Pre-AP), students should have earned at least an "A-" in English 10, or a "B" in English 10 Honors.

ENGLISH 12

This course will provide a study of British and/or contemporary literature, including a reading of selected major authors in order to give an overview of how the language and literary forms were developed as the needs of society changed. The course will enhance the student’s ability to function competitively in college and in the workplace. Expository writing on literary topics will be a major focus.

In addition, a portion of the coursework will be devoted to each student’s Senior Project: a research paper, a product, a portfolio, and a presentation on a topic of the student’s choice. Independent research and fieldwork will culminate in a presentation to a panel of judges, which will constitute the student’s final exam.

A student’s placement will be determined by a school-wide reading assessment battery, previous grades and performance, and teacher recommendation.

• Advanced Placement English - - Course 045 - - 1 credit
• English 12 Honors - - Course 044 - - 1 credit
• English 12 - - Course 041 - - 1 credit

Recommendation: To enroll in English 12 Honors, students should have earned at least an "A-" in English 11, or a "B" in English 11 Honors.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH 12: Course 045 - - 1 credit

This course is designed for the highly motivated and intellectually curious student. Learning materials are drawn from college and Advanced Placement reading lists. This course will enhance students’ ability to function competitively in college with the reading and study demands they will experience. Students entering this class should be mature and self-directed learners. Reading units will be arranged thematically, and writing assignments will be of a critical and interpretive nature. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement test in order to get credit for this course.

Recommendation: To enroll in AP English, students should have earned the recommendation of their English 11 teacher, score of at least 530+ on the SAT Verbal portion, and a final grade of "B" or better in English 10 Honors and English 11 Honors or Classic American Literature.

ENGLISH ELECTIVES

INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM: Course 050 - - 0.5 credit

The Introduction to Journalism Course teaches the fundamentals of the print media. Students will learn to interview, to write news, feature and sports articles, and to use the Quark computer program for layout.

Journalism II: Course 051 - - 1 credit

Journalism II is the actual writing and production of the school newspaper, The Patriot Ledger. The class will be limited to junior and senior students who have successfully completed Journalism I. Students are required to work beyond the school day during peak production times.

CREATIVE WRITING: Course 052 - - 0.5 credit

Creative writing is a workshop for students who enjoy writing, reading, and are willing to share some of their work with the group for critique and insight. The course involves writing experiments, keeping a journal of ideas and a final portfolio of approximately eight (8) finished pages per quarter. Writers in all genres - poetry, fiction, essay, etc. - should consider this course as a forum for their voice(s) to be heard. Enrollment restricted to sophomores, juniors, and seniors with preference given to juniors and seniors.

THEATER ARTS I: Course 053 - - 0.5 credit

Theatre Arts I is a survey course examining all the elements of theatre: physical movement, text selection and analysis, the collaborative process of a production staff, stage pictures, acting theory and technique, and, of course, performances. Students selecting this class must be willing to participate fully on a daily basis and do the necessary preparation outside of class. Participation in and completion of all components is necessary for success of this course.

THEATER ARTS II: Course 054 - - 0.5 credit

Theatre Arts II is open to students who have successfully completed Theatre Arts I and wish to study the subject in depth and with more focus. Units include the study of movement through a series of focused exercises, script development and analysis, the study of the elements of comedy, an examination of acting theory, and several performance projects. The final exam consists of several memorized monologues, one of which must be written by the student, presented in a single memorized performance. Students selecting this class must be willing to participate fully on a daily basis and do the necessary preparation outside of class. Participation in and completion of all components is necessary for success in this course.

TECHNICAL THEATER ARTS: Course 055 - - 0.5 credit

Theatre Tech is a course that will focus on the technical aspects of theatre production. Students will read and analyze a variety of plays, create set, light, costume and sound designs and then build or implement those designs. A primary focus will be to work on the current SNAP production, Portsmouth High School’s Drama Club. This is a hands-on class that will be using light power tools, and hand tools required for theatre set construction.