Curriculum

The English Language Arts Standards Curriculum focuses on literacy skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening), which reflect the Grade Span Expectations and are essential for effective communication.  To read and write competently requires knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and spelling as well as the ability to interpret and to analyze information.

The ability to speak and to listen requires the skill to discriminate substance from rhetoric, to focus on the core of the subject matter, to interpret the information, and to respond concretely.  The structure of the English curriculum is based upon a belief that instruction in these skills should be based upon the individual needs of the students.

Techniques of literary criticism are developed through both oral and written responses to the reading material offered in the classroom.  Correct use of literary terms, as well as a mastery of the rudiments of expository writing, is a required tool in the achievement of this goal.

In collaboration with the school librarians, all students receive orientation in basic library skills, including the use of the online public access catalog and specialized guides to periodical literature. This forms the foundation of research necessary to the term paper and to other assignments incorporating these needs. The technological aspects of literacy are addressed through basic word processing techniques as well as manuscript forms, research paper formats and the incorporation of graphs and charts into regular word processing projects. Further, the scope and sequence of the writing program enables students of all levels to proceed with writing techniques such as topic limitation, outlining, organization, sentence structuring, proofreading and revising. The English program is divided into three categories: honors, college preparatory and standard.

Summer Reading Lists can be found on the EPHS Library web site.

HONORS ENGLISH

English Honors is a class for those students who have demonstrated excellence in understanding and applying basic literacy skills. Students in Honors English express a desire to attend a competitive four-year college or university and attain a level of academic achievement that indicates success on the college level. Reading selections, writing topics and discussions are challenging with an emphasis on critical thinking, analysis and drawing inferences. A willingness to read outside the classroom, as well as to pursue excellence in writing through revision is a necessity for the honors student. Students are expected to read THREE books from the summer reading list to be assessed during the second full week of school. In order to remain in the honors program, a student should maintain an average of at least 85 or have a recommendation from the current teacher.  

COLLEGE PREPARATORY ENGLISH

College preparatory English is for students who demonstrate a proficient level of literacy.  These students will experience intensive vocabulary work, basic grammar (mechanics, usage, etc.) primarily as it applies to writing, creative and expository writing, and analysis of literature.

College preparatory students are expected to read THREE books from the summer reading list, which will be assessed during the second full week of school.  Further, college prep English requires the

independent reading of at least one work of literature per quarter accompanied by a written assessment in addition to nightly homework.

Most students in the College Preparatory program take the Scholastic Aptitude Test and plan to attend a four-year college or university.  In order to remain in the college preparatory program, a student must maintain at least a 75 average or receive a recommendation from the current teacher. 

STANDARD ENGLISH

Standard English is for students who have a fair command of the basic literacy skills, learn at a slower rate, (may) have some problems with the subject and need some individual help understanding it.  The study of English will include: vocabulary work, spelling, basic grammar, writing, reading and discussion of stories, plays, and poems.

Students are expected to read TWO books from the summer reading list for assessment the second full week of school.  Further, students are required to complete some guided reading outside the classroom in addition to their nightly homework.  The Standard English program prepares the student for a community college, a technical or trade school, the armed forces or the workforce.

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY PROGRAM (LEP)

Students who are not native English speakers are evaluated and placed in either level one or two LEP classes.  Transitional English classes provide additional oral, written and basic-skills work.  Students who successfully complete these courses are then scheduled into an appropriate level of English study. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH

Students, who do exceedingly well in Honors English during their sophomore year, may be recommended for Advanced Placement I in the eleventh grade.  Students, who excel in performance in English Language Arts in the eleventh grade program, may be selected for senior Advanced Placement (via teacher and counselor recommendations, test scores, and personal interviews). In order to be considered, students must demonstrate a command of reading and writing techniques, as well as the ability to express themselves orally. The Advanced Placement classes are for those students who have an avid interest in the analysis of varied genres of literature and a desire to reach new heights in writing. Completion of an extensive summer project is expected prior to both Advanced Placement I and II. Senior year, the class culminates with the Advanced Placement Examination, which can result in the award of college credit. 

URI WRITING/BRITISH LITERATURE

HONORS AND COLLEGE PREPARATORY

Senior College Preparatory students may elect this course to fulfill their senior English requirement.  One semester of the class will follow the syllabus of the University of Rhode Island Composition I course. Successful completion of this class will result in three college credits.  The second semester will focus on the British Literature of the senior English curriculum. Students in URI Writing must read THREE books from the summer reading list, which are assessed in the fall.  Grade 12.

INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE WRITING 

COLLEGE PREPARATORY

Writing, revision and finalization are the main themes of this course.  Students improve their composition work through frequent writing.  All compositions are considered to be works in progress until they have gone through multiple stages of revision, culminating in a final printed piece.  The grade for the course is based upon a portfolio that the student is required to present at the end of each quarter.

JOURNALISM

COLLEGE PREPARATORY

This course examines the principles of news reporting, editorial composition, newspaper layout and production.  Students who elect this course are required to submit articles and to produce the school newspaper,  “The Townie.”

SPEECH AND DEBATE

COLLEGE PREPARATORY