The Bethlehem Area School District’s English Department is dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive education in literacy. Courses are designed to help students become astute readers and effective communicators of the written and spoken word. Students read the classics as well as contemporary texts, write analytically and persuasively, learn the standards of written English, and develop critical thinking skills. In addition, the English electives strive to develop students’ creativity and imagination, allowing students to discover their own voices.
English Recommended Course Sequence
| Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honors English 9 English 9 | Honors English 10 English 10 | AP Language & Composition Honors English 11 English 11 | AP Literature & Composition Honors English 12 English 12 English 12: Non-Fiction |
HONORS ENGLISH 9 (EN1000) 1.0 credit
Prerequisites: See Honors Program Recommendations
Honors English 9 develops and sharpens the communication skills of critical reading, writing, speaking, and listening, with special emphasis on the writing process, independent scholarship, research skills, and critical thinking. Particular focus is placed on the development of the critical analysis essay and the primary source paper and writing cohesive thesis-driven essay effectively supporting a claim. Literature study concentrates on critical analysis of the following genres: short story, novel, poetry, and drama. Grammar study focuses on developing mature sentence structure, coherence, and unity. Notes: The grade for this course is weighted. This course is strongly recommended for those students who may consider Advanced Placement courses.
ENGLISH 9 (EN1002) 1.0 credit
English 9 develops the communication skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening, with special emphasis on the writing process and the academic essay, critical reading and thinking, research skills, and study skills. Students will analyze literary works from the following genres: short story, novel, poetry, and drama. Units are arranged thematically so that writing and reading skills are continually built upon and reinforced throughout the course.
HONORS ENGLISH 10 (EN2000) 1.0 credit
Prerequisites: See Honors Program Recommendations
Honors English 10 continues to develop communication skills of critical reading, analytical writing, speaking and listening, with particular emphasis on independent study skills. Extensive reading, discussion, effective methods of presentation, honing of grammar skills, and vocabulary enrichment are integral parts of this course. Particular emphasis is placed on the refinement of essay-writing skills (persuasive, literary analysis, and research, as well as timed on-demand essays). Notes: The grade for this course is weighted. This course is strongly recommended for those students who may consider Advanced Placement courses.
ENGLISH 10 (EN2002) 1.0 credit
English 10 builds upon the communication skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening developed in 9th grade. Special emphasis is placed on the writing process, the persuasive essay, literary analysis, critical reading and thinking, study skills, research skills, and vocabulary enrichment. Grammar study focuses on sentence structure and improvement of style. Writing and reading skills are continually built upon and reinforced throughout the semester.
AP ENGLISH – LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION (EN5000) 1.0 credit
Prerequisites: See Honors Program Recommendations
AP English is a challenging course designed as a substitute for college freshman English. Students who enroll must be astute and sophisticated readers and writers who genuinely love the beauties and complexities of the written word in English. Through the critical reading and analysis of American literature (with a heavy emphasis on nonfiction), students will become skilled readers of a variety of prose and skilled writers of analytical essays. Although literature is used as a vehicle, the emphasis of this course is on the development of a student’s writing style in order to master the writing of essays with different purposes and audiences. Emphasis will also be placed on the conventions of language necessary to become expert writers. Notes: The grade for this course is weighted. Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP College Board exam in May.
HONORS ENGLISH 11 (EN3000) 1.0 credit
Prerequisites: See Honors Program Recommendations
Honors English 11 is a challenging course designed for an in-depth examination of American literature. Students who enroll must be avid, astute, and sophisticated readers and writers who genuinely love the beauties and complexities of the written and spoken word. Major emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking and analytical writing skills through intensive class discussions and rigorous writing requirements, focusing on the response to literature and the research paper. The course prepares students for either honors or AP in twelfth grade. Notes: The grade for this course is weighted. This course is strongly recommended for those students who may consider Advanced Placement courses.
ENGLISH 11 (EN3002) 1.0 credit
English 11 concentrates on the continuation of developing reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills students need to become successful in college as well as the workplace. The course encourages critical thinking. Students will engage in the analysis of text and in the writing of the academic theme essay, research essay, literary analysis essay, and the on demand essay for SAT readiness. All of these skills will be reinforced and refined through an exploration of a variety of literary genres and American literary themes.
AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION (EN5010) 1.0 credit
Prerequisites: See Honors Program Recommendations
AP English Literature and Composition is a challenging course designed as a substitute for college Freshman English. This course features seminar and independent study requirements and requires extensive reading. Using primarily British literature as its focus, the course requires the writing of critical papers of various styles and perspectives and the development of careful, analytical reading and research skills. Notes: The grade for this course is weighted.
HONORS ENGLISH 12 (EN4000) 1.0 credit
Prerequisites: See Honors Program Recommendations *This class may be offered in an online environment
Designed for the mature student, Honors English 12 is reading and writing intensive. Using British literature as the focus, and with additional world literature as connections, the course requires the writing of original critical papers and the development of careful and analytical reading, research, speaking, and thinking skills. Along with the study of imaginative literature, the course includes extensive analysis of nonfiction texts. Through close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. This course is recommended for students who are willing to devote extra time and rigor for research, independent reading and study, and projects. Note: The grade for this course is weighted.
ENGLISH 12 (EN4001) 1.0 credit
This literature course concentrates on the refinement of a student’s critical reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Course material has been selected with an eye toward the requirements of college freshman English, and there is an emphasis on perfecting analytical writing skills, particularly the response to literature and the research paper. The vocabulary strand stresses SAT vocabulary. Evaluation is based on written and spoken projects that stress a student’s ability to be self-motivated and to work independently
ENGLISH 12: NON-FICTION (EN4011) 1.0 credit
This 12th-grade English course is designed for those students planning to enter the fields of business or STEM. Students will read and analyze text for key ideas and details, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge and ideas with a heavy emphasis on non-fiction text. In addition, students will refine their writing skills by producing expository, argumentative, and research-based essays. This course satisfies the 12th-grade English requirement.
ENGLISH ELECTIVES
ACADEMIC LITERACY (EN9034) 1.0 credit
Academic Literacy is a one-semester course that continues to prepare students to successfully meet the academic demands of high school curricula. This course provides students with multiple opportunities to practice and master reading, writing, speaking, and study skills. Special emphasis is placed on the development of critical reading strategies to aid in comprehension and analysis of increasingly challenging texts. Students in this course will also be scheduled into English 9 or English 10.
SAT/ACT READING, WRITING, and LANGUAGE (EN9009) 0.5 credit
The purpose of this course is to help college-bound students read and study more effectively. This course focuses on verbal and on-demand writing SAT/ACT preparation. Reading skills, writing skills, study skills, and vocabulary development will be emphasized.
DRAMA 1 (EN9079) 1.0 credit
This course emphasizes the techniques and skills needed to perform on stage. Improvisation, fundamentals of acting, acting techniques, overcoming stage fright, monologue and scene performance, and play analysis are some of the units studied. All areas of stagecraft will be explored including performance acting, directing, stage crew, and set design.
DRAMA 2 (EN9089) 1.0 credit
This class serves as a complement to Drama 1 offering a wide variety of plays from traditional to contemporary drama. Students will continue to hone their skills in improvisation and performance. A culminating final project is performance-based for an external audience.
PUBLIC SPEAKING (EN9049) 0.5 credit
This course emphasizes the importance of effective public speaking in academic and real-world settings. Students are guided toward the creative development of speaking forms: process, persuasive, and informational. Additional skills emphasized include planning, preparing, and presenting a speech, the incorporation of technology, and critical evaluation. Students will also explore possible careers within the various fields of communications. Communication Arts 1: Public Speaking also serves as the foundational course in the Communications Pathway.
POWER OF MASS COMMUNICATIONS (EN9199) 0.5 credit
This course explores various forms of mass communications, focusing on the writer’s role and responsibilities. Students will investigate key topics such as: journalism, social media, literary arts, and broadcasting. Authentic assignments will require students to craft messages that include, but are not limited to: social media campaigns, print publications, public relations, and mixed media. In addition, students will continue to explore career opportunities in the various fields of communications. Communication Arts 2: Publications serves as the second course in the Communications Pathway.
JOURNALISM (EN9039) 1.0 credit
This course is designed for students interested in learning the basics of journalism as well as for advanced students who want to expand their skills into the areas of arts and entertainment writing, sports reporting, and editorial writing. Students will also learn how to research and write editorials as well as the fundamentals of photojournalism. Note: This course can be taken multiple times for advanced study of the subject.
BROADCAST JOURNALISM (EN9069) 1.0 credit
Students taking Broadcast Journalism will learn to write copy for and report both news and feature stories. This course exposes students to the process of live television production. Students will learn to operate a studio camera and use angles, shot length, movement and other techniques to create an interesting news story. Students will learn the techniques of producing, directing, editing, and anchoring in the studio providing valuable experience in the television industry. Final Cut Express will be used in this course. Note: This course is in conjunction with the business department and can be taken multiple times for advanced study of the subject.
CREATIVE WRITING (EN9019) 1.0 credit
Creative Writing is designed to develop and encourage the creative and imaginative aspects of writing. Students will read, critique, and write using a variety of genres including forms of poetry, short fiction, and play/script writing. Emphasis is on student-generated writing projects. Final goal is to publish in approved forums. Note: This course can be taken multiple times for advanced study of the subject.
YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE (EN9179) 0.5 credit
Students read and familiarize themselves with the growing body of literature/genres written for and marketed to adolescents including literature that focuses on diverse cultures. Students will read and discuss books related to gender, difference, cultural diversity. Topics will include dystopic visions, friendship, coming of age, technology, and a range of other social and psychological themes.
MEDIA LITERACY THROUGH POPULAR CULTURE (EN9189) 0.5 credit
This course is designed to empower students to become conscious and aware of the messaging they are receiving in the media. Through Popular Culture and living authors, students will read, discuss, and deconstruct current topics related to power, bias, stereotypes, diversity, and social justice. The following genres will be utilized: young adult literature, spoken word poetry, sales copy, video, blogs, tweets, music lyrics, and current news outlets. The goal is for students to not only become aware of everyday messaging but to produce their own content as well.