English

Vision

The goal of the Garces Memorial English Department is to prepare students for life by developing their written and spoken English as well as their critical and analytical skills. The department strives to make students life-long learners with a strong work ethic, a sense of self esteem, a tolerance for others and a code of integrity and morality.

Goals

After four years of English, students at Garces Memorial should have the ability to:

Read a variety of literature with an appreciation and understanding of its ethical, moral, cultural, literary and aesthetic qualities and significance.
Employ a developed and sophisticated use of vocabulary and syntax to better enjoy and understand what they read and to better communicate their thoughts.
Write well-organized paragraphs, essays, and research papers on a variety of topics that are clear, well-developed and well-reasoned.
Use listening and critical thinking skills to solve problems and communicate solutions
deliver a clear and coherent oral presentation.
Develop research skills and the ability to assimilate information.

English Course Catalog

English 9 (P)

English 9 (H)

English 10 (P)

English 10 (P) is a survey of some of the masterpieces of World Literature from the Old Testament and Homer to the present. This course will introduce students to the literature and cultural traditions of various Western and non-Western countries, and will focus on the different perspectives, values and world views that each piece of literature presents. This sophomore English course also builds on the writing skills acquired in the freshmen year by emphasizing an integrated program of grammar skills and proficiency in composition. Emphasis will be given to the development of a well-constructed theme (3-5 paragraphs) and to the construction of an argumentative research paper.

English 10 (H)

English 10 Honors is designed for students who have performed consistently well in their English 9 (H) class. This challenging and faster paced course is a survey of some of the masterpieces of World Literature from the Old Testament and Homer to the present. This course will introduce students to the literature and cultural traditions of various Western and non-Western countries, and will focus on the different perspectives, values and world views that each piece of literature presents. Emphasis will also be placed on the development of the student?s writing skills in the areas of exposition, description, persuasion and analysis. Additionally, the class includes a short research project and several long-term writing projects. The prerequisite for enrollment is a recommendation from the previous English teacher and approval from the English department.

English 11 (P)

English 11 (P) consists of a chronological survey of American literature and focuses on critical and analytical approaches to literature. Emphasis will also be placed on the continued development of the themes of exposition, narration, description, persuasion, analysis, and on the refinement of the five-paragraph essay. A short research paper will be included at this grade level. Units on SAT and ACT test preparation will also be presented.

English 11 (H)

English 12 (P)

English 12 (P) consists of a survey of British literature and authors, a review of grammar and composition and vocabulary skills. Novels representing the different periods of British literature are included. A unit on the SAT and ACT testing is presented. This course will also provide an intensive writing program that will develop and refine the student's expository, descriptive and analytical skills. A research project is part of this class as well as several, long-term writing assignments.

English 12 (AP)

English 12 Advanced Placement studies individual works, their language, characters, action, and themes, and is a more challenging experience for the students. Writing assignments focus on critical analysis of literature and include exercises in exposition, argument, and personal narrative. Discussions further develop a sense of how style, subject, and audience are related. Units on the personal essay and the SAT and ACT test preparation are presented. Students are required to sit for the Advanced Placement examination, which is administered in May.The prerequisite for enrollment is a recommendation from the previous English teacher and approval from the English department .

General English 10, 11, 12

Writing Lab (9)

The writing lab is designed for students who wish to increase their written skills in order to succeed in high school and beyond. Emphasis will be on writing practice, vocabulary building, critical thinking and reading skills, and applied grammar. This course will act as a supplement to grade-level English courses. Students will be placed in this course by parent request or teacher recommendation.

Journalism (P) (9 -12)

The Journalism course is designed to teach both journalistic writing and desktop publishing skills. Students participate in writing workshops focusing on researching, writing and editing, and interviewing skills. Students will become better writers and critical thinkers through mastery of reading, research, analysis and synthesis skills. This class produces paper publications throughout the year which feature current events on and around Garces campus, local and world news events, spotlight members of the school community, and reflect on trends that interest the student body. Journalism is a writing course and it is expected that the students will leave the course with writing and publishing skills that introduce them to the world of publishing.

Publications Journalism (P) (9-12)

Advanced Cinema Studies (12)

This course continues the work of American Film. The course will delve deeper into genre, including the musical, the western, comedy, film noir, social drama and foreign film. The course will follow the same chronological path as American Film, but with detours into some of the overlooked classics of cinema. As with American Film, the goal is to investigate film aesthetically, culturally and socially. American Film, or Instructor approval, is a prerequisite for this class.