English Department
| Ms. Hadley | | Ms. LaBonte | | Ms. Mayne | |
| Mr. Ostrowski | | Ms. Roper-Patenaude | | Ms. West | |
A limited number of copies are available to borrow from the main office, as well as some on CDs for students with reading challenges. Students can see Ms. Thomas or Ms. Tinney to sign them out over the summer. Also, both North Adams and Adams public libraries have ordered multiple copies of all of the books on our list
English I - Honors
The learning standards of the Massachusetts English language arts curriculum framework form the foundation for this fully integrated language arts course. Employing a thematic approach to canonical and multicultural literature, the course helps students to gather ideas, organize their thinking, and express themselves fluently in both spoken and written forms. Preparation for postsecondary studies form an integral part of the content of this course.
English I
The learning standards of the Massachusetts English language arts curriculum framework form the foundation for this course, which is structured around fourteen thematic literary collections. The course explores universal themes as expressed m various literary genres. Students gain competence in reading, writing and associated language arts. They are taught to appreciate language in literature and to express themselves accurately in written work.
English B - Honors
This course is an extension of English I, and includes an in-depth study of the genres of short story, non-fiction, poetry, and drama, both modem and Shakesperean . Various novels such as "Night" and "Black Like Me" are considered, with the focus on content and structure. The course is intended to foster critical and creative thinking, research skills, and literary appreciation. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary development and students are given mini-lessons that provide remediation of common errors found in student writing.
English II
This course is an extension of English I, and focuses on the genres of short story, non-fiction, poetry, and drama, both modern and Shakespearean. The course emphasizes essay writing. Students are expected to take notes, write summaries, keep journals, and revise their work. Students produce rough drafts that are submitted for peer editing, and then revised into formal products. The grammar, spelling, vocabulary, listening, and study skills which were stressed in the first course of this series are reinforced.
Literature III - Honors
Students are taught to analyze style, literary technique, and character development in representative literary works, including Of "Mice and Men," "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and "The Ways of My Grandmother." The course stresses the development of strategies for a knowledge and attaining independence in learning. A specific review of the Verbal portion of the SAT is included, with an emphasis on the acquisition of vocabulary. Students are taught to prepare and deliver oral presentations.
Literature III
Students critically analyze representative literary works, such as "Of Mice and Men," "The Chocolate War," and "Night" as well as selected short stories, plays, and poetry. They learn to identify the characteristics of various literary genres and to analyze style, literary technique, and character development. Basic language arts skills are reinforced.
Writing III
In this class, students write to discover and express their ideas and feelings and to communicate with others. Students become effective and confident writers by engaging in writing processes for a variety of audiences and purposes. Students develop their writing skills, learn conventions of language, and experiment with various modes of expression. Students produce descriptive and narrative essays, engage in persuasive writing, and learn to analyze literature.
Literature IV - Honors
The Senior Literature program offers a survey of American literature
Commencing with Revolutionary America, progessing through American
Realism, and concluding with modern American literature. London,
Hemmingway, Wright, Poe, Thoreau, and Whittier are among the authors
that are examined in this course. Students are taught to compare and contrast the style, literary techniques, and character development of various American classical and contemporary authors. The listening and speaking skills of students are enhanced through units on interview techniques, unpromptu speaking, and extended oral reports.
Literature IV
The Senior Literature program offers a survey of American literature
Commencing with Revolutionary America, progressing through American
Realism, and concluding with modern American literature. Authors studied include Emerson, Hawthorne, Dickinson, Hughes, Wright, London and Angelou. Students engage in career research. The listening and speaking skills of students are enhanced through units on interview techniques and impromptu speaking.
Writing IV
The Senior writing course is intended to produce students who are
effective, confident and creative writers. Students produce resumes, college applications, and job applications. During the second semester,
the course focuses on the skills necessary for effective research for the mandatory Senior Project. Students learn to select a topic, to identify and locate appropriate resources in a variety of media, to synthesize the information from the resources, and to present the information using multimedia presentation technology.
