FOUR CLASSES IN THE CORE ENGLISH COURSES ARE REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION FROM WALLENPAUPACK AREA HIGH SCHOOL. STUDENTS MUST TAKE ONE REQUIRED ENGLISH CLASS EACH YEAR IN PROPER SEQUENCE.
If a student fails any required English class, it must be made up before the next class is taken unless administrative approval is given for other arrangements. This may be accomplished either in summer school or in the first semester of the following year. The student may then take the next course in sequence in the second semester of the same year.
ENGLISH 9 - 2 credits
Grade 9
Designed to emphasize skills students must possess to pass the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, this two-semester course provides repeated practice and review in assessed areas so as to develop reading and writing process skills. This task-oriented course focuses on the various genres to prepare students for the future. English 9 students will be oriented to the high school library and learn introductory high school research skills.
ENGLISH 9 COLLEGE PREP - 1 credit
Grade 9
Level: College Prep Challenge
This quickly paced, college preparatory course is literature based, focusing on the various genres. Students must complete outside reading and writing assignments. Students are expected to be able to learn multiple tasks simultaneously and to refine their work repeatedly. To prepare the students for college, students will learn the following: literature appreciation and analysis; practical, analytical, and critical composition; library orientation and introductory high school research skills; vocabulary; interpersonal communication; standardized test-taking skills for reading and writing content.
ENGLISH 9 HONORS - 1 credit
Grade 9
Required: Students should demonstrate the ability to do honors level work as evidenced by scoring “Advanced” on the PSSA assessments. Administration may make exceptions based on a review of the student’s academic record.
Level: Honors Challenge
This accelerated, in-depth approach aims to advance the level of the college prep, literature based, genre course; much of the course work emphasizes independent and outside study. English Honors courses prepare students for the Advanced Placement curriculum. Students are expected to practice and refine a variety of analytical and interpretive reading and writing skills. English Honors 9 includes the following: library orientation and introductory high school research skills; college level vocabulary; interpersonal communication; standardized test-taking skills for reading and writing content. Students with limited motivation, average ability, or a casual interest in English studies should not schedule this intensive class.
FRESHMAN COMPOSITION - .5 credit
Grade 9
******PLEASE NOTE: This is a required course for all college preparatory and honors level students.
Designed to develop students’ writing process skills, this course focuses upon repeated practice, review of composition in three writing modes: informational, narrative, and persuasion. Students are expected to practice pre-writing through publishing skills, which are emphasized on standardized tests and necessary for school, life, and work.
ENGLISH 10 - 1 credit
Grade 10
Designed to emphasize skills students must possess to pass the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, this course provides repeated practice and review in assessed areas. This task-oriented course uses American Literature, library books, or magazine readings to prepare students for the future. English 10 students will select a research paper topic associated with the graduation project that must be completed for graduation. The sophomore research paper must adhere to the MLA-format and fulfill specific length and resource standards; as juniors, students will refine these papers.
ENGLISH 10 AMERICAN LITERATURE COLLEGE PREP - 1 credit
Grade 10
This quickly paced, college preparatory course is literature based, focusing on American Literature’s development. College Prep 10 builds upon the ninth grade foundation by increasing the degree of analysis and interpretation so that students may learn to consider the content’s connection to American themes, history, or previously learned material. Students must complete outside reading and writing assignments. Students are expected to be able to learn multiple tasks simultaneously and to refine their work repeatedly. To prepare the students for college, students will learn the following: literature appreciation and analysis; practical, analytical, and critical composition; high school research skills; vocabulary; interpersonal communication; standardizes test-taking skills for reading and writing content. The sophomore research paper must adhere to the MLA-format and fulfill specific length and resource standards; as juniors, students will refine these papers.
ENGLISH 10 AMERICAN LITERATURE HONORS - 1 credit
Grade 10
Required: Required: Students should demonstrate the ability to do honors level work as evidenced by scoring “Advanced” on the PSSA assessments. Administration may make exceptions based on a review of the student’s academic record.
Level: Honors Challenge
This accelerated, in-depth approach aims to advance the level of the American literature based course; much of the course work emphasizes independent and outside study. English Honors courses prepare students for Advanced Placement curriculum. Students are expected to practice and refine a variety of analytical and interpretive reading and writing skills. English Honors 10 includes the following: high school research skills; college level vocabulary; interpersonal communication; standardized test-taking skills for reading and writing content. Students with limited motivation, average ability, or a casual interest in English studies should not schedule this intensive class. The sophomore research paper must adhere to the MLA-format and fulfill specific length and resource standards; as juniors, students will refine these papers.
ENGLISH 11 - 1 credit
Grade 11
Designed to emphasize skills students must possess to pass the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, this course provides repeated practice and review in assessed areas. This task-oriented course uses British Literature, library books, or magazine reading to prepare students for the future. English 11 students will refine the research paper, which must adhere to the MLA-format and fulfill specific length and resource standards.
******PLEASE NOTE: Students must earn a passing grade on the Graduation Project research paper to receive credit for English 11.
ENGLISH 11 BRITISH LITERATURE COLLEGE PREP - 1 credit
Grade 11
Level: College Prep Challenge
This quickly paced, college preparatory course is literature based, focusing on British Literature’s development. College Prep 11 builds upon the previous foundation by increasing the degree of analysis and interpretation so that students may learn to consider the content’s connection to British themes, English history, or previously learned material. Students must complete outside reading and writing assignments, Students are expected to be able to learn multiple tasks simultaneously and to refine their work repeatedly. To prepare the students for college, students will learn the following: literature appreciation and analysis; practical, analytical, and critical composition; high school research skills; vocabulary; interpersonal communication; standardized test-taking skills for reading and writing content. English 11 College Prep students will refine the research paper, which must adhere to the MLA-format and fulfill specific length and resource standards.
******PLEASE NOTE: Students must earn a passing grade on the Graduation Project research paper to receive credit for English 11 College Prep.
ENGLISH 11 BRITISH LITERATURE HONORS - 1 credit
Grade 11
Required: Students should demonstrate the ability to do honors level work as evidenced by scoring “Advanced” on the PSSA assessments. Administration may make exceptions based on a review of the student’s academic record.
Level: Honors Challenge
This accelerated, in-depth approach aims to advance the level of the British literature based course; much of the course work emphasizes independent and outside study. English Honors courses prepare students for the Advanced Placement curriculum. Students are expected to practice and refine a variety of analytical and interpretive reading and writing skills. English Honors 11 includes the following: high school research skills; college level vocabulary; interpersonal communication; standardized test-taking skills for reading and writing content. Students with limited motivation, average ability, or a casual interest in English studies should not schedule this intensive class.
******PLEASE NOTE: Students must earn a passing grade on the Graduation Project research paper to receive credit for English 11 Honors.
ENGLISH 12 - 1 credit
Grade 12
Designed to emphasize skills students must possess in assessed areas, this course provides repeated practice and review in reading and writing. This task-oriented course uses World Literature, library books, magazine reading, and research activities to prepare students for the future.
ENGLISH 12 WORLD LITERATURE COLLEGE PREP - 1 credit
Grade 12
Level: College Prep Challenge
This quickly paced, college preparatory course is literature based, focusing on World Literature’s development. College Prep 12 is designed to be a culminating study of world literary thought, analysis and interpretation. Students are expected to consider the content’s connection to universal themes, world history, or previously learned material. Students must complete outside reading and writing assignments. Students are expected to be able to learn multiple tasks simultaneously and to refine their work repeatedly. To prepare the students for college, students will learn the following: literature appreciation and analysis; practical, analytical, and critical composition; high school research skills; vocabulary; interpersonal communication; standardized test-taking skills for reading and writing content.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH 12 - 1.5 credit
Grade 12
Required: - A grade of “84” or better in English 11 Honors or department approval
Level: Advanced Placement Challenge
In Advanced Placement English 12 emphasis is placed on preparation for the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Examination for possible college credit and on composition as a means for analysis of and reaction to the literary genres. It is recommended for college-bound students who have demonstrated advanced skills in English.
Students must prepare seriously since they will be required to take the Advanced Placement exam. The cost of the exam will be covered by the school district.
CREATIVE WRITING - .5 credit
Grades 10,11,12
Required: English 9
Level: College Prep Challenge
This course is designed for students who desire to write creatively and wish to spend much time writing. Forms could include short story, poetry and drama. The student will be encouraged to create or re-create an experience or perception unique to their personalities. Opportunity will be given for students to share their writings with a responsive audience. The course will culminate in submission of a piece for possible publication.
LITERATURE AND SCIENCE - .5 credit
Grades 10,11,12
Level: College Prep Challenge
This is a semester long, literature based course designed for college-bound students interested in both literature and science. Students will read, analyze, interpret and discuss recent award winning works of non-fiction notable for their literary excellence and for communicating scientific knowledge to the general reader. Selections from Pulitzer Prize and John Burroughs medal winning authors such as Carl Sagan, E.O. Wilson, Jared Diamond, Stephen Jay Gould, Aldo Leopold, Barry Lopez, and others will be studied. Students will develop reading, writing, research, and critical thinking skills.
GRADUATION PROJECT - .5 credit
Grade 11,12
***Please note: This course cannot be repeated. A student who receives a failing grade in the Graduation Project course must do an independent project in order to graduate.
This course will assist the student in learning how to develop and present a “graduation project”. The class will focus on the development of the project and will include researching and presenting a topic of interest to the student. A successful presentation, product/performance, and journal are required outcomes; additionally, students must successfully complete their English research paper requirement.
SAT PREPARATION COURSE - .5 credit
Grade 11
Required: Applied Geometry or Geometry
***NOTE: This course is an elective credit, not an English credit.
SAT Preparation is a semester long elective course designed for the college-bound student who wishes to enhance his or her score on the Scholastic Achievement Test Reasoning Test. Students will be expected to complete homework assignments, practice quizzes and sample tests. Special SAT software is also available for students.
This course is designed to increase familiarity with the specific directions and question formats of the SAT Reasoning test. Students will receive basic Math and English skills needed for the test. They will learn specific strategies for approaching each type of question and the test in general.