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.

Graduation Requirements

All Students who graduate from Garces Memorial High School must successfully complete 4 years of English.

English Course Catalog

English 9 (CP) includes the study of literature with an introduction to literary genres and interpretive skills. The composition unit includes an integrated and sequential study of grammar, vocabulary, sentence, and paragraph formation. Supplementary units focus on library skills and study skills.

Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirement. b- English

English 9 Honors is a faster paced and more challenging introduction to literary analysis, composition, and vocabulary development. It is for the student who shows an aptitude in verbal skills and who welcomes an opportunity to excel. English 9 Honors provides a stimulating atmosphere and offers a wide selection of reading and composition assignments, with an emphasis on expository writing.

Prerequisite: Students are offered to join English 9 (H) based upon their High School Placement Exam results.

Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirement. b- English

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.

Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirement. b- English

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.

Prerequisite: Students must have a 90% or higher in English 9 (P) or 80% or higher in English 9 (H)

Requirements: English 10 honors is structured around a survey or primarily non-English-language/non-Western texts and works from alternative American voices in a deeper and more comprehensive way than is offered in the standard English 10 curriculum. (Approximate homework time is 3-4 hours per week)

Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirement. b- English

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.

Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirement. b- English

English Language & Composition Advanced Placement

English Language & Composition Advanced Placement consists of a chronological survey of American literature and focuses on critical and analytical approaches to literature. The course will also include a review of grammar and composition, an introduction to writing research papers, vocabulary skills, and a long-term writing project. A unit of the SAT and ACT testing is presented. Students are expected to sit for the AP Language and Composition examination in May. As the other English Honors courses, this course is more challenging and is presented in a faster pace.

Prerequisite: Students must have a 90% or higher in English 10 (P) or 80% or higher in English 10 (H)

2018-2019 only: Students must have a 90% or higher in English 11 (P) or 80% or higher in English 11 (H)

Requirements: An Advanced Placement English course in Language and Composition is primarily a course in both effective writing and critical reading, focusing on aims and modes of disclosure in addition to literary interpretation. Students are expected to sit for the AP English exam in the spring. (Approximate homework time is 3-4 hours per week)

Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirement. b- English

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.

Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirement. b- English

Duale Enrollment English 12/English Literature & Composition Advanced Placement

English Literature & Composition 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.

Prerequisite: Students must have a 90% or higher in English 11 (P) or 80% or higher in English 11 (H)
Requirements: An Advanced Placement English and Composition course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature for potential college credit. Students are expected to sit for the AP English exam in the spring. (Approximate homework time is 5-6 hours per week)

Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirement. b- English

General English 10, 11, 12

General English is designed to meet Garces Memorial’s English graduation requirement. As such, this course seeks to improve fundamental English skills through reinforcement of reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and written communication. Therefore, the sole purpose of this course is to enhance the necessary elements of English that will be most useful outside of the high school classroom.

STUDENTS WILL BE PLACED IN THIS COURSE BY PARENT REQUEST/TEACHER RECOMMENDATION

This course satisfies graduation requirements but does not satisfy UC/CSU entrance requirements.

The writing lab is designed for students who wish to increase their written skills 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/TEACHER RECOMMENDATION/HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT EXAM.

This course satisfies graduation requirements but does not satisfy UC/CSU entrance requirements.

Publications Journalism 9-12 (P)

Students in this class will be members of the yearbook production staff. The course is designed to expose the student to the skills of photography, journalism and page production, and to assist him/her in acquiring the responsible attitude necessary to meet the demands of a production schedule and a publication deadline.

Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirement. g- College Prep Elective

Creative Writing

This course is designed to encourage students to explore and expand their creative faculties and abilities, and to facilitate student writing in the areas of short fiction, poetry, drama, and historical fiction. Instruction in various literary techniques will direct the student’s writing, culminating in the completion of a self-selected “goal project” at the end of each semester.

Satisfies UC/CSU entry requirement. g- College Prep Elective