Grade 10 Courses

English 2                                                                                                                                                    

Prerequisite:  Enrolling students should have successful completion of English 1.

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills:  Enrolling students should have successful completion of English 1.

Course Description: English 2 prepares students to enter English 3 with a comprehensive understanding of textual analysis and the strategies and skills needed to read and respond to different genres of texts.  This course is organized around units of study that explore concepts such as identity, historical events such as genocide, and philosophical debates related to concepts such as “nature versus nurture.” During these units, students read a range of literary and nonfiction texts, all of which are paired with assessments that challenge the students to read, analyze, and discuss literature at a complex level.

Skill Description: Writing, reading comprehension, and literary response and analysis. 

Vocabulary: Know and use academic language, contextual and roots-based vocabulary to succeed when reading writing and taking tests.

Students will: Compare/contrast essay; research paper; literary response; district assessment.

Major Projects/Assignments:

Approximate homework assigned daily:  30 minutes

English 2 Advanced Standing (AS)                                                                                             

Prerequisite: Recommended to have a strong A or B in their 9th grade English class; have strong reading and writing skills; and have a strong background in grammar, syntax and MLA style rules.

Suggested Course Preparation:  During the first semester, students will read Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and numerous supporting nonfiction texts and short stories. Students in English II AS are required to write extensively outside of class as part of a course long Writing Portfolio Project. Students will write for a variety of purposes: to analyze reading selections, to argue a claim and to express original ideas. Second semester, students will read A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Shakespeare's Macbeth. Second semester, a research project is a strong focus. Throughout the year, a strong emphasis is placed on participation in class discussion to facilitate opportunities for academic speaking and listening skill development.

Course Description:  Writing, reading comprehension, language skills and literary analysis.

Vocabulary: Know and use academic language; contextual and roots-based vocabulary to succeed when reading, writing, and taking tests.

Students will complete: argumentative essays; research papers; literary analysis; and collaborative projects.

Major Projects/Assignments:

Approximate homework assigned daily:   30 minutes to 1 hour

English 2 Advanced Standing (AS)                                                                                             

Prerequisite: Recommended to have a strong A or B in their 9th grade English class; have strong reading and writing skills; and have a strong background in grammar, syntax and MLA style rules.

Suggested Course Preparation:  During the first semester, students will read Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and numerous supporting nonfiction texts and short stories. Students in English II AS are required to write extensively outside of class as part of a course long Writing Portfolio Project. Students will write for a variety of purposes: to analyze reading selections, to argue a claim and to express original ideas. Second semester, students will read A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Shakespeare's Macbeth. Second semester, a research project is a strong focus. Throughout the year, a strong emphasis is placed on participation in class discussion to facilitate opportunities for academic speaking and listening skill development.

Course Description:  Writing, reading comprehension, language skills and literary analysis.

Vocabulary: Know and use academic language; contextual and roots-based vocabulary to succeed when reading, writing, and taking tests.

Students will complete: argumentative essays; research papers; literary analysis; and collaborative projects.

Major Projects/Assignments:

Approximate homework assigned daily:   30 minutes to 1 hour