• English Department Staff

     

    Full Staff Directory

     

    English Courses

     

    English 1
    English 1 focuses on the study of fiction and non-fiction/informational reading materials, including novels, short stories, plays, essays, poetry, and informational documents. There is an emphasis on the writing process, the development of listening and speaking skills, and vocabulary development. To access a course overview and a list of core and supplementary texts click HERE 
    Units: 10
    Grade Level(s): 9
    Preferred Previous Course of Study: n/a
    UC/CSU Approved? - Yes

    English 2
    English 2 focuses on the more advanced study of fiction and non-fiction/informational reading materials, including novels, short stories, plays, essays, poetry, and informational documents. There is an emphasis on the writing process, the development of listening and speaking skills, and vocabulary. To access a course overview and a list of core and supplementary texts click HERE
    Units: 10
    Grade Level(s): 10
    Preferred Previous Course of Study: English 1
    UC/CSU Approved? - Yes

    English 3
    English 3 focuses on the advanced study of traditional and contemporary American Literature and nonfiction/informational reading materials. There is an emphasis on writing, including response to literature, and reflective writing. Students will also develop speaking, listening and vocabulary skills. To access a course overview and a list of core and supplementary texts click HERE
    Units: 10
    Grade Level(s): 11
    Preferred Previous Course of Study: English 2
    UC/CSU Approved? - Yes

    English 3 Honors
    Honors English 3 focuses on the advanced study of traditional and contemporary American Literature and non-fiction/informational reading materials. This course provides additional depth of study in the development of advanced writing, analysis, and literary criticism skills beyond that required within the English 3 curriculum. Students will also develop advanced speaking, listening, and vocabulary skills. 
    Units: 10
    Grade Level(s): 11
    Preferred Previous Course of Study: English 2
    UC/CSU Approved? - Yes

    English 4
    English 4 focuses on the advanced study of world literature and non-fiction, and prepares students for the rigor of college-level reading and writing. The course includes extensive writing, analysis of text, and literary criticism, as well as the development of speaking, listening and vocabulary skills. To access a course overview and a list of core and supplementary texts click HERE
    Units: 10
    Grade Level(s): 12
    Preferred Previous Course of Study: English 3
     
    English 4 Deconstructing Race
    Deconstructing Race course builds and extends the knowledge learned in English 3 and focuses on the study of reading, writing, language, and speaking and listening as outlined in the California Common Core State Standards. In this course, students will discuss, write, and engage in research about their origins, their identities, and the awareness of how race, racism, and anti‐racism impact their lives.  This course may be taken to satisfy the fourth year of English language requirement.
    Units: 10
    Grade Level(s): 12
    Preferred Previous Course of Study: English 3
    UC/CSU Approved? - Yes
     
    English 4 Literature, Film and Media
    Literature, Film and Media Studies builds and extends the knowledge learned in English 3 and focuses on the study of reading, writing, language, and speaking and listening as outlined in the California Common Core State Standards. There is an increased attention on critical thinking, increasingly complex texts, information text and nonfiction integrating technology, and academic vocabulary. This course focuses on the role of media ‐ film, tv, news, media, and technology ‐ in the world today and uses seminal texts of literature to further analyze media and media influence. This course may be taken to satisfy fourth year of English language requirement.
    Units: 10
    Grade Level(s): 12
    Preferred Previous Course of Study: English 3
    UC/CSU Approved? - Yes
     
    English 4 WISE
    Focuses on the advanced study of world literature and non‐fiction, and prepares students for the rigor of college‐level reading and writing.  The course includes extensive writing, analysis of text, and literary criticism, as well as the development of speaking, listening and vocabulary skills.  WISE emphasizes real world, outside‐of–the‐classroom experience and is designed for the self‐motivated student. This course meets the needs of seniors interested in an alternative to the 8th semester of traditional English 4 curriculum.   As the district’s mission statement encourages, this course offers students the opportunity to “excel in a global society.” (5 units per semester).
    Units: 10
    Grade Level(s): 12
    Preferred Previous Course of Study: English 3
    UC/CSU Approved? - Yes
     
    Journalism 1‐4
    Journalism students will expand their English/Language Arts and visual arts skills through creating and publishing the school newspaper.  Students are required to write monthly assignments for the newspaper and other class projects.  They practice varied forms of journalistic writing including news, features, and sports stories, as well as reviews and editorials.  Students learn laws and ethical standards related to journalism.  In the process of writing their stories, laying out newspaper pages, and designing advertising, students learn to use specialized software for word processing, page layout, and graphic design.  This course is designed for students who are interested in refining their writing skills as well as exploring careers in journalism. This course may be offered as an ROP course. Pre‐Requisites:  Journalism 1: English 1 and teacher approval; Journalism 2: Journalism 1 and teacher approval; Journalism 3: Journalism 2 and teacher approval.
    Units: 10
    Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 1, 12
    UC/CSU Approved? - Yes
     
    English Language Development (ELD)
    The English Language Development (ELD) program is for students who are not proficient in English. The ELD program helps students master English so they can be successful in their academic courses. There are three areas of instruction: Reading, Grammar and Writing, and Conversation and Vocabulary. Students take placement tests to see which level they need, and they take quarterly benchmark tests to assure they are ready for the next level. ELD Reading focuses on word analysis and vocabulary, reading comprehension and analysis strategies, and reading fluency. ELD Grammar and Writing teaches the conventions of English: syntax, verb tenses, sentence structure, and composition. ELD Conversation and Vocabulary focuses on students’ speaking and listening skills, as well as developing their knowledge of content area and academic vocabulary.
    Units: 10
    Grade Level(s): 9, 10, 1, 12