English Department

The mission of the Prospect English Department is to ensure the college and career readiness of our students in the areas of reading and writing. Through reading a diverse array of classic and contemporary literature as well as challenging informational texts in a range of subjects, students are expected to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspective. With writing assignments centered on narrative, informational, and argumentative tasks, students are expected to write logically with substantive claims, sound reasoning, and relevant evidence.

Course Descriptions

9th Grade

English 1

This course is a standards-based foundational course for freshmen and is designed to provide an opportunity for students to continue their study of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will read a variety of literary genres and forms. From paragraphs to essays, writing will be both analytical and creative, with a focus on the writing process. This program emphasizes a variety of critical thinking and language experiences to provide students with strong communication skills and the ability to succeed in and out of the classroom.

Graduation Credit: English
UC/CSU Area: English (b)

10th Grade

English 2

Expanding on the skills developed in English 1, this course integrates the practice of reading comprehension and analysis, vocabulary development, expository, persuasive, and narrative writing applications, research skills, the use of standard English Language grammar and conventions, and effective speaking and listening techniques with a central thematic focus on diverse literature representing various global cultures and heritages. This course emphasizes world literature so that students increase their understanding of individual and cultural experiences. Substantial reading is required, and outside reading and writing are expected.

Graduation Credit: English
UC/CSU Area: English (b)

English 2 Honors

Expanding on the skills developed in English 1, this rigorous course will provide a study of multiple genres of challenging literature from diverse cultures around the world. Additionally, continued development of writing skills will focus primarily on composition, analysis, and evidence. Students will spend considerable time developing skills in the following areas: response and analysis of literature; persuasion and argumentation; and evidence gathering and evaluation. Through various activities including group work, research, and in-depth discussion, students will further develop the reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills essential to success in their endeavors. Substantial reading and writing will be completed independently outside of class. Summer work may be required.

Graduation Credit: English
UC/CSU Area: English (b)

11th Grade

English 3

In English 3, students read and analyze American literature from a variety of historical, political and cultural perspectives. These literary works include both non-fiction (journals, expository articles, speeches) and fiction (poetry, novels, drama). Students are encouraged to make connections between literature and history while continuing to refine and practice their skills writing persuasive, expository and narrative compositions. Students also learn to formulate an argument, research information, assess the relevance and credibility of a source, cite a variety of sources and format a document. In both oral presentations and written work, students demonstrate their ability to appeal to their audience logically, ethically and emotionally. Outside reading and writing assignments further develop students‘ vocabulary and critical thinking.

Graduation Credit: English
UC/CSU Area: English (b)

English 3 Honors

This junior level honors course examines American literature from its colonial origins to the present, including changes in language, subject matter, philosophies, and style. The literature and compositions are arranged to provide a focus for critical thinking and discussion. This course also includes creative and expository writing, literary analysis, oral presentation skills, SAT preparation, grammar, punctuation, and writing style instruction. Students will be challenged to participate in class discussions and outside reading, and will learn to explore, as critical thinkers, the major themes of American literature and history. Summer work may be required.

Graduation Credit: English
UC/CSU Area: English (b)
UC/CSU Weighted

Advanced Placement- English Language & Composition

An AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer's purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way genre conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. The course materials and writing assignments prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Exam. English Advanced Placement is an intensive course designed for students who are ready for college level writing.

Graduation Credit: English
UC/CSU Area: English (b)
UC/CSU Weighted

12th Grade

English 4

World Contemporary Literature and Communication is a standards-based course for seniors. Students will explore major literary time periods of the world with a special focus on how these periods influenced Western Civilization and contemporary authors. Additionally, students will work with a number of expository texts, studying rhetorical reading and rhetorical writing strategies needed for success in college, vocational programs, the workplace, and the global community. The curriculum offers a variety of activities such as research, discussion, simulations, individual and group work, and projects. Significant outside reading and writing assignments are required.

Graduation Credit: English
UC/CSU Area: English (b)

Advanced Placement- English Literature & Composition

An AP English Literature and Composition course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider a work‘s structure, style and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone. The course includes intensive study of representative works from various genres and periods, concentrating on works of recognized literary merit. The pieces chosen invite and reward rereading and do not yield all (or nearly all) of their pleasures of thought and feeling the first time through.

Graduation Credit: English
UC/CSU Area: English (b)
UC/CSU Weighted

English Language Development Course Sequence

English Language Development Course Descriptions

English Language Development (ELD) English 1

In this two-period ELD Language Arts course, students at the beginning level of English learn to communicate about a range of topics and academic content areas through listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities that target high-level standards aligned thinking with appropriate support. Students are provided interactive and collaborative opportunities to express their own ideas as well as to question, interpret, and evaluate the ideas of others.

Graduation Credit: 10 credits for English; 10 credits for electives
UC/CSU Area: English (b)

English Language Development (ELD) English 2

As students’ progress to the expanding level in English language proficiency, they move towards using the English language in more complexes, cognitively demanding situations. In this two-period ELD course, students will further learn and communicate about a range of topics and academic content areas through listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities that target high-level thinking with appropriate support. Through interactive instruction based on the 10 Credits for English ELD state standards, students are provided opportunities to express their own ideas as well as to question, interpret, and evaluate the ideas of others.

Graduation Credit: 10 credits for English; 10 credits for Electives
UC/CSU Area: English (b)

English Language Development (ELD) English 3

In this two period ELD Language Arts course, students nearing reasonable fluency in English will use the language in more complex, cognitively demanding situations with increasing independence. ELD 3 prepares students to learn and communicate about a range of topics and academic content areas through listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities that target high-level thinking with appropriate support. Students are provided with interactive instruction based on ELD state standards and activities, a print-rich environment, and public speaking experiences in order to prepare students for on grade level English and other content classes.

Graduation Credit: 10 credits for English; 10 credits for Electives
UC/CSU Area: English (b)

English Language Development (ELD) English Enrichment

This is a one year course designed to offer support to EL especially LTEL students in Expanding and Bridging levels, enrolled in an on-level English to succeed. The course is based on the state standards for ELA/ELD to engage students in critical reading, academic writing, and presentation skills and strategies.

Graduation Credit: College Prep Electives; General Electives
UC/CSU Area: College Prep Electives (g)

Staff