English 9
The ninth-grade course begins preparation for the Regents Examination in English, which is given in June of eleventh grade. It also prepares students for the International Baccalaureate English course, which begins in the eleventh grade. Texts are selected from American and world authors in a variety of genres. In accordance with the NYS Next Generation ELA Standards, students are asked to analyze and interpret a wide assortment of informational texts. Emphasis is placed on developing critical reading, writing, and research skills. Instruction is differentiated according to the individual needs of each student. Students are assessed from a qualitative student-centered approach.
 

Scope & Sequence

 

 

English 10

The tenth-grade course continues preparing students for the Regents Examination in English and the International Baccalaureate English course. It offers readings from world writers and American authors and, in accordance with the NYS Next Generation ELA Standards, emphasizes a wide variety of informational texts. Students are asked to interpret and analyze what they read and to express themselves in written and oral assessments. Individual student needs inform instruction, offering a differentiated approach to learning. 

Scope & Sequence

 

 

English 11 IB/R (co-seated)

This course is the first of a two-year sequence leading to the IB certificate in English and is also a part of the IB diploma. It is aligned with the NYS Next Generation ELA Standards. The development of skills and the study of language and literature is divided into three areas of exploration; the interactions between readers, writers and texts, texts across space and time, and the interconnections between texts.  The two parts of the course offer an approach to divisions in the course while blending together in interesting ways. The parts of the course are also clearly linked to concepts that shape or capture the nature of the discipline. This is all connected to the overarching principles of IB learning that ask students to be reflective, disciplined, and open-minded. There are ample opportunities to make connections with theory of knowledge, approaches to teaching and learning, and international-mindedness. Critical thinking skills, close reading, and literary analysis of the author’s craft are emphasized, as is literary commentary on readings. Additionally, students will gain a relevant understanding of how language functions to create meaning. All students are required to take the Regents Examination in English Language Arts in June.

 

Scope & Sequence

 

English 11 R (non co-seated) 

The English 11R course focuses on the necessary tools and strategies needed for students to excel in the New York State Regents Examination in English Language Arts and the challenges of higher education. Through engaging and rigorous instruction, students will strengthen their ability to comprehend complex texts, craft well-structured and evidence-based arguments, and communicate effectively in both written and oral forms. More importantly, they will immerse themselves in diverse texts from various authors, places and time periods, in order to become caring, global citizens and develop cultural sensitivity and awareness.

 

Scope & Sequence

 

 

English 12 IB/R (co-seated)

Students will complete their second year of English: Language and Literature. The aims and objectives are aligned with the NYS ELA Next Generation Learning Standards, as adopted by the New York State Board of Regents. The course demands a high level of critical thinking in traditional literature instruction as well as an in-depth investigation of non-literary texts in a variety of media. Students enrolled in IB must register for and complete all IB assessments including the IB exams in May in order to receive the IB designation on their transcripts and the weighting on their report card grades.

 

Scope & Sequence

 

 

English 12 (non co-seated)

 

The English 11R course focuses on the necessary tools and strategies needed for students to excel in the New York State Regents Examination in English Language Arts and the challenges of higher education. Through engaging and rigorous instruction, students will strengthen their ability to comprehend complex texts, craft well-structured and evidence-based arguments, and communicate effectively in both written and oral forms. More importantly, they will immerse themselves in diverse texts from various authors, places and time periods, in order to become caring, global citizens and develop cultural sensitivity and awareness.

Scope & Sequence

 

 

English Support Classes (9-12)

 

The rationale behind this course is to assist students in strengthening the skills needed to meet the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards in order to succeed in the advanced courses of study in English, to prepare for the written requirements of the Regents, IB and SAT exams, and to become independent lifelong learners.  

 

The smaller class size enables the teacher to work directly with the students while monitoring and adjusting lessons according to students’ needs.  This forum will provide students with the time and space to improve the writing process and critical thinking skills.  In this safe and interactive learning environment, students will sharpen their abilities in the following areas:  active reading, literary analysis, evaluation of themes, active listening, grammar usage and vocabulary development, and the skills necessary for the understanding of various tasks and structures in writing.

 

The Support Class is designed to meet every other day over the full 40-week school year and will use the same works taught in the English classes.  It is suggested that the class focus on three areas of study:  Reading and Learning Strategies, Curriculum Enrichment, and Writing and Examination Skills.  The teacher of the Support Class will be in regular contact with the students’ English teachers in order to ascertain student progress and identify areas of difficulty.  The fundamental goal of the Support Class is to build confidence and to address individual learning needs so that students may transfer success from this class to their mainstream classes.

 

Public Speaking

This course is designed to instruct students in the fundamental aspects of formal speech delivery and evaluation. Students will examine the relationship between informative, persuasive, and special occasion writing and the techniques of delivery, which effectively communicate the message to an audience.

 

Scope & Sequence
 

 

Creative Writing

In this English elective, our class is a writing community. This course offers students the opportunity to explore the art of creative writing and to develop a set of skills for the composition of original works, to think creatively and critically, and to consider issues of human nature that appear in literature. Students will read and analyze poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction by both classic and contemporary writers. Their own writing will include various exercises, poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction essays. In a supportive and structured environment, students will workshop one another’s writing. In addition, this course will have a direct link with the school’s literary magazine, Context. Educators recognize that students must be exposed to regular and varied opportunities to read and write.  This curriculum focuses on students as active learners, responsible for and knowledgeable about their own learning.  

 

SAT Verbal preparation

This curriculum has been created to introduce the many requirements of the SAT, develop test-taking skills, diagnose individual student needs, improve vocabulary and reading strategies, advance practical grammar knowledge, and expand writing skills. There will be additional focus placed on instituting healthy habits of mind and decreasing (and hopefully eliminating) test anxiety.

Most significantly, while the chief aim of the course is to improve student success on this important standardized test, the instructional techniques will also benefit overall study skills, reading, and writing strategies.

 

Teachers

Christine Brown

Katherine Burke

Jessica Harnden

Bruce Hecker, (facilitator)

Elizabeth Hertler

Kimberly Kelly

Elizabeth Rick

Jean Mann

Michael Musilli

Megan O’Brien

Lisa Ries

Christopher Webster

 

New York State Next Generation ELA Standards, https://www.nysed.gov/standards-instruction/english-language-arts

IB Language and Literature Subject Brief, https://www.ibo.org/contentassets/5895a05412144fe890312bad52b17044/curriculum.brief-languagea.language.and.literature-eng.pdf

New York State Literacy Brief - The Secondary Years,

https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/standards-instruction/literacy-brief-6.pdf

 

Academic Integrity Guidelines 

SSHS Writing Centre 

Purdue Online Writing Lab