Year course open to grade 11 Meets graduaion requirement: English (10 credits)
Students read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of American literature that reflect and enhance their studies of history and social science. Students analyze themes and issues from various historical periods. Students write coherent and focused texts that convey a well-defined perspective and tightly reasoned argument. They combine the rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description to produce essays of varying lengths. Students write and speak with a command of the standard conventions of English.
American Themes in Literature 5/6 (CSU, UC)
Year course open to grade 11 Meets graduation requirement: English (10 credits) Career Path Sequence Recommendation: Business and Finance
This course covers the same state content standards as English 5/6 but takes a thematic approach to the study of American literature. Four themes - Independence, Interdependence, Frontiers, and Futures - are examined through the literature and are used as a basis for writing and project assignments including an autobiographical essay and a personal portfolio. Literary genres to be covered include the essay, fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. Students practice social and interpersonal skills through cooperative and collaborative written and oral projects and presentations. This course is recommended for students planning to attend a university and major in business, finance, economics, or computer science. Use of technology to complete academic work is an integral part of this course.
English Language and Composition 5/6 Advanced Placement (CSU, UC)
Year course open to grade 11 Prerequisite: Honors standing and/or permission of AP Language teacher Meets graduation requirement: English (10 credits) Bonus GPA credit
Students read and carefully analyze a broad and challenging range of prose selections and develop their awareness of how language works. Through close reading and frequent writing, students develop their ability to work with language and text with a greater awareness of purpose and strategy while strengthening their composing abilities. The reading assignments feature expository, narrative, descriptive, and persuasive essays from a variety of authors and historical contexts. Students examine and respond to literary works of American writers. Summer reading and writing is required. Students prepare for the Advanced Placement Examination in English Language and Composition to earn possible college-level credit. See and print out the pdf file for this class's Summer Reading List.